Blush
What is Blush?
Blush, also called blusher or rouge, is a cosmetic product applied to the cheeks.
Typically blush is found in shades of pink and red, but also can be found in oranges, browns, and non-traditional
colors such as purples and blues.
The name “blush” comes from the term blushing, referring to the sudden redness of the cheeks when there is
increased blood flow to the area – like when someone is embarrassed.
Where is blush applied?
Blush is applied to the cheek & cheekbones, where a person’s face would naturally flush.
There are some different application recommendations based on face shape. Check out an infographic like this
for some basic info on blush for different face shapes.
What types of blush are there?
Blush comes in two main forms: cream and powder.
14 Tips for Applying Blush Perfectly
- First, prep your skin the right way.
To make your blush blend into your skin and stay put all day, always wash and moisturize your face first.
Dry (or oily) skin doesn’t hold makeup as well, so keeping your skin healthy, exfoliated, clean, and
supple allows makeup to blend in beautifully and last longer.
To make your blush last even longer, start with a makeup primer, which preps skin and gives a no-slip
canvas to help makeup last all day. If you don’t want to invest in another beauty product, layer blush on
top of foundation or a tinted moisturizer to even out your skin tone and help give the blush something to
stick to. - Pick a shade that works with your skin tone.
Blush isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of deal — you need to choose the right shade to flatter your
complexion. Something too dark or too bright can actually age you instead of giving you that warm,
youthful glow. The key is to choose something that’s close to your natural flush and the best way to
figure out what that is is to pinch your cheeks. If you’re still not sure, here are some tips for finding your
best shade:
If you have very pale, fair skin, opt for light pinks for a pretty flush of color that won’t overpower your
tone. Pale pink and lilac formulas give a sheer wash of color that flatter your light complexion without
looking garish. A safe bet? Covergirl Cheekers Blendable Powder Blush Natural Rose. It’s a Beauty
Award Winner and under $4.
If you have light-medium skin, choose a peachy pink shade to give your skin a pretty glow. Since this
shade is universally flattering, if you’re in doubt, try it in your desired formula. We love NARS Blush in
Orgasm and Maybelline Face Studio Master Glaze Blush Stick in Coral Sheen.
For golden or olive skin tones, the warm undertones to the skin can stand up to brighter, punchier pinks.
We like Revlon Cream Blush in Flushed for these medium skin tones.
Darker skin tones can go for brighter hues with warm undertones, like a bright apricot, to deliver an
ethereal glow and truly radiant results. Try Milani Baked Blush in Corallina — While the shade seems
bright, it buffs into the skin for a natural look.
- Find the right blush formula for your skin type.
Picking the right blush is about more than just the shade — you need to find the perfect formula, too.
There are three types of blushes: powders, creams, and stains.
If you have oily skin, a cheek stain works well. Stains look dewy and last for ages, even if you tend to
sweat or have oil-prone skin. Apply a little at a time — once it sets into your skin, it’s hard to blend out
(hence the name!).
If you have normal or combination skin, creamy formulas are great and have high staying power. Cream
blush is easy to use for most skin types, comes in tons of colours, and gives skin a fresh, youthful look.
If you have dry skin, stick with a powder formula. Powder blush is great for gliding over pores for a
blurring effect and despite popular belief, stains and creams aren’t so great for dry skin: They can crack
when they dry, which exacerbates the look of dryness - Pick the right blush brush.
It’s true that your makeup will only look as good as the tools you apply it with, and “if you’re going to
spend money on any tools, spend it on a blush brush!” advises Laramie Glen, a makeup artist based in
NYC. “It should be dense, natural or vegan hair, soft, and easily able to diffuse the color.” A tightly
packed brush can pick up too much product and overload your face with color, but a loose brush picks
up less product while still offering a pretty color payoff that’s strong enough to make a difference.
Makeup artists and the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab tested the best makeup
brushes and recommended the Sigma Beauty F10 Powder/Blush Brush: it’s soft, easy to maneuver, and
won’t break the bank. Swirl the brush in the product and be sure to tap off any excess before applying to
your face so you don’t wind up with a big dab of color on your cheek.
- Apply blush according to your face shape.
Blush is meant to strategically accent your face, which means you need to take your bone structure into
account before applying it in the first place.
Heart-shaped faces: If your face is long with prominent cheekbones and
a narrow chin, you likely have a heart-shaped face. Apply blush in a “C”
shape from the top of the temple down to the cheekbone. Use more product
along the cheekbone, then diffuse it up towards the temple, pushing it in and
upwards. Don’t go overboard with your application: “You want a blended look
since it’s on more than just the cheeks,” Glen warns.
Oblong faces: If your forehead, cheeks, and jawline
are all about the same width, you have an oblong face
shape. Hit the apple of the cheek with blush starting at
the most prominent part of the cheek, blending colour
towards the nose and bringing it out towards the temple. Add a touch of blush on
the forehead and the sides of the brows to bring the look together.
Square face: If your face has straight sides and a
fairly flat jawline (think Olivia Wilde or Angelina Jolie),
you have a square face. “With a square face, you want
to hit all of the cheekbone from the corner of the brow to the hairline,” says Glen. With
long, light motions, sweep blush across the cheekbone, starting low and moving
upwards. Pull blush from the eyebrow down to the nose, very softly and blended.
Round face: If your cheeks are the fullest part of your
face and you have a curved jawline, you have a round face.
For the best blush, look in the mirror, smile, then swipe blush
on the apples of your cheeks. Using a foundation brush and
medium-size strokes, brush colour up towards the temple and
down towards the earlobe to blend.
Oval faces: If your face is long with somewhat prominent
cheeks, a narrower chin, and a narrow forehead, your face
is oval. Glen recommends starting at the most prominent
part of the cheekbone and using soft strokes, brushing down
towards the earlobe and blend up towards the temple. Add
the slightest bit just above the temple, too, for bal - Blend, blend and blend.
Just applying blush in the right areas is not enough — you need to make sure
it’s blended well too. Use a damp sponge or a stiff brush to blend your blush into your face. Remember:
Your blush should mimic a natural flush, not clown makeup. You want the color to blend with no harsh
lines while still giving noticeable, glowy color. - Mute too-bright blush with sheer foundation.
If you accidentally pile on the blush, don’t grab the makeup remover. Instead,
tone down a bold blush
by dabbing a bit of sheer liquid foundation over it using a wet makeup sponge to
evenly distribute. This will dial down the color while still leaving a rosy glow
