With spring in full bloom, who doesn’t want a dewy complexion to go with the freshness of the season? The easiest way is to add a little colour to your cheeks. But when it comes to applying blush, the idea is to not emulate a clown but look naturally flushed, like you’ve just heard a naughty joke.
Now, there are various ways of applying the product, depending on the shape of your face and your skin tone.
Different Strokes for Different Folks
There are lots of varied techniques for using blushers, each affecting the way your bone structure looks. Think of it like contouring to suit the shape of your face and something that can help accentuate your features. Firstly, determine what sort of face shape you have (easily checked through a range of online tutorials), then follow these few basic tips to get the desired effect.
Oval: You’re lucky and can get away with pretty much any method. Apply to the apples of the cheeks and blend outwards towards the ears and the temple. Avoid under the cheek bones.
Round: Suck in your cheeks and dab blush just underneath the cheek bones, blending in an angular motion, outwards. Do not blend towards the nose, but more towards the outside of the cheek.
Square: Smile very slightly and apply to just the apples of your cheeks, blending in a circular motion to soften the angles of your face. Don’t overdo the smile when applying blush, it’ll end up lower on your face.
Heart: Apply from the top of the temple down to the cheek bone, then along the cheek bone and back up again, in an almost ‘C’ shape.
Choosing the Right Colour
Pick the right shade for your skin type – it’s not a good look when you see a blob of colour that doesn’t match your skin tone at all. It should have a ‘barely there’ feel and complement your complexion for it to appear au naturale.
Pale Skin: Use light pinks and coral to add warmth.
Medium Skin: Rosy shades and apricot add a glow.
Dark Skin:
Terracotta and berry hues boost complexion.
With so many different products available on the market, from blush kits to brushes, powders to creamy formulas, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get your rouge on. Experiment with different techniques and see what works best for you. And most importantly, have fun doing it!
TOP HACKS
- Layer a powder blush over a cream one, each used sparingly, for a long-lasting finish.
- Blot your blush by placing a tissue over your cheek and pressing with a make-up sponge.
- Double up your blusher as eyeshadow or lipstick for a natural look.
