Product spotlight: Blush

Unless you are applying makeup for a photoshoot where contouring is involved, the purpose of blush is to give a healthy flush to your cheeks. As your skin colour is more or less consistent, give or take the times that you bake in the sun and change colour, you don’t need a variety of blush colours and can use the same colour blush for years. Doing so will make the public think that your cheeks are naturally that color.

If you want to get fancy you can get a lighter colour for normal day to day wear, and a darker one to up the vamp for a nighttime look. The darker colour can also work during the summer months if your skin colour is more tanned. Medium to darker skin tones can also have a bronzer do double duty as a blush.

Get a colour that mimicks the color of your cheeks after a workout. For those of you who haven’t worked out for a while and have no idea what I’m talking about, a coral or apricot (warm tones) coloured base usually works well for medium to darker skin tones and a pink (cool tone) for fairer skin tones. It may look like the wrong choice in the pot but don’t knock it till you try it. Blushes were not meant to be applied as concentrated as eyeshadows are applied. I’ve seen apricot applied on the darkest skin colours and look just yummy.

Blush that is applied in the wrong colour can make you look washed out  and ghastly.

Apply blush sparingly, starting with the top of the apples of your cheeks and moving upward toward your temples. Doing so will emphasize your cheekbones if you do have, or create the look of having cheekbones if you don’t. Applying blush only to the apples of your cheeks may make your face appear round.

You can always layer another application if you desire more colour. Start blush in line with the middle of your eye, as applying it too close to your nose will make it look unnatural. If you can see that there is blush on your cheeks you have applied too much. Tissue off and start over again.

Take the time to get the perfect shade for you as, even with everyday wear, a blush will last you for a very long time. Head to the makeup counter with a friend in tow and experiement to find the right shade.

If you can, invest in a separate blush brush. You will use it everyday so it’s worth it.
As shown in the illustration, the blush brush carries the same shape as a big face powder brush, only it is smaller. The brushes that come with blushes are typically too small, will pick up way too much colour and do not facilitate blending. Brushes that typically come with cheek colour are better used to apply eyeshadow.

 

Powdered blushes are easier to apply than cream blushes, and work better for oilier skin types.

Cream blushes work well for dry skin types, and can be applied with the finger tips and/or blended with a cosmetic triangle sponge in the same way described above. Keep application amount to a minimum and blend well. 

Happy blushing!

 

Related GC posts
Maybe she’s born with it
Minimalista Makeup: From day to night 
Q/A: Which type of foundation is for me?
Frump to Fab in 10 steps  

Ingredient Spotlight: Mineral Oil

Mineral Oil (the main ingredient in baby oil) and Petrolatum (the main ingredient in petroleum jelly) come from petroleum sources, derived from the earth.

These two ingredients have stood the test of time and are often used in products to guard against dehydration by creaing a barrier layer on the skin, thereby sealing water in the skin as well as preventing skin irritation from contact with certain substancees. These two ingredients are considered to be of the best protective skin barriers as well as the safest as they do not react with other chemicals that are associated with normal bodily function. They do not require the use of other preservatives because they do not naturally harbor bacteria or any other type of micro-organisms. 

It is a common suggestion to slather mineral oil (baby oil) on damp skin after a shower in the winter months to seal in moisture on the skin. Because of this same moisture sealing action, it is not recommended to use mineral oil or petrolatum on burns or open wounds as the area will not be able to breathe and as a result heal properly.

For many years mineral oil and petrolatum have been said to be comodegenic, meaning they can clog the skin’s pores and cause blackheads. However research has not proven this to be true. Other mildly comedogenic oils include sunflower oil, avocado oil. Jojoba Oil, like water is considered to be non-comedogenic and will not clog pores and cause blackheads.

Still, moisturizers and serums containing Mineral Oil or Petrolatum may not be ideal for oily, combination skin types or acneic skin conditions because it may impart too much oil to the skin.

Do check the ingredient listing on your products if you have these skin types/ conditions as using products that contain these ingredients may result in making your skin more oily than it naturally is, or needs to be.  Instead, products which list “Water/ Agua” as its first ingredient are better suited to these skin types.

 

 

Supernova

 

Random music quote of the day: Cher

“…I’ve had time to think it through and maybe I’m too good for you…”

-Believe, Cher

Nuff said. 

Have a wacky Wednesday y’all!

Supernova