Product spotlight: Blush
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009
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!
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