Blush Makeup Guide

Good Bye Clown Face, Hello Beautiful...

Blush makeup has got to be one of the most misunderstood, and poorly applied types of makeup. This is so much so, that a lot of people just don't wear it because they can't get it to look NATURAL.

Not anymore....Here is a fool proof guide to choosing blush, applying blush, and getting the look you want. Whether the look you are after is just a hint of a flush to your cheeks, or more of a radiant counter balance to very pale lifeless color, or full on sculpted dimension.

You don't have to be a talented professional makeup artist to pull it off. I'll show you how so keep reading!

Choosing A Blush

First of all, choose a blush that meets your objectives...
It comes in a variety of formats; POWDER, CREAM, GEL and TINT , all with specific qualities that will create a variety of finishes and styles. Its all up to you.

Once you have your type of blush narrowed down...get it.  Here is a little help choosing the best blush for your style objective.  For most of you, regardless of your individual beauty style, learning how to apply blush in simple steps that will bring a beautiful natural looking finish (and avoid the dreaded 'clown face'), is your prime objective.

POWDER

The Finish?  Soft, sheer-opaque , dressy, good evening wear or for those with oily skin.

Applied?  After foundation that is set with translucent powder, will give powder blush the best base and staying power.

Tool?  Proper blush powder brush.

A combination of good placement technique and blending will achieve a subtle yet effective result...

• dip brush into powder pad and dab off excess on tissue
• then smile and place, with a gentle sweep, along your cheek bone starting at the "apple" of cheek, moving toward hairline and up the temple along the hairline

Note:  Pigment strongest at apple, fading in concentration as it moves back towards hairline.

• BLEND WELL

Great powder blush makeup product to try?

nars powder blush at Beso.com

NARS Powder Blush  NARS makes a particularly beautiful powder blush that is made with very saturated, vibrant pigment, that creates gorgeous sheer natural looking results. (*This is an award winning favorite among beauty pros and consumers alike, and in particular this shade shown left 'orgasm' a perfect peachy pink that is universally skin tone flattering).

CREAM

The Finish?  Strong pigment that can be blended to desired finish but transparent enough to allow skin through.

Applied?  Either on bare skin or makeup prior to light powder set (can be done after powder but more work in blending) .

Tool?  Clean fingers are fastest, cream blush brush effective, sponge .

A combination of good placement technique and blending will achieve a subtle yet effective result...

• smile and dab along your cheek bone using clean fingers, starting with biggest dot at the "apple" of cheek, and a couple smaller dots moving toward hairline
• then blend at apple and downward as you move toward hairline

Note:  Pigment strongest at apple, fading in concentration as it moves back towards hairline.

• BLEND WELL

Great cream blush makeup product to try?

Philosophy The Supernatural Cream Blush at Beso.com

Philosophy The Supernatural Lit From Within Healthy Cream Blush- Great reviews on this sheer creamy, blendable 'fresh splash of color to the cheeks'.  Good to know... It is without parabens, phthalates, talcs and sulfates.

GEL

The Finish?  Very sheer subtle color.

Applied?  On bare clear skin (very transparent so skin needs to be problem free) or on makeup.

Tool?  Clean fingers.

A combination of good placement technique and blending will achieve a subtle yet effective result...

• concentrate color at the apple of cheeks, blending in a circular motion outward an back along cheek if using gel from tube, squeeze out pearl size dollop onto your finger, place on "apple", blending outward in a circular motion etc.
• if using a stick dab at apple, placing another smaller dab behind it, then blend with fingers starting at apple,etc. 
  

Note:  Pigment strongest at apple, fading in concentration as it moves back towards hairline.

• BLEND WELL

Great gel blush makeup product to try?

Tarte Cheek Stain at Beso.com

Tarte Cheek Stain -Is an incredibley impressive product in fabulous sheer colors, easy to use, wonderful to smell and gorgeous natural looking flush (this is my daily staple...no matter what I am up to, I have this on).  It  has skin invigorating qualities, is without parabens, phthalates, talcs and sulfates, AND Tarte Cheek Stain has won multiple awards that include Allure, Self, Glam.com best of beauty awards...to name a few.  Blushing Bride shown left, universally skin tone flattering in a gorgeous plum shade.

TINT

The Finish?  Sheer natural looking glow.

Applied?  Tend to dry quickly so make sure skin is well moisturized and blend quickly .

Tool?  Usually come with some kind of applicator, otherwise clean fingers.

A combination of good placement technique and blending will achieve a subtle yet effective result...

• place and work into the apple of your cheeks and blend in a circular patting motion around the apple and just beyond blending to the cheek side

Note:  Pigment strongest at apple, fading in concentration as it moves back towards hairline.

• BLEND WELL

Great tint blush makeup product to try?

Lorac Cheek Wash at Beso.com

LORAC Sheer Wash This sheer wash of color comes in three shades (raspberry, rose and bronze) and is applied via an easy roll on applicator.  Getting that 'just pinched' cheeks look, a cinch.

Last word on blush makeup ...

Getting The Look You Want:

We all have our own beauty aesthetic, with certain beauty and/or fashion icons that we can relate to and often influence our own style direction...but one thing that seems to be universal among us all, the style objective of natural looking, radiant blush makeup.

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