Blush

Some women are born with naturally high cheekbones and some need help in accentuating what they have.  That is why having blush as part of your makeup and beauty routine can be so important.  About half of the women today wear blush and those that do, apply it incorrectly.  Adding blush as part of your makeup routine can perk up your face if it appears washed out or colorless.  If you are tired and decide only to apply a few beauty essentials to your face, blush should be one of them. It can give you the appearance of being wide-eyed and bushy-tailed when in actuality, you are exhausted and need help to finish the day.

What Color?
One of the most important questions that women ask in selecting a blush is what color it should be.  This can be difficult if you don’t have a natural eye for color.  If you don’t want to subject yourself to a sit down session at a makeup counter, there are one or two things that can help you find your color.  First, think about when you exercise or do some type of strenuous activity.  Getting physical puts color in your cheeks doesn’t it?  The color you achieve in your cheeks from a light physical activity is one way to steer you to an appropriate blush color.  Another way is to pinch your cheeks and wait a second or two.  The color you get from the pinch should help in your decision.

What Type?
Your second step to applying a beautiful blush is to decide what type of blush to purchase.  There is a variety to choose from including the powder, gel, cream, and tint blushes.  The condition of your skin should dictate what type of blush you want to buy.  Here is a brief breakdown of each:

-    Powder blushes are universal, meaning that most skin types can wear them.  If you want a long-lasting color, powder blushes are the best.

-    Gel blushes provide more of a translucent shine and are best suited to those oily to normal skin types.  It is best applied with the fingertips and dries fast.

-    Cream blushes can also be applied with the fingertips.  They are thick in consistency, but not overwhelming on the skin once applied. Because cream blushes are rich in moisturizing ingredients, they are best suited to those women with dry skin.

-    Tint blushes are like a cheek stain.  It dries very quickly, so you have to move fast to apply it correctly without streaks or mishaps.  Tint blushes are the least user-friendly but last until you wash your face.

Finishing Touch
Now that you have an idea of the types of blushes to choose from, it is time for application.  You want to make sure and complete most of your makeup routine first, meaning foundation, powder and any eye products like shadow, eye liner and mascara. Blush is considered the finishing touch. Once you are completely done with your other makeup, you will have a better idea of how much blush to apply.

Your Face Shape?
Determine what the shape of your face is.  Knowing whether you have a round, oval, square or heart-shaped face will give you a better guide as to where the blush is going to be applied.  Dip your brush or applicator into the blush and tap it to shake off the excess.  Look into your mirror and smile.  You should get a hint of where your cheekbones are; the rounded part of your cheekbones is called the “apple” and that is where you need to apply the blush.  Start at the “apple” and follow the natural contour of your cheekbone, toward your hairline.  Blend the color so there is no obvious blush line. You want the color to look as if nature put it there.

Too Much?
Don’t worry if you apply too much blush, especially if it is a powder blush.  You can use your translucent face powder to gently blot over your blush to tone it down if need be.  To get the best results, do not use the dinky blush brush that comes with your makeup.  Purchase a separate, professional blush brush that you can purchase at any makeup department store counter or beauty supply store. If you want the best results, you need the right tools!