Rules of Blush!

So many of us girls (and guys) resort to just swiping blush onto our cheeks but don't realise or know how much it can help the face, shape the face or ruin the face! This is part one of a blush series I will be doing.

To follow will be blush trends on the runway and how to achieve it & how to reshape your face with blush <3

 

 

Now for the rules:

1. Keep it real:
   MUA Laura Mercier states that the whole idea of putting colour on your cheeks is to mimic a healthy glow. Stay away from super bright un-natural colours that would make you look like a clown rather than have a pretty flush. Rose coloured blushes are best for pale skin, apricot toned blushes for medium, and muted brick reds for darker skin tones.
    
2. Find the right formula:
   Cream blush is easier to blend and sheer out than other formulations and usually look a bit more natural. It's great for women with normal to dry skin as it's like a added layer of moisture. Try MAC, NYX, Nars, Clinique and YSL. Cream blush is NOT for oily skin as it will fade and/or migrate.
   Gel blushes are good for oily skin but with dry skin, gel blush will enhance your dry spots....you don't want that.
   Powder blush works for normal to oily skin and it's the most widely used formulation of blush and most conventional. I personally prefer powder blush.
    
3. Where did it go?
   Begin applying the blush at the top of the apples of the cheek for the most natural look as the idea is to deposit most f the pigment where rosiness would first appear naturally. If you can't tell where that is just smile to push the apples up (one of the first things I learned about blush application).
   Blend outward towards your hairline and down from the apples of your cheek so there are no harsh lines.
    
4. Tools:
   Fan brushes are great for very bright powder blushes because it distributes colour evenly and creates a soft effect (ohhhhh so that's what that brush is used for! :p ).
   A nice SOFT fluffy brush is great for all other powder brushes as it desposits the not so bright colours very well on the cheeks. Cream and gel blushes are best applied with the fingers and you can use a duo fibre brush.
    
5. Make it grab!
   A layer of translucent powder used as a primer for your powder blush will help the pigment go on uniformly and last longer.
    
6. Last longer?
   If you're one to complain that your blush disappears by midday you can prolong the wear by first applying a little cream blush and then dust a bit of translucent powder over the area and finish with a powder blush. ALL of this applied with a light hand.
    
7. Sparkly or matte?
   Think of the lighting you would be in. Skip anything too sparkly for the office because your cheeks will look shiny because of the fluorescent lights. HOWEVER blushes with a slight shimmer bring sallow skin back to life. Usually persons should go for shimmer for night looks and matte/satin blushes for day time :)
    
8. Avoid Clowning around
   If you have rosacea or your skin is blotchy/uneven first even out your skin with an opaque foundation then apply the blush. If it is more purple toned, peachy or soft brone blush will counteract the redness but if your skin is more rosy look for a muted peachy rose.

xoxo