How to Apply Blush, According to Makeup Artists
Use your fingers. Use a brush. apples of cheeks, always. wait what are you doing Apply the product to your cheekbones. Overwhelming, isn’t it? Everyone out there, from your mom to your favorite TikTok beauty influencer, will tell you another *right* way to apply the best blush. But the truth is, there’s no set recipe for getting the perfect conditioner. However, there are options, techniques, tips and tricks to help you on your blush application journey. “I really think this is so individual to each person’s face, face shape and comfort level,” explains Omnia Executive Makeup Artist Dominique Lerma.
Here we bring you the best blush application tips in the industry. From the best spot for your rosy blush according to your face shape, to the product color that best suits your skin tone, and every little piece of advice in between, here’s exactly how to apply blush, according to the experts.
Select a product structure
First things first, you need to decide whether you want to use a powder, cream, or liquid blush. “Almost anyone can wear any finish in blush, it ultimately just depends on what makeup look you’re going for,” says makeup artist Billie Gene. “A liquid finish melts into the skin and gives you the most natural look, a cream finish can give you a fresh, almost doll-like, dewy look, and a powder gives you a more traditional shimmer of color.”
In addition to your personal preferences, you should also consider your skin type. A creamy or liquid blush moisturizes dry skin, while a powder can accentuate dry patches and rough texture. The opposite is also true — a super-moist, hydrating cream or liquid formula can make oily skin types look a little too smooth. Opt for a no-budget stain instead.
Find the perfect shade
Let me start this section by stating that you can pick any color your little heart desires. Yellow? Violet? They do you when it comes to makeup. However, if you’re curious as to which shades will give you a very natural, flattering finish, let the pros be your guide.
Best shade for fair skin tones
If you’re on the pale end of the spectrum (hi, yes, me!), makeup artist Tobi Henney recommends going for soft pinks and peaches first. These shades add a little sprinkling and pop of color without overwhelming your skin or creating a clown-like effect. If you reach for a darker shade, just make sure you start with a small amount of the product. Remember: it’s easier to add than to remove.
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MAC Glow Play Blush in Cheeky Devil
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Laura Mercier Blush Color Infusion in Bellini
Best shade for medium skin tones
“This skin tone is the most flexible with blush tones,” says Gene. While you can play around with everything from purple to deep red, he’s the biggest fan of pinks and peaches. Henney also loves a rose hue for medium skin tones.
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Hermes Rose Hermes Silky Blush Powder in Rose Plume
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Rose Inc Cream Blush refillable cheek and lip color in Ophelia
Best shade for olive skin tones
“Olive complexions can go for peaches or bronze tones,” says Gene. “Pink tones can also work with this complexion, but it depends on the tone of the rest of the makeup.”
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Milani Baked Rouge in Luminoso
Merit Flush Balm Cheek Tint in Terracotta
Best shade for dark skin tones
“I love a lighter tangerine accent or deep richness on dark skin tones,” says Henney. Gene also loves a rich berry tone. It is also key to ensure you reach for a highly pigmented product. While you can of course build layers to build up the intensity, a great blush should only take one swipe.
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Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Pink Explosion
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Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Grace
Decide on your tool
Once you’ve settled on a powder formula, there’s no doubt you’ll 100 percent want to use one of the best blush brushes to apply your product. Otherwise, your product will look lumpy, Gene explains. But if you’re working with a creamy or liquid product, Henney says you have a few more options. You can apply with a brush (thicker is preferred) or apply the product directly with your fingers. Just make sure your hands are clean before you get to work.
Find out your blush placement
There is no not correct Position your blush, but certain placements will change your look quite slightly. “If you want to lengthen the face, apply your blush to the higher points of your cheeks – just above the cheekbone. Then, round it into your hairline above your ear to chisel the face up,” Lerma explains. This is usually the technique recommended for more oval or longer face shapes.
On the other hand, you can apply blush directly to the cheeks – a must for round faces. Just note: this technique creates the illusion of a fuller face. “If you’re not sure where the apples of the cheek are, go ahead and smile big. Apply product to the fleshiest part of the cheek area, then blend upwards in a crescent moon shape.”
Apply blush right after foundation
Gene recommends applying blush “immediately after foundation” and then “following with bronzer and highlighter.” This one-by-one technique not only helps your liquid or creamy blush blend seamlessly with your foundation, but also helps you figure out where to place your other products for the most sculpted look.
Layer Formulas
When it comes to blush, we firmly believe that more is better. While you can certainly mix different shades of the same product to create a custom color, it’s also worth layering different textures. “Layering products are always delivering longer-lasting results and increasing color intensity,” says Gene. Typically, you should start with a cream or liquid wash and then apply a powder blush on top.
Make sure you are spot free
Hard lines are a no-go. As a rule of thumb, you should blend with your brush or fingers a little longer than you think. To seal the deal, grab a Beauty Blender (we’re partially on the OG iteration) and pat-pat-pat along the edges. “They’re a great tool for blending out and softening the blush,” explains Henney.
Apply it to your eyes, nose and lips
One of the many, many reasons we love blushes is that they are incredibly versatile. While the most traditional use is to bring your cheeks to life, many formulas are versatile. “Blush works beautifully as an eyeshadow or as a blendable shadow,” explains Henney. And if you really want to master a monochromatic look, you can dab a little product on the bridge of your nose and pat it on your lips for a smudge.
Avoid going too low
You can focus your blush on the cheekbones or higher on the cheekbones (you do), but you should always be aware of how low your placement is. “The trick to applying blush is not to apply color beyond the lip creases and laugh lines,” explains Lerma. This will ensure your face looks alive and alert as opposed to sad and droopy.
Set your blush
This is an optional step, although some require it. Henney recommends those with oily skin set the color with some form of powder — either a traditional translucent setting powder or a powder-blush formula. If you don’t want to risk dulling your cheek color, grab one of the best setting sprays.
Meet the experts
Dominique Lerma is a Hollywood-born, internationally published makeup artist and beauty educator known for her ability to create flawless complexions and innovative beauty looks. She developed her love for the art of makeup at a very mature age and began beautifying faces for her classmates at her all-girl parochial high school. Her self-taught passion blossomed when she was given the opportunity to work with world-renowned Mac Cosmetics and soon became a Viva Glam ambassador.
Tobi Henney is a Sydney makeup artist originally from Sydney where she was previously L’Oréal Paris Makeup Director for Australia. Known for flawless, glowing skin and signature red carpet looks, she has worked for clients such as Megan Fox, Ashley Graham, Charlotte Lawrence, Poppy Delevingne, Ellie Golding, Sara Bareilles, Bambi Northwood-Blyth, Barbara Palvin, Georgia Fowler and Shanina Shaik were created . Henney has worked with major brands such as Diane Von Furstenberg, Victoria’s Secret, Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu, L’Oréal Paris, Clinique, Maybelline, Nike, Anthropology and Coach.
Bringing his fashion background to the forefront of beauty, Eugene “Billie-Gene” is an industry innovator with a style all his own. As he continues to make a name for himself in the makeup world, Billie-Gene’s approach to the art brings a fresh aesthetic that renews and revitalizes everything we think of beauty. Gene’s Basis in Beauty sheds light on the importance of proper skin care while adding shape and dimension to the face.
With his inspiration, Billie Gene’s technique – originally curated by Aveda and Tom Ford – has evolved into a model for his surroundings. The idea of using fashion and art to capture and captivate one’s beauty is one he can call his own, considering each face as a canvas on which to create his art. And its premise is simple: “Beauty is glamorous. Everyone should feel beautiful, as we all know we are.”