Blush is the perfect way to add a youthful touch of colour to our complexion. It’s a make-up bag essential, but can be challenging to know exactly how to apply it.
The key, according to Benefit senior make-up artist Lauren Hogsden, is choosing the correct product, and knowing your face shape and skin tone. After that, it’s easy!
Pick and choose
“Blush comes in a range of formulas, from powder to cream, and finding the best depends on your skin type,” says Lauren.
“If you have an oilier skin type it’s best to opt for a powder blush to help mattify. The velvety texture will also help to resurface the skin, smoothing over open pores.
“If you have a drier skin type, tints, gels & creamy blushes work wonders as they do not add further texture and sit subtly on the surface.”
Shape of you
Whatever you choose, Lauren says it’s important to ensure the skin is well moisturised before you begin.
“Start by identifying your face shape. Are you oval, round, heart, square or long?
“For oval faces, sweep blush from the apple of the cheek, then up and out towards the top of the ears.
“For round, apply from the apple of the cheeks, up and out towards the temples. Avoid highlighting blushers, as it will reflect the light, making the skin surface appear rounder. To soften a heart shape, apply from the apples of the cheeks, then sweep in a soft curve towards the tops of the ears.
“For long faces, apply blush on the apple of the cheeks, up and out. This will help to widen and break up the face shape. And for square? As both your cheekbones and jawline have the same width, soften by applying from the apples of the cheeks, sweeping in a soft curve towards the tops of the ears.”
Tools of the trade
Lauren says choosing the right tools is just as important as picking the correct product.
“When applying a powder blush, opt for a brush as this will ensure you get a light dusting of pigment, which can be softly layered,” Lauren explains.
“When applying cream, gel or liquid, sponges are perfect as they help to sheer the high pigment seamlessly.”
As for shades, autumn-winter is all about a soft flush.
“For fair skin tones, rose, soft corals and peach hues look beautiful, adding a delicate pop of colour to the complexion.
“On olive skin tones, brighter but warmer hues, such as corals and apricot, can helping to deliver radiance.
“Deeper skin tones look stunning in berry and plum hues, creating a little added lift to the apples of the cheeks.”
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe