Blushes: How to choose one for you, how to apply and anything you want to know!

I asked on my friends on my personal Facebook if they had any questions or problem areas that they would like to see a blog or video on. Choosing blushes was the first one. Here are some of the things I’ve learned about blush from my own trial and error, and a little research.

My first memory of blush was back in elementary school. There was this mom who would  pick up her kids. She had short vibrant red hair and her makeup was intense. She used a dark, shimmery, reddish-brown eyeshadow that winged out and went all the way up to her eyebrows and what seemed like the same color on her cheeks in a line from about her mouth to her ears. She blended everything so I don’t remember harsh lines, more of an intense color that blended at the edges. None the less, with the hair and the eyeshadow and contour all being the same color, she had the appearance of a Disney villain. 

As I got older, my mom tried to explain to me the concept of blush and contouring; use a brown shade to make your face look thinner and put the pink over the top to make you look pretty. When it was finally my time to start wearing makeup, I completely abandoned the idea of blush all together. I naturally have rosy cheeks so it seemed like a waste of time. Then I started using foundations and powders that evened out my complexion and all of a sudden, my rosy cheeks were gone. Blush became a good idea. When I started working, I went to the MAC counter and asked for help. She explained a general rule; "Any blush can work on any skin tone, it just depends on your application. You should look at your skin color. If you have cool undertones (more pink/fair skin), you want to use a rosy pink shade. If you have warm undertones (more yellow/olive/tan skin) you want to use a coral color. For neutral tones (where you face is neither too pink or too yellow) you can use either". So, I bought a coral blush (MAC Peachy Keen, which is described on their website as a very baby peach). Since that first blush, I’ve realized that the same color doesn’t always go with whatever makeup look I’m wearing. I later bought a pink toned blush and went home to research. I found on a blush palette on the BH Cosmetics website that had 10 blushes for under the price of one MAC blush. I bought it and experimented. I now had options. My adventures in blush let me to these few conclusions:

- Different kinds of blushes: There aren’t just colors, there are finishes and types. Colors range from pinks to purples, oranges and vanilla shimmer, reds and corals to browns and mauves. Powder blushes are most popular and readily available in any brand of makeup. The selection of finishes run from matte for a more natural wash to shimmers and glitters for that extra sparkle for a night out. Because of their dry nature, these tend to set and work with the oils of your skin as the day goes on. Then there are cream blushes which usually come in either a stick form (like a large lipstick) or a pan. These are good because you just dab a little on the cheeks and blend in with your fingers. They can also give a natural finish and are easily buildable based on your application. I wouldn't recommend these for oily skin as they may tend to move as the day goes on and the product reacts with your body heat. They can be set with powder to ensure staying power (but essencially that would mean you're double blushing). Another option is cheek stains, which run along the lines of the cream blushes but are meant to literally stain your cheek, much like if you used a lip stain. These provide a wash of color that stays put. They're usually better for bare skin or light/sheer makeup. Using these with a full coverage makeup doesn't seem to make sense (at least to me) as it wouldn't lay directly on the skin and the "stain" aspect wouldn't make so much sense. 

- Your blush brush makes a difference! Most drugstore brand blushes come with a small brush. I’m not a fan. My suggestion? A larger blush brush. For a defined look, use an angled blush brush. I would recommend for this application to use a synthetic brush (this info can be found on the package or can be provided by a sales clerk). The bristles of these brushes don’t hold product (since the material is non-porous) so whatever you put on the brush, goes on your face. For a softer wash of color, use a fluffy powder brush. I recommend using a softer brush for this, maybe natural hair or dual fibered. This way, you’re picking up color and the bristles are both depositing and defusing the color on your cheeks, giving you a wash of color. This technique is what I would suggest for a natural every day look. 

- Lastly, for a natural look, my best suggestions would depend on the foundation or face makeup you use. If you use just a face powder to even out skin tone or eliminate shine, I’d go with a powdered blush in a matte to satin finish with a fluffy powder brush in a shade suited for your face based on your undertones. If you use a BB/CC cream, I would go with either the same technique as the first suggestion or a cream blush. Use the tiniest bit on your finger, apply in a circular motion without over working the product and then blend back. This will give you that youthful rosy cheek look and blending it back will eliminate the circular doll look. Key to natural looking blush? Blend blend blend!

All in all, it’s a lot of information but hopefully it helped. I'm putting some suggestions that I personally love when it comes to blush and the links to find them at. Thanks so much for your time and I’ll catch you later!

BH Cosmetics 10 Color Professional Blush Palette 

http://ELF St Lucia Blush Duo (also available at Target Stores)

MAC Cosmetics - Cheek section of their website 
I like Melba, Peachy Keen, Desert Rose, Peaches

(Go to an Ulta or Sephora store, have them try the blushes on you... ask for a sample and try before you buy. Then you're not blindly making any choices, you can come back and purchase what you like)