As far as underrated products go, blush is top of the list.
With a questionable reputation thanks to our over-powdered grandmas and red carpet disasters, it often stays at the bottom of our makeup bags…if it made it in there at all. But with new and improved formulas— blush is coming back in a big way and lucky for us, it’s one of the best multi-taskers you can have on hand.
If you know how to use it, that is.
We enlisted the help of the National Artistry Lead for Sephora Australia, Alphie Sadsad, to explain how to choose your formula, the trick to nailing the perfect dewy flush and how to avoid making the biggest and most common blush mistakes.
Firstly, how do I know what type of blush product to buy?
“Personally, I believe there is room for all blush formulas,” explains Alphie. “Each serves a different purpose and will ultimately give a different effect. At the end of the day, your preferred formula will come down to personal preference, however as a general rule,” he says…
Creams
If a multi-tasking and fuss-free product is your vibe, cream blush is going to be a good choice. “Cream blushes are great for creating a dewy flush and can be easily worn across eyes, lips and cheeks for a monochromatic look.” Another massive bonus— no tools necessary, “which makes them [a perfect product] for touch-ups on the go.” They are also most suitable for dry to normal skin types.
Tints & Gels
“Tint and gel blushes are similar to creams in that they give a natural, multi-purpose finish, however they are longer wearing, making them more suitable for [oily skin types]. If you lean more towards dry skin,” Alphie recommends “ensuring skin is well prepped and hydrated before application, as these formulas are more likely to grab in dry patches.”
Powder
The benefit of a powder, Alphie explains is that “it works for all skin types and is [perfect for providing] a buildable colour that is easy to blend. My preferred way of applying a [powder blush] is using a medium-sized fluffy brush.”
How do I know what shade to get?
“The world is literally your oyster and you should pick any colour you love and feel confident in,” says Alphie. However, if your preference is a natural look, the best way to pick a shade is to lightly pinch your cheeks to see what colour your natural flush is. From there, the idea is to pick a shade that mimics that colour.
How do I know where to apply it?
“The general rule of thumb is to slightly smile, find the apples of your cheeks and apply, blending upwards towards your ear.” An extra trick, Alphie adds is to use two shades of blush to add dimension, “…one natural across the entire cheek and one pop of colour focused onto the apple of the cheek.” If you’re using a cream product, “use the warmth of your finger, lightly rub the surface of the cream to pick up the colour” before blending out. If you’re using a powder, “using a large blush brush, swirl the brush into the powder, lightly tap the excess and blend upwards across the cheek towards the ear,” Alphie explains. His recommendation is the Sephora Collection – Pro Brush Angled Blush #49
What are the most common mistakes people make when applying blush?
“Blush is one makeup step that can [easily] elevate your look by adding dimension and colour to your complexion,” says Alphie. “[It’s] the easiest way to look more awake,” however, it is also one of the most commonly misused and misunderstood products. The biggest mistakes, says Alphie include being too heavy or going either too high or too low with application. “Knowing how to choose the correct tools, finding the right colour and texture and understanding where to apply,” he says. Most blush formulas are buildable as well, meaning start with less and build up to the colour that you want.
Try Alphie’s recommendations: NudeStix – Nudie Matte All Over Matte or Bloom All Over Dewy Colour, Benefit Benetint Cheek & Lip Tint, Sephora Collection – Colourful Blush
