Applying blush is a simple, fast way to give life to your skin and smile, but many women do not feel comfortable in their ability to apply it correctly. After having several requests on how to properly apply blush, I knew I had to add it to the Beauty Gala Beauty Encyclopedia. If you’d like to watch a video tutorial, as well as read more tips,

You will notice in the photograph above that adding blush to my cheekbones warmed up my complexion and gave me a subtle, healthy glow. In fact, many women claim that if they had to name the one beauty step they couldn’t skip, it would come in second after mascara.

Tips for getting the perfect blush application every time:

• Use a fluffy brush that will sparsely distribute color along your cheeks. Anything too large, and you will be applying too much color, to too big of an area. Anything too small, and you will get streaks of color that look unnatural. Anything too dense, and your brush will pick up too much color at once.
• Smile as you naturally would to find the apples of your cheeks. You want to apply your blush to the apples of your cheeks, not above or below the roundest part of your cheekbone.
• Hold your brush at an angle, with the brush handle facing towards your nose. This helps to apply the blush at an angle, away from your nose, and keeps it on the apples of your cheeks where you want it. Applying color too closely to the nose is one of the most common blush mistakes made.
• Use a kabuki brush, or a large powder brush to blend out. If you need additional blending, use a kabuki brush or a large powder blush to blend your blush upwards lightly towards your temples. Be careful not to blend inwards towards your nose, but using light strokes, buff outwards.
• Cream blush should be applied with one or two drops to the apples of your cheeks. Depending on the intensity of the brand you are using, apply one to three small dots on the apples of your cheeks, and blend with your fingers towards your temples. This will create a flushed, just-ran-two-miles glow.
• Cream blush and powder products should never be combined. If you are using powder products on your face, stick with powder blush. If you are using foundation and/or concealer only, it is perfectly okay to use a cream blush. Cream products over powder products create a streaky nightmare!
• Generally speaking, powder blushes are best for oily skin, whereas cream blushes are best for normal to dry skin. I have oily skin, and can still use cream blushes, but without a face primer, they can streak and “melt” off my face. Stick to formulas that work well with your skin type.
• To find your most natural blush shade, look in the mirror after exercise. Your cheeks will be flushed naturally during this time, and if you are looking for a natural blush shade, match the color of your cheeks after physical exertion to a blush color in stores.

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[ALL PHOTOGRAPHY ON THIS SITE IS TAKEN BY REBECCA KAZIMIR. NO PHOTOGRAPHS ARE TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION.]