8 Ways To Get More From Your Blusher
Photography: ROSE INC
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8 Ways To Get More From Your Blusher

Too much blusher is not a good look, but get it right and it has the power to make you look fresher and more youthful. The key is to find a good formula and nail your technique. Here, two make-up masters explain how you can get the most out of blusher – and we pick out the best shades for every skin tone…
By Rebecca Hull /
Photography: ROSE INC

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01

Pick The Right Shades...

“When it comes to blusher, look for a colour that doesn’t just warm up your complexion, but one that adds a flush or glow to the cheeks too. The colour your cheeks become when you are naturally blushing is the colour you should emulate, which obviously changes from person to person.” – Ruby Hammer MBE

“If in doubt, look for bright, cool pink tones, as these are universally flattering. They brighten both the palest and the darkest complexions for a healthy and fresh-looking glow.” Caroline Barnes 

02

Go Sheer For Radiant Results...

“To enhance your blush, use fine, sheer formulas like The Body Shop Skin Tints or Daniel Sandler’s Watercolours. Apply with a soft, fluffy synthetic brush and swirl the product into your skin with light motions. Once dry, you can layer with a powder brush for better longevity. If you find these formulas are too sheer, opt for BareMinerals Blush Gen Nude. It’s a creamy mineral blush that dries to a powder, but the shades are intense and melt into the skin. Complement the rest of your make-up with a similar shade to keep the look modern.” – Caroline 

03

Try Cream Formulas On Mature Skin...

“Cream blushers blend beautifully for a very natural look on all skin tones. My favourite is the Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge – a little goes a long way and can be built up depending what look you’re after. These formulas look particularly great on mature skin types because they’re softer and don’t settle into fine lines.” – Ruby 

04

Nail Your Application Technique...

“People can be taught how to apply blusher by having them put on some sunglasses and avoiding the orbital area of their bone structure. Some people take their blusher too high and this technique helps them visualise the best place. Most blush placement is actually smaller than people think, but the basic rule is under your pupil, directly onto the fullest part of your cheek for a healthy glow.” – Caroline 

“Taking it slightly higher in an upward direction will make your blush look a bit more sophisticated, too – it defines and shapes your face, making it look a bit more chiselled. My main tip would be to blend, blend and blend again to ensure you never have any harsh lines.” – Ruby

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05

Play With Your Placement...

“It’s not just the cheeks that can benefit from blush. A cream blush can be lightly applied onto the nose to give extra warmth – like you’ve just been exercising. Just keep the application light, otherwise it can look like you’ve had one too many drinks. Also, a bit of powder blusher blended into your eyelids or crease can pull a look together and make everything look more uniform.” – Ruby 

06

Prevent Blush From Fading...

“A lot of people see their blusher disappear right after they’ve applied it. To counteract this, use a silicone primer as the first step in your make-up routine. Follow up by using a powder blusher on top – you’ll be amazed at the difference and how much longer it lasts.” – Caroline 

07

Switch Your Tones Seasonally...

“The light is different during warmer months, so it’s worth adapting your blush to suit the change in the seasons. In summer, try a more peachy, coral shade as opposed to bright pinks. In winter, the light is cooler, so switch to something that reflects that.” – Ruby 

08

Keep Shimmer To A Minimum...

“When shopping for blushers, invest in ones that don’t contain shimmer. Keep shimmer to the high points of the face – it’s better at bringing extra dimension this way than when it’s applied to the cheeks. Instead, use your blush as normal, then apply a highlight over the top – just on your cheekbones. If you’re using a cream blush, follow it with a liquid or cream highlight to blend everything properly. The same goes for powder blush – stick to powder highlighters so the products work seamlessly together.” – Caroline 

Follow @CarolineBarnesMakeup & @RubyHammer for more make-up tips, tutorials & advice 

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