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Blush is an important part of make-up. With
the help of an accurately
 applied blush you can refresh your face, make it
looking much better and healthier. Blusher adds color and depth to the skin
and can give our cheeks, forehead and nose a healthy, dazzling look.
Types of Blusher
There are several types of blusher available in the market. Thus pick the
brand you like the best keeping your skin type - oily, normal or dry - in
mind.
Powder Blush:
Powder blush is perfect for any skin type. Powder blusher is best applied
after your face powder. It will lie on top of the skin, adding a translucent
glow. Because it's sheer, it's easy to layer using two or more colors. Many
women use beige or cocoa-brown tone to accent cheekbones and temples and
slim the sides of the nose, then overlay it with a cheeky color for extra
glow. For a contour, use a deeper shade in the hollow of the cheek.
Cream Blush:
Cream blush is best suited for normal to dry skin. Cream offers more intense
Colour than powder, so use sparingly and blend well. They are especially
nice for evening makeup. Since cream formulas usually have the most
moisturizers and/or oils, they cling better and tend to last longer on the
skin. Apply it over foundation, but before powder. Start at the apples of
the cheek and blend upward.
Liquid or Gel:
These blushers last longer and since many are oil-free hence those who have
oily skin can opt for them. Some are water-resistant, too. Apply over
foundation or to bare skin for a soft, fresh-scrubbed look. Start with a
tiny amount on your fingertips or a sponge and build-up color gradually for
best results.
Cheek Pencils:
These are best for beginners because you have lots of control. Those who
have oily kin should not use them because pencils are often formulated with
extra moisturizers and emollients to keep them soft and blendable. Look for
oil-free formulas. Stroke on and use your fingers to blend to a sheer veil
of color.
Bronzers:
Bronzers give a beautiful sun-kissed look. Bronzers are ideal for faking or
enhancing the tanned look of the skin. Bronzer is especially flattering to
medium and deep-toned complexions. Fair-skinned types should pick only the
lightest shades, even if you have a tan, then blend to the sheerest hint of
color. Especially great for darker skins as it gives a natural-looking
blush. Bronzer comes either in light, medium or dark tones.
Choosing a Colour
This is the difficult part
of this section. Choosing the right colour for your skin tone is essential.
The right colour will give you a healthy glow. The wrong colour will leave
you looking drained or overdone. Contrary to popular belief, whatever your
skin tone, fair, medium, or deep, you can blush in almost any colour - but
it's the intensity of colour that can make or break the look. If the colour
is too deep or intense, it can look loud on light skins. If it's too faint,
the colour can disappear on medium to deep-toned skin. Use the following
guide to picking the perfect shade for your skin tone.
Fair skin: Pale
pinkish red or a light bronze
Medium skin:
Warm pink, brownish toned pink
Olive or yellow tinged skin: Brown-based shades of red, plum or soft
berry
Dark skin: Brick red, cocoa or a deep bronze
How to Apply Blush
For a sculpted,
sophisticated look:
First, find your cheekbones by sucking in the cheeks. Feel along the edge of
the cheekbone. This is where you'll place cheek colour to make cheekbones
more prominent and enhance your other features. Never apply colour above the
cheekbone area since that will make your eyes look puffy.
For a soft, diffused
glow:
Smile to reveal the "apples" of your cheeks. Then, dip your blush brush into
the powder, shake off the excess, and brush it lightly over the apple of
your cheek, moving upwards toward the ear, with short, up-and-down vertical
movements. As always, keep blush at least one and one-half inches away from
the nose and never brush colour near the eyes.
To emphasize bone
structure:
Apply your blusher underneath the cheekbone. For an even stronger look apply
some to the temple as well.
To make your skin look
clearer:
Smile and apply blusher to the apples of your cheek. Blend it back but don't
go any further than the corner of your eye. By keeping the colour on the
front of your cheeks you give the illusion of clearer skin which will also
emphasize your eyes.
For a long, narrow face:
If you have a long, narrow face and you need to create width, apply the
colour no higher than the lower edge of cheekbone and keep the angle
horizontal. Apply colour only on the outer third of the cheeks (cheek colour
in the middle of the face will emphasize length).
For a Round, Wide, or Square Face:
For more length, apply colour in
the middle of the face (without getting too close to the nose. Cheek colour
on the outer third of your cheeks will only emphasize roundness).
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