Emulate a flawless flush with these three blusher rules
Brilliantly brightening, there's nothing like a flush to dispel tell-tale signs of tiredness. The quickest make up fix to 'look alive', a dot of blush enlivens all complexions so you look far less washed out (and much more sprightly). BUT, are you making the most of this product's glow-giving and face sculpting skills? When applied correctly, a subtle blush can streamline, 'lift' and chisel cheekbones... here's the glow-down:
The placement of blush all depends on which shade you're using. You don't have to stick to a shade that resembles your natural pinched-your-cheeks radiance - there are a wealth of colours to choose from, but positioning is key.
If you're pretty in pink, stick to the 'apples' of your cheeks - the roundest, fullest part when you smile - just make sure you don't venture over your smile lines (the colour should stop just before the line starts). Use a dome shaped blusher blush to sweep up just the right amount of product - we love Chantecaille's Cheek Brush - then 'dot' the pigment straight onto the centre of the apple, blurring edges for a subtle flushed effect.
Plum blush tones are to medium and darker skin tones what pink blusher is to paler skin - apply using the same rules outlined above, to emulate a rush of blood.
We love: NARS' Liquid Blush in 'Water Blossom' for a 'pop' of vibrant pigment, or try PATRICK TA's Monochrome Moment Velvet Blush in 'She's Passionate' for soft, petal-esque prettiness. Those with darker skin tones should try Milk Makeup's Lip + Cheek in 'Quickie', or opt for Surratt's beautiful Artistique Blush in 'Rougeur'.
If you love fuzzy peach shades, use these to create definition. With an angled blusher brush (IT Cosmetics' Heavenly Luxe Blush Brush is ideal), dust colour just under the ridge of your cheekbone, starting at the ears and drawing colour forward, stopping before the 'apples'. This helps to sculpt without looking too 'done' - it's a brilliant trick for those scared of contouring.
We love: Laura Mercier's Blush Colour Infusion in 'Peach' for a warm, sun-ripened glow, IT Cosmetics's Ombré Radiance Blush in 'Coral Flush' and Rituel de Fille's gorgeous Inner Glow Crème Pigment in 'Delirium' for a dewy, fresh-faced finish.
And if you like to keep things low-key, use a beige-rose tone to lend an understated bloom. Apply along the cheekbones and to apples for a wash of subtle warmth that's chic and flattering at every age. Keep the colour high (don't drag the colour down - it runs the risk of looking muddy), and pick something that's laced with light-reflective particles to brighten and ensure your efforts look deliberate.
Choose a rounded fluffy brush (or fingertips!) and sweep colour along the cheekbones (from ears to apples), before applying to the 'back' half of the apples only to ensure the colour doesn't make your face look mucky. When artfully placed this looks beautiful - but too much can look a bit 'trop'.
We love: Kjaer Weis' Cream Blush in 'Blossoming' is a beautiful pearlescent hue, while Benefit's Dallas is the ultimate bronze-blush hybrid (it's perfect for sun stripping). Or try Jillian Dempsey's sheer Cheek Tint in 'Petal' - a creamy honeysuckle hue that lends a pretty, dewy glow.
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Cult Beauty’s Content Editor and a Cult Beauty OG, Verity loves nothing more than the marriage of language and lip balm. A quintessential Libran, she’s a self-professed magpie for luxury ‘must-haves' and always pursuing the new and the niche — from the boujee-est skin care to cutting-edge tech. Balancing an urge to stop the clock with her desire to embrace the ageing process (and set a positive example for her daughter), Verity's a retinol obsessive and will gladly share her thoughts about the time-defying gadgets, masks and treatments worth the splurge...
