Turn the Other Cheek
Don't walk around looking like a carnival clown or a creepy ghost, read our tips for applying blush perfectly.
 Brushing Up
How natural and good your blush looked will depend on your brushes. A good blush brush helps the color sweep on naturally. A good blush brush will also have soft bristles that glide over cheeks smoothly, highlighting your cheekbone structure. The only downside to brushes is how exepnsive they can be, and of course the good ones are even more costly. The good news is good quality brushes are completely washable, so you won't throw them out for MANY years. Save your pennies and purchase a pair of brushes from Bobbi Brown, M-A-C or Stila -- purchasing just one brush at a time is a great way to maximize your spending power.
Count on Countour
The goal of applying blush is to highlight your cheeks by creating a natural flush on your skin. To get the right, natural flush you should practice with a neutral shade that is only one shade, or less, rosier than your skin tone. It's really important to find the right shade. And don't test colors out on the back of your hand; Your hand does not have the same skin tone as your cheeks! For some people the inside of their wrist is a good test patch, for others it might be necessary to test the color on your actual cheek. Next you need to identify your cheekbone structure. You do this by sucking in your cheeks (like making a fish face). Take notice of your cheekbone jutting out, this is where your blush should be applied.
Gel or Powder?
Choosing the right blush is equally as important as your brush selection. In general there are two kinds of blushes to consider, powder and gel/cream. Powder blushes should be applied lightly on your cheek line. A light application will ensure that the blush doesn't look caked on or overdone. Cargo makes a great, easy to apply blush in over a dozen different shades.
Gel and cream blushes aren't applied with brushes but with fingertips. Simply dab the blush on the apple of your cheek and then blend the color lightly with your fingers. Don't press too hard or smear the color as this can only make you look streaky. The best gel blush is Tarte's Cheek Stain, it can be dabbed on without using fingers and the water-based formula makes for a smooth and natural application everytime.
Blend Right In
Now that you know where your cheekbone is and you've found the perfect blush and tools, it's time to apply it. After you apply it you should notice a slight glow right on the base of your cheeks. A perfect blush will make you look like you are a little flushed and radiant without looking cakey. You can use a blending brush, or contour brush, to help even out the color if you see too much powder piled on your cheeks. If you think you've applied too much, you have a couple of things you can do. Make sure you don't start swiping your fingers at your cheek or use a rough piece of toilet paper -- these things will only work to annoy your skin and actually rub the color in further. You should grab a soft tissue or even a shirt (make sure you don't mind the possibility of staining it) and start lightly swiping it across your cheek.
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