YOU'RE BLUSHING!
Want to look healthy in the midst of winter's blah weather? Fake a fabulous glow with blush! When applied properly, blush can transform your complexion, taking you from fine to fabulous. Follow these tips from Myjellybean.com on doing it right.
Choose Your Weapon
Powder or cream/gel blush? Which is best for you, depends on your skin type. Girls with normal or oily/combination skin are best off using powder blush. However, if your skin tends to be dry (especially if it gets flaky in winter), a cream or gel blush will work best for you.
Get the Order Right
Powder blush goes on after you've applied your other face makeup (if you wear any), such as foundation and/or powder. It sits on top, adding a transclucent flush of color that wakes up and flatters your facial skin.
Cream or gel blush should be applied after foundation (if you wear it), for a stain of color that looks natural and pretty. If you wear powder, apply it after you put on the cream blush.
Go Easy, Girl!
We've all seen "clown blush" - big splotches or circles of color that scream, "I'm wearing too much makeup!" (Which also says, "I don't know how to apply makeup!") It's easy to avoid this - just take it easy when you're applying the blush.
With a powder blush, don't sweep the brush through the color, or you'll pick up too much and end up with streaky cheeks. Instead, pick up your blush by lightly tapping the blush with the tips of the bristles into the product. Shake off any excess, or blow on the brush end to do the same thing. You should barely be able to see the color on the brush. With a cream blush, use a feather touch when using fingers to pick up and spread the color. A light application is usually enough to make you look amazing. Remember, you can always add more color later.
Get Blushing
Now that you know the basics, here's how to apply your blush:
Powder Blush
Step 1: Throw away the brush that comes in the compact. It's too stiff and small to create a natural look. Use a good blusher brush, preferably one with natural bristles. You'll find a variety of these in the cosmetics aisle of most drugstores.
Step 2: Grin into the mirror to find the apples of your cheeks (the circles that form when you smile).
Step 3: Dab the tip of your brush into the color and shake/blow on the brush to remove excess blusher.
Step 4: Use a series of short strokes to apply blush over the apples of cheeks, blending color out towards the ears. (Hint - don't "sweep" the color across your cheeks, or you risk getting the dreaded "striped" effect).
Step 5: If you applied too much, blot a tissue on top to remove the excess, or cover lightly with translucent powder.
Step 6: For an extra pick-me-up, especially in winter, lightly dab a bit of blush across the brige of the nose and up by your hairline (at the very sides of your forehead). This is where the sun would naturally hit your face, so a teeny touch of color there looks natural, and can warm up your skin.
Creams and Gel Blushes
Step 1: Smile widely into the mirror to find the apples of your cheeks.
Step 2: Use (clean) fingertips to dab a tiny bit of blush on the apple of each cheek.
Step 3: Gently rub the color in, using your fingertips. Make sure you blend very, very well. There should be no line between where the blush starts and ends - just a gradual flush that fades away. (Many make-up artists use a dampened makeup sponge to apply cream blusher, because these are good for blending).
Extra Credit: Using Blush Techniques to Fake a J-Lo Tan
Want to look tanned, but don't want to risk mega-wrinkles (from the tanning bed) or attempt a self-tanner? Try this awesome trick from Jennifer Lopez's makeup artist: Use the powder blush application technique, but swap a bronzing powder for the blusher. Easy as pie, and gorgeous!