Blushes for your Brushes

What has your makeup done for you lately? Besides sit on your bathroom countertop and look pretty in its shiny, glitzy packaging, your makeup should work its butt off for you!

Your mascara should be opening your tired eyes, your gloss should be moisturizing and pouting your lips and your blush, well your blush should be working over time to brighten up your complexion, take 5 years off your face and give you that little extra feminine-edge over that girl sitting next to you. Blush, ladies, is your friend.

I’m always amazed when women say they opt out in the blush department for fear of looking ‘too old.’ Too Old? Sure, if you’re throwing on layers of rouge from the 1920′s that could double as brick coloring, then I understand. But today’s blushes are bright and sheer and give the illusion of a just-kissed flush rather than a just off the clock dancer… let’s begin.

Picking the right blush color is easier than you think. Simply going for the most pink of pinks isn’t going to work for anyone’s skin tone, so consider your needs first.

Do you have fair to medium skin? You’ll have to be careful not to overdo it with your blush color. Go for something with a pink with a slight golden undertone. Remember to use the blush sparingly during application. Less is more and you can always add on if you need to.
Try: Nars Blush in Orgasm for $26

Olive to light mocha coloring? I like something slightly more peachy, though you could certainly get away with Orgasm. You have many more options with your skin tone, so play around with colors a little more on the darker side, but remember to keep it sheer and with a hint of shimmer.
Try: Smashbox’s Blush Rush in Paradise for $24

Do you have a deeper skin tone? Most women with darker complexions opt either for a dark mauve color or just forgo the blush and head right for the bronzers. But don’t worry! You can rock the sexy flush of blush anytime you want. Go for something slightly golden and coral.
Try: Nars Blush in Torrid for $26

You can go one of two ways for placement. The apples of the cheeks are the typical classic position for blush, and must be blended back to the ears to create a natural finish, but works well for the newer makeup artist. For those of you with a little more confidence in your skill, slowly and lightly add a bit of blush to the upper half of your cheek bone, starting about a centimeter away from your nose and working back. Make sure you aren’t too close to your eye however, believe me, a pink under eye isn’t good for anyone. Now, take the same brush and turn it to the side so the entire brush is parallel to your face. Lightly make circles in the same place where you just applied the blush, blending nicely into your skin.

Now, for application tips. Use a slightly smaller brush than you would for your all-over face power. Some women like using angled blush brushes or even fanned brushes. I’ve used all types and find that they all bring something different to the table, depending in the effect you’d like to achieve.  Remember when applying blush to swirl your brush lightly in the product and to tap off the excess before applying any to your face.

Here are some brushes I like:
I chose all Sephora Collection brushes so you could easily find them in stores!

1. Rounded Blush Brush – $24
Great for someone who doesn’t want to spend a lot of time on their blush application. Perfect for the apples of the cheeks.

2. Angled Blush Brush – $32
Love this for contouring with both blushes and bronzers. Easy to use. Angle works great for the “above the cheekbone” look.

3. Highlighting Fan Brush – $24
Works well with lighter, more shimmery shades. Easy to apply blush with. Try a base shade and a shade lighter on the top of your cheekbones with this tool!

4. Round Powder Brush – $40
I know this isn’t a blush brush, but I love using something like this when I’m done applying all of my makeup. Lightly swoosh this big fluffy brush all over your face to blend your foundation, powder, bronzer and blush, hiding any harsh lines and creating a seamless look!
 
Hope you enjoyed this little lesson and feel ready to try it out on your own! Leave comments about your favorite blushes!