How to Use Blush for a Natural and Flattering Look
It’s natural to be hesitant when you’ve found a product you love, but don’t get too attached! If you’re still using the same blush from high school, it might be time for an upgrade.
There are many flattering blush colors for today, including peachy pinks, mauves, taupes, and plums. Even if you don’t have experience with makeup, it’s easy to contour your face and make it look healthier overall by simply using one of these shades. We talked to the experts at 100% Pure so that we could pass on their tips and help you create a perfect application every time.
We’ll go over all the basics of blush today– what types are out there and how to choose the right one for you. We’ll also discuss application techniques to help create a look you’re bound to love.
What is Blush?
Blush not only adds color to your face, but it can also create a look of health and wellness. By choosing the right blush shade, you can add a youthful glow, lift and volume to your skin, and compliment your lip color and eyeshadow.
Blush isn’t only lipstick’s sidekick–it can also play an important role in your skin care routine. Formulated with wildcrafted buriti oil and vegetable squalane, our 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Blush will keep your skin hydrated and nourished all day long. If you have oily skin, don’t worry–our pressed blush helps deliver moisture without any unwanted shine or greasiness.
The Different Types of Blush
If you’re someone who knows how to apply blush with their fingers, a cheek stain or cream blush could be the perfect product for you. If you’re more comfortable using a blush brush, go for a powder blush instead. No matter what method you use, there’s always an option for everyone.
It’s important to keep in mind that one type of blush might work best for everyday natural looks and another might be better suited to glam night-time styles.
Cream Blush
Those with normal to dry skin types should use cream-based blushes, as they are easy to apply and always look natural. Choose a buildable product with plant-based ingredients that will improve your complexion. Blends containing petroleum or parabens can cause irritation and clog pores, so avoid those when possible.
Powder Blush
Powder blush is the most versatile type of blush, as it offers endless pigment options that can be blended together to create a custom color.
Powder blush requires a bit more finesse to use, but as long it’s a good product, you have the correct brush, and follow some application tips, attaining a natural glow is easy. When choosing a pressed, powder blush, look for natural ingredients that are safe for your skin. Iron oxides are natural minerals that create beautiful pigments of reds, bricks, and browns.
Titanium dioxide is also a type of naturally occurring mineral used in cosmetic powders which helps scatter light and add reflectiveness; this creates blushes with an undeniable glow.
According to the Environmental Working Group, both of these minerals are incredibly safe for cosmetic use. The EWG rates ingredients on a scale of 1-3, with 1 being the safest.
Tint or Stain Blush
To achieve a natural look, use a cheek stain or tint. Though they require some practice, these products usually last long and give your skin a youthful glow that can be mistaken for your natural complexion.
If you desire a matte finish on your cheeks,courtesy of a cheek tint or stain, know that it’s easy to add more radiance. Simply use a luminizer over the top of your matte product for extra reflection.
Cheek tints and stains differ from liquid blush though; they’re closer in consistency to cream blushes but come in tubes. For example, 100% Pure’s Fruit Pigmented Lip & Cheek Tint provides natural color with the effortlessness of applying a cream blush–it can go onto cheeks and lips via brush or fingertips alike.
Blush, Highlighter, or Bronzer?
Many people are unsure of the difference between blush, highlighter, and bronzer because they all target the cheeks. However, these three products have very different purposes. You would never apply a product in the same way as one with an entirely different purpose. For example, you would never use a bronzer in the same way that you use a highlight.
Highlighter
A highlighter is a makeup product that uses tiny reflective particles to create the illusion of light on your skin. The shimmery, dewy effect it gives makes your skin look glowing and luminous.
The best highlighters contain natural minerals like mica, which provide a safe luminescence while being incredibly reflective of light. You’ll find mica in our pressed blush colors and luminizer.
You can use our luminizer not only on your cheekbones as traditional highlight powder, but also on your eyelids, bridge of nose, and even collarbones for an all-over glow.
Bronzer
A bronzer is a makeup product that gives your skin a sun-kissed look without the harmful UV rays. Bronzers come in ruddier colors than blushes, and they should be applied to any areas of the face where the sun would naturally give your skin color, such as the apples of your cheeks, your nose, and even on your eyelids.
How to Find the Perfect Blush Color for You
This year’s colors are more about natural and believable hues. To find your personal perfect color, you first need to understand your skin tone.
Your Skin Tone and Undertones
The skin tone is the main color you see when observing your skin. Undertones aretinge colors present in your skin that work together to create your unique skin tone.
People with fair skin can usually wear classic pink and mauve blush shades, while those with medium skin look great in peach tones. Dark-skinned individuals often pull off deep berry colors, bricks, and terracotta hues.
Additionally, don’t restrict yourself to one color; every skin tone looks good in a few different blush shades. And finally, don’t concern yourself too much about which color is currently fashionable for everyone else. Even the most popular celeb-endorsed shades won’t work for absolutely everyone.
Match Your Makeup
The objective of blush is to give your face a natural, glowy appearance. If you’re wearing colored mascara or eyeliner, go for a subtler shade of blush.
However, if you’re using regular black mascara, you can use a brighter cheek color. To achieve any look flawlessly, remember to maintain balance.
The Best Way to Apply Your Blush
Applying blush may take a little practice, but it’s worth it for the natural-looking radiance it adds to your complexion. Here’s how to do it:
- Cleanse your skin and apply moisturizer as usual.
- If you wear foundation or concealer, prep your skin with those products.
- Pick up a small amount of blush on your brush or fingertip.
- Apply the blush in two places: either the apples of the cheeks blending upward, or slightly higher on the cheekbones for a more lifted look.
What Not To Do
Never put blush on your temples, forehead, nose, or chin. You might want natural color in those places, but blush isn’t the best makeup for that. Instead of using blush in these areas use a luminizer or bronzer. If you really can’t resist putting some kind of color there then lightly brush your cheekbones and nose with a little bit of blush to give yourself a whimsical sunkissed look.
Invest in a small, dedicated blush brush to avoid applying blush haphazardly all over your face. With a large brush, you might inadvertently spread the color too thin or outside the apples of your cheeks.
Lastly, make sure to blend your blush properly! An uneven application will stick out like a sore thumb. If you’ve applied too much product, use a powder brush with some translucent powder to lessen the pigmentation and create softer edges.
The Best Blush: 100% Pure
100% Pure is committed to ensuring only the best ingredients are used in our products. We believe that your blush should not only look good, but also be beneficial for your skin. All of our cheek colors contain natural plant-based ingredients to keep your skin hydrated and healthy from the inside out.
If you haven’t tried a new blush color lately, now is the time! With 100% Pure, you can trust that you’re getting the safest and most effective products on the market today.