Blush can be accredited as the fountain of youth in a makeup routine, but getting it right can be tricky. We chat with an Irish makeup artist to answer some common questions.
One of the most fundamental steps in a makeup routine, blush can bring any complexion back to life with one quick swoop. However, getting the colour and placement right for your face can present a conundrum.
Clearing up some questions you might have, we posed the problem to Irish makeup artists Maria Whiting and Judy Wong who shared their wealth of knowledge with us. Speaking about blush, Maria says: “It’s a beautiful and simple way to add a glow-from-within appearance. It adds a healthy, natural flush and gives your face dimension and radiance. In my opinion, I don’t think a makeup look is complete without it.”
So how can we find the right colour for our complexion and the right placement for our face shape. Let’s break it down.
Finding the right shade
Some experts advise giving your cheeks a little pinch, and whatever colour naturally comes through is your ideal shade.
Makeup artist Judy Wong shares that knowing your undertones is a great place to start: “If you’re cooler, you will suit a cooler blusher, if you have warm undertones, a peachier and brighter shade will suit your complexion.”
Maria Whiting has some guidelines: “Fair skin looks best with soft pinks and peaches, olive skin suits warm peach or rose shades, and darker skin pops with berry, plum, or bright coral.”
Finding the right placement
Placement can be as important as the right colour, as it helps to balance and bring dimension to your face. Maria Whiting shares the simple rule of thumb when choosing where to place your blush. “Apply blush where your cheeks naturally get a flush when you smile.”
She continues, “For younger skin, you can be a little more playful with placement and intensity as it can handle brighter shades and experimental placement. For more mature skin, blend softly outward toward the temples for a lifted, natural look that keeps the skin looking smooth and radiant. This method works for almost any face shape and gives that healthy glow.”
