There is a secret weapon located in your makeup bag that can instantly make you look refreshed, awake and have a cozy winter glow. It’s also the most underrated item, often overlooked for bronzer or foundation. Blush, my friends, is the key to creating that easy, perfect look for the impending doom to come (otherwise known as cold weather).
It’s easy to pick the wrong color for your face, and many women find themselves frustrated and give up easily. Don’t fall into this trap! Just follow some simple guidelines to picking a great color, and you achieve that look instantly.
Pick the color that most closely resembles the natural flush that happens when you are out in the cold. There is no need for bright pinks or dark reds, simply pick a natural looking color that blends easily with your cheekbones.
If you want a more natural look, choose a powder-based blend that blends in with your foundation. We prefer the MAC powder blush in Melba.
Choose a cream blush for a longer lasting look with a more pronounced effect on your face. Be careful though, because you don’t want too much blush paired with too much eye makeup or too much lip color. We like the Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in Rose Petal.
After you have picked a color, the next step is to apply it properly. The key in this is to blend, and not put too much on. Blush is supposed to create a natural flush in your creeks, not two cakey circles of color. Some rules to remember:
Use a medium sized blush brush. Use the side of the brush to gently sweep over your cheeks. We like Trish McEvoy’s #2b Sheer Blush Brush.
Put foundation on before the blush for more color, put blush on before foundation for a more subdued look.
Smile, and you will find your cheekbones instantly. Always sweep the brush from the apple of your cheek to the outside, never going back and forth.
If you have put too much blush on, dip a cotton ball into a makeup remover and gently swipe over the area.
Within minutes, you have a natural glow that everyone will envy.
Katie Piper is a journalism major at the University of Oklahoma. She is an avid reader, and prefers to spend her time with her nose in book, baking, writing, or shopping! She hopes one day to have a career in the magazine industry.
