Blush 101: Your Go-To Guide on How to Apply Blush for Your Face Shape

Why You Should Wear Blush

Blush can feel intimidating, even for the most seasoned makeup professionals. You may fear you’ll use too much and end up with blush blindness, or worry that you’re using the wrong shade for your skin tone. Even blush placement feels tough sometimes, but you know what? It’s all worth it for the warmth and dimension this product adds to every face shape.

“Blush can make a subtle but powerful difference,” says Meyers. “A soft pop of color on the cheeks adds a natural flush that enhances your natural features. It’s an easy way to look refreshed and youthful with minimal effort.” Rohani agrees, noting, “It’s the one step that can make a huge difference.”

Understanding the Different Types of Blushes and How to Choose the Right One

There are a handful of blush formulas on the market, so we asked the experts to break them down and share some of their favorite blushes for each type of product.

Powder Blush

Powder blush is the most common blush type and the one people often think of when they hear the word “blush.” Rohani tells us that they “are pressed pigments that sit on top of the skin for a blurred or matte effect.” Meyers says they’re “great for oily or combination skin, because of their smooth, matte, or satin finish.”

The TARTE™ Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush has been a staple in our makeup kit for quite some time, especially for individuals with oily skin. The combination of Amazonian clay and mineral-pigment powders helps ensure your complexion stays matte for up to 12 hours.

Cream Blush

“Cream blushes use emollients and oils that melt into skin for a dewy, second-skin finish,” Rohani explains of how the blush formula works. Because of this, Meyers says they’re “ideal for dry or normal skin types” aiming to achieve a dewy, natural blush look. They can come in stick or compact form, the former making them easy for on-the-go touchups, which we’ll touch on later.

We swear by LAUREN'S SKINCARE Cream Blush because it contains jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E to deliver a smooth, hydrated finish. A little goes a long way, so beginners, don’t go in with too much product to start. You can build up as you go if you want a more powerful pigment payoff.

Liquid Blush

Liquid blushes pack a whole lot of pigment in one small container. “Liquid blushes are water- or gel-based with suspended pigments that create a seamless, buildable wash of color,” says Rohani. Meyers notes that they offer “buildable color with a long-lasting stain, making them perfect for that lit-from-within flushed look.”

Our go-to is, of course, the RARE BEAUTY Soft Pinch Liquid Blush. You can achieve a radiant glow on your cheekbones in no time with this hydrating product.

Cream-to-Powder Blush

Blush formulas have come a long way. We’re now seeing hybrid products like the cream-to-powder formulas, something Rohani knows a lot about. “Cream-to-powder blushes use silicones and polymers that start creamy and set down to a soft, powder-like finish—the best of both worlds,” she says.

Her brand SOSHE BEAUTY carries these hybrid blush formulas. The rosy glow we achieve from the SOSHE BEAUTY Blurring Pillow Blush is unlike any other. And we love how it’s infused with skin-loving ingredients, so it doesn’t irritate our sensitive skin.

Stick Blush

Blush sticks are often a cream formula, but they come in packaging that is easier to travel with than a compact. They’re the perfect beginner makeup tool because they’re easy to apply—you don’t even need a blush brush, and you can use your fingers if you’re in a pinch.

The MISCHO BEAUTY Blush Stick is a clean formula that adds dimension to your face, delivering a natural-looking flush with a radiant, dewy finish.

How to Apply Blush, Step-by-Step

Step 1: Start With Skin Prep

Before you apply any makeup product, especially blush, prep your skin with skincare. Then go in with a primer so your makeup lasts longer. We recommend the JAZMINE BEAUTY Coastal Chic Shine Control Primer for oily skin types. The CIATÉ LONDON Everyday Vacay Hydrating Face Primer offers a boost of moisture for dry skin types.

Step 2: Apply Your Foundation and Concealer as Usual

Meyers says that once your skin is prepped, you can go ahead and apply your foundation and concealer as you normally would.

Step 3: Start With a Liquid or Cream Blush

You should start with a liquid or cream blush, according to Meyers. This will depend on your skin type and the payoff you’re trying to achieve.

Step 4: Apply the Blush to the Back of Your Hand

Before you dab the product directly onto your complexion, Rohani says to apply it to the back of your hand first so you can better control the pigment. Remember, less is more.

Step 5: Dab the Blush on the Apples of Your Cheeks

Once you’ve put the blush on the back of your hand, grab the BYOD Blush Brush to pick it up and dab it onto the apples of the cheeks. “Smile so you can see the apples of your cheeks, then apply the blush on top, blending up and out toward your temples,” says Rohani.

Step 6: Build Up Color as Needed

If you feel like you don’t have enough high-impact flush on your cheeks, add more color using the same technique Rohani recommends above. She also suggests applying some to the bridge of your nose. “I love finishing by tapping a little across the bridge of the nose. It ties everything together naturally.”

Step 7: Set Your T-Zone With Powder

Before you set your blush, Meyers says to “set your face with a light layer of powder, focusing on the T-zone and where you get the most shine.” Try the MORPHE Mini Bake & Set Setting Powder in Brightening Pink for a lightweight feel and a soft-focus finish.

Step 8: Add a Powder Blush Over the Liquid or Cream Blush

“Add a powder blush on top of the areas you applied the cream or liquid to enhance the color and lock it in,” recommends Meyers. Use a powder color that matches the liquid or cream you used. The SOPHIA + MABELLE Two Pretty Cream and Satin Blush Duo contains a cream and powder blush duo, so you don’t have to guess.

Step 9: Soften the Edges of Your Blush Look

Meyers shares that she likes to finish applying her blush by softening the final look. “Soften the edges with your foundation brush or sponge so everything looks seamless.”

Step 10: Lock It All in With a Setting Spray

The final step is to spritz on a setting spray. The FORMULA Z Setting Spray is ideal for dry skin types because it soothes dryness, calms irritation, and delivers a mega dose of hydration thanks to hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. For oily skin, try the MILK MAKEUP Pore Eclipse Matte Setting Spray. It helps blur pores and control shine for a soft-focus finish.

Where to Apply Blush for Your Face Shape

Each face shape is unique, so blush application needs to be adjusted a bit. Discover how to apply blush for your face shape below!

Oval Face Shape

For those with oval faces, the keyword is balance. “Center the blush on the apples of your cheeks to maintain balance,” says Rohani of blush placement. Meyers offers the makeup tip of “lightly sweeping from the center of the cheeks toward the temples” to apply your blush.

Square Face Shape

“For a square face, apply slightly lower, on or just below the cheekbone, to soften angular features,” shares Rohani. “Applying on the apples and blending in circular motions” is the blush hack Meyers recommends for this face shape.

Round Face Shape

Rohani shares that she has a round face, so she loves to apply blush “right on the apples of the cheeks for that fresh, youthful look.” She says that you can create a lift by applying blush a little higher on the cheekbones.” Meyers seconds this, noting that this makeup look will elongate the look of your round face.

Long Face Shape

Long face shapes tend to require dimension in their makeup looks. To create width, Mayers says to “apply [blush] horizontally across the cheeks.”

Heart Face Shape

Those with heart-shaped faces should “focus high on the cheekbones and blend out toward the temples to balance the forehead,” emphasizes Rohani. Blending outward helps even out your facial symmetry, notes Meyers.

6 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying Blush

Mistake #1: Using the Wrong Shade for Your Skin Tone

Rohani says that the biggest mistake one can make is using the wrong shade of blush for their skin tone. “Finding the right blush can make your skin, eyes, and hair glow,” she says. Choosing the right blush for your skin tone can feel daunting, but this guide will help make it a little easier.

Mistake #2: Using the Wrong Formula for Your Skin Type

Powder blushes are best for oily or combination skin because they mattify sheen. Cream blushes are ideal for dry to normal skin types. There are exceptions to the rules, however—it’s all about finding what sits best on your complexion.

Mistake #3: Using Too Much Product at Once

It may seem more straightforward to apply a cream or liquid blush directly to your cheekbones, but that often leaves you with too much product to clean up. Instead, apply the product to the back of your hand and work up from there. This ensures you get the payoff you’re hoping for.

Mistake #4: Not Applying Blush in Light Layers

Similar to the above mistake, applying too many layers all at once can leave you looking like a clown. Go in with light layers and build up until you achieve the payoff you want.

Mistake #5: Applying Blush Too Close to Your Nose

More often than not, you want to blend your blush up and out. Applying it too close to your nose will draw attention to the center of your face and make your features look heavier. Rather than leaving you with a radiant flush, this blush placement can make your skin look unnatural.

Mistake #6: Not Blending Your Blush

To achieve a natural-looking flush, you need to blend. If you don’t, your skin will just look splotchy. So blend with a brush, sponge, or your fingers to create a more natural look.

Answers to Your Most Common Blush Questions

Can You Use Blush as an Eyeshadow?

You can and you should. “It’s one of my favorite tricks for a timeless, monochromatic look,” says Rohani. Meyers shares that she loves doing this with a cream or powder blush for makeup looks on herself and her clients. She does note to use a “product that is safe for the eye area and blend well for a seamless finish.”

What’s the Best Way to Blend Cream Blush?

There are a few ways you can apply cream blush onto your cheeks. Meyers says to “melt the product into the skin first to warm it up, then use your fingers to apply onto the skin.” She notes that “a damp sponge also ensures a soft, even finish.”

Rohani recommends using a “dense brush to really control the pigment and press the blush into the skin for a dewy, second-skin effect.”

How Do You Make Your Blush Last All Day?

As recommended above, Meyers says to start with your cream or liquid blush, then “lightly set it with a matching powder blush” to lock it in all day. Rohani loves this hack too, and reminds us to “use a setting powder and a setting spray to lock in blush for long-lasting wear.”

What Is the Two-Finger Rule for Blush?

“It’s a helpful and simple guide to placement,” says Meyers of the two-finger rule for blush. “Hold two fingers next to your nose; blush should start just beyond those fingers. This ensures your blush sits in the right area, lifting the face instead of dragging it down.”

Does Blush Go Above or Below the Cheekbone?

Rohani says this all depends on your makeup goal. “To sculpt and lift the face, apply blush above the cheekbone. To give a youthful, natural look, apply blush on the cheekbone.”

How Do You Apply Shimmery or Matte Blush Shades?

Start with a matte blush first, then apply the shimmer on top for an added glow. You can apply them individually as well. Meyers recommends using the shimmer “lightly on the high points of the cheeks for glow.”

What Are Some of the Best Blush Brushes for Beginners?

Our experts have a handful of beginner makeup brushes they recommend. Meyers likes the CIELE COSMETICS The Blush Brush, E.L.F. COSMETICS Liquid Blush Brush, REAL TECHNIQUES Power Pigment Blush Makeup Brush, and BDELLIUM TOOLS Studio 964 All Purpose Blusher.

Rohani recommends the MAKEUP BY MARIO F4 Dual-Ended Foundation and Face Brush and SOSHE BEAUTY Smooth Base Complexion Brush.

How Do You Find the Right Blush Color for Your Skin Tone?

Meyers has a useful trick for determining the right blush for your skin tone. “Pick a shade that looks like the color your cheeks naturally turn when you blush or after a workout. That’s a great way to find the most flattering match.”

If you want to dive a little deeper, Rohani says to “look at your undertones and choose a blush shade that echoes it.” She continues, “Warm undertones look amazing in peaches and terracottas, neutrals glow in mauves and soft roses, and cool tones come alive with berries or pinks that have a blue base.”

Final Thoughts

Once you determine the right blush formula and shade for you, applying blush isn’t all that scary. It takes a little bit of work to get the technique down, especially when it comes to blush application for your face shape, but once you’ve got it, it’s like second nature.

Whether you’re looking for a cream, liquid, or powder blush, IPSY has everything you need in the IPSY Shop. Don’t forget to stock up on tools like a blush brush, too.