The Budget Beauty Episode 8

To Blush or Not To Blush

 

1.  First choose the color using nature as your guide. According to InStyle, the trick is to find a color that matches your cheeks when they're flushed after exercise or being out in the cold. For a quick test, "spank" your cheeks and use the resulting color as a guide. (We suggest doing this in the comfort of your home away from other people, wink). Another trick is to match your lip color. Fair skin looks great in rose, olive in peach & dark skin in apricot or even red.

2.  Now that you have the color, choose the right formula for your skin type. Powder is typically best for oily and combo skin. Cream is great for dry skin. Liquid and gel are great for oily skin. For even better results, combine cream and powder together. "It helps my blush stay on longer and looks more luminous," said makeup artist Laura Mercier in O Magazine. Keep in mind stains -- great for well-moisturized skin, not dry skin -- tend to dry very fast so blend well and fast.

3.  Apply foundation, eye color &and lipstick. While blush is usually your second-to-last makeup step (before powder), you should experiment with what works best for you. Some makeup artists like to apply blush BEFORE foundation for a more "natural" look.

4.  Throw out the freebie "Barbie-size" blush brush that comes with the blush. Use a full brush instead (Try E.L.F. brushes from Target), but don't use the same brush you use for your powder.

5.  Put the blush on your brush, tapping off any excess or put a dab of gel on your fingers.

6.  Look into the mirror and smile. This helps you figure out where the "apple" of your cheek is.

7.  Since you want a healthy flush, it's best to apply blush only to apples of your cheeks. Keep color light and blended. If you're using gel or cream, NYC makeup artist Carlo Geraci (in O Magazine) suggests dabbing it on with your middle finger, then blend with your ring and middle finger. The clean finger will pick up any excess blush.

8.  If you've gone a bit too heavy on the powder blush, a bit of translucent powder over it will calm it down. For cream blush, blot the color off with a tissue. Since gel and liquid blush "stain" the cheeks, the only way to lighten them is it wash your face, moisturize and reapply your makeup, this time more sparingly.

9.  Finish your look with a sweep of translucent powder.