5 Blush Hacks That Deliver An Instant Skin Refresh

As helpful as coverage from a concealer or sheer base can be, blush is no doubt one of the most transformative makeup items in your beauty bag for pepping up skin – just witness the radiant finish it delivered for Selena Gomez, Lisa and Tessa Thompson at this year’s Golden Globes. Powder blush is particularly great for creating a lasting look, but melt-into-skin formulas, such as liquids and balms, are ideal for mimicking a natural flush. Here’s how to get the look…

If you’re used to powder blush, opt for liquid blushes that set like a powder but look more natural and balmy when applied with fingertips. Products such as Charlotte Tilbury’s Beauty Blush Wand and Chantecaille’s Cheek Gelée present a great in-between, offering a semi-matte finish that mimics real skin without sheen. Pat the formula into cheeks and blend upwards with your fingertips for a natural look that will last.

“Cream blushes are great multitaskers for adding a pop of color to eyes, cheeks and lips,” says Gucci Westman, makeup artist and founder of Westman Atelier. “This will make your look cohesive, too.” Use your fingertips to blend the color, which helps the formula melt into skin and avoids a heavy-handed or cakey application. Even better: balm and stick formulas are easier to blend without a mirror and can boost luminosity.

“It’s really nice to offset undertones with your blush,” says Westman. If you have a warm undertone, you can play with a blue-based pink or berry color, while orange-red hues will counterbalance cooler undertones. Consider intensity, too. “On paler skin, I like to give a bit of a rosy flush,” she adds. “Peachy nudes, like my Chouchette shade [of the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick], look so great on everyone. And I love a bright flash of the Poppet shade on darker skin – it delivers a super-healthy, flushed look.” For deep skin tones, it’s better to opt for a highly pigmented, bright shade of blush. Although it feels counterintuitive when trying to create a subtle look, going for a fainter color and building up pigment will often result in a heavy finish that jars against a dewy base.

Feel like you have to choose between a bronzed or blush look? Don’t. You can do both – it’s just about clever application that ensures your look isn’t overloaded. After applying your bronzer (cream is best to mesh textures well), apply your blush in a targeted spot. “To amplify the sun-kissed look, I’ll dab cream blush in an oval shape in the middle of the cheekbones,” says Westman. “I go for a nude peach that picks up on all the bronzy tones and brightens skin.” A gentle sun strip across the nose mimics a beach-bronzed finish, and adding a touch of cream blush to this will only accentuate it. For this look, Westman suggests opting for a peach hue, or for deeper skin tones, a reddish-orange will bring out your natural flush. Swipe the blush across the bridge of your nose and softly blend outwards, ensuring the edges are diffused, for a realistic sun flush.

For oily skin, the dewy-makeup influx can pose a problem when it comes to staying power. Makeup artist Sir John – the man behind Beyoncé’s luminous glow and many resilient live-show makeup looks – doubles up on textures to make blush last longer. “When I do a cream blush, I’ll set it with a little bit of a powder blush. That duality of using two steps and setting the first layer gives you a Teflon base, even if you’re using the most minimal amount of powder, and you’ll still get a natural, flush-from-within effect,” he says.