5 Blush mistakes you might be making

When it comes to creating a healthy-looking flush and contouring the shape of your face, a good blush is your secret weapon. But with great prettifying power comes great responsibility, so it’s important to pick the right one and know how to apply it. Fortunately, makeup artist Tamryn Jefferies can draw your attention to five of the biggest blush mistakes and – more importantly – how to avoid them.

You’re not wearing enough

Many women are afraid of looking over the top, so they end up wearing too little blush. “This might look fine when you leave the house, but as the colour starts to fade you’ll lose the dimension of your cheeks,” says Tamryn. “If you wear foundation, your blush should stay the day as it has something to cling to. You could also skip the foundation and just wear a primer, as it’ll serve the same purpose in terms of staying power.”

You’re wearing too much

If you forgot to tap the excess colour from your brush, or simply applied too much and want to tone it down, you don’t have to take off everything off and start from scratch. “Sweep a clean powder or blush brush across your cheeks to shift some of the pigment,” says Tamryn. “You could also use a brush dipped in a little translucent powder to achieve the same effect.”

You’re wearing it in the wrong place 

Much like contouring, Tamryn says blush can change the shape of your face. “If you have strong cheekbones, wearing blush on the apples of your cheeks will soften your face, whereas if you have a round or square face, applying blush to the tops of your cheeks and sweeping upwards towards your hairline will be more flattering, as it will help slim your face,” she says.

You’re wearing the wrong shade

Tamryn suggests allowing the fairness or darkness of your skin to guide you on the intensity of the shade you choose. Those with very fair skin can pull off a soft, baby pink or light apricot, but if you’re olive-toned, these hues would wash you out, so choose a more pigmented shade like a rose or plum. “A failsafe way to find a blush that suits your skin tone is to look for a colour that’s most like the shade your cheeks naturally turn when they flush.”

You’re using the wrong type 

When we’re younger we can get away with wearing shimmery, pearlescent shades but as we age, anything with sparkle can end up highlighting wrinkles and enlarged pores. “If you’re concerned about wrinkles or have a very dry skin type that often bears fine dehydration lines, then rather use a matte blush or a matte cream formula that will be more hydrating,” Tamryn explains. This simple switch can instantly whisk years off your face and, let’s be honest, who doesn’t want more of that? 

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