Our Favourite Blush and Highlighter Trends

01 August 2024 | By Leila Petersen

Elevate your makeup look with these blush and highlighter trends.

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Applying blush has always seemed straightforward: swirl on the apples of your cheeks and you're good to go right? Not necessarily. While this classic application works, there are so many ways to use blush to elevate your look. And when combined with a highlighter, this game-changing duo not only makes your complexion look healthier and more youthful, it also helps certain features pop, adding depth and interest to your facial structure. To help us find the best blush, as well as how to apply it with our highlighter, we turned to makeup artist and beauty expert, Jade Leggat Smith.

The best formula for your skin type

Powder blush may have been common in the past, but new formulas have cropped up in recent years. Think liquid, cream, and stains…

For oily skin

For oily skin types either opt for light powder formulas as they are excellent at absorbing and controlling excess moisture, or try a cheek stain which dries down nicely and imparts a dewy finish that lasts all day.

For dry skin

Creamy and liquid formulas are ideal as they flood the skin with moisture leaving your complexion dewy, smooth, and naturally radiant.

For combination skin

Look for liquid or cream formulas enriched with light-reflecting pearls as this creates a gorgeous glow without caking or creating unwanted texture.

Brush with greatness

Makeup will only look as good as the tools you apply it with. For your blusher choose a loose, soft brush that picks up less product while still offering a pretty colour payoff that's strong enough to make a difference. When it comes to applying highlighter, a fan brush or pointed highlighter brush is best. The soft bristles and flat, fan-shape of a fan brush make it the ideal tool for gently sweeping on highlighting (or bronzing) powder for that soft-focus effect, while the tapered shape of the highlighter brush is great if precision is what you’re after.

Beauty note: When using powder formulas these brushes are ideal, however, if you choose liquid or cream formulas dab to your face and blend with your finger or a makeup sponge.

•   Sorbet Get Cheeky Angled Blush Brush
•   Wet n Wild Blush Brush
•   Essence Highlighter Brush
•   The Body Shop Pointed Highlighter Brush

How to apply blusher

To accentuate your cheekbones and lift your face, sweep your chosen blush along the uppermost part of your cheekbones and blend toward the temples. Or for a more sun-kissed glow, apply blush underneath your eyes, across the bridge of the nose, and back toward the ear. Another popular way people wear blush is blush draping. A trend popular in the ’70s, it involves applying blush in a C-shape from the cheekbones to the temples and into the brow bone. This creates the illusion of a more sculpted bone structure in contrast to the rounded look that more common blush application creates.

How to apply highlighter

Apply highlighter to the highest points of your face (or where the sun naturally hits): Tops of your cheekbones, bridge of your nose, cupid’s bow, brow bone, and centre of your eyelids.

IMAGE: 123rf.com