Blush is the easiest way to wake up your face, but choosing the right shade of face blush and knowing how to apply blush is key. With these fool-proof blush tips and tricks from Carmindy, makeup artist from TLC's What Not To Wear, you'll get a perfect flush every time.
Watch the video for all of Carmindy's pro tips, and click through the gallery for step-by-step instructions for applying blush makeup.
Beauty Basics: Blush 101
Get a perfect flush, every time!
Picking a Shade
According to Carmindy, if you have fair skin, a natural no-fail shade is light pink. If you have medium skin, try a rose color. It mimics your skin's natural flush. If you have dark skin, go with a raisin color--it'll look beautiful against your skin tone.
Tip: If they're applied sheer, rose and coral blush can work on everybody.
Use the Right Brush
"I like to use a big, fluffy powder brush--the bigger the better--because it picks up more color and disperses it in a wider area creating a more natural looking flush," advises Carmindy.
Space It Out
If you're not sure how close to the nose to go with the blush, use Carmindy's two-finger rule: Place two fingers right next to your nose and where your finger ends, that's as close to your nose as you should come. You can follow the same two-finger rule under your eye: Place two fingers under the eye and that's where the blush should stop.
Find the Apples
If you want a very natural look, apply blush to the apples of your cheeks. Not sure what that means? Smile big and the apples are the fleshy round parts on either side of your nose-and that's right where you want to sweep on your blush.
More Drama for Evening
If you want to take the impact up a notch, sweep blush along your cheekbones, not under: "A mistake many women make is sucking in their cheekbones and applying blush right underneath, in the hollows. That's a very old-school way of applying blush that can look dated and actually drag your face down," says Carmindy.
"To heighten your cheekbones, apply it along the cheekbone itself and then back to the hairline- angle it towards the top of your ear."
Toning It Down
If you think you've over-applied powder blush, you can easily tone it down by dipping a clean blush brush in a little bit of loose powder and sweeping it right on top of the bold color.
That's It!
Just follow these steps for a natural glow. You'll never end up with streaky, freaky, or clownish cheeks again!
