Why is natural-looking blush so hard to do?
In the grand scheme of makeup application, it’s not like eyeshadow, where sometimes you’re blending four or five colors on your lids. Blush is usually just one shade on a relatively large area. It’s not as precise as placing color in the upper crease, so why is it so freakin’ hard to make blush look natural?
This gave me a hard time for years and still does from time to time, but here are two tips that really help. When I learned these, it was like the clouds had parted, and I heard angels singing, AHHHHH! More importantly, I wasn’t rollin’ around town anymore with two tiny circles on my cheeks (WHICH, OMG, I’VE TOTALLY DONE!).
Anyway, here are two things I do when I’m going for the most natural-looking blush.
Reduce any redness, and prep your canvas first
This one is really helpful for the most natural-looking blush. As opposed to just applying blush over bare skin, always start by evening out your skin tone as much as possible by concealing any areas of redness at all (like from pimples) on and around your cheeks, because you want your base as close to flawless as you can possibly get it before you apply your blush on top.
If you put something pigmented like a blush on top of an area that already has color — like on top of a red pimple — your blush will emphasize the area even more, so prep your canvas first. Apply your foundation and/or concealer wherever you need it, and then apply your blush. That way it’ll look like a natural sweep of color going across your cheeks.
Apply your face powder before your blush
The next tip is to apply your powder blush (if a powder blush is your particular blush poison, and it happens to be mine) on top of your face powder, instead of the other way around. So, if you’re starting with primer, you’d apply your foundation and concealer next, then your face powder, and then your blush.
Because products like to latch on to creams, and foundations are creamy products, if you apply a powder blush directly on top of your foundation, any areas that have more product on them will grab more of your blush, leaving with you some uneven patches of more intense blush color on your cheeks.
Instead, if you apply your face powder on top of your foundation, your foundation will grab the face powder first (instead of your blush).
One benefit is that because your face powder color is probably similar to your foundation color, it won’t appear uneven. Another benefit is that the face powder gives your powder blush a base layer with a similar texture (a powder), like a cushion, and generally it’s easier to blend similar textures together, like creams with creams, and powders with powders.
That layer of face powder acts as a cushion for your blush and makes it much easier to scoot those blush grains along and blend them out. The result is more natural-looking blush. 🙂
All about that leggings life
OK, so I totally went there. I bought a pair of Zella High Waist Leggings, and ya know what? I’m really excited about them!
I have a few pairs of leggings from Zella that are all mid- to low-waist, and ever since I had the baby, um…I haven’t been able to get back into them. They don’t fit me the same way they used to — specifically, my tummy hangs over the waistband. So, I’ve been wanting a pair of leggings that hold everything in, a.k.a mom jeans style. And ya know what? Whatever, I’m cool with it. I saw these high-waist leggings on the Nordstrom website, read all the good reviews and was like, darnit, I’m just gonna go there.
I’m still waiting for them to come in… When they arrive, do you want me to review them? LOL! I have reviewed workout gear on MBB before. If you think I should, let me know.
LONG LIVE LEGGINGS!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Yes!!! Please review the leggings. I’ve been thinking about buying a pair but haven’t brought myself to bite that bullet yet!
OK! I’m still waiting for them to come in. 🙂 Hopefully in the next day or two.
I often go blushless lately even, because I have a natural flush already and that, layered with actual blush, can look a bit too much!
This is why I often choose different color blushes than one might think, like ones with a real yellow or brown base to help cancel it out.
Hi Karen, wanted to let you know that my baby girl arrived on Tuesday via c-section! Her name is Sally ?
Congrats, Janet!
Congrats, Janet! I’m so happy to hear the news. Sending you an email right now…
I thought the secret to natural looking blush was having a tabby apply it for you. Lol.
Yes, please review the leggings.
LOL, yeah, that too. Having a tabby makeup artist on staff is very helpful for that natural, no-makeup makeup look! LOL!
I need to try this out. I always do blush before powder and I often struggle with clown cheeks.
Hi Jen,
I hope this helps. I had clown cheeks trubs for a long time and these tips totally changed my blush life. Happy Friday to you!
Hey, Karen
Definitely review the leggings! I would like to know how they fit and all the aspects of it:)
Finally, in Toronto couple of Nordstrom are open for business so perhaps I could buy it from there. Let us know please 🙂
Now regarding the blush , how would you apply it if you don’t plan on wearing foundation?
Cheers
Bebe
Hi Bebe,
I’m sure Karen will have a suggestion, but here is what I do on those days I don’t want to wear foundation. I apply my essence, serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen. I then lightly dust my face with a finishing powder which is translucent and lighter than a setting powder. My fave is Guerlain’s Météorites but there are a number of excellent ones available at different price points. I then apply my blusher and am able to get a natural, diffused blush without any problems. If you don’t want to use a finishing powder, either switch to a cream or gel blusher or wait for your facial prep products to dry before using a powder blusher. Streaks and blotches are a problem when the powder grabs onto something wet. Good luck 🙂
Eileen! I was going to write this EXACT same thing. Thank you for having my back! This is excellent blush advice!
Hi Bebe,
Eileen posted an excellent answer to this question, and she basically said everything I was going to mention, LOL! Do you have any additional questions? Let me know!
Great tip about applying powder before blush! I’ll have to try that next time, especially with a color that’s on the brighter side.
I love leggings and I really need to try the Zella leggings. I’ve heard lots of good reviews. Also, I love high waist leggings and pants. I feel like they hold in the jiggly bits and smooth everything down. 🙂
Oooh, tell me about this leggings addiction, girl! Which ones are your faves? I’m looking into the Athleta ones next. I also saw several pairs on sale at Old Navy, but they’re labeled as “compression” leggings and honestly I don’t want any extra compression, LOL!
You know, I’ve found leggings in totally random places. I was shopping at my local grocery store and found some fleece lined leggings that are great for the cold winters here. Also, I rarely shop at Wal-Mart, but had to stop at one near my work and happened on some cute ones from Danskin. I got a capri pair and a regular length pair that actually fit my 5′ frame! They even had some cute work out tops. I was pleasantly surprised!
I love random clothing finds. They’re the BEST! It’s been years since I’ve worn Danskin (I had some of their clothes back when I danced), and I remember liking their stuff. Next time I go home to visit my parents maybe I’ll pop into the Wal-Mart and see if I can find some leggings. I, too, have the issue with the legs ALWAYS being way too long. It’s such a pain.
Oh! So I found a really warm pair of leggings/joggers that you might like. They’re by Lou & Grey, a line at LOFT. I wish I could remember the name of the specific pant, but they’re so toasty, soft and warm, and I want to wear them 24/7!
I’ve heard of the Lou & Grey line. I’ll have to check it out. As I get older, I’ve gotten more into comfortable clothing and shoes. No more trying to look cute while hobbling around in painful heels. 🙂
I have the regular Zella leggings that I love but I agree with you about high waisted stuff holding everything in, also helps with my muffin top!
I love the reg Zellas so much. I’m hoping the high waisted ones will be next level love! Anywho, have you ever tried Athleta leggings? I looked around the site and they have several cute high waist options.
Of course! Please review them when they come in. 🙂 Those are great blush tips, too. I find that I kind of blush a large area so I look like I’ve just jogged a bit. I like it much better than my 80s Duran Duran “contoured” look. HAHA!
PS Sorry I haven’t been around much – I’m missing your posts very much. It’s been very crazy at work and home but I’m hoping it will settle down for a bit.
I’m glad to hear that you’re OK. I was worried there for a second, but I figured that you were busy with work.
P.S. I’m hoping that Duran Duran blush will come back in style some day. No, seriously!
I’m all about the high waist pants/leggings/tights. Not even ashamed. It feels so nice to have squishy mummy tummy held in. I don’t know if our Nordstrom here has Zella leggings but they felt so nice when I was browsing while in SF. I’ll have to investigate!
It’s an Nordie’s exclusive brand so you guys should have it. The best thing about them is how they hold up so well! The two paris of Lululemon leggings I bought for $$$$ completely fell apart within less than a year. My Zellas, though, have held up really well.
Ok, applying your blush after you’ve powdered your foundation makes sense. I stopped wearing blush because no matter how much I tried blending it, it always looked patchy, uneven and wrong. Will have to give this very obvious and logical method a try. Doh!
Please yes! Review those leggings! I’d like to know how far they come up on a petite person. Sometimes mid rise is too low and sometimes because I’m short, it’s just right. Sometimes with high waisted things, they’re so high waisted they come up under my boobs. Ok, I’m exaggerating, but you get the picture.
GIMME DEM LEGGINGS!
Yes, please review them. Finding good leggings is always a challenge.
That is why I had those patches. Good article
Great tips 🙂 and yes, please review the leggings!
Have you tried LulaRoe leggings yet? They’re not super athletic, they’re most ideal for sitting at home in full on makeup, watching netflix and petting the cat. But that’s what I need pants for, so I love them. Plus they’re made of actual clouds, and come in prints that are amazing.
Is there a brand of powder blush you recommend? I have just run out (I had Estee Lauder), and am looking for a new blush. Thank you!
Hey Karen, I know this post is a little bit older now, but I’m hoping you see this anyway!!
what brush is that in the very first photo? it looks like the shape I’m looking for — i think, anyway! I will take any and all brush suggestions, because I need a new blusher-specific brush and I’m completely overwhelmed with choices!! I need relatively sheer coverage from a brush, so nothing toooo dense, but blending is probably the key aspect… any thoughts? thanks!!