Blush is the ultimate ten-second makeover: a little colour on your cheeks can make you look fresher, healthier and more awake in an instant. And while it’s possible for most of us to pull off a range of shades, there’s an art to choosing the perfect blush, and it involves really knowing your skin tone, as well as its undertones.
The idea is to find a blush that will look harmonious with your complexion without looking as though it was an afterthought. Here are a few easy tips from celebrity makeup artist Armand Beasley who has glamourised everyone from international royalty to Hollywood A-listers, to help you to do just that.
Warm skin tones
"Warm skin tones should choose a blusher with a warm undertone like coral, peach or apricot,” explains Armand. “While fairer skin tones should opt for pink, berry and rose shades as these can create a subtle daytime glow to the skin.”
Application
"Always apply the blusher onto the apples of the cheeks (the fleshy part of the cheek when you smile). To help sculpt and structure your look apply a powder that is one or two shades deeper than your skin tone,” suggests Armand.
"Sweep from the temple under your cheekbones to meet your blusher as this creates a more natural look - and substitute the powder for bronzer, Guerlain and Givenchy both have excellent ones, if you want more of a slight sun kissed look."
Evening tones
“For a more dramatic evening look, warm skin tones can switch to bronze and copper tones while cooler skin tones should use mauve and plums,” suggests Armand.
For dry skin
"If you have a drier skin type then invest in a cream blush, like Bobbi Brown cheek pots, available in various shades,” suggests Armand. “I personally love the Raspberry shade. Use your finger to apply onto the apple of the cheek and blend outwards."
Experiment
“Finally,” says Armand, “if you love to experiment with your makeup looks then why not use two blush shades side-by-side, then sweep up the cheekbone for a killer '80s retro look." © Cover Media