Blush and bronzer are two great products that the makeup pros use to give big impact. With blush and bronzer, you can brighten the face, add color, contour, and glow. Used improperly, blush looks fake. But you don’t have to be a pro to apply product like one. Here are some tips and tricks that makeup professionals use to get great looking brush and bronzer.
Use the right tool for the right effect. A big, fluffy brush is great for a soft, all over glow. Use it with a soft, slightly shimmery bronzer, and dust over face and shoulders. A smaller, flat bristled brush is good for adding contour, since you have more control over where the product goes. Use this with a bronzer with no shimmer, to add shadows under the cheek bones or to slim a wide face. A rounded blush brush, with a bright fuchsia blush, is great to add a pop of color to the apples of the cheeks. Use a circular motion to blend the blush right on the apples of your cheeks, but don’t get too close to your nose or your ears.
Use the right color for your skin tone. Bronzer can be tricky to choose, because you don’t want one that is too light or too dark for your natural skin tone. Choose a bronzer that is just a shade darker than your natural tone. Shimmer is great for an all-over glow, but matte is better for contouring. For blush, choose a color that is similar to your natural flush. For instance, the color that your skin tone turns after a brisk walk is usually a great color for a natural looking blush.
Lipstick for blush. You’ve probably seen this before, but it bears repeating. If you need blush in a pinch, just take a little bit of your lipstick (as long as it’s a blush-worthy color!) and apply it in circular motions to the apples of your cheeks. You’ll get a nice rosy glow; just make sure to blend well!
Where does it go? Blush looks best on the apples of the cheeks or along the cheekbones. Bronzer can work fine as a blush, especially if it has shimmer. You can also apply bronzer anywhere the sun hits: forehead, nose, cheekbones, and chin. Always keep the application light.
Too much blush or bronzer? If you have accidentally applied too much blush or bronzer, you can tame it down with an application of mineral powder foundation. Try to blend away the blush a bit with your powder foundation. Use soft, circular strokes and a large stipple brush. If this doesn’t work, you may need to wash away the blush and start again.
When it comes to any makeup, especially blush and bronzer, the old adage holds true: Less is more. Start with less product than you think you need, and apply with a light hand. Add more as needed. It’s always easier to add a little more than to have to wash it all off and start over.
