I have never used blush, how do I choose the right color and where do I apply it?
The trick has always been where and how to actually apply it. Here are a few tips from some pros…
"First, invest in a proper brush," advises Bobbi Brown. "The ones you find in compacts just aren't up to the job, and will give you visible brush strokes."
Agree! Also, have the blush brush match the size of your cheeks when you smile. That's the right size brush. It'll apply in the right spot everytime. Usually too big blush brushes make blush go on streaky and to far below the cheekbone.
Don't use blush to create instant cheekbones. The most flattering way to wear blush naturally is to apply it to the "apple" of the cheeks. Locate yours by drawing an imaginary line, down from your pupil, to the center of your cheek. Then lightly blend outwards, towards the top of the ear, covering the entire cheekbone area with soft, sweeping strokes.
True! Contour looks good on photo and tv/film because it's 2 dimensional. In everyday life, it looks to harsh.
What color blush is right for you?
FAIR-SKINNED women should look for beige, tawny-rose, and pink tones.
or any warm toned pink/peach. Like Nar's Orgasm, looks great on lighter skin tones (think Laura Flyn Boyle, she wears it all the time..)
OLIVE/YELLOW-TONED SKINS will find warm-toned browns, plums, and roses most flattering. Examples: Alchemy's "Kola Nut," Cargo's "Lyon" or "Sonoma", Paula Dorf's "Passion."
What about peaches? I don't agree. Think JLow. She looks great when Scott Barnes did her in warm golden, peachy tones. I think plums make olive toned skins look MORE yellow, instead of more golden. no?
DARK-SKINNED women can use rich plum, fuchsia, brick, and bronze shades.
No, it should be warm tones, no? Look at Tyra Banks, think warm, golden, bronzy. Cargo makes this super strong, vivid orange blush (sorry, can't think of the name) and people FREAK when they see it. Apply softly and it's THE most beautiful color on dark / black skin..... To me plum, fuschia, etc. makes dark skin look more blue/gray....
REDHEADS/STAWBERRY BLONDES look best in light bronze, peach and coral shades. Examples: Cargo Blush "Fresno," LORAC's "Peach," Dior's "Creative Coral" or "Natural Apricot."
yes yes yes! beautiful on!!!
Bronzing powders can be substituted for blush in the summer. They are also great dusted around the hairline, on the nose and chin, as well as across the cheekbones, to give you that sun-kissed look. Choose a bronze tone that is right for the depth of your skin. Not too dark or too orange if you are fair.
Examples: Cargo Bronzers, Bourjois' "Poudre de Soleil Bronzers," or Versace Bronzing Powders.
Cargo makes THE best bronzers!!! Beautiful shimmers, sigh. Also, there's a new makeup line in drugstores called St. Tropez, it's the Wet & Wild version for darker skin tones.. cheap, strong pigmented colors. They have this bronzer that's very gold, very shimmery, very orangy.. but it's AMAZING on!!!
My two cents: apply your blush color first, before any other color on your face. the color should make your skin color look warm, glowy, fresh. Not tired, (too much gray in the color) or too bright.. (too hookerish.. is that a word?? lol) If your skin color just glows, it's the right blush color for you. For everyday I try to have my blush color look natural, a flush, pinky/golden/warm peach etc. Then I match my lipstick to what I'm wearing. Eyeshadows are always neutrals, cause i'm in a hurry! LOL
Elke