Between seasons there is one beauty buy that will add radiance to your skin in seconds - that's right it's blusher. Editor Trudi Brewer shares her rules.
The tip of a makeup brush resting on an open blush case that holds several shades of pink sitting on a leafy grey and peach coloured background
Blush above Guerlain Météorites Heart Shape Collector palette, $99 and silk printed shirt, $180 from Witchery.
If you don't wear blusher you must - here's why: Nothing adds a radiant boost to the skin like a buff of colour on the cheeks. Much like a swipe of red lippy or a dash of mascara, adding a pop of colour to your face (in the right shade) will instantly brighten your skin and can even take years off your age. Here are my top tips.
Shade selection.
If you're not sure about what shade to choose, play it safe with pink or peach. Most of us have a pink or peach undertone to our skin colouring regardless of ethnicity. A good rule to follow: the paler your skin tone go pastel with your colour, for darker skin opt for a bright rose or coral. Always keep clear of muted brown tones unless they have shimmer as these shades can make your complexion appear dull.
Powder blush
Benefit GALifornia, $54. Clinique Cheek Pop in Peach Pop, $54. Smashbox L.A. Lights Trio Blush, $69. URBAN DECAY Afterglow Powder Blush in Obsessed, $46.
Cream v.s power.
I like the finish of cream, but powder is much easier to buff on the skin. One rule to follow: if your skin is oily use creams or a cheek stain, to avoid the colour looking patchy. If you have dry skin choose powders that have a touch of shimmer.
Cream blush
jane iredale In Touch Cream Blush in Charisma, $52. CHANTECAILLE Cheek Gelee Blush in Happy, $70. NARS Liquid Blush in Orgasm, $47. STILA Convertible Colour in Rose, $39.
Colour placement.
Not knowing where to apply blusher is one reason why women don't wear it. Colour placement is everything. The best tip I can share is to smile, and buff blush onto the apples of the cheeks; any lower and it can look like your wearing the wrong colour foundation. And those 80-inspired stripes along the cheekbones, they're a no, no - this technique is dated and will age you.
Top tools
L'Oreal Paris Infallible Blush Brush, $21. Bobbi Brown Angled Face Brush, $88. Simply Essential F3 Angled Kabuki Brush, $27. Revlon Blush Brush, $20.
Ultimate finish.
Use a highlighter along the upper part of the cheekbones, to show off your blush. To add a contour, feel for the cheekbone, and apply bronzer just underneath the bone, and then buff blush onto the apples of the cheeks - this is a sure fire way to give your skin an instant glow.
Highlighter
URBAN DECAY Sin Afterglow Highlighter Palette, $65. Bobbi Brown Glow Sticks in Nude Beach, $72. Mètèorites Baby GlowTouch Highlighting Stick, $79. Too Faced Unicorn Horn Highlighting Stick, $44.