Cream and liquid blush may get all the hype, but as far as blush types go, powder still rules, says editor Trudi Brewer. Who shares why powder blush on the cheeks is both anti-ageing and so easy to apply. Read on to learn more.
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Powder blush has earned a bad rap because it tends to look heavy or unnatural; it can settle into fine lines, accentuating texture rather than softening it. But today’s formulations are faultless, finely milled, they offer a silky, airbrushed texture, and many brands include mica shimmer or wet powder technology to mimic the glow of a cream while keeping the staying power of a powder. Today’s powder blush will warm up on the skin, is featherlight and you can’t fault it for longevity. Here are our top tips for getting a seamless finish.
Skin Prep Is Key
Prepping skin really does help with a seamless finish, and hydrated skin creates a smooth base. A serum or moisturiser that plumps and nourishes the skin will help foundation set and sit well, creating the perfect base for powder products to sit on top.
The Right Finish
If you’re tossing up between matte and shimmer, something with too much sparkle can highlight the skin texture, like open pores and fine lines. But matte can appear blotchy if your skin is dry. Aim for a powder blush that has a touch of shimmer and place colour toward the centre of the face, then move up toward the apple of the cheeks. The midface is the part of the face that needs a volume boost when you age. Adding blush in this area helps mimic volume and adds warmth, bringing life and a lifted, youthful appearance.
Top application tips
To avoid patchiness, instead of swiping, use gentle tapping or swirled motions to blend the colour on the cheeks. This ensures even distribution and prevents the foundation from being lifted. Makeup artists swear by the two-finger rule: Place two fingers next to your nose, and apply blush only to the area outside those fingers to ensure it looks natural. Less is more. Make sure you tap excess product off the brush onto the back of your hand before touching your face to avoid over-powdering. Buff any hard lines to get a seamless finish.
Brush size matters
Make sure your brush is not too big. If your brush is the size of a powder brush, it can unevenly distribute blush, leaving colour in areas of the face you don’t want it. Use a medium-sized blush brush. This gives you more control over your application.
Jane Iredale Pure Pressed Blush in Awake, $73. MECCA MAX Cheek Crush Powder Blush, Peach Please, $28. Charlotte Tilbury Cheek To Chic, in Love Is The Drug, $83. Kosas Blush is Life Baked Dimensional and Brightening Blush in Butterflies, $57.
MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Blush, in Dainty, $67. bareMinerals Gen Nude Powder Blush, in Pretty in Pink, $57. Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Color Fuse Blush Powder in Dragon Fruit Daze, $63. MECCA MAX Blushing Beauty Blush Brush, $18.
Guess what, it’s powder.