The Best Way to Apply Blush According to Your Face Shape: A Step-by-Step Guide For Blush Placement

Applying blush is not just about putting a pinkish cream or powder on the cheeks, then blending it. It is not as simple as rubbing the fingers all over the face of Angela from the mobile game, My Talking Angela. The proper way is that, it must be compatible according to the shape of the face, as different people tend to have different moulded face shapes. It is very significant to align the style of blush depending on what type of shape the face has, to achieve a beautiful finish. Doing incorrect blushing can result in a weird look or, worst, it can even visually deform the structure of the face. Therefore, to accurately apply a blush, the face shape must be identified first and must follow a step-by-step process.

There are 6 types of face shapes, which most commonly differ in the cheekbone and chin area. The heart shape face, oblong shape face, square shape face, oval shape face, round shape face, and diamond shape face. All of these have significant differences from each other, especially in terms of cheekbones where the blush is intended to be applied. For instance, the blush on the heart-shaped face needs to be applied upward from the cheekbones up to the temple of the head to reduce the sharpness of the face, which is the main feature of having a heart-shaped face. Listed below are the step-by-step guide of applying blush based on the different face shape. 

1. Heart Shape Face

The heart-shape face has a long and sharp shaped appearance due to its cheekbones placement and sharp chin. The main goal in applying a blush towards a heart-shaped face is to soften these features of the face and not contribute more to  sharpening it. Therefore, the application of blush must be taken seriously. To achieve a softer appearance through a red blush, start applying it to the cheekbones with a synthetic and dense brush to be compatible with either cream and powder. After applying to the cheekbones, start going upwards in an almost “C” direction. The blush must reach the temple up to the forehead to balance the width of the upper and lower portion of the heart-shaped face. After it, the face will more likely appear shorter and more balanced; getting rid of long and pointy appearance temporarily. 

2. Oblong Shape Face

The oblong shape face is known to have  an equal width in terms of facial features such as the temple, jawline, and the lower area of the face. Thus, the proper blush is to shorten the face as the oblong is also moulded with a long, rectangular shape. Start with applying the blush of a pinkish colour with a soft and thin brush on the cheekbones, at its most protruding part. The next step is to extend it to the tip of the nose. However, it is very important to not overdo the extension, as it will ruin the look. The extension of the application must also be directed outward of the cheekbones to even out the amount of blush applied. Lastly, put a generous amount on the temple area using a small pointed brush to apply to the small area. 

3. Square Shape Face

The square-shaped face is somehow similar to the oblong one. The square-shaped face has straight and equal sides, a flatter jawline, and a slightly narrow chin. The angular features of the square shaped face are visually sharp. Thus, softening it with a peach shade blush is a good thing to do. The first step in applying  blush on a square shaped face is to put a concentrated amount on the cheekbones with a dense and flat brush. Spread it throughout the area of the cheeks. Lastly, extend it from the centre of the cheekbones upwards to the lower part of the temple, near the hairline area. 

4. Oval Shape Face

The oval-shaped face is long with protruding cheekbones, and the same narrow-width upper and lower area. The main objective here is to lift the cheekbones, as it is the most noticeable feature of the face. Start by choosing a brush with smooth yet dense characteristics and a smaller one. Apply a pinkish blush on the cheekbones. Avoid the application below it where there is a hollow part because it will give a downward appearance. After applying on the cheekbones, extend the blush in a straight and upward direction to the hairline area, below the temple. Lastly, put a little amount of blush on the temple in a circular form with a small brush. 

5. Round Shape Face

A round face is commonly described with dominant cheeks, a curved jawline, and a softer chin area. The goal of blushing on a round shape face is to make it appear longer and provide subtle contour. When starting a blush on a round face shape, choose a light-coloured blush, probably a light pink, with a brush large and dense brush. In applying the blush on the face, begin with a smile to lift the cheeks. Put a concentrated amount on the cheekbones and then slowly extend upward. However, do not overextend as it will cause the face to appear more round. Just keep the blush on the cheekbones and its surrounding areas. 

6. Diamond Shape Face

The diamond-shaped face has a narrow forehead, pointy chin and protruding cheekbones. Due to the prominent cheekbones, it is best to soften them  with blush. Using a soft and synthetic brush, apply a pink shade blush directly on the cheekbones. Start going upwards in  a laying “C” direction. It gives the face a more softened look, as the cheekbones appear to be in a downward position. 

What is the best way to determine your face shape for blush placement?

The best way in identifying the shape of the face is to make an assessment of the most wide area, the jawline part, and the size in terms of how long or how wide it is. In determining the face shape, try to calculate the widest part of it, either through estimation or precise measuring via measuring tape. Those with round, diamond and heart-shaped faces have the cheekbones as the one with the most width. The oval has its forehead the widest among other facial features. Lastly, a face with an even and fair width is, most likely, oblong and square. In addition, to acquire a more detailed information about the face, try to look at the jawline part. If the jawline is not long and has a circular form, it is most likely to be a round face. If the jaw is sharp and narrow, it means that the face is a heart. The most dominant jawline, with a powerful appearance and pointy angles, belongs to a square face. Furthermore, the width and length can also be compared to confirm the shape of the face. The ones with equal length and width have a diamond and square shape. The oval has a lengthy, and narrower,  face. The oblong face tends to have a longer face, which is about double the measurement of its width. The wider face with a shorter length is the people with a round face. 

What are the tips for applying blush?

Applying blush on the face may seem to be a freestyle thing. However, it is also very important to seek proper process. Listed below are the best blush tips you need to know that can help in having a better application and blush experience. 

Skin Preparation: Cleanse the face with gentle cleanser to get rid of dirt and bacteria. Moisturise the skin to apply blush evenly and smoothly. Prime the skin for a flawless application and enhance the appearance of the blush. 

Choose a Blush Base on Skin Colour: just like applying a foundation, the blush must also compliment the colour of the skin. Pale skin should opt for a subtle pink shade. Medium skin may choose to apply peachy to pinkish shade. Warmer skin colours should try intense pink shades. Lastly, light peach to subtle orange is the best for the ones with dark skin colours. 

Consider the Formula Depending on Skin Type: the skin type must not also be neglected apart from the skin colour. Oily skin can use stain-type blush, as these can appear hydrating and subtle at the same time; it also lasts long on the skin. Combination skin can use cream-based blush because creams can hold longer on the combination skin.  Dry skin, on the other hand, should use powders as these can penetrate the pores to reduce its appearance.

Opt for the Best Brush: the best brush for blush must be soft for convenient application, dense, and must be able to transfer and blend colour immediately. 

Blend: the application of blush may sometimes be messy, uneven, and fully-concentrated. Thus, the power of blending best works here, as it evens and fixes the ugly appearance of incorrect blush application. 

Apply Foundation to Neutralize Shiny Blush: if the blending is not enough to get rid of flawed shiny application, then a foundation can help. Applying a foundation on a shiny and concentrated blush can help to neutralise and make it complement with the makeup or the skin tone and to avoid looking weird. 

Use Tissue: excessive blush on the skin can be reduced by using a tissue. Place directly the tissue on the skin and pat the sponge on it to absorb and remove excess blush. 

Stack the Formulas Together: using different blush formulation but with the same shade can help in having a long-lasting blush. For instance, stacking the powder with a cream-based blush will help in keeping the hold for several hours on the skin. 

Apply Setting Spray: set the blush together with the foundation to make it long-lasting, appear softer and smoother, enhance the quality of its looks, and to moisturise and hydrate the skin at the same time.  

What are the mistakes in applying blush?

Blush may look like a simple and small part of the look. Beginners and even some experts may tend to underestimate the process of applying a blush. Thus, here are the mistakes you probably do when you apply blush.

Skipping the Preparation: applying a blush on dirty and dehydrated skin is not a great thing to do. It may result in having an uneven application, filthy look, and the blush may not last long due to the skin absorbing the blush quickly. Cleanse the face and apply moisturiser. Primer can be skipped. 

Wrong Blush Shade: using dark shades on fair skin and applying light pink blush on dark skin colour is not the best idea. Thus, choosing the right blush shade is a must to achieve a great look. 

Applying the Blush on One Particular Area: the different shapes of the face demands for different blushing application. If the blush is only applied on the one particular area, especially the cheeks, it may cause deformation of the face or the look may appear like someone has been slapped. 

Direct Application, No Blend: the blush is a full colour makeup product and if it is applied directly without blending it, the appearance may look weird and artificial. Take time to blend it to achieve a more natural and appealing look. 

Incorrect Choice of Brush: there is the right type of brush for blushing, and it must be loose, soft, and transfers colour easily. Having a full-volume brush may put too much colour on the face, which will make it look overdone. 

Skipping the Setting Process: the preparation makes the application seamless and convenient. However, the setting process makes the product last as long as the user wants. Not setting the blush may result in rubbing and short-term blush that a lot of people do not like. 

What are the best blushes for every skin tone?

Every person does not only differ in skin tone, but also in undertone. Thus, the makeup and cosmetic industries came up with hundreds or even thousands of blush shades just to compensate for consumers’ preferences and skin needs. Listed below are the best blushes for every skin tone that can be found in the market.

Fair Skin: fair skin with cool undertones should use soft or subtle pink to warm their undertones up whenever exposed to the sun. Meanwhile, a warm undertone that has fair skin should use a peachy-orange shade to have a natural look and appearance, as it blends well with the undertone. Lastly, fair skin with neutral undertones must opt for a nude pink blush, because it sits between having a pinky glow that is not too shiny and dull at the same time. 

Medium Skin: the medium skin with cool undertone can use light pink shade because of its brightening effect that helps in getting rid of dull, cool appearance. On the opposite side, the warm undertone under the medium skin must use  light peach shades, as these will complement the natural warm appearance of the skin. The neutral undertone is great with subtle yet deep pink, due to its ability to make the skin look youthful and glowing. 

Olive Skin: the cool undertone and olive skin should choose a darker purple shade to warm their complexion up. The peach to bronze shade is great for those warm undertones, olive skin because the shade is in harmony with the warm appearance of the skin. Furthermore, neutral undertone works well with having a reddish with a glimpse of pink shade to provide a punchy appearance. 

Deep Skin: the deep skin tone with cool undertone should use maroon to wooden shade to warm and lighten up the natural appearance of the skin. The warm undertone, on the other hand, needs to be applied in a deep brown shade to compliment and showcase the warm and dark look of the skin. The neutral and deep skin must opt for a deep reddish-purple shade to give the skin a pupping blush.

Should the cheekbones be blushed?

Yes, it should be blushed. The bones of the cheeks, or the cheekbones, can be found on the upper part of the cheeks, and can be included whenever the blush is being applied. It must be blushed to soften or sharpen some facial features, and enhance the overall look of it. For instance, having a heart-shaped face means having a sharp, narrow, and pointed face. Thus, blushing can help in softening and widening those features. Applying blush to the cheekbones enhances their natural shape. It gives the cheek more definition and makes them appear prominent.