All About Cheeks

Blushing, like ticklishness, is a phenomenon that tends to disappear with age. It usually happens when you’re embarrassed, nervous, excited or for lack of a better term, in love. No matter how much you might try to hide it, those rosy-pink cheeks flush.

This is more prevalent in girls than boys though, which makes it all the more feminine and youthful in its nature.

So that fresh-faced Lolita look you’re going for every time you apply your blush in the morning? Carry on—seems there may be some truth to it!

Blush Formulas 101

Cream, powder, stain.. what’s the difference?

Cream blush
Cream blush may seem intimidating, but it’s definitely worth a try, especially if you have dry skin.

It’s hidden power lies in how well it blends. A cream formula can blend into the skin very smoothly, and also hydrate the skin as you’re wearing it.

Creams have slightly more color intensity than powder and they blend naturally into the skin for a translucent effect.

If you desire that “lit from within” natural glow, cream blush is the best way to get it.

A little goes a long way, so start with two little dabs of color on your cheek and blend outward. You can always add more on top, but it’s more difficult to dial it back if you go overboard.

Powder blush
Powder blushes are the everyman (err, woman) formula when it comes to blush. They’re fantastic for any and all skin types, are easy to apply, and work especially well if you’re wearing foundation under it.

Powders lie on top of the skin and can impart a very natural-looking finish.

Powder blushes range from matte to slightly iridescent to mega-shimmer. As a general rule, if you’re looking for the most natural look possible, shy away from overly shimmery powders (no one blushes in glitter.)

Cheek stains
No wonder cheek stains are becoming a favorite right now—they create a coveted rosy flush and tend to last longer than powder and cream formulas.

Gel stains work especially well if you have oily skin, says Rivera, because the long-wear formula won’t budge.

It’s because of that won’t-budge factor that you have to act fast when you apply a stain. Dab it on and blend immediately, because once it sets, it’s set.

There are plenty of components to choose from when it comes to picking stains too. A click-pen for portability, a sponge-tip for easy application, a cheek-stick that packs major color—there are loads of options.

Blush Tips

A few swipes of blush will brighten up your face in a flash!

If you have full or round cheeks

Thanks to the fullness of your face, a sheer wash of color instantly makes you look healthy and happy.

Of course we’ve all seen cases of good blush gone bad. (Hello, clown-face!)

The trick to applying blush to full cheeks is all about making sure your cheeks don’t look overdone. Place two fingers next to your nose and apply blush beyond that.

If you have high cheekbones
Like full lips or large eyes, faces with high cheekbones are rated as highly feminine—and one look at Kate Moss’ killer bone structure tells why. But still wondering how to apply your blush properly?

That age-old smile trick is for you: Smile and apply blush to the apples of the cheeks. If your cheekbones are naturally high, it will bring balance to the face.

If you have a warm skintone
Blush can be a tricky thing—do it right and you look like a glowing goddess, pick the wrong colors and you look a bit clowny.

Select a blush color that mirrors the undertone and depth of your skin. Women with warm undertones from fair to deep look great in peach, apricot, orange or coral.”

These warmer, peachier shades will accentuate the yellow tones in your skin, whereas cooler red and pink shades might look artificially rosy. You can still go as bold or subtle as you want, just stick to warm, glowing shades.

If you have a cool skintone
If you have cool undertones—i.e., more of a blueish or rosy tone to your skin than a warm yellow—you should opt for true pink, red or berry shades.

Just steer clear of dusty, muted rose shades. They look artificial and are very aging. Stick to colors that would appear naturally in your skin—healthy flushes of red and pink.

Source: youbeauty.com