Best hydrating blush balm
Why we love it: The unusual balm texture automatically makes this blush feel like it’s the brainchild of a professional makeup artist who understands how light hits the face. Available in three shades – from pinky peach to berry and plum – the glossy finish imparts a glass-like finish to cheekbones and yet still manages to avoid feeling in the least bit greasy.
Best blush for a glowy finish
Why we love it: If you love the Nars Afterglow Lip Balms, then you’ll immediately be adding this blush to basket. It has the same sheer consistency, imparting a ‘your skin but better’ sheen. But it also doesn’t compromise on pigment or staying power. You can build up the colour from a soft petal-like flush to a statement, draped blush. Better still, it actually looks better as the day goes on and the formula melds with your skin.
Best natural-looking powder blush
Why we love it: If you prefer a powder but worry that the formula will mute your glow, then this is the blush for you. The texture is so finely milled it adds the lightest wash of colour to your cheeks but the fact that it also contains the hydrating skincare ingredient squalane means your skin looks naturally flushed and luminous. Any excess on the brush can be swept down the bridge of the nose.
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How do I pick the right shade of blush?
We know that figuring out your perfect shade of blush can be a challenge on its own. But as soon as you take into account your skin tone, personal makeup style and all the latest trends, everything else is completely up to you: do you want something more subtle? Bold? Shimmery? Or bronze?
One good tip is to gently pinch your cheeks between your fingers for a few seconds in order to reveal your natural flush and match a suitable blush shade to accentuate it. A blush with golden and coral undertones works well with olive skin, while cooler rose and mauves are good blush choices for those with fair skin. Melanin rich skin looks especially luminous with berry, plum and hot pinks.
“The reason a lot of blushes look ashy on black skin is that they are formulated with white pigment as a base,” says Ateh Jewel, who has launched the Blush of Dreams in three shades that are free from this filler and therefore pop on every skin tone so you can just be guided by your mood.
How to apply a blush
What you use in order to apply your beauty product often depends on the type of blush you’re using as well as your personal preference. For example, powder blushes are best paired with makeup brushes, while you can apply most cream blushes by dabbing the product with just your fingers or a makeup sponge.
That said, size matters when applying any type of blush with a brush. “You want your blush to be a whisper of colour,” says Gucci, who created the Westman Atelier Baby Blender Brush for this very reason. “You lose control with a giant fluffy brush, whereas a small brush allows you to be more targeted and to buff and blend.”
For more shoppable beauty content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.**
For more from Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR’s Acting Associate Beauty Director, follow her on @fiembleton.