The Tamesis
Jealous of that healthy, sun-kissed glow celebrities have all year round? Luckily, you don’t have to travel to the Mediterranean to achieve this. Jones Road founder Bobbi Brown says all you need is makeup smartness, the perfect blush and application technique.
Brown says, “There are so many different blushes and so many formulas out there,” which can make it difficult to find the perfect blush for you. For her, the best options are “rich, long-lasting, and blendable,” which is something she kept in mind when creating the new Jones Road Blush Stick.
“If I’m going to the supermarket or having coffee with friends, I wear a blush stick because I can apply it to my cheeks and lips and look instantly glowing,” she explains. “Because I wear glasses, I don’t have to wear eye makeup, so it makes my makeup process really fast!”
Below, check out Brown’s best blush tips for cheeks of any age.
Start with apple skin
Blush placement can be a tricky thing to master—especially when there are new blush trends every month. Brown says the most seamless look always starts on the apples of the cheeks. When processing the product, “don’t just stop at the apple and create a round shape,” she warns. “Blended into the hairline, this will make your blush look as natural as possible.”
To avoid the dreaded blush line—the clear dividing line between blush and cheek—Brown says to blend blush gently downward, not so deep that it reaches your jawline, but just to diffuse the pigment.
You can also use a darker blush to contour. Apply a small amount of product to your forehead, décolletage, and sides of your nose, just like you would a contour stick. If you’re excited to give it a try, “Choose a shade one shade darker than your usual blush and use a larger, fluffy brush to blend it all out,” advises Brown.
Diffuse gently
As we age, our skin naturally loses collagen and elasticity and can sometimes feel dry. This dryness can cause makeup to build up in certain areas, making the skin look patchy. Blush is one of the easiest ways to restore glow and vitality.
She likes to apply the blush stick directly to her cheeks and lips with her fingers, using her “hands to warm and soften the blush, then diffuse it with a dabbing motion.” This method gives you more control over the product, making it easier to blend. Plus, “it works great when you’re not wearing any makeup or foundation and want a quick, long-lasting lift,” she says.
Pair with cream blush and powder blush
It may sound over the top, but layering powder blush over cream blush is key to keeping your blush from sliding off throughout the day. This is also a great method for those with oily skin, as the combination helps absorb excess oil, making the oil blush disappear the longer you use it.
Brown recommends finding a powder blush in the same color as your cream blush and reapplying it throughout the day to prevent it from forming into fine lines.
Try berry blush
Darker berry shades seem to be the go-to for winter, but Brown says they also look extra chic in the warmer months. “They work on all skin tones,” she says. “The women in my office love using dark blush sticks because they are very sheer and leave a subtle tinted effect,” she adds. If pale pinks and juicy peaches are more your style, don’t despair: browns approve of these, too.
