First, prep your skin the right way.
To make your blush blend into your skin and stay put all day, always wash and moisturize your face first. Dry (or oily) skin doesn't hold makeup as well, so keeping your skin healthy, exfoliated, clean, and supple allows makeup to blend in beautifully and last longer.
To make your blush last even longer, start with a makeup primer, which preps skin and gives a no-slip canvas to help makeup last all day. If you don't want to invest in another beauty product, layer blush on top of foundation or a tinted moisturizer to even out your skin tone and help give the blush something to stick to.
Pick a shade that works with your skin tone.
Blush isn't a one-size-fits-all kind of deal — you need to choose the right shade to flatter your complexion. Something too dark or too bright can actually age you instead of giving you that warm, youthful glow. The key is to choose something that's close to your natural flush and the best way to figure out what that is is to pinch your cheeks. If you're still not sure, here are some tips for finding your best shade:
If you have very pale, fair skin, opt for light pinks for a pretty flush of color that won't overpower your tone. Pale pink and lilac formulas give a sheer wash of color that flatter your light complexion without looking garish.
If you have light-medium skin, choose a peachy pink shade to give your skin a pretty glow. Since this shade is universally flattering, if you're in doubt, try it in your desired formula.
For golden or olive skin tones, the warm undertones to the skin can stand up to brighter, punchier pinks.
Darker skin tones can go for brighter hues with warm undertones, like a bright apricot, to deliver an ethereal glow and truly radiant results.
Find the right blush formula for your skin type.
Picking the right blush is about more than just the shade — you need to find the perfect formula, too. There are three types of blushes: powders, creams, and stains.
If you have oily skin, a cheek stain works well. Stains look dewy and last for ages, even if you tend to sweat or have oil-prone skin. Apply a little at a time — once it sets into your skin, it's hard to blend out.
If you have normal or combination skin, creamy formulas are great and have high staying power. Cream blush is easy to use for most skin types, comes in tons of colors, and gives skin a fresh, youthful look.
If you have dry skin, stick with a powder formula. Powder blush is great for gliding over pores for a blurring effect and despite popular belief, stains and creams aren't so great for dry skin: They can crack when they dry, which exacerbates the look of dryness.
Apply blush according to your face shape.
Blush is meant to strategically accent your face, which means you need to take your bone structure into account before applying it in the first place.
Heart shaped faces: If your face is long with prominent cheekbones and a narrow chin, you likely have a heart-shaped face. Apply blush in a "C" shape from the top of the temple down to the cheekbone. Use more product along the cheekbone, then diffuse it up towards the temple, pushing it in and upwards. Don't go overboard with your application.
Oblong faces: If your forehead, cheeks, and jawline are all about the same width, you have an oblong face shape. Hit the apple of the cheek with blush starting at the most prominent part of the cheek, blending color towards the nose and bringing it out towards the temple. Add a touch of blush on the forehead and the sides of the brows to bring the look together.
Square face: If your facer has straight sides and a fairly flat jawline, you have a square face. With a square face, you want to hit all of the cheekbone from the corner of the brow to the hairline. With long, light motions, sweep blush across the cheekbone, starting low and moving upwards. Pull blush from the eyebrow down to the nose, very softly and blended.
Round face: If your cheeks are the fullest part your face and and you have a curved jawline, you have a round face. For the best blush, look in the mirror, smile, then swipe blush on the apples of your cheeks. Using a foundation brush and medium-size strokes, brush color up towards the temple and down towards the earlobe to blend.
Oval faces: If your face is long with somewhat prominent cheeks, a narrower chin, and a narrow forehead, your face is oval. Glen recommends starting at the most prominent part of the cheekbone and using soft strokes, bring blush down towards the earlobe and blend up towards the temple. Add the slightest bit just above the temple, too, for balance.
Blend, blend and blend.
Just applying blush in the right areas is not enough — you need to make sure it's blended well too. Use a damp sponge or a stiff brush to blend your blush into your face. Remember: Your blush should mimic a natural flush, not clown makeup. You want the color to blend with no harsh lines while still giving noticeable, glowy color.
Hacks and tips
#1: Mute too-bright blush with sheer foundation.
If you accidentally pile on the blush, don't grab the makeup remover. Instead, tone down a bold blush by dabbing a bit of sheer liquid foundation over it using a wet makeup sponge to evenly distribute. This will dial down the color while still leaving a rosy glow.
#2: Learn to use blush in every step of your routine.
One of the best things about blush: You can use it on any facial feature. Blend cream blush onto your cheeks, sweeping the blush from the cheekbones up to the hairline using a loose synthetic brush. Then, use what's leftover on your finger to dab it on your eyelid, blending upwards towards the brow. Avoid putting any color next to your lash line — you don't want to wind up looking sick. Finish off by taking more blush on your finger and press it to the center of your lips, blending out. Add a swipe of your favorite lip balm and you're all done.
#3: Set your blush with a tissue.
While translucent powder can be a great product to set your makeup with, that this can give your skin a dull look, especially if your skin trends dry. Instead, blot your blush by holding a tissue to your cheek, then lightly pressing with a makeup sponge. This absorbs any extra product without dulling your glow.
#4: Know when to skip shimmer formulas.
Shimmery blush can make smooth skin look luminous and glowy, but shouldn't be used against using it on rough, dry, or uneven skin textures — the shimmer can magnify pimples, bumps, and large pores. If you have textured skin or are dealing with winter dryness, stick with matte or cream finishes.
#5: Don't forget blush when contouring.
We all know by now that contouring is a great way to carve cheekbones and jawlines using just makeup, but if you don't add blush to the finished product, you're missing an important step. Use it to add warmth to your cheeks and cheekbones after applying your contour, and just before you finish with highlighter. It makes the finished product look warmer and more natural.
#6: Layer blush formulas for long-lasting results.
Gearing up for a long day or a special occasion where you won't be able to touch up your makeup? Layer a powder blush over a cream or gel formula for a beautiful, customized look that won't quit. But remember: You want to apply double the formula, not double the color.
#7: Dot on a little lipstick as a makeshift cheek color.
If you're in a pinch and don't have any blush on hand, add a little color to your cheeks with a bit of lipstick. Just make sure to blend quickly — if it's a highly pigmented lipstick, it could set fast and look blotchy.
#8: Find the right blush for your skin tone