Different blush application techniques can change the way your face look and it’s time we spell it out – literally. Here are a few trending hacks that you need to arm yourself with in order to create the makeup look you desire.
Related read: We tried 3 viral and bizarre blush hacks – here’s how it turned out!
Blush 101 for beginners
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Before we get to the hacks, here’s some basic knowledge about blush for the benefit of makeup novices.
There are three kinds of blush: cream, liquid, and powder.
Cream and liquid blushes are usually more pigmented and need to be blended with a makeup sponge, finger, or brush so that it doesn’t look like a blob of paint on your face.
Powder blushes, on the other hand, give you a softer look. They usually require a slightly more thorough application for the product to appear on your face. You can do so by dusting it over your face with a fluffy makeup brush.
Blush is typically applied over your cheeks after your foundation. Foundation usually covers and drowns out all colour, which can cause the appearance to look very “flat”. This is why we use blush to add a pop of colour to our complexion.
Now, read on to find out how you can change the way your face shape look simply by applying your blush at the right spots. The best part? You’ll be able to pull these techniques off as long as you know how to write your ABCs!
“W” blush
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For a perfect sun-kissed glow, this blush placement is the right way to go. Just draw a “W” over your face using a liquid blush.
You can start from the upper edge of your cheekbone near your temple and down to your cheekbone. Next, drag your blush up to the middle of your nose bridge near the corners of your eye. Repeat on the other side of your face.
With this look, you will get a natural flush that is not too exaggerated but is still apparent enough to give you an extra pop.
If you think that drawing the full “W” makes you look too sunburnt, just apply blush on the main points of the “W”. One on the upper edge of each cheekbone, one on the middle of each cheekbone, and one on your nose bridge.
Because your cheekbones are being emphasised, your nose will look smaller and pointed while your face appears less round.
“O” blush
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♬ B.O.T.A. (Baddest Of Them All) – Eliza Rose & Interplanetary Criminal
Don’t underestimate the power of this simple blush style. The “O” is the most overlooked letter because of its similarity to the normal way of plopping blush on our cheeks. However, there is a small twist to this technique.
Apply any type of blush on the area slightly below your cheekbones.
The common mistake would be tapping and diffusing in random directions to blend; if you want the perfect result, always blend out in circular motions.
Whether you’re using a sponge, finger, or brush, dab in an outward circular motion for a consistent circle on your cheeks.
Similar to a vintage porcelain doll, you’ll have the daintiest flush with this placement. If you have a circular face shape, we highly encourage you to try this one out to give you fuller cheeks that will make you look absolutely adorable.
“C” blush
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Use either a cream or liquid blush for this letter. Start the “C” from your cheekbone, slightly below your eye before bringing it up to your temple, and lastly above your eyebrows.
Similarly to the “W” shape, if you feel that drawing the entire curve make you look a little too fried, simply draw three dots in the shape of the curve.
Draw one dot on your cheekbone, the other on your temple, and lastly one more at the top above your eyebrow.
Because this letter surrounds the entire eye, the pigmentation will draw everyone’s attention to them, making your eyes the star of the show.
Facelift blush
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We’re not surprised that this blush hack is a popular one because it is such a simple way to give yourself a face lift.
All you need to do is draw a line in an upward motion starting from your cheekbones to the corner of your eye.
Remember to blend in an upward motion. With the rosy hue blooming in an upward motion, it will give you that much-needed face lift.
For those with chubbier cheeks, if you want to get a face lift instead of a full cheek look, you can try this placement out to draw greater attention to your cheekbones instead of your lower face.
Shorten-the-face blush
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This is a classic placement that never fails us due to its simplicity. Take a liquid blush and place two dots side-by-side on your cheekbones.
When blending, do it in short and fast strokes and only blend from your nose to your cheekbone so the coverage appears in a short line.
As your face dips into the curve that leads to your ears, there will be a shadow cast upon it when you’re facing the front. The pigment then disappears into the darkness that gives off the illusion that your face dipped into the curve sooner than usual, which makes your face appear shorter .
Four corners blush
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While the “O” blush gives you a dainty glow, the four corners blush will give you an added boost in lower face fullness. This placement is perfect for those of us with slightly sunken in cheeks or high cheekbones.
To put less emphasis on your sharper facial features like your cheekbones, nose bridge, or forehead, applying these eight dots on your face will do the trick.
Focus your dots on your lower cheeks at around the same level as your mouth. Place four dots of blush in the formation of a square on each cheek.
Now, the blush enhances your lower face! There is less focus on your sharper features so you get this “squish-able” appearance.
Featured image credit: @pinkflash.beauty/TikTok and @victorialyn/TikTok
