Russian dolls were the first thing that sprang to mind even as I typed the title of this post. That, and clowns. Or possibly five-year-old me playing with my mother’s makeup. Don’t get me wrong, Russian dolls are beautiful. Specifically that pink blush. Unfortunately, replicating those rosy cheeks in real life is somewhat… different. The problem of buying a blush that’s too dark is all too real, and here’s how you can make use of it rather than tossing it.
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Apply with a fan brush.
Less really is more when it comes to blush, especially if it’s not quite the right colour. Fan brushes work wonderfully if your blush happens to be the powder kind. Their shape is perfect for a diffuse dusting of colour, which you can build gradually.
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Mix it with concealer/foundation.
This works whether your blush comes in a powder, crayon or cream formulation. Feel free to do this with a mixing palette, or on the back of your hand. Avoid doing it directly on your face.
Foundations are great for this; they dilute the colour of the blush so that it leans towards your natural skin tone without changing its colour. If your blush is a powder, use a powdered foundation. If your blush is a crayon or cream, use a liquid foundation or foundation stick.
However, if the blush you have is simply the wrong colour and there are no two ways around it, use a colour correcting concealer.
If your blush is too pink (we’re talking blue-based pinks like fuchsia), use a yellow concealer. The yellow will neutralise the blue base colour in the blush, and it will look much more natural on you, especially if you have warm undertones.
If your blush is too orange, use a green concealer. The green will cancel out the redness and make the blush much more wearable.
For best results, mix it with a colour correcting concealer as well as your regular under-eye concealer.
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Use it as a setting powder for a bright lip colour.
If your blush is the powdered kind, skip the matte lipsticks or translucent setting powder and make use of what you already have. After applying your lip liner and lip colour, pat some blush onto your lips with a lip brush, taking care to stay within the natural lines of your lips. Blot with a tissue to remove excess. This works especially well if your blush is similar to the colour of your lipstick.
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Use it as a lip stain.
If your blush is the cream or crayon kind, simply swipe onto your lips for a quick pop of colour. Just remember to apply a base layer of lip balm beforehand.
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Pink eyeshadow
One of those trends that seem daunting but turn out to be incredibly versatile once you try it for yourself. If your blush is a light baby pink, use it as a base colour all over your lids. Swipe a shimmery gold eyeshadow on top to add sparkle.
If your blush leans towards a darker pink or berry shade, apply with an angled eyeliner brush to your top lids and wing outwards into a flick. Just remember to keep the pink to your top lids only – you don’t want to look like you have… well, pink eye.
For powder blushes, simply wet your brush before applying to get better definition and more colour payoff. With crayon and cream blushes, you can use your finger or a brush for more precision, depending on the look you’re going for. Either way, remember to use a primer or concealer underneath.
Happy blushing! You go girl.
– J
I need to get me one of those fan brushes! I think blush is a tricky one isnt it. I tend to not suit anything with a reddy tone, as I just look like Iv got too hot. I love these tips, thanks for sharing xx
Blush is just one of those things that I haven’t quite figured out yet, I always look like a drunken mess and have to blend until it’s nearly all gone xx
My daughter informed me that Russian dolls are actually called, singularly, matryoshka, and plurally, matryoshki. How do ya like that? LOL
Oooh you learn something new every day! 😉
My daughter is a bit OCD….lol
I’ve heard that blush should be applied from the apple of your cheek up to your hairline and up around the ends of your eyebrows. I’m not sure about that! I love pinky and plum tones.
Haha blush around the ends of your eyebrows? That sounds strange… thanks for commenting! xx
I know, doesn’t it?
I often use my blush as an eye-shadow, but that is usually because I’m out and forgot to grab eye shadow ? I really only wear pink eye shadows so it isn’t a problem! I also find that it feels like my blush has gone on heavy but by the time I’ve gotten on my way, it’s not as heavy as I thought ?
I think we have a tendency to overthink things when we do our makeup in the mornings, always looks more muted when i’m out! Thanks for stopping by ? xx
Personally I don’t use blusher due to many reasons and this being one of them , so thank you for this post it has really helped hun!xx
-ROSEYGOLDBOX | Fatimah
http://WWW.ROSEYGOLDBOX.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK
I never used to either, until recently! thanks for stopping by xx
Who knew! look how bloody clever you are!
This is how I do blusher
Today, I’m going to try blusher
I dont have blusher
Oh, but I have some bronzer
*application, application, application*
Sure…..that looks ok
Me looking at photos at a later date _ shit!!!! Thats too much bronzer
Note to self – learn and find a good blusher!
Speak with J!
Awhh you adorable person, i’m sure you don’t even need blusher to start with! Bronzer is great though, i look like a vampire without it xx
Haha that could be a good look ? xx
Blusher/bronzer shopping one day? xx
Yes! You’d be a great help 🙂 xx
I love using blushes as eyeshadow, especially if they are creamy and pigmented!
Yesss you rock those corals and pinks on your eyes! It’s such a good base for eyeshadow sometimes xx
Oh this was a fantastic post, I loved it! I’m gonna try out a couple of these on blushes I have, thank you
Awh thank you lovely! Let me know how it goes xx