How To: Applying blush for YOUR face shape

You may have found the perfect blush but do you know how to apply it in a way that is most beneficial to your own face shape? Although blush application may seem trivial, every face shape has its own recommended application technique in order to highlight different features that make it unique.

First off, lets break down the parts of your face that are related to blush application. The apples of the cheeks are a common area where you want to add a natural looking flush to your face. It's where you'd pinch someone's cheek. This can be located by smiling - the puffy area of skin that protrudes is the apple.Next are the cheekbones. Feel around your bone structure, the cheekbones are located just above the apples  and go back towards the temples. The hollow of the cheek is usually referred to more when it comes to contouring, but it is located under the cheekbone and apple, where your cheek goes in if you press on it.

As far as brushes go, I usually use my Posh Blush brush (you can see a picture of it here) because it's just the right size for my cheek. I wouldn't suggest using a regular powder brush because they tend to be too big and will apply color where you weren't intending to. For an easier reference, I know that the MAC 116 brush is usually referred to as a blush brush if you want to check it out.



Now that we have the basics, let's get on to the fun stuff!!! Today I will be going through the different face shapes and how blush should be applied in order to get most of your product. I will go over the 5 most common face shapes and describe the best way to apply your brush (explanatory picture to follow).

  

Oval

The oval face shape is considered to be the most proportionate so you ladies with the oval faces can get away with many types of blush applications.You can focus most of the color on the apples of your cheeks and sweep it back towards your ears OR you can create more of an angular line for more definition (see the round face shape description). 

Celebrities with oval faces: Charlize Theron, Megan Fox, Eva Mendes, Kate Hudson, Mila Kunis.

Oblong

When applying blush, oblong faces ladies (also known as long) want to apply your blush from the apples of the cheeks and out towards your ears in a horizontal manner. This creates the illusion of a wider face. Make sure you blend, blend, blend, in order to avoid getting an obvious stripy effect!
Celebrities with oblong faces: Sarah Jessica Parker, Gisele Bundchen, Ashlee Simpson.

Heart
In order to balance out your jawline a chin, heart shaped faces should apply blush right under the apples of the cheek and sweep it upwards towards the ears in order to create a bit of contour.
Celebrities with heart faces: Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Lopez, Jenny McCarthy, Rachel Bilson, Katie Holmes.

Square
By concentrating the color on the apples of your cheeks, it softens the natural angles of a square face and creates a nice natural look.
Celebrities with square faces: Demi Moore, Angelina Jolie, Jessica Biel, Janet Jackson, Rosario Dawson.
 
Round
Most people with round faces want to slenderize it. In order to give the illusion of a thinner face, apply your blush along the cheekbone and towards your ears. Try to avoid putting color directly on the apples of the cheeks because it will just create more fullness.
Celebrities with round faces: Selena Gomez, Salma Hayek, Drew Barrymore, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Cameron Diaz.

Here is a little diagram I whipped up to give you a better idea of where you should place your blush:

I hope this little explanation has given you new tips when it comes to applying blush. If you're unsure what face shape you have, apply blush starting from mid-apple and blend your way out toward the temple/hair line. You may apply your blush it in all the right areas but if it's not blended, you'll still look like a clown so remember girlies, the key to blush is blending!

Post to you later,

Dee Vine