I love my blushes but I always stick to powder blushes because cream and liquid blushes scare me! There I’ve said it. I always find myself looking like I was about to audition for the Peking Opera or the circus.
Recently, I figured out how to use cream or liquid blushes with the help of a couple of makeup artists from Smashbox and Clarins. I experimented for a while before finding the technique that worked for me – so as usual, here I am to share 😀
The thing about cream or liquid blushes is that it is usually more intense in colour than powder. Unless you are using a brightly pigmented red powder blush, its always easy to tap off excess colour before applying it to your cheeks. With cream or liquid blushes, what goes on your face sticks on your face and you have to work very quickly to blend.
Here’s my tip for applying cream or liquid blush.
I use my fingers because I find that it works best for me. Both tips from the makeup artists too involved using fingers. You can use a brush but the technique might be a little different and I don’t know how that works.
- For Cream blush – Tap on the surface of the blush with 2 fingers (I use fingers #3 and #4) Do not get too much colour on your fingers – you can layer as you go.
- For liquid blush – squeeze a dab of liquid blush on the back of your hand, dab at it with 2 fingers, sheer out the colour on the back of your hand.
- Start blush application on the top of your cheekbones nearest to your hairline. Working quickly, spread the colour downwards to the apples of your cheeks, without getting too near your nose. Blend away edges using a quick tapping motion.
- Layer for more colour if you like. I usually layer a little more colour on the apples of the cheeks.
- Apply a light dusting of blush or highlighter over your cheeks if you like, and you’re done!
The main trick here is the 1st and 2nd tip. By ensuring that your fingers aren’t too saturated with colour, you ensure that you don’t end up with streaks of colour instead of a light flush. Remember – colour can be built up and its harder to tone down.
Secondly, by starting near your hairline, that area gets the main concentration of colour so if you make a mistake, its easy to blend away into your hair line or have your hair cover it. Also, it ensures that you have a more natural flush, because when you blush naturally, its not just the apples of your cheeks that have colour – its your whole face (but we don’t really want to end up looking like the setting sun with makeup 😛 )
I’ve been experimenting with the cream/liquid blushes I own (actually I own just one now because I gave away the other 😛 and the exception to this rule is Benefit Benetint or Posietint – you can’t use this technique) and thus far, I’m happily finding out that cream or liquid blushes give a lovely “blushing from within” look that I could hitherto not quite achieve with powder blushes. Also, they do tend to last longer and somehow for me, look less made up for casual looks. This could be the start of a brand new addiction LOL!
Are you as scared of cream or liquid blushes as I am? Do you have a trick for overcoming this fear that you’d like to share? 🙂
Paris B
Sugar says
August 10, 2010 at 9:13 amfirst of all, let me say..i AM SO JEALOUS your skin looks amazing!!!!
ok. now that we’ve gotten that out of the way…i do love the natural looking flush that cream/liquid blushers give, but i cant do it. i have pimple scars on my cheekbones, and if i blend the blush i’d blend my concealer away…=(
ParisB says
August 10, 2010 at 2:52 pmHey that happens with me too! So I have to work with a very light touch or top up concealer as I go 😛
Nikki says
August 10, 2010 at 9:46 amPB! Its a great tip, the blush looks natural
ParisB says
August 10, 2010 at 2:52 pmThanks Nikki!
rinnah says
August 10, 2010 at 10:16 amI was going, “Naaaaah… not for me…” until I read the line “lovely blushing from within” and something inside me went – I want that too! 😛
ParisB says
August 10, 2010 at 2:54 pmLol! On your skin I think cream blushes will look awesome cos I still have to battle old scars
stellarvixen says
August 10, 2010 at 10:38 amME! too and still afraid of cream blusher lol
cant shake off this bad feeling that am rubbing them into my pores *eek
but i’ve seen some NARS creamblusher that i would like to purchase >:D
ParisB says
August 10, 2010 at 2:55 pmHaha no you don’t rub them into pores at all. Its a matter of spreading the cream blush evenly on your skin. I haven’t tried Nars cream blushes but I hear they are pretty good 🙂
anis says
August 10, 2010 at 11:02 amlove this post PB! its right around my alley 😀
i love love love cream blush! i find stila cc in peony works best for my for that natural blush look, just use my index finger, dab dab dab from highest part of cheekbone to hairline and blend. yep, a light hand is very crucial because if u overdo it will come out ghastly! (speaking from own experience with Bobbi Brown pot rouge) high pigment cream blush and having to apply it in a rush is NOT a good combination.
ParisB says
August 10, 2010 at 2:57 pmI used to have a Stila Convertible too! But I gave it away because the colour was just not suitable for me. I find for cream blushes its just easier to work with a light blush shade if you’re fair because making a mistake can be disastrous 🙂
Hsu Jen says
August 10, 2010 at 11:12 amOnce you go cream, you never go back! I love using cream blushes! They give a super natural and healthy glow that powder blushes cant seem to achieve. Plus, they’re so pigmented, a pan lasts forever! I have 3 cream blushes now from NYX and I love them to death! They make a great base for powder blushes too. I use a cream blush first, then layer a powder blush of similar colour on top = blush that lasts all day.
I use a duo-fibre cheek brush from Etude House for my cream blushes. Works great for me. I dont have a liquid blush though. Hmmm… 😛
ParisB says
August 10, 2010 at 2:58 pmI haven’t tried NYX though I hear they are pretty good stuff for the price! Using a duo fibre brush is one of the fastest and possibly easiest ways but I never seem to get the hang of it 😛 on a personal note, I still prefer using powder blushes just because I’m less likely to make a mistake 😉
Jean says
August 10, 2010 at 11:21 amI like cream blusher! very natural effect~
Like Benetint too but can’t apply it nicely…>.<
ParisB says
August 10, 2010 at 2:59 pmI find Posietint works better for me than Benetint 🙂 the way they teach at Benefit actually works the best 😉
Jacqueline says
August 10, 2010 at 1:20 pmI personally like cream/gel blushes best because they last long and when blended out well gives a more natural looking flush. My hg now if MUFE’s HD blush. Try applying with a blush brush, the effect is also very natural.
ParisB says
August 10, 2010 at 3:00 pmHmm I gotta check out MUFE blushes then 😉
jen says
August 10, 2010 at 10:01 pmMAC 188 brush is the best in blending all creme blushes =)
ParisB says
August 10, 2010 at 10:09 pmI’ve heard this too. Don’t use cream blushes enough to justify a purchase though so will have to make do with fingers 🙂
ivy says
August 13, 2010 at 11:18 pmi love liquid blushers. my favourite is benetint, it gives a very natural look and people marvel at my rosy cheeks, thinking that it’s natural..hehehe. blending it is not too difficult, as long as the cheeks are not dry IMHO.