A bit of pink powder history and an easy guide on how to choose and use the blush - like you mean it.
People seem to have many questions and concerns surrounding the existence of blush, that pinkish powder millions of women love to dab onto the apples of their cheeks.
Google it, and you'll see headlines like: "Guys are attracted to girls who wear blush,"; "Why you MUST STOP wearing powder blush NOW!"; and "Sex hormones make women's faces redder as a sign of fertility." 🧐
It's a product that, despite its all-presence and so many women swiping it on without a second thought, is filled with many unknowns — perhaps most critically: Why is it even a thing? Read on to find out and learn how to properly use blush.
History of blush
That Cleopatra lady really hooked us on makeup. Many beauty products find their start date back in Egypt, trademark eyeliner especially! Ages before Christ, Nile people ground red ochre (a natural pigment) and mixed it with fat to get a red tint that people would smear on their cheeks and lips. All the people, male and female. Greeks crushed mulberries to get red cheeks, and Romans used red vermilion as a blush. The fact that these items were toxic did not stop people from using it, even making it a status symbol of sorts.
Like many other things, blush also went to shade during the Middle Ages, as white skin became a differentiating mark of the high class. Not only did they not want extra red in their cheeks, but aristocrats used to regularly bleed themselves — as in with leeches (!) — to remove overall redness from the skin. On the other society spectrum, prostitutes were happy to wear heavily rouged cheeks, making blushing even more inappropriate. Closer to the end of the 1500s, England's Queen Elizabeth I cared more about her appearance than public opinion, and she loved her rosy cheeks. So just like that, blush was again back in the cheek game!
Love for makeup from the 1500s to the 1700s was greatly unreturned, as many cosmetics were still highly toxic. Yet, both men and women used blush that showed youth and health on the outside but harmed that very health on the inside.
The world went through major changes with French Revolution, which ended in 1799. and many thought there were bigger fish to fry than makeup. It was considered superficial, unnecessarily extravagant, and associated with prostitutes again.
Another huge global change brought makeup to a new spotlight – industrialization. Companies like Guerlain and L'Oreal realized that instead of cheap poisons in their products - it is better to have healthy and alive blush buyers. Marilyn Monroe was not seen in the '50s without blush, and in the '70s blush took over men's faces like David Bowie's. In the '80s, everybody was into blush… Actually, regarding makeup, it seems like everybody was into everything in those '80s.
Today, blush is an essential face product alongside contouring and highlighting.
Blush and skin tone
Do you have that one friend that looks amazing in yellow, and you can't pull it off if your life depended on it? But also, you are killing it with navy blue, yet your friend looks sickish. It's not that God doesn't love you; it's just a different skin undertone.
With the right blush shade, you can enhance the youthfulness of your face, but choosing it can be tricky. Respect your undertone and match the blush color to it – that would be a general rule.
Occasion, mood, outfit, season, part of the day… many factors may affect a blush choice, but there are some guidelines to help you experiment safely and without any ugly mistakes.
Light start and build-up is an excellent path for a fair complexion. Fair ladies and gents usually have a neutral or pink undertone, so go for washes of fresh pink, light peach, or berry shades with cool undertones. Medium skin tones tend to be with warmer undertones. This kind of skin looks wonderful with a mix of peach and rosy pinks. Orangey-peach or golden-toned blushes are a perfect way to perk up olive skin with yellow and green undertones. Bright colors are recommended for darker skin tones. Deep berry, hot corals, and brick reds pop up very well on dark complexions. For the brave ones, purple or violet are options here too.
How to apply blush and use it like you mean it
You chose the color to match your undertone and the formula to suit your skin type, and now what? Or better – where? Placing the blush will make your face lifted, fuller, or droopy. We'll show you how to get what you want!
Knowing your face shape will determine where blush will look most flattering. Suppose you have prominent cheekbones and a forehead slightly wider than the chin. In that case, your oval face will appreciate a sweep of blush over the cheekbones, just above the bone, to raise it and give them a lift.
Heart-shaped faces have a wide forehead and high cheekbones, and the face tapers to a narrow chin. To bring a little bit of balance, place blush on the outer corner of your cheekbone, starting by your ear and ending at a point below the outer corner of your eye.
Cheekbones are the same width as the chin on a square shape face, so to redefine them, apply your blush slightly below the cheekbone. To soften the edges of your face, have a blush in the hairline.
The best choice for round faces is matte blushers. The assignment is to make your face appear longer, so sweep your blush from the ear down the cheekbone towards the mouth. Add a little touch of blush to the chin.
Oval/oblong faces should not be further elongated, so make sure to apply blush on cheekbones below the outer corners of the eyes, blend well, and never extend lower than the tip of the nose.
Triangular faces should be balanced by applying blush in a sideways V on the cheekbones. Blend up from your cheekbones to your temple, and then extend the blush over your brow toward the center of your forehead.
Different blush options out there
Knowing your undertone will guide you to the ideal blush shade. Knowing your skin type will determine the perfect formula for you. Dry skin loves creams, and oily skins prefer powders. Luckily, in the 21st century, there are a lot of options to choose from.
1. Powder Blush
Powder blush comes to mind when you think about traditional blush. It comes in about all colors, which is why it's so popular. It will last around 8 hours, and it will be your best friend if your skin reacts sensitively or gets irritated easily while applying makeup.
2. Liquid Blush
The liquid blush comes in various colors and blends easily with your fingers. It will stay all day, but don't put too much of it on your skin. The liquid blush is an excellent on-the-go option for those who want and need that additional color.
3. Cream Blush
Cream blush is easy to apply, but it will not stay on all day, especially on oily skin. It would be almost like throwing money. On the other hand, cream blush has the perfect ingredients to get some moisture back to dry skin. Gradually increasing layering is a safe path to walk.
4. Stick Blush
There is no more practical blush solution than stick blush. Easy to apply, easy to get off, and easy to carry around, as there is no need for additional makeup tools. You can always simply apply the blush directly to your face, making it easy for beginners. Its formula is closer to cream blush, making it a winner for dry-skinned people. Also, it's an excellent winter choice for all skin types. You can also use it in the summer, just don't forget it in your car.
5. Gel Blush
If you like to add a glow to your face – gel blush is for you. The gel blush has a gel-like consistency, making it a bit unique and a good option for oily or dry skin. It's a fabulous summer solution as it stays in place and doesn't burden the skin. Darker skin people will not love this formula as it often appears very sheer on the skin.
6. Tinted Blush
Do you want your blush to pop all day long? Choose tinted blush. The tinted blush is a product that will not fade or wear off during the day, making it a bit heavy on the skin, so be careful with the amount. It will not take your time to reapply it, but taking it off will take some time. Also, it is essential to have the right color on your cheeks if it's going to be there all day long. The tinted blush is speedy drying; you can apply it with your fingers or use a brush. If you are a beginner, try applying it with a brush.
7. Soft Shine or Glittery Shimmer Blush
Shimmer can be so pleasing if appropriately used. A large brush to gradually layer it on, will show you when to stop and help you if you like to go overboard. Shimmer tends to enhance pores, so oily skin people may not enjoy this one.
Mixing Blushes & Having Fun
It's not a secret - nobody has only one blush. And nobody said you must use only one blush at a time. On the contrary, a whole beauty concept allows easy mix and match.
Sometimes, several different blushes can be used at once to get the perfect layering, color, and moisturizing. So pick your shades and
textures, and don’t be afraid to try it out – have fun, girl!
Keep shining bright,
D.