How to Apply Blush for a Bold, Bright Makeup Look

Blush can be a powerful tool in your makeup arsenal, and when used correctly, it can help you achieve a variety of looks, from a natural, everyday flush to a more dramatic, bold statement. If you're looking to create a bright blush makeup look, we have you covered with this guide to creating a bold blush look!

HOW TO CREATE A BRIGHT BLUSH LOOK

STEP 1: CHOOSE THE RIGHT BLUSH

The first step to creating a bright blush look is to choose the right product. There are three main types of blush: powder, cream, and liquid.

Powder blush is the most common type of blush. It is easy to apply and blend, and it is a good choice for oily skin.

Cream blush is a good choice for dry skin, as it will help to hydrate and nourish the skin. It is also easy to apply and blend, but it can be more difficult to control the amount of color you apply.

Liquid blush is easy to apply but a bit harder to blend. Liquid blush is great for creating a dewy, glowy look.

STEP 2: PREP YOUR FACE

Start with a clean, dry canvas. To help you makeup stay on longer, prep your face with primer such as Poreless Jelly™ Up to 24Hr Hydrating Blur Primer to start off strong with a hydrating, blurring base.

If you’re planning to wear foundation, as a general rule, use a liquid foundation if you want to use liquid blush, and use a powder foundation if you want to use powder blush. Apply your foundation and concealer before you apply your blush.

STEP 3: APPLY YOUR BLUSH

Once you have chosen a blush, it's time to apply it. The best way to do this is to start with a small amount and gradually add more until you reach the desired intensity.

For powder blush, use a blush brush to apply the blush to the apples of your cheeks. Blend it in well, making sure to avoid any harsh lines.

For cream blush, use your fingers or a damp beauty sponge to apply the blush to the apples of your cheeks. Blend it in well, making sure to avoid any harsh lines.

For liquid blush, use a brush or your fingers to apply the blush to the apples of your cheeks, your temples, and the tip of your nose. Blend it in well, making sure to avoid any harsh lines.

STEP 4: FINISH YOUR LOOK

Once you have applied your blush, you can finish your look with a few additional products.

Add a touch of highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones to help draw attention to your blush.

Apply a coat of mascara to your lashes to help define your eyes.

Finish with a bold lip color to complete your look.

WHAT BLUSH SHOULD YOU USE FOR A BOLD BLUSH LOOK?

When it comes to choosing a blush for a bold blush look, there are a few things to keep in mind.

 

  1. First, consider your skin tone. If you have fair skin, you will want to choose a blush in a shade that is slightly deeper than your natural skin tone. If you have medium skin, you can choose a blush in a shade that is the same as or slightly deeper than your natural skin tone. If you have dark skin, you can choose a blush in a shade that is several shades deeper than your natural skin tone.
  2. Second, consider your undertones. If you have warm undertones, you will want to choose a blush in a warm shade, such as peach, coral, or bronze. If you have cool undertones, you will want to choose a blush in a cool shade, such as pink, rose, or berry.
  3. Finally, consider the finish you want. If you want a natural-looking finish, choose a blush with a matte finish. If you want a more luminous finish, choose a blush with a shimmery finish.

 

Here are a few of our favorite Maybelline blushes for creating a bold blush look:

  1. Cheek Heat® Gel-Cream Blush

    This glowy gel cream blush melts seamlessly into skin for a natural-looking flush. In six wearable shades, the dewy pigment is buildable, allowing you to layer for a bolder look or just dab on a few dots for a healthy, everyday glow.
    Cheek Heat®
    Shop now

  2. Fit Me® Blush

    Available in ten versatile shades for every skin tone, this powder blush offers a radiant finish that feels weightless on the skin. The formula is dermatologist tested and promises to impart a flattering flush.
    Fit Me® Blush
    Shop now

  3. Sunkisser Multi-Use Liquid Blush and Bronzer

    Sunkisser Liquid Blush and Bronzer delivers glowy, sunkissed cheeks that last. This liquid blush features an ultra-blendable and buildable formula that melts to skin for a natural glow and up to 12 hours of wear. Available in 10 multi-use blush and bronze shades; mix and match to create any look from a natural flush to a dimensional lit-from-within glow.
    Sunkisser
    Shop now

  4. Sunkisser Hazy Mattes Blush

    For the liquid application of Sunkisser in a matte rather than glowy finish, try Sunkisser Hazy Mattes. The hazy matte finish features bright colors that flatter all skin tones for a summery look all year round. The liquid formula is designed to melt into skin to be seamless and blendable without sacrificing pigment intensity.
    Sunkisser
    Shop now

  5. Facestudio® Master Blush Color & Highlight Kit

    This convenient palette has everything you need to create a show stopping blush and highlighter look. With three powder blush shades to choose from and a universal highlighter, you’re able to customize your own color!
    Facestudio® Master Blush
    Shop now

BRIGHT & BOLD BLUSH MAKEUP FAQs

The brightness of your blush should depend on your personal preference and the overall look you are trying to achieve. For a more natural look, choose a blush that is only slightly brighter than your natural skin tone. For a more dramatic look, choose a blush that is several shades brighter than your natural skin tone. To apply bright blush, start by applying a small amount to the apples of your cheeks. Blend it in well, making sure to avoid any harsh lines. You can then add more blush as needed to achieve the desired intensity. Layering is key to creating a bright blush look. When wearing bright blush, you can choose a lipstick shade based on how you wish to complement your bold blush look. Choose a nude lipstick when you want your bold blush to take center stage. For a fresh, natural, youthful look, you can use a blurred lip tint to complement bright blush. Or if you want to go full drama, try a red lipstick for a truly bold look. The most common place to apply blush for a natural look is on the apples of your cheeks, which are the most fleshy part of your cheeks and the area that’s prone to flushing naturally. But, the fun thing about makeup is that you don’t really have to follow any rules. Of course, there are ways to accentuate certain features– placing blush high up on your cheekbones will help lift the entire face– but if there’s a certain placement that you prefer for your blush, then we say go for it. Typically, you should apply foundation before blush. This will help to create a smooth, even base for your blush and help it to adhere better to your skin. Recently, the trend of underpainting, or applying blush, bronzer, concealer, etc., before foundation has been having a moment. Some makeup artists use this technique in order to create a more subtle lit-from-within glow. But, if you want your bold blush to really pop, it’s smart to put it on over your foundation. Blush and bronzer can both be used to add definition to your face and enhance your natural features. However, they are used in different ways. Blush is used to add color to your cheeks, while bronzer is used to add warmth and depth to your skin. You can wear both blush and bronzer together, or you can choose to wear only one. Blush and bronzer are a perfect pair, each benefiting the face in a different way. Dusting bronzer on the forehead, under the cheekbones, along the jawline and on the nose gives a chiseled, sunkissed effect, but adding some blush on the cheeks will help to brighten the entire face. When choosing a blush color for your skin, there are a few things to keep in mind. Luckily, choosing a blush shade is much easier than shade matching for foundation, but the same basic principles will apply. If you’re fair, you’ll go for more of a peach or pink pastel hue depending on your undertone. If you’re fair with cool undertones, then a nice bubblegum pink is for you, but warmer or neutral tones will look best with something that has a little more heat to it like a punchy coral. The deeper your skin tone, the more intense you can get with your blush color. Olive and medium toned skin can handle an even warmer coral or poppier pink while darker skin will benefit from more pigmented shades such as a rich berry or brick red. But, if there’s a blush shade you really like, there’s no reason not to wear it regardless of your skin tone! As the name implies, the sunburn blush trend is all about using blush to give the appearance of a day spent in the sun. Think back to beach trips where you forgot to reapply SPF– where did you burn most? Typically, the sun will hit the high points of your face like your cheekbones and your nose, so the easiest way to mimic that look is by creating the letter “W,” with your blush. Start at the top of one cheek bone, brush down to the apple and then up and across the bridge of your nose. Finish the “W” on the other side by going up from the apple to the hairline. This area is a good spot to draw on some faux freckles, too. If you’re going to rock a burn, this is the way to do it– sun damage not included.