How To Apply Liquid Blush: Steps and Must-Have Tools
Dewy, glowing skin is all the rage, and there’s one product you absolutely must use to achieve it: liquid blush. If you’re new to the makeup world or just want to learn a little bit more about this fan-favorite product, then this guide is for you.
We’re giving you everything you need to know about liquid blush, the tools you’ll need to apply it, and a walkthrough of the application process.
Pretty soon, you’ll be rocking that irresistible rosy flush we all know and love.
What Is Liquid Blush?
Before we dive into the tools and how-to section of this guide, we have to take a close look at how you can define liquid blush. This product, which is also sometimes called cream blush, is used to give your cheeks a natural-looking color (think of how your cheeks look right when you come inside on a cold winter day).
As opposed to traditional powder blush, liquid blush has a creamy formula that won’t stick to your skin and can be blended in like you would a liquid foundation or moisturizer. Given that it has a hydrating quality, liquid blush is an especially great option for anyone with dry skin or mature skin because it won’t get lost in fine lines or dry your skin out.
Just like powder blush, liquid blush comes in a wide variety of colors and will last the whole day (and night if you need it to). When you’re looking to add a pop of color to your makeup look that will still give you a natural, seamless finish, try our Color Bloom Liquid Blush.
What Do You Need To Apply Liquid Blush?
When it comes to the tools you’ll need to apply your liquid blush, there are two main options.
The first is a blush brush, like the Color Bloom Liquid Blush Brush, which is specially designed to apply and diffuse liquid blush. When you use a brush, you get well-blended color payoff that you can build upon until you reach your desired level of bold.
If you want to go the more natural route (or simply don’t have a blush brush on hand), you can also apply your liquid blush with your fingers. To do so, just make sure you give your hands a thorough wash beforehand to avoid spreading any bacteria from your hands to your face.
When applying your blush with your fingers, you’ll want to simply tap the blush into your skin or blend it out with your fingers on the desired area of your face. This gives you the smoothest look, whereas rubbing the product in in circular motions can leave it looking splotchy.
Where Should You Apply Liquid Blush?
We’ve covered the basics of what liquid blush is and what you’ll need to apply it which means it’s time to answer the million dollar question: where should you apply liquid blush?
Just like with concealer and contour, the answer to this question tends to change depending on the shape of your face and the look you’re going for.
Generally speaking, liquid blush can be applied to the apples of your cheeks and your cheekbones.
If you’re not exactly sure how to identify the apples of your cheeks, we’ve got a simple trick! Keeping your mouth closed, smile into the mirror. The plumpest part of your cheeks are the apples, and that’s where your blush should go.
If you have a square-shaped face, you might want to experiment with just applying your liquid blush to the apples of your cheeks. Conversely, if you have a more oval-shaped face, try extending the liquid blush all the way along your cheekbones in a thicker line.
For round, diamond, and heart-shaped faces, you’ll want to apply liquid blush to the apples of your cheeks and your cheekbones, but in a thinner line along the cheekbones.
Along with your face shape, the effect you’re going for with your blush will also determine where you should apply it.
For the most au naturel, sunkissed look, apply your liquid blush evenly across your face, just under your under-eye concealer where you would get a sunburn on a hot day. Make sure not to forget to apply blush to your nose as well; that’s what will give this look its natural flair.
For a lifted, day-to-day blush look, apply three large dots of liquid blush on each side of your face, starting at the apples of your cheeks and drawing up along the cheekbone. Blend the blush up to get a fresh, wide-awake makeup look.
Finally, for something with a little bit more of a dramatic flair, you can try a cheekbone-enhancing blush look. Taking the wand of the liquid blush or a blush brush with product already applied, draw a line with your blush along the bottom side of your cheekbone. This will really make your cheekbones pop and is perfect for a bolder makeup look!
How To Apply Liquid Blush?
Now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for, it’s time to break down the liquid blush application process into three simple steps.
Check out this section for an easy go-to guide that you can follow any time you want to make liquid blush a part of your routine.
Prep Skin
Before you get to applying your liquid blush, you’ll want to make sure that your skin is prepped and ready. This means that you should apply your foundation, concealer, and contour before you move on to liquid blush.
Applying your makeup in this order (saving highlighter for last) will give you an easy framework that you can build upon with your blush and highlighter.
Apply Blush
With your base makeup set, you’re ready to start applying your blush. Depending on the style you’re going for, apply liquid blush in dots or a line, starting at the apples of your cheeks and extending out towards your cheekbones if you want.
Remember that the general rule of thumb with liquid blush is that the more you apply, the more dramatic your look will be. For a more natural look, you’ll only need a few strategically placed dots of liquid blush.
Once your blush is where you want it to be, blend it out with a blush brush or your fingers. Keep in mind that you can always add more blush if you want a more dramatic look, so it’s best to start subtle and continue adding blush until you’re satisfied.
Blend and Highlight!
Now that your blush is applied and blended, it’s time for highlighter! If you’re using a liquid blush, it’s easy to also use a liquid highlighter — you won’t have to worry about blending conflicting textures.
When you blend a powder and a liquid product, it can sometimes cause streakiness or pilling. If you do find yourself mixing the two textures, use a gentle hand!
No matter what type of highlighter you use, you’ll want to apply it slightly higher than your blush. Your highlighter should always be most prominent on the highest points of your face, where light would naturally hit, to accentuate your features and give them an effortless, lifted look.
How Should You Choose Your Shade of Liquid Blush?
When it comes to picking the perfect liquid blush for your skin tone, try to determine whether your skin has cool or warm undertones. If you want your blush to look more subtle, go for a liquid blush color that matches your undertones.
For example, if you have a warmer undertone, a peachy, pink liquid blush will look more natural. For cooler undertones, plum will give your makeup look a more natural vibe. If you want to create a look that stands out, go for the opposite color of your natural undertones.
It’s also important to consider that you can mix and match different liquid blush shades to create your unique look. Generally, a darker shade goes on the apples of your cheeks, and you’ll blend a lighter shade along your cheekbones. That being said, don’t be afraid to blend different colors and try different styles until you find a blush look that screams “you”!
Love Your Liquid Blush
You’re now ready to rock liquid blush whenever your look calls for it. Remember, with a liquid blush you can layer it on to create a show-stopping look or just blend a few dots (including one on your nose!) to get that just-got-back-from-the-beach vibe.
As soon as you’ve figured out how you’re going to incorporate liquid blush into your routine and start snapping pics, make sure to tag us in your photos. At SHEGLAM, we’re all about making products for and inspired by you, so we want to be a part of your favorite glam moments!