It can change your face shape and and it’s great if you have red cheeks too.... I apply blusher at the end of my workshops and it always gets the most `oh my gods` it totally changes your face and forehead, links

your eyes to your lips and slims the face down...it can even be used as lip colour !!

Choosing what type to use really depends on what type of skin you have.... if you have great skin with small pores and no scaring you can use them all but here is a simple guide to what’s best for you..

·         Liquid Stains, Gels and Creams give a very light coverage and are good if you don’t need to wear a foundation to conceal imperfections, have small pores or you want a natural look.... perfect when you have a tan too. They are also better for dryer skin types and can be applied with your finger tips or sponge. TIP If you wear a foundation you should apply after but before powder.

·         Powder blushers work best over a foundation or face powder as this will allow you to blend them easily. Use a cotton ball or a soft brush with tapered edges to spread the colour evenly. A matt blusher will look more natural, if you choose a frosted blusher be aware that it can highlight open pores. TIP If you apply too much blusher you can always buff away with a face pad dipped in face powder. TIP Powder blushers are easier to use so I would recommend them if your new to the world of makeup!

Where to apply will depend on your face shape, the look you want to achieve and the tone of your skin. Firstly let’s look at face shapes..

·         For oval shaped faces apply your blusher to the cheek area directly in line with the centre of your eyes, then brush upwards and outwards  to your temples

·         For round or square faces create an image of trimness to lengthen your face by bringing cheek colour slightly closer to your nose. Brush colour upwards and outwards continue to the temple and lightly apply to the forehead. TIP nearly all of my clients didn’t used to apply their blusher to their forehead... after showing them how their forehead is normally pale as it’s protected from the sun by their fringe. This normally makes the forehead look big! So applying blusher slims down the forehead giving a more oval face which is known to be the most flattering face shape.

·         For skin that has rosy cheeks!!! Blusher is your best secret if you want to tone them down!!! By applying blusher to only the forehead and the temple and slightly blending in to the cheeks.. you warm the rest of the face up. This has the effect of toning down your read cheeks... try it its brilliant! You rosy cheeks won’t look out of place anymore!

Where else can you apply blusher? It’s one of the best tools you have in your makeup bag. So you can also apply it....

·         If your pushed for time or don’t feel confident applying your eye shadow  use a smaller brush or squeeze the hairs of your brush together so its smaller and wipe the remainder of your blusher over your eyelids. TIP try it first without applying more blusher to your blush... you will probably find it’s just the perfect without adding more.

·         Using a clean finger apply a small amount to your lips then apply a lip gloss over the top to give a natural long lasting look. If you want a matt look apply it after your gloss or lip colour.

·         Apply over your neck arms and legs BEFORE your body lotion to add a hint of colour to your skin... When you apply your body lotion you will blend in any patchy areas. Don’t apply after your body lotion as you will get patchy areas!

Finally remember that Blusher is designed to complement the rest of your make up. It needs to match the depth of colour in your lipstick and eye shadow so I always apply blusher after i have done the lips and eyes to ensure this. It’s worth noting that you might dull your mascara a particles of blusher may stick to your mascara so either apply a second coat ( this will give more build) or leave your mascara to the very end.

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