Blush

Which blush suits me?

Start with three things: how fair or deep your skin tone is, your undertone and the effect you enjoy. Undertone is the cool, warm or neutral nuance in your skin; it is different from how light or dark your complexion is.

Start with your undertone

Cool pink is a useful starting point for a cool undertone. For a warm undertone, compare peach, warm pink and coral. With a neutral undertone, try both families. Olive skin can respond differently to each shade: test on your cheek rather than only on your hand.

Consider contrast on your skin

A little colour is often visible on fair skin. Medium or deeper skin may need more colour for the flush to show. A very pale shade can look soft on one complexion and washed out on another. Your undertone is a guide, not a restriction.

The best test is your cheek in daylight. Apply one thin layer, look close up and from a little distance, and check how the colour blends into your skin. The colour in the pot or on a screen is only part of the picture.

A natural blush for everyday wear

Choose a finish you enjoy, pick up a little powder and soften the edges. Start with one thin layer on one cheek and compare with the other. On fair skin, try Blush, Flirt or Abricot; on light-medium to medium skin, Cheeky, Dollface or Sweet Cheeks are possible starting points. Decide by the result on your skin.

Loose or pressed blush?

Loose mineral blush

Pick up loose powder from the lid. Distribute it through the brush, tap off excess and build thin layers. This helps you control the amount.

Pressed powder blush

Sweep your brush lightly over the pan. Check the format when ordering: full size, tester and refill have different amounts and packaging. Both loose and pressed blush are powder formulas; the finish varies by shade.

Matte, semi-matte or shimmer?

Matte adds colour without prominent shine: compare Blush or Dare. Semi-matte sits between matte and shiny; Cheeky, Dollface, Sweet Cheeks and Romance have this finish. Abricot, Peach Puff and Flirt offer shimmer, while Coral Island has a glowy finish.

Shine can make pores or lines more noticeable. Compare matte or semi-matte if you want the focus on colour. You can still wear shimmer: choose the effect you like.

Apply blush in four simple steps

1. Prepare your base

Apply skincare and foundation if you use it. Let a liquid base settle. Powder can deposit a lot of colour on a very tacky area.

2. Pick up a little

Use a clean, soft brush. Distribute loose powder through the bristles or lightly touch the pressed powder. Tap off any excess.

3. Place the colour

For a soft flush, work around the fuller part of the cheek. To emphasise the cheekbones, place colour a little higher and blend towards the temples.

4. Blend and check

Soften the edges with light movements. Check in daylight with your face relaxed before adding another thin layer.

Where exactly should I place blush?

Let your desired effect guide you. A soft colour in the centre of the cheek looks different from a higher placement along the cheekbone. Check with a relaxed face: the apples move when you smile. There is no compulsory placement for a round, oval or angular face; try small adjustments to find what you enjoy.

Too much colour or a patchy result?

Blend excess colour with a clean brush, especially at the edges. If needed, add a very thin layer of your usual face powder or mineral foundation over the bright area. For patchiness, check that your base is even and has settled, use less product and lighter movements.

Colour, warmth and a little light

Blush adds colour, bronzer adds warmth and highlighter reflects light. After foundation, you can apply bronzer, then blush and a small amount of highlighter to the tops of the cheekbones. Blend the transitions so you do not see separate stripes.

Blush alone can be enough for everyday wear. With a shimmery blush, check whether you want extra highlighter at all. Choose the balance that feels right to you.

Try first, then choose your favourite

A tester helps you assess colour, finish and application on your own skin. With pressed blush, check the difference between full size and refill: the amount and packaging are different.

The current mirror cases for Dollface, Sweet Cheeks, Hello Dolly and Coral Island are not refillable. The smaller refill is intended for a compatible magnetic makeup palette.

When comparing your budget, check current price, amount and packaging. A tester lets you try a shade; a refill can be useful if you already own a compatible palette. Product reviews offer other people's experiences, but their favourite shade may not be your match.

What about sensitive skin?

Check the ingredients for the specific shade, especially if you know you react to an ingredient. A mineral formula cannot predict every skin's response. Try a small amount to see how it wears on your skin.