How to apply blush: Flawless Placement for Every Face Shape

A pop of blush can transform any make-up look, adding warmth, depth or a natural rosy glow to your complexion. To truly elevate your beauty routine, it’s essential to know how to apply blush based on your unique face shape and skin tone.

Introduction to blush: why is it a make-up essential?

Blush is a versatile must-have, instantly adding a flush of colour that can awaken, accentuate or deliver a healthy-looking glow. With the right technique, blush can effectively enhance your facial structure when tailored to your face shape, creating a soft, everyday radiance or a bold, sculpted look.

Whether you’re new to blush or looking to perfect your technique, No7 is here to help. From tips on placement and shade selection to avoiding common mistakes, if you need help mastering the art of blush, this guide has got you covered.

Where to apply blush: understanding placement for your face shape

Getting the placement of blush right can make a huge difference, helping you achieve a natural, balanced and flattering look. Here’s a breakdown of the ideal blush placements for various face shapes:

Oval face: Oval faces are slightly longer than they are wide, so applying blush to the apples of the cheeks and blending outwards towards the temples adds a soft, natural flush and subtly widens the face. For a more sculpted look, blend the blush along your cheekbone contour, sweeping it upwards and outwards.

Round face: To add definition, apply blush slightly higher on the cheekbones and blend upwards towards the temples. Avoid the apples of the cheeks to prevent a fuller look – placing blush higher creates a more sculpted effect.

Square face: Square faces typically have defined cheekbones and a strong jawline. To soften these angles, apply blush to the apples of the cheeks using gentle circular motions. Then, blend outwards towards the temples to create a rounded, seamless finish that softens and balances the face’s natural structure.

Heart-shaped face: Heart-shaped faces typically have a wider forehead and a pointed chin. To balance these proportions, start by applying blush to the apples of the cheeks, positioned slightly lower than usual, and blend in a soft ‘U’ shape along the cheekbones towards the temples. Focusing on the lower cheeks helps bring the face into better proportion and softens the overall look.

How to apply blusher: a step-by-step guide for beginners

Ready to master the basics of how to apply blusher? Here’s a simple step-by-step tutorial to help you achieve a flawless, blended look:

1. Choose your blush type: Blush comes in powders, creams and liquids. Liquid formulas can be great at helping create a soft glow look whereas powder blushes can offer a matte effect.
2. Apply with the right tools: For powder blush, use a medium-sized fluffy brush, ideally with a slight angle for better control. Cream and liquid blushes can be blended out with your fingers for a natural finish.
3. Start small: Pick up a small amount of blush and apply it in light layers. It’s easier to build up colour gradually than to remove excess blush after it’s applied.
4. Adjust to face shape: Follow the placement tips above for your specific face shape to accentuate your natural structure.
5. Blend, blend, blend: The key to natural-looking blush is blending well to avoid harsh lines. Work in soft, circular motions to help blend the blush into the skin.

The best blush placement: highlighting your cheekbones

Blush isn’t only just for adding colour – the correct placement can enhance your bone structure and make your cheekbones stand out. Here are some quick tips:

• For an everyday look: Apply blush on the cheekbones and blend outwards towards your temples for a soft lift.
• For an evening or contoured look: Choose a shade slightly darker than your natural skin tone. Apply it just below your cheekbone, starting from the outer edge of your eye and blending towards the hairline for added definition.

Blush and bronzer: where do I put blusher and bronzer together?

Pairing blush with bronzer can create a sculpted, sun-kissed glow that adds warmth to the face. The key is knowing where to place each product for a balanced look:

1. Apply bronzer first: Start by contouring with bronzer as your base, paying attention to the hollows of your cheeks, jawline and hairline to create a natural-looking shadow.
2. Place blush on top: Blush should be applied slightly above the bronzer on the cheekbones, adding colour to the centre of your face.

Whether you’re looking for a soft, matte bronzer or a radiant, light catching glow, No7’s range of bronzers and highlighters offer a variety of beautiful shades, great for transitioning from a day to night look.

Blush for different skin tones: choosing the right shades

Selecting the perfect blush starts with finding a shade that complements your skin tone. The right colour can enhance your natural warmth or coolness, creating a more balanced and radiant look.

• Fair skin: Soft pinks, peaches and light corals are perfect, providing a delicate flush of colour without appearing too stark.
• Medium skin: Warm rose, soft berry or mauve tones work wonders, adding a natural glow that complements your natural warmth.
• Olive skin: Peachy pinks and warm oranges are ideal for olive skin, helping to balance out green undertones for a vibrant, glowing effect.
• Deep skin: Rich shades like berry, plum and vibrant orange provide the best colour payoff on deeper complexions, creating a striking contrast that highlights cheekbones beautifully.

Looking for your perfect blush shade? Explore our Matte Powder Blush. With a variety of shades like peach, cranberry and berry, this buildable formula glides on, delivering a silky-smooth finish and a natural looking/ buildable pop of colour.

Common blush mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced make-up users sometimes fall into common blush mishaps. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for, along with tips to fix them to keep your blush looking fresh and radiant:

• Applying too much: It’s easy to go overboard with blush. Start with a light touch and gradually build up the colour. A heavy application is harder to correct. If you have too much product on your face, soften it with a damp make-up sponge for a more blended look.
• Wrong placement: Blush applied too high or too far up can disrupt your natural contour. Follow the placement guide for your face shape to ensure you're applying blush in the right spot for a balanced, flattering result.
• Not using the right tools: Using the wrong tools can result in harsh lines and uneven application. For creamy formulas, you can use your fingers, a sponge or a fluffy brush. When applying powder blush, make sure to use a brush that’s the right size – too large or too small can make application difficult. Try our Blusher Brush, with full, tapered bristles designed for effortless colouring and shaping of the cheek area.

Final thoughts: how to achieve a natural blush look every day

With the right placement and shade, blush can become a go-to for everyday radiance. When you take into account your face shape and skin tone, you can create a flattering look that feels effortless. Explore No7’s range of blushers today and find your perfect match.