The Ultimate Blush Guide for Beauty Lovers

Blusher is a great way to add warmth to the skin, as well as enhancing the natural curves and contours of your face. However, with so many textures, formats and finishes to choose from it can be tricky to know where to begin your blush journey.

Well, luckily for you, the beauty buffs here at Cosmetify have put our heads together to come up with the ultimate blush guide for beauty lovers. We run through the best blushers, blusher palettes, makeup brushes and all our top tips for application.

Take a quick look to find all your new favourite formulas right here…

What's the difference between cream blush, liquid blush and powder blush?

The difference between cream blush, liquid blush and powder blush is down to the texture and consistency of the product.

Cream blushes arrive in a creamy, malleable formula that can be blended in with just your fingertips, whilst powder blush requires a blusher brush for application due to its more rigid and solid texture.

Liquid blushes are yep, you guessed it, a liquid formula that can also be blended in with your fingertips or a beauty sponge for a soft, second-skin finish that can be built up.

How do you apply blush?

When applying blush, start by smiling to make the apples of your cheeks more prominent. Using a blusher brush, sweep the blush down from the ear to the cheekbones, finishing and focusing on the apples of your cheeks – this is typically where most people flush when they're genuinely blushing.

You can also bring the blusher up along your temples for a more exaggerated look and for an extra pop of colour but be sure to blend out thoroughly for a diffused look. Finish off by applying a small amount of blush to the chin for a truly peachy, flushed look.

Where do you apply blush?

The most common place to apply blush is the apples of your cheeks. However, this can depend on your face shape.

For example, if you have a rounder face, you may look at applying it along your cheekbones – like you would a bronzer. This helps contour and draw the face in a little more for a slimmer finish.

Meanwhile, heart-shaped faces may want to apply blush just below the apples of the cheeks, sweeping it out to the hairline to again add a subtle contour. Longer face shapes should look to focus beneath the apples but avoid sweeping up towards the temples.

What’s the difference between blush and bronzer?

The difference between a blusher and a bronzer is simple: one is used to add a flush of peachy colour whilst the other contours and tans the face.

Blusher primarily uses pinky, peachy, orangey tones within its formula to mimic that natural flush. It also helps to add a pop of healthy colour to the cheeks and is usually applied to the centre of the face.

Bronzer typically boasts a more golden-brown hue and doesn't have so much variety in colour. A bronzer's main focus is to add depth, shadow and a sun-kissed colour to complexions in order to contour and reshape the face, whilst adding a bit of tan to paler visages. They typically get applied around the temples, across the cheekbones and around the jawline.

What are the best blushers?

Here at Cosmetify, we have a wide range of blushers to choose from. Whether you prefer powder, cream or liquid formulas there’s something for every skin type and every type of routine.

Take a look at our top picks from some of the biggest brands in the biz to find the best blushers:

Best powder blushers:

Best cream blushers:

Best liquid blushers:

What's in a blush palette?

A blush palette contains two or more shades of blush in one compact palette. These shades could be anything from a bright trio of pinks to a duo of peachy hues. You can easily find a makeup palette to suit every skin tone, every makeup style and every makeup collection.

Blush palettes are a great way to test lots of different shades without committing to one single product. This is perfect all year round so you can mix and match shades to suit the occasion. Not to mention, the sleek palettes are ideal for travelling as you can take multiple colours to top up your look.

What kinds of blush are in a blush palette?

In a blush palette you can find a mixture of formats, such as cream or powder. Powder highlighters are perfect for oily skin types and creams are ideal for dry skin. When searching for the best blush palette, powders are a great choice for winter when you want a full coverage, long-wearing makeup look. Cream blush palettes are a summer makeup staple to create a natural, glowy finish.

Some blush palettes also contain a range of finishes, whether matte, natural, shimmering or satin.

How do you use a blush palette?

It depends how many shades you have to play with. However, you need a big fluffy powder brush to help blend and buff your favourite colours across your cheeks, forehead and nose. Blush duos are great for beginners as you can add the darker shade onto the apples of the cheek and then use the lighter shade to highlight further up the cheekbone.

When your blush palette has three or more colours, choose your favourite shade to suit your mood that particular day. Of course, you can swirl shades together to create your own unique colour depending on the occasion. Shimmery shades are perfect for summery days, while satin pigments are great for long-lasting back-to-the-office looks.

What's the best blush palette?

There's lots of blush palettes on the market, with everything from bright pops of colour to subtle hints of shimmer. Some of our favourites come from the likes of NARS Cosmetics, Natasha Denona and Anastasia Beverly Hills.

At Cosmetify find your favourite high-end palettes, as well as affordable high-street must-have blushers that suit your skin tone to a tee.

For more beauty goodies, take a look The Best Liquid Lipsticks and The Best Makeup Brushes and Brush Sets.