From The Straits Times    |

You already know the ritual  apply blush from the apples of your cheeks along your cheekbone to the hairline. Sure, it’s flattering for all face shapes, but why not try something that that can help you achieve your desired look? After all, makeup is all about enhancing your features and creating illusions when we need them.

Before we start, keep in mind these two tips for applying blush:

Tip 1. Use a light hand: Our cheeks tend to flush a lot more in Singapore’s heat, so skimp on the blush. Unless, of course, it is very faint. If you find it difficult to control your strength, try using a stippling brush instead of an angled brush.

Tip 2. Apply blusher, wait for 15 minutes then look at it again. The intensity of your blush tends to lighten after it reacts with your skin — especially for cream and liquid blushes — so don’t worry if you forget the first tip. If your cheeks still look too rosy after 15 minutes, take a liquid foundation or a similar product and dab a sheer layer over your cheeks with a sponge.

Now, let’s begin!

1. TO WIDEN

Use this method if you have an oval or oblong face shape, it will help to “cut” and balance the length of your face by making the cheeks look wider. 

Apply blush horizontally from the apples of your cheeks, extending out to the hairline. You can also try extending the horizontal line slightly downwards to form a rectangular shape.

The three shaping effects of blush B.pngWunderkind Paris Spring 2015

This is also great if you want to create the illusion of the flush you get from being under the sun.

2. TO SOFTEN

If you want to soften angular features, try applying blush only to the apples of your cheeks, swirling the brush in a circular motion. Girls with square faces, try this. If the length of your face tends to be a little “short”, combine it with the sculpt and lift method in point three below.

 

A photo posted by STEPHANIE YOUNG (@xolovestephi) onNov 11, 2014 at 4:41am PST


Take it from K-pop idol Tiffany of Girls’ Generation. While her face is oval, the circular blush application softens her features and brings a doll-like quality to her face.

If you dare, up the “cute” factor by applying it a little higher than the apples of your cheeks, but be careful not to overlap with where you would apply your under-eye concealer.

3. TO LIFT AND SCULPT

The trick to sculpting and lifting your face with blush is to apply it at an angle. You want to bring your cheekbones higher and create a “shadow” underneath, so use a blush with a deep tone like plum, or an orange leaning towards a tan colour. 

 

A photo posted by chaelin_cl (@chaelincl) onSep 9, 2014 at 1:57am PDT


Our favourite #baddestfemale CL of K-pop idol group 2NE1 and model Soojoo Park with sculpted cheeks

The easiest way to achieve this is to start at the hairline where the ear meets the face. Bring the blush downward and under your cheekbones, ending before the apples of your cheeks. You want to make sure that you are not going below the tip of your nose or it can look very unnatural.

For a more dramatic effect, create a V-shape and extend the line up from the hairline to the side of the eye. Remember the Nars x Guy Bourdin ad images? That’s the idea.

You can combine each of these three techniques to suit your face shape. With makeup, practice makes perfect so try it out at home before wearing it out.

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