From The Straits Times    |

When it comes to makeup must-haves, blusher is your best friend – but what product should you pick? Working out this cream-or-powder conundrum is one of the rudimentals of rouge application, but also one of the most confounding. Happily, we’re here to help, Let’s get straight to it, shall we:

CREAM

Creamy concoctions are great if you’re gunning for a nude and nubile K-Beauty-inspired look – no “kontouring” of the kind favoured by the Kardashians, please. The cushiony comfort of cream products makes them perfect for pampering parched skin, too. Take it from an expert: “Cream formulas are easier to blend with bare fingers, especially if your complexion is dry to begin with,” says grooming guru Dollei Seah. “The wetness also means there’s less chance of caking, plus you’ll get an easily achievable dewy glow as well.”

All you need, really, is the subtlest of shading on the cheekbones to make your skin look as if it’s lit from within. How to apply? Here’s a handy makeup maxim: Wiping is wrong. Instead, use brisk bouncing actions to buff in your product. “Tap it in with clean fingertips or the pointy end of your egg-shaped sponge,” advises Dollei. “Work it in slowly and avoid broad strokes so you don’t end up with unsightly streakiness.”

The only drawback? Creams can cause patchiness and pilling when piled over powder products. To circumvent this problem and make your blush well nigh undetectable, dab it on under your go-to dewy-finish foundie; the rosiness will peek through your skin like a bona fide flush. Makes sense, yes?

POWDER

On the other hand (or is that other cheek), powders are peerless when it comes to squelching shine and perfecting that old-school poise and polish. “Powder blush is best for evening, especially if you have oily skin,” says my beauty buddy and makeup master Larry Yeo. “The talcum helps to sop up sebum for an immaculately made-up English Rose look.” Just one thing to note: Be sure to tap off excess product off your brush before buffing it in; powders are trickier to take off once they’re “taken” to your skin, so less is more in this instance.

Some final pointers. Here’s a top tip applicable to both blush types: Start from under the centre of your pupils and swirl up and outwards into your temples. This V-shaped wedge of colour along the top of your cheekbones will lend a subtly lifted, superbly slenderising effect; just be sure to steer clear of your nose – we want to avoid a Rudolph the ruddy reindeer situation – and keep the hue high up on the cheeks. Finish with a final blast of a hydrating facial fixing mist, and you’re done. Good luck getting your blush face on!

Coach ID Lanyard
Now $75
Original price: $168
Shop Now
Jabra Elite 4 Wireless Earbuds
Now $88
Original price: $162
Shop Now
BaByliss Air Pro 2300
Now $63
Original price: $144
Shop Now
Abib Collagen Eye Patch
Now $19
Original price: $35
Shop Now