8 Blush Mistakes You Could Be Making

Using blush seems like it’d be pretty easy, right? However, it goes beyond smiling and slapping a pretty pink color onto the center of your cheeks. In fact, there are a few common mistakes you could be making when applying your favorite flush-faking product that could bring your look into clown territory. So, avoid the following blush blunders and find out what to do instead.

Blush Mistake #1: Wearing the Wrong Color and Finish

The fastest way to ensure a bad blush day is to select the wrong hue and finish for your features. As with any color cosmetics item, don’t choose one just because it catches your eye. It’s important to pick a blush that suits your skin tone and texture. If you have large pores or blemishes, for example, a blush with shimmer or glitter may draw attention to unevenness. In these cases, a matte blush could be a better option.

When it comes to deciding on color, try to find a shade that mimics your natural flush. If you have fair skin, a pale baby pink will look best. Medium-toned skin can rock subtle berry blush, while olive skin will look lovely in warm peach hues. Darker skin tones can go bolder—deep plums and reds will work well with your complexion. The L'Oréal Paris True Match™ Blush comes in 12 skin-flattering shades ranging from cool to neutral to warm tones.

Blush Mistake #2: Putting Cream Over Powder

Mixing the wrong textures can be detrimental to your overall look. If you’ve already powdered your face, be sure not to add a cream or gel blush over top, as this can create a muddled-looking mess. That means you should always pair a powder foundation with a powder blush. Creams, meanwhile, can be worn successfully on bare skin or on top of cream or liquid formulas.

Blush Mistake #3: Putting Powders Over Liquid Foundation

Similar to our previous point, layering a powder over a liquid can also end up not looking so great. If you’re wearing a liquid foundation, tinted moisturizer, or BB cream don’t add powder blush directly on top. Use a cream blush instead, or stick with powder but set your base first with a setting powder. If you skip this step, the color may end up patchy and cause the rest of your makeup to shift.

Blush Mistake #4: Placing It in the Wrong Spot

Where you put your blush on your face really does matter. In most cases, the product should be centered, starting next to your ear and sweeping forward towards the apples of your cheeks. Blending too high, low, or close to your nose can risk looking ruddy. Going too low can also make you look older. Focus blush on the sides of the face and blend inwards, as this can help create a natural-looking flush.

Blush Mistake #5: Not Considering Your Face Shape

How your face is shaped should dictate how you apply blush. If you have a square-shaped face, blush will look best applied only to the apples of your cheeks, which can help soften a strong jawline. If you have a round face, place blush along your cheekbones for a slimming effect and to help add definition to the cheeks. Have a narrow face shape? It can be balanced with horizontal blush application. And if you’re heart-shaped, you should apply blush underneath cheekbones to help distract from a sharp chin.

Blush Mistake #6: Using Too Much Product

Be careful not to go overboard with blush! Applying too much misses the whole point of using blush to begin with—which is to create a genuine-looking flush. Using a sheer, buildable blush, simply brush it on in light strokes. Always check your blush in different light before leaving the house to find out if you’ve overdone it. If you have a window that lets light in, sunlight is the best reality check for your makeup. If you realize you took it a step too far, blend out with a touch of translucent powder.

Blush Mistake #8: Skipping It All Together

Neglecting your cheeks is no way to go about doing your makeup. Adding blush to your face can instantly make you look more alive and vibrant—who wouldn’t want that?