What suited your skin in your 20s and 30s might not be the best make-up choice as you get older. We talk to make-up artist and shade-matching expert Sarika about how to embrace the power of blush to make us look more awake, alive and full of energy.
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As you get older and/or more tired, you may think that the number one make-up product you need to be reaching for is concealer for those under-eye shadows. But there’s another product that is designed to make you look alive, awake and like you are the very picture of health.
I’m talking about blusher. As someone who has rosacea, I avoided blusher for the first 38 years of my life but now I know the secret: blusher is the key to looking like you are alive. But so many of us fear blusher, because we don’t want to look like an embarrassed clown, or feel like it doesn’t suit our face shape. So, we thought ‘let’s bring in an expert.’
“When you apply foundation, you lose your natural colouring and blusher is about bringing that colour back, strategically,” says Sarika, a make-up artist and shade-matching expert. “It’s to give that healthy, fresh, flushed look – even if you don’t feel it on the inside, you can look it on the outside.”
Sarika worked for MAC for 11 years, becoming the national training manager, before going to freelance work after having a baby. Now, she helps people find the right shades, products and routines for their face – basically like a fashion stylist, for your face.
“Our skin definitely changes as we get older and when it comes to make-up, what worked for us in our 20s and 30s may not work for us later in life,” she says.
Sarika understands the power – and fear – that comes with blusher and has some very practical tips on how to pick the right colour for your skin tone and where to apply it (this blew my mind!)
How To Pick The Right Blusher For Your Skin Tone
There are three main shades of blusher: pink, peach and bronze. If you want to match your blusher to your skin tone, Sarika says to think of the blush colour-palette like you do the foundation one – paler shades of blush for lighter skin tones, whereas darker skin tones can pull off more pigmented shades of blusher.
However, Sarika also says the key is not to overthink it. “Depth of skin tone is important but also blush is fun! It’s a very mood-based item – do you have a soft, romantic style, or are you wanting a peachier, more natural flush? Blush can evoke a feeling and a vibe to your overall make-up look.”
Peach shades: If you are afraid of clown face, or if you have naturally pink cheeks from rosacea, then a peach tone can give you a natural flush without the rosiness.
Pink shades: If you like a pink lipstick, then a pink-toned blush will suit you well. If you have clown-cheek fear, then a less pigmented shade is an easy way to start.
Bronze shades: Still adding colour and a natural-looking flush to the face, bronze shades are also great for darker skin tones as they add lift and dimension. Also, a great option for those who don’t have a super girly dress sense but still want to look alive (the #1 goal).
Where To Apply Your Blusher
There are nine million blusher trends across social media currently and some of them are straight-up deranged (maybe it’s from growing up in a country with high melanoma rates but the ‘sunburn blush’ trend can get in the bin).
Sarika describes another new trend – boyfriend blush, where the blush is applied on the lower halves of the cheeks. Cute, but no thanks. “As we get older, it’s more about the lift effect and creating structure in the face,” Sarika says.
Her top tip is to hold a makeup brush or finger vertically along the natural line of your cheekbone. Where the bottom of the brush or finger sits should line up with the iris of your eye. This is the key spot: you don’t want to go any closer than this towards your nose. Sweep the brush out and up towards your temple. This will give you a natural-looking flush and help lift the face. Genius!
Cream Blush or Powder Blush?
“Creams and liquid blushes are amazing, because they help give that inner radiance look,” Sarika says. One thing to note is how pigmented the cream is – apply a small amount and build up, as some of the brands are super pigmented and some are quite sheer. Creams can also be great for people who have drier skin and want added moisture in their product, she says.
On the flip side, if you have oilier skin or you’re in a hot or humid climate, a powder blush is your best bet. “They’re a bit more user-friendly when you’re starting out, as well,” Sarika says. Another wild-card factor: if you have small children, a powder blush is less likely to smear. As the mother of a three-year-old, Sarika says she’s switched to powder blushes because there is often a set of tiny hands on her face and powder stays put more effectively.
Three Blushes For The Blush Curious
Laura Mercier Tinted Foundation Blush, $60
Very sheer and a great blush for first-timers!
MCoBeauty Super Glow Blush Drops, $34
A dupe for the cult-favourite Glossier cloud paint.
L’Oreal True Match Powder Blush, $32
Wide range of colours and available from chemists.