How to get blusher right?

[Trickymoments]

I just can't seem to get blusher right. I have very sallow yellowy skin with dark circles under my eyes so I can look washed out & ill with no colour in my cheeks.

When I do apply it though I often can't see it in the mirror so I put a but more on. Then I go to the loo at work & look like I've been tangoed or sunburnt in the mirrors there! Back in the car mirror on way home can't see any colour again, back to looking washed out.
How is the best way to apply it so it's enough but not too much?

Also anyone with a similar skin tone to me, what colour blusher do you use? I have mainly browns & peaches and I'm not even sure if they work for me.

Lastly what about bronzer or the all over powdersyou can buy eg benefit hoola, dandelion etc? Should these be applied as well as blusher or instead of?

I am 41 by the way so I don't want to look too made up, I just want a healthy glow that stays on for more than 5 minutes and looks quite natural.

[N0tfinished]

With your colouring I'd say a peachy blush would be nice. Mac do one called Warm Soul that's lovely & has a lovely sheen. Corals seem to be universally flattering, do have a look at NARS Deep Throat, or The Balm Frat Boy.

At our age it seems to be more flattering to apply on the cheekbones and blend back in the direction of the temples. I prefer a softer look so use a big soft brush, and a light hand - ie just dab your brush in once and lightly sweep on. If you're afraid you've applied too much, you can go over with a little face powder to knock it back a bit.

As for bronzer, I love NARS Laguna. It's got a lovely tone & blends well.

Work bathroom mirrors are terrible! The light is usually terrible! My car mirror has never lied to me!!

[Polkadot1974]

Reading with interest. I'm blue-skinned (v pale) and when I try I look like Aunt Sally (younger readers need not make me feel old by asking who this is please)

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

I disagree.

I'll go for pink, peaches and corals will make you sallow and browns will look dirty, and I speak from experience.

Best would be to go to a big counter and try some, Bobbi Brown have a huge selection.

[Trickymoments]

Thanks, Chardonnay do you have similar colouring then? What shade of pink suits you? I had my colours done years ago & because they said I was an Autumn and suited browns, peach etc that's what I've always used for make up colours.
I'm interested to see now how a pink would look on my skin.

[Lobelia123]

The best advice I ever got regardingblusher was to stop using the powder ones . . . they just look dry and fake on my skin. Have swopped to cream blushers and they give a much more natural look. Just apply with a light touch, no matter whether you use powder, cream or cream to powder :)

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

I do have similar colouring and I am using an old Givenchy prism blush, it has different shades of pink which all mix when you apply.

Definitely try before you buy. The right pink will make you look fresh and bright.

[JackandDiane]

bright pink
WAY pinker than you would choose

[puglife15]

I struggle to get mine in the right place, I think maybe it's my face though!

[OuchLegoHurts]

Bourgeois do beautiful little blushers with varying degrees of summer in them, they're fab, and affordable, but use a big brush to apply as the one that comes in the pot is too small. I've tried lots of the expensive brands but I find I always come back to these ones as they're subtle but long lasting and very buildable. Also, the best bit of advice I got about blusher is to apply under the cheekbones rather than on them for a more natural look that creates a high cheekbone effect. Amazing!

[OuchLegoHurts]

Sorry, varying degrees of SHIMMER!

[redhat]

I agree. The most flattering blusher I have ever used was really bright pink. I was scared by it but the Mac store showed me how much better it looked.

I use a non shimmery bronzer to shade under my cheekbones and then a bright pink on the apples of my cheeks. Sounds weird but it works.

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

I hate the Bourjois ones.

They are very highly scented and very hard to use.

Unless you are talking about the cream ones, I haven't tried those.

[Cakescakescakes]

I'm very pale with red hair and the best blush I've found is a Lauar Mercier one called Rose Bloom. And I agree that ones that look scarily pink in the packaging can look brilliant on. Go to a counter and ask them to try a few on you.

[OuchLegoHurts]

No it's the powder ones! Jasper rose is my favorite colour. Had been using an expensive Estee Lauder one but I found it too heavy on application. Maybe it's my skin!

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

The bright pinks are good because they have less white pigment which can give the chalky look.

Just use carefully.

I don't think I've ever used an Estée Lauder blush, or many of their products, for some reason. Don't know why.

[sequinsandwich]

Benefit Hervana is a lovely blush. For bronzer I like Loreal they have a good variety and the pigment is great. Use the bronzer in a 3 motion round the forehead, under cheekbones then back and round the jaw line. I also do a bit down my nose. If I'm warming up my skin overall then I like to use Mac Mineralise Skin Finish in medium dark as a setting powder I pat it on and then buff down my neck. It's not heavy though but just gives the skin a bit of colour and makes your make up flawless.

Do you use a primer? I always moisturise and prime to extend my make up wear- rimmel do a good, cheap primer but I also like Benefit Porefesonal.

Always do your make up in natural light. Take a mirror and sit at your best window.

I am pale skinned with a yellow undertone. I don't tan at all.

[whiteonesugar]

I use cream blush and apply to the apples of my cheeks (smile!) and then blend slightly back up my cheekbone.

I am fairly pale and use peach colours usually, but have used pink before, when i have a bit of colour.

MUA (cheapy superdrug) cream blush in 'Dolly' is my go-to. £2 or something ridiculous and you dont need a lot!

[TheCraicDealer]

I'm turning into a bit of a blusher fiend I have to say. My NARS Orgasm ran out recently so got one from Hourglass to which was £££. I'm in love.

OP where are you doing your make up? Always best to apply in natural light, if you can. It might just be that the lighting in your work loos is very unflattering.

[SuperFlyHigh]

as whiteonesugar says I use crème blushes as they're a doddle to use the one I'm using right now is by MAC called Weekend Getaway and I tend to use it on the apples and around.

the Benefit blushes though not for me are good I thought for adding more subtle colour. I never use mine though.

[WellTidy]

What blusher brushes do you all use? I think its the brush that's the problem for me, not the quality or colour of the blusher. I have the little Bourjois pots and also massive Estee Lauder compacts of powder blusher. Crème blushers require a skill to apply that I do not have!

[redhat]

I have Zoeva brushes as recommended on MN

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

The cream blush you have tap in, gently, I use my fingers to warm it up first.

Powder with a good brush is easier though.

[MargotLovedTom]

Collection: Speedy Blush Stick in Pinch Me.

I'm an autumn and this looked great on me (if I say so myself ). It's a lovely pinky/berry colour with a bit of a glow/sheen. I wanted to buy it but couldn't find a sealed one. Only £3.99 as well.

[MargotLovedTom]

This one.

[ChishandFips33]

I have a loreal gel one that is clear and goes pink on your skin - blends well and gives me a 'glow' but without the shimmer/sparkle I'm far too old for sparkle

I also like the borjouis little pots - the non shimmery ones

Brushes - Eco tools/real techniques
Tkmaxx have the Eco in for a great price and Asda often have real techniques on offer

I struggle on the symmetry of blusher! One side is always better than the other