How to Choose the Right Type of Blush for Your Skin

Whether you're new to wearing make-up, or have years of experience, the sheer range of types and shades of blush may have you quivering in your Jimmy Choos. What's the right type of blush for you? Can you wear powder, or would cream be better? What to do?

The first thing to do is to read this; the second thing is to go to cosmetic counters and try different kinds (you'll find the same types at drugstores, but they don't usually let you try them on first).

There are 5 basic blush types (or 6 if you include shimmer powders, which I personally don't consider a "blush"): powder blush, cream blush, cheek stains (sometimes called gel blush), skin illuminators, and blushes that work with your own skin to create the perfect color for you. Although I'll recommend different blushes for different ages and skin types, don't let me stop you from wearing your favorite blush. With a few little adjustments, you can wear any blush. One word of warning: be careful not to over-apply any blush. Start with a very small amount, and add to it if you need more color.

Powder blush is the most popular type of blush, for good reasons: it's easy to apply, once you know how, and it works for every skin type. If your skin is sensitive, be sure to read all the ingredients before you buy a powder blush (or any blush, for that matter). If your skin is oily or mixed, powder blush is perfect for you because it will help keep the oil in check. If your skin is older or dry, you may be concerned that powder blush will settle in your lines and make you look even older. Don't worry. Start with a good moisturizer, top that with a moisturizing primer, and apply a liquid foundation over that. Once the foundation is set, you can lightly apply powder with a fan brush and it will stay in place; the primer will take care of lines, pores, and other imperfections. I don't recommend that you use a blush brush because it applies too much color at once, and you'll spend a long time either trying to blend it in, or washing your face and starting over. (Photo 1 shows several different powder blushes.)

Cream blush is another popular type. Cream blush is best applied with your fingers, although some women choose to use sponges. If you do that, remember that the sponge will absorb the blush, so you'll use it up faster, and it's also much easier to over-apply cream blush with a sponge than with your fingers. Cream blush is often recommended for dry skin or older skin, and when properly applied, in the right color for your skin tone, it can look lovely. But if your skin is oily, you can still use cream blush. After applying an oil-free moisturizer, use a mattifying primer to control the oil in your skin, and you won't need to worry about your blush sliding off your face. (Photo 2 shows several different cream blushers that come in different packaging.)

Cheek stains are great for every skin. They go over moisturized skin if you hate foundation, and go on just as easily over foundation. The down-side to cheek stains is that they're probably the hardest blush to apply. Use a very small amount on your fingers and blend it into the apple of your cheek quickly. Cheek stains set very quickly, and once they set, the only ways to get them off are with soap and water, or make-up remover. Either way, you'll have to start over with all your make-up. The up-side is that if you choose the right shade for your skin, they look more natural than nearly any other type of blush. (Photo 3 shows two different cheek stains.)

Skin illuminators (also called luminizers) are not technically blushes any more than shimmer powders are. They can be applied all over your face, and your decollété if you choose. Some shimmer slightly, while others seem to light up your skin from within, giving you a healthy, and very pretty, glow. Photo 4 shows Up-Lighting in Blush from Clinique, which does come in other shades including bronze, neutral bronze, and peach, and NARS Orgasm Illuminator, which only comes in the one iconic peachy-pink shades. It may surprise you to learn that Orgasm looks just as good on very dark skin as it does on my very pale skin. They got it right. On that pale skin of mine, a small amount of either of these luminizers looks a lot like cheek color.

Finally, there are cheek colors that are chemically designed to work with your own skin to create the color that's right for you. Smashbox was the first to introduce this type of blush, with their now-famous O-Glow (Photo 5). O-Glow comes in only one shade that works for all skin colors; Almay's follow-up Smart Shade Blush comes in pink/rose (pictured), berry, and natural. The downside to these products is again, application. You need to use a very teeny-tiny amount, and spread it lightning fast, or instead of a natural blush you may look clownish - and that's just not pretty. If you don't get enough color the first time (which is unlikely), you can always add a tiny bit more. The customer reviews I've found for both these products give them, at best, 3 out of 5 stars, so if you care what other people think, it's apparently mediocre.

In case you're interested, "shimmers" are usually a loose powder containing small amounts of mica or other glittery minerals that can be dusted very lightly on cheekbones and collar bones. They come in sheer or natural shades as well as pinks. These are not for day wear; they're a special addition to your evening look. They are best for younger women, as on older women, they tend to look like the wearer is trying much too hard to look younger. Better to go with the assets you have, because regardless of your age, you're beautiful.

(Sources: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/285394_how-to-choose-the-best-blush-product-for-your-skin-type-age-coloringhttp://www.glamouredited.com/makeup/blush/perfectblushcolor.html, http://www.ethnic-beauty-central.com/best-blush.html,http://beauty.about.com/od/makeuptrickstips/bb/blushers.htm,http://www.ehow.com/how_2161479_choose-right-type-blush-skin.html)