It’s the same story across every field. Execution and technique are just as (if not more) important than the tools you have at hand. If you were to pass us the same ingredients and saucepan as Gordan Ramsay, we can guarantee you would not end up with an identical dinner. Using the same tennis racquet as Serena Williams won’t deliver the same backhand. Makeup, and particularly blush, is no different. Even though you have the identical shade as Kate Bosworth or the exact formula Sarah Jessica Parker swears by, if your technique (and specifically your placement) is off, you’re going to achieve an entirely different result.
Where should we place our blush?
Most top makeup artists will tell you that blush placement involves a lot more than just “dabbing powder onto your cheeks.” Let us explain. If you want to create lift, place your blush just above your cheekbones. For added fullness? Aim for the same spot you’d apply your bronzer or cheek contour. If it’s a sun-kissed look you fancy, wash your blush across the tops of your cheekbones and the bridge of your nose. And no, we’re not done. With the correct positioning, blush can even shorten the width of your face. How, you ask? By taking the focus away from the apples of the cheeks and placing it on the outer edges of your cheekbones.
Where shouldn’t we?
Now that we’ve got all of the can-dos out of the way, Rosie-Marie Swift, the founder of RMS Beauty wants to draw our attention to one blush placement can-not. “Never place blush below the nostrils,” she advised to Net-A-Porter. “It creates the ‘puppy-dog’ jowl and visually drags the face down. We want to lift the face, not pull it down.”
No disrespect to the puppies out there, but we’re not overly eager to steal their look. So if you see us with a blush in our hands, you best believe it’ll only be going from the nostrils up.
How do you apply your blush? Do you have any tips to share?
Wow, does anyone ever place blush below their nostrils? I feel like this is common sense…
Yes I agree Rinny. Why would you put blush there?
hahaha..yes! Thought same
Yes I thinking the same thing & then I thought this may have been badly worded. Perhaps meant nostril level of your face.
Exactly! They mean don’t apply it lower than the bottom of your nose 😊
Yes, it is very badly worded unfortunately.
Oh my goodness, yes why would anyone do that?
I thought so too!
Nope not tempted at all.
Interesting article! Blush is something they could do a real certificate on – I’m so open to learning about my face shape and age and where it should really go on me to look right.
Applying blush is not my strength. I don’t have any tips.
I am the same -glad i am not alone in this
Both of the images in this article show blush below the nostrils! Kate Bosworth’s extend almost to her lipline, yet it looks subtle & natural.
I often skip blush or only apply a tiny, light dab, as I have a very narrow, long face. I often put a little just below my chin & jawline to shorten my face & it works.
My thoughts too about the images in the article!
Not using blush at all.
I always put blush on as I think I am too pastey without a bit of colour in my cheecks. But never below my nostril. Just never thought about it.
I very rarely apply blush as I am not confident on where it should go on my face.
I love blush and I like to apply it with a stippling brush.
I’ve never put blusher below my nostrils that’s way too low. I swirl it over my cheekbones and sweep it up once a bit higher to finish.
Great tips – so I just need to practice and see if I need to apply blush on or above my cheekbones for the effect that I want.
I normally apply it above my cheekbones to create a lifted look
I’ve always applied blush lightly on and just below my cheekbones. I don’t feel confident applying it anywhere else.
I don’t use it as it looks odd on me (I can not blush anturally, so not suitable)
Myself maybe I need to stop putting blush on the apples of my Cheeks and draw it upward, sounds like I should try just putting blush on just the Cheek Bone.
I use blush regularly but I just use it very light handed, just a smidge to add a bit of colour.
Phew, I’ve never put blush below my nostrils.
Never been tempted to put blush below my nostrils. Sounds a bit odd.
Exactly! They mean don’t apply it lower than the bottom of your nose 😊
Some photos or pictures showing the different looks would have been good
I love using blush! I put it everywhere really.
I had never considered applying blush below my nose. What you’re saying sounds strange.
redactle for you