Are You Blushing Yet?

by Nicole Heckers for La Ishá Natural & Organic Skin Care

After decades of wearing makeup, believe it or not, I’ve just recently discovered the secret to instantly achieving a glowing, polished and finished look- blush.  The best products on the market will give the illusion of an elongated face while subtly highlighting the delicate cheekbone area.  Not to mention that with a light touch, you can create dimension and depth, all without looking like you’re wearing a ton of makeup. 

In my case, blush is now what lipstick was to me in the 90’s, or lipgloss in the 2000’s.  I find blush exciting partly because of how far it has progressed with its soft textures and easy-to-use formulas that have emerged.  There are of course creams and powders.  But we also have the best of both worlds- the cream to powder hybrid.  And let’s not forget the gel based stains and other stains which have evolved into the multi-purpose cheek and lip stain.

Whether you’re an old-pro at blush selection and application or a newbie who has recently discovered the benefits of this delightful product, here are a few tips to help you look your best, simply by adding blush to your makeup routine.

First off, it’s important to prep your skin.  The more exfoliated your skin, the easier it is to apply blush and avoid streakiness, splotchiness or the tendency of powder blush to crease.  The perfect solution to exfoliate the delicate skin on your face is our popular OrangeCoconut Skin Polish.  Fit for everyday use, the wonderful blend of sugar and decadent essential oils will awaken dry, dull skin, while providing the perfectly smooth canvas you’ll need before applying your makeup.

Color is also important.  Tap into your creative side and play around with color and layer different pigments.  A good rule for choosing color is to wear what you like and that you find you look good in.  Start with a light touch and then build in intensity based on the effect you’re trying to achieve.  If you have pale skin, you probably want to avoid hues with too much orange to prevent you from looking sallow.  If you have darker skin, make sure the blush you use has enough pigment to show up on your skin.  Look for a formulation that is buildable and richly pigmented.

Consider formulations that are finely milled (when you’re dealing with powder).  The fine texture will help you achieve a flawless, finished look.  This is an important consideration for women who are a little older.  A high quality, finely milled blush will help avoid the product settling into creases. 

Regardless of your age, (unless you’re a teenager), avoid products that are too glittery.  The effect you want to achieve is luminosity created by a soft and subtle shimmer.

If you have oily skin, you might want to consider a powder formulation.  Those with drier skin might want to experiment with a cream based blush.  Gels are fun to play around with regardless of your skin type but they can be a little harder to control.  To minimize this issue, again, make sure your skin is prepped and ready after you’ve exfoliated and moisturized.   Try our PomegranateMoisture Booster which adds that extra touch of hydration that thirsty skin needs.  And if you want your blush to last a full day, use foundation or a setting powder underneath. 

Make sure in terms of application that you blend, blend, blend!  Blush that is too obvious and streaky will just make you look clownish. There are many techniques regarding the placement of blush.  I love the makeup tutorials on YouTube by Goss Makeup Artist.  He advocates for alternatives to the traditional method of applying blush to the apples of the cheeks based on where you smile.  I highly recommend that you check it out!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIYwe7OW5xQ

At the point where you’re finally ready to make your new purchase, test out the different shades.  If you’ve had a makeover at the makeup counter or you’ve been playing with and applying different colors at a place like Sephora, once you leave the store inspect your new look in different types of light.   You’ll get a better feeling for whether the color, texture and formulation is right for you or not.

Now that spring is here and summer is quickly approaching, it might be time to try out a new blush and experiment with the amazing selection of hues ranging from coral pink to deep berry.  It is remarkable how a little pop of color on your cheekbones can brighten a dull complexion to help you look dewy and radiant.  And when you look your best, this translates to helping you feel even more glowing, perfected and youthful on the inside. 

This blog is brought to you by La Isha Natural Skin Care!