How To Apply Powder Blush

Before you apply powder blush – or any other makeup for that matter – it’s important to prep your skin with a supercharged skincare routine and a smoothing-effect primer. By applying hydrating skincare products, you can create a supple canvas that allows you to get the smoothest application from makeup products like powder blush.

First, apply a high-performance gel or cream moisturiser that leaves the face feeling smoother and more hydrated, then apply a face primer to create a hydrating veil between your skin and your makeup. I created my magical moisturisers to wear beautifully underneath makeup; for a classic, plumper-looking canvas that appears lit from within, choose Charlotte’s Magic Cream, and for an ultra-lightweight, dewy-looking glow, choose Charlotte’s Magic Water Cream. Then, apply Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer to prime the face for makeup while providing essential SPF50 sun protection.

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Discover the differences between gel vs cream moisturiser

Powder blush is best applied after liquid and cream products like foundation, concealer and cream bronzer. I suggest applying your base makeup onto prepped skin to perfect the look of your complexion as this will create a gorgeous canvas for your powder blush to sweep onto. Choose your favourite foundation and concealer to give your complexion your desired amount of coverage, then reach for cream, liquid or powder contour, highlighter and bronzers to enhance the look of your facial framework before applying powder blush.

Tilbury Tip: Always apply your cream products first, darlings, as this will give you the most seamless finish when layering cream and powder makeup.

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Learn more about bronzer vs contour

I recommend applying your eye makeup and lipstick before powder blush as this will help you to visualise how much blush to apply. Makeup is artistry, darlings; the shapes and colours that you create should enhance the look of your face and flow from one product to the next. Whether you’re creating a smokey eye and a sultry nude lip or keeping things simple with barely there eyeshadow and a slick of lip gloss, as your look comes together, it becomes clear which blush tone will complement your makeup look and how light or not-so-light-handed you may want to be when applying blush.

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Did you know that you can layer your cream, liquid and powder blushes to create a custom blush look? Blush is a beautiful, buildable aspect of your makeup, darlings; backstage, I like to mix and match blush formulas to build my own ethereal blushscape on the cheeks. When applying blush, I recommend applying little by little and blending as you go to create a rosy gradient. Start with cream blush to add dewy luminosity; add a dot or two of liquid blush to build up a more pigmented look; then move on to powder blush to add a final pearlescent pop of colour.

Discover how to apply cream blush

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When applying powder blush, I suggest using a domed, fluffy brush that perfectly kisses the apples of the cheeks. The delicate, domed shape of a brush like this mirrors the natural roundness of the cheeks, helping it to apply blush evenly. Choosing a brush with fluffier bristles allows you to be more light-handed with your application which is useful when applying powder blushes which can be easy to over-apply. I always apply powder blush with my Bronzer & Blusher Blush – it’s the perfect tool for my SWISH and POP blush technique.

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Choosing a satin or matte powder blush is a gorgeous way to lift the look of your complexion. Matte options are silky-smooth on the skin and help to blur the look of skin texture while providing impactful blush pigment that buffs and blends like a dream. I like to reach for satin-matte powder blushes like Cheek to Chic; they look flattering on every skin type and combine the magic of a matte blush with the softness and luminescence of fine satin formulas.

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Once you have chosen which powder blush to apply, take the Bronzer & Blusher Brush and tap into the pan using a swirling SWISH motion. When applying your powder blush, it’s essential that you manage how much product is on your brush as this will help to prevent over-applying; use a light pressure when swirling into your blush to avoid picking up too much product, then tap your brush onto the back of your hand to remove any excess.

Tilbury Tip: My Cheek to Chic powder blushes are two-toned formulas; the outer ring contains a satin-matte shade that works perfectly for this step.

Apply your powder blush onto the roundest part of your cheeks using gentle, swirling strokes. Your blush shouldn’t be applied too close to the nose or the eyes, so be careful to keep your blush application centred on the cheeks and cheekbones. I recommend being light handed with your blush, adding a little at a time with light, SWISH strokes that slowly build up pigmentation – remember, darlings, you can always add more!

To blend your powder blush, swirl your brush in light circles to diffuse pigment and create a beautifully blended blush look – the aim is to make your shade of blush blend naturally into your contour, bronzer and highlighter to create a gorgeous gradient. I like to start at the apples of the cheeks and travel upwards along the cheekbone with my brush towards the ears to create a flattering lift effect that helps the face to appear more sculpted.

Tilbury Tip: To get a seamless blend, reach for a small, fluffy brush like the Eye Blender Brush and blend in small circles around the edges of your blush to fuse your blush with your foundation or highlighter.

Discover how to apply blush for your face shape

When blending out your powder blush, its pigmentation will fade and become more subtle; if you love a subtle flush of rosy blush then there’s no need to add more product, but for blush lovers, you can go back in with your favourite powder blush to create a bolder, poppier blush look. Tap back into your powder blush and repeat steps 8 and 9 until your blush is beautifully blushed!

Tilbury Tip: The more pigmented a powder blush is, the less product you will need to apply.

Blush topper is the sparkling star of your blush look, darlings! To give your look a radiant, rosy glow, apply a shimmering blush formula that instantly illuminates the look of your cheeks. Blush toppers layer effortlessly over the top of cream, liquid and powder blushes, giving the cheeks one last pop of pearlescent colour to complete your look.

Tilbury Tip: I love to use the centre shades in my Cheek to Chic powder blushes as beautifying blush toppers for a dreamy love glow, as well as pink-toned shades of my Hollywood Glow Glide Face Architect Highlighters like Pillow Talk Glow and Rose Gold Glow for a magical, molten glow!

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Discover the best highlighter for your skin tone

Darlings, your perfect pressed powder blush look is just a SWISH and POP away! My Cheek to Chic blushes are two-toned compacts featuring one satin-matte shade to give the cheeks a dreamy pop of colour, and one shimmering shade to make cheeks blush and glow! I created these powder blushes with complementary shades that work together to beautify the look of the cheeks, creating a rosy colour veil that lifts and illuminates the look of the complexion with effortless, satin-smooth pigment that’s easy to blend and gives everyone, everywhere their perfect love glow.

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If you love Pillow Talk, then you’ll adore my Pillow Talk Beautifying Face Palette. Blush lovers and Pillow Talkers around the world fell in love with this blush palette, unlocking the secret to the perfect Pillow Talk blush look. Open up the mother of pearl-inspired compact to reveal two rosy mattes that smooth onto the cheeks like satin, and two blush-highlighters that deliver a magical, megawatt glow. Available in Fair/Medium with pretty pinks that look divine on lighter skin tones, and Medium/Deep with peachy shades that add gorgeous warmth to deeper skin tones, this palette allows you to layer up these cheek-gilding shades to curate the dreamiest Pillow Talk glow.

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Give your blush look a gleaming glow by using Hollywood Glow Glide Face Architect Highlighters as beautifying blush toppers! The silky-smooth powder formula delivers magical shine and sparkle to the cheekbones, fusing flawlessly with your favourite shade of powder blush to transform your blush look. The Hollywood-inspired formula plays with the light to illuminate the look of the complexion with flattering, red carpet-inspired shine that mimics the glamour of Hollywood lights! I recommend my signature shade, Pillow Talk Glow, as the key to a pearlescent pink blush look that glimmers and glows and looks sensational on everyone!

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