You’re probably well aware that the right blush can liven up your features and give your skin a rosy glow, but it can do more than that. If you know how to apply blush to flatter your face shape, you can subtly sculpt and define your face — even without the help of contour or highlighter . If you’re wondering where to apply blush to make your favorite features pop, we’ve got you covered. We tapped professional makeup artists Melissa Walsh and Shrini Patel for advice on the best blush placement for every face shape. Read on to learn how to apply blush like a pro and bring out your best side.
How to apply blush on a diamond-shaped face.
If you have high, prominent cheekbones and a narrow chin and forehead, chances are good that you have a diamond-shaped face. Proper blush placement—usually, along your cheekbones—can help accentuate your bone structure while helping to balance out your more angular features.
Patel suggests using a powder blush and sweeping it onto the skin with a fluffy brush. If you need a recommendation, try NYX Professional Makeup Buttermilk Blush — the pigment-packed formula goes on easily and blends seamlessly for a natural-looking flush. Once you've found your most flattering shade, here's how to apply blush to complement your features:
Step 1: Lightly dab your brush over the powder blush to pick up the pigment.
Step 2: Apply blush to the most prominent part of your cheekbone, avoiding applying the pigment directly to the apples of your cheeks.
Step 3: Blend in a slight arc toward your cheekbones to create balance and visually soften sharp angles.
How to apply blush on an oval-shaped face.
Blush placement for oval faces is pretty straightforward, says Walsh, who adds that oval-faced people "can get away with basically anything." That being said, she advocates a high application — typically, just along or slightly above the cheekbones. Avoid blending it too much under your cheeks, which can visually reduce your face and disrupt your face's natural harmony. For a controlled application, we suggest reaching for a liquid blush, like Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Cheek Tint . The doe applicator will help you control where you place the product, and you can add more or less depending on how vibrant you want your blush to be. Here's a step-by-step method for nailing your blush application:
Step 1: Patel recommends starting by applying a dot of product to the apple of each cheek. (You can always add more later for a more vibrant look).
Step 2: Using an angled blush brush, blend the pigment toward your ear. This area can “help break up the face and add definition,” says Patel, and can help sculpt your cheekbones.
How to apply blush on a square-shaped face.
Square faces are roughly the same width from forehead to jaw and are more angular than round ones. For this face shape, both Walsh and Patel recommend applying blush to the apples of your cheeks—this spot can help visually soften your more angular features for a harmonious look. You can use any blush you like, whether it's cream, powder, or liquid. For a smooth application, look for one with a texture and finish it like the rest of your makeup.
Here's how to apply blush for square faces:
Step 1: Smile to find the apples of your cheeks.
Step 2: Apply your chosen blush to the most prominent part of the “apple”.
Step 3: Use a makeup sponge or brush to blend the blush in a circular motion to add roundness. Be careful not to blend your blush horizontally outwards, as this can visually widen your face and look too harsh against your angular features.
How to apply blush on a round-shaped face.
Round faces are widest around the cheekbones and have rounded rather than angular edges (hence the name). People with round faces can also have soft features and a naturally youthful appearance. To help create a little definition, skip applying blush to the apples of your cheeks. With less blush placement, round faces look more sculpted and defined. Walsh recommends applying blush under your cheekbones, just above where you would contour. Again, both powder and cream (or liquid) blush formulas can work well here. Choose a formula that suits your personal preferences. Then, follow these steps:
Step 1: Create a fish face by sucking in your cheeks. This can help you identify the hollowness of your cheeks and determine where to apply blush for the most flattering effect.
Step 2: Apply your blush in a line down your cheekbone, starting where your cheek meets your ear and ending this line in the middle of your cheek.
Step 3: Blend to soften the line. Patel suggests “sweeping upward” rather than outward to help visually lift the face. She also suggests dabbing a little blush on the bridge of your nose “to define and slim the face.”
How to apply blush on a heart-shaped face.
When it comes to blush for heart-shaped faces, there's a unique blush application method you can try: blush draping . This technique involves applying blush to the tops of your cheekbones rather than the apples of your cheeks and blending it out in a distinct, curved shape toward your temples. This blush placement helps emphasize your prominent cheekbones and can help create a balanced, harmonious look. Since you'll want your blush placement to be fairly precise for this technique, we recommend using a liquid formula, like Urban Decay Hydromaniac Dewy Liquid Blush .
Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the technique:
Step 1: Apply a few dots of liquid blush to the tops of your cheekbones.
Step 2: Use a makeup sponge or brush to blend the pigment upward and outward. Patel recommends blending the blush “into the ears, hairline, and temples in a roughly ‘C’ shape that arcs around the tail of your forehead.”
Step 3: Use a blush brush to further spread the pigment and soften any harsh or obvious lines.
How to apply blush on a long face.
Like blush for oval faces, blush for oblong faces is quite flexible: You can apply it either on the apples of your cheeks or along your cheekbones. The former will add softness and create the illusion of fuller cheeks, while the latter placement can help accentuate and define your cheekbones. Either way, Walsh suggests, "starting below the pupils and blending out to the center of the cheeks."
What you will want to do is:
Step 1: Use a brush to apply cream or powder blush to the center of your cheek, just below your eyelid.
Step 2: Blend slightly outward with the brush to create a thick straight or slightly curved line.
Step 3: To finish, dot cream blush directly onto the apples of your cheeks (and blend well).
Our favorite editor-approved blushes
Now that you know how to apply blush to complement different face shapes, check out some of our favorite blushes that are worth adding to your collection.
Giorgio Armani Beauty Radiant Silk Cheek Tint
Embrace the ever-popular dewy makeup trend with this liquid blush , which combines intense color with lightweight coverage for a smooth, vibrant wash of color. One dot of the tinted formula for a natural-looking flush, two for long-lasting color, or three for an intense, full-on glam glow. No matter how much you choose, you'll enjoy up to 12 hours of radiant wear.
This cosmetics confidence shines with sun cream blush.
Give your skin some love and get your glow on with this blush-bronzer hybrid from IT Cosmetics. The buildable formula features a 92% solid serum skincare base and a caring blend of skin-loving ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, peptides, and vitamin E. Whether you’re heading out on a tropical vacation—or just want to look like you—this weightless, creamy blush in five gorgeous shades is the idea for warming up your route-up partner.
NYX Professional Makeup Buttermelt Blush
Powder blush is always a solid choice, especially for those with oily skin. If you're looking for something new to add to your lineup, we can't recommend NYX Professional Makeup's Buttermelt Blush highly enough. It's infused with mango, almond, and shea butters and blends like a dream for a seamless flush. Plus, each of the 12 vibrant shades wears for up to 12 hours without transferring or fading.
Giorgio Armani Beauty Bright Silk Glow Blush
Giorgio Armani Beauty's beloved Luminous Silk Glow Blush is another powder blush worth checking out. Unlike standard matte powder blushes, this finely milled powder contains light-reflecting pigments that evenly bounce light off the face for a subtle, illuminated glow. It's buildable, easy to apply, and available in eight stunning shades to suit a range of skin tones and undertones.
L'Oréal Paris Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Blush
If you prefer a matte finish to your makeup, consider trying this soft matte option from L'Oréal Paris. Available in four bold, pigmented shades, this weightless blush looks amazing for up to 24 hours. Like the brand's other long-wear formulas in the Infallible line, this blush is sure to stand out no matter what your day (or night) has in store. It's heatproof, waterproof, transfer-proof, and humidity-proof — making it the perfect blush to reach for once the temperatures start to rise.
Urban Decay Hydromanic Dewy Liquid Blush
Level up your no-makeup days with Urban Decay’s easy-to-apply cheek tint. The lightweight formula contains kombucha filtrate and marula oil and helps hydrate skin for a plump, radiant look. It’s suitable for all skin types—including sensitive—and can be easily built up if you want a bold pop of color. Choose from six juicy shades, including sunny coral peach, red orange, and deep berry.
NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick Blush
With its double-ended stick format, NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick Blush is incredibly easy to apply, no matter your skill level. The stick lets you be precise about your color placement so you can easily apply blush to your face shape. Combine coordinating shades together for a contoured, sculpted effect, or wear any shade on its own for a natural-looking flush of color.
Valentino Beauty I2 Cheek Blush and Eyeshadow
We're all for any makeup product that has multiple uses, and this colorful blush is no exception. The cream-to-powder formula effortlessly melts into skin for a radiant, natural-looking finish, while the sheer, buildable color lets you customize your look to suit your mood. Dust on a light layer for a sheer, beautiful flush, or build up the pigment for a statement blush moment. The best part? This blush also doubles as an eyeshadow. We're all about the idea of a completely monochromatic matching blush and eyeshadow look, so we consider it a total win.
Maybelline New York Cheek Heat Gel Cream Blush
Not quite liquid blush, not quite cream — Maybelline's Cheek Heat blush effortlessly straddles the line between the two worlds. The water-based formula has a lightweight, creamy texture and glides easily onto skin, leaving a soft, dewy finish. Choose from one of six pink shades and apply it to your cheeks for a naturally flushed look.
Merit Beauty Flush Balm
Merit Beauty's Flush Balm has a cult following, and once you use it, it's not hard to see why. The lightweight, buildable formula melts into the skin, creating a beautiful flush of color that looks just like your skin (but better). We love that it's formulated with vitamin E — and that it boasts a super-comprehensive shade range, with nine stunning shades designed to flatter fair and dark complexions alike.
