RUBY REVEALS | HOW TO APPLY CHEEK COLOUR

A flush of colour boosts the face.. it makes you look refreshed, revived and youthful. But with the wrong placement, it can drag your face down and have the opposite effect. It's all in the application! 

Get to know your cheekbones. Everyone's face is different, therefore there's no 'one size fits all' approach to applying any kind of makeup. Trace your finger from the top of cheekbone and follow it to where it finishes, have a look at where you naturally flush. This is a good starting point for where to apply your cheek colour. 

Choose the right tools for the formulation. Cheek colours come as powders, gels, creams and liquids... whatever you go for is up to you, just make sure you're using suitable tools to apply. Cream and gels are often applied with the fingers, to help the product melt and blend into the skin, whereas powders are always best applied with a brush. 

Work with your skin tone and the kind of look you want to achieve, when choosing colour and don't forget the importance of what you are wearing too! For example, a pink tone on pale skin could look completely natural whereas on a darker, more olive skin tone it may create more contrast. Red is always a great place to start, as although it can look quite intimidating in the pack, once on the skin it imitates a natural flush perfectly. Cheek Colour was originally called rouge (red) for a reason.

Know the powder vs cream/gel rule. If you're using a cream or gel cheek colour, make sure you place the product on top of your base before you apply any powder. If you're using a powder blusher, it goes on after.  For increased longevity always finish off with a translucent powder.

Choosing the right brush. Some people prefer applying cheek colour only with their fingers, but if you're opting for a brush it's important to choose the right size. Anything too big and the colour will be spread too far across the face, anything too small won't provide enough coverage or blend. I always use a medium sized face brush, just big enough to cover the apple of the cheek, as this gives much more control. 

Start light, add more. The biggest mistake you can make is being too heavy handed. It's easier to apply more product if needed, than it is to remove it when you've started with too much. The current TikTok trend of being 'blush blind' aka very heavily handed with blush, can leave you looking more clown like than fashionista.

Knowing where to apply. Remember, where your brush first hits your face, is where most of the colour will be dispensed. I always apply to the apples of the cheek first, before blending up and out. The same rules apply if using your fingers to apply. The apples of the cheeks are the round, fleshiest part of the cheek, if you look into a mirror and smile, they are the part that protrudes. Applying to the cheekbones only makes you look more sculpted, whereas apples upwards gives a healthy flush. 

If you prefer a barely there glow I've launched a Cheek Colour in the shade Nude... a champagne neutral designed to enhance cheeks without colour. Use the light shimmer on the areas the light would naturally hit for a subtle glow that isn't greasy or glittery.