Blush. It’s a life essential we can’t live without—right up there next to caffeine and nail polish. Though its popularity is unwavering, we’ve found that blush is one of the most underutilized tools out there. Think the rosy color should be limited solely to the apples of your cheeks? Think again, dear friends. With slightly varied application, blush is much more than a pretty pop of color. The right placement can actually complement your features and facial structure, just as contouring and highlighting do. To explain how you should be applying blush to best flatter your face shape, we caught up with professional makeup artist Melissa Walsh for her expert tips.

Oval Face

“An oval can basically get away with anything,” Walsh says. She prefers “a semi circle from the inner brow line to the cheek. Avoid the common mistake of putting blush under your cheekbones, which is where your contouring should be. “Think light flush not full on windburn!”

Square Face

For a square face stick to the classic blush application of circles on the apples of your cheeks, which will soften an angular face. “Concentrate on the apples and blend outwards for a soft look.  Be careful not too blend too far out horizontally, as this will widen the face,” Walsh says.

Long Face

“With a long face there’s more room for blush, so start under the pupils and blend to the middle of the cheeks. Make it a bit thicker, more of a slight semi circle or straight line,” which will make your face appear shorter, Walsh suggests.

Round Face

Applying a round circle on the apples of your cheeks will make your face appear even rounder, so instead apply blush “slightly lower down and towards the outside to thin the face,” Walsh says. Think “almost, but not quite under the cheekbone.”

 

Have any other makeup application questions for our experts? Leave them below in the comments!