Simple Hacks For Getting The Most Out Of Your Blush

Blush is the perfect simple touch to add to your makeup routine to deliver a rosy, natural glow. It's often overlooked in favor of other makeup products like a shiny highlighter or a solid foundation, but it's a great go-to staple to reach for when it comes to adding a pop of color to your face. With looks like sunburn blush being sported by trendsetters like Hailey Bieber, blush is definitely going to be a hot makeup staple for summer.

If you find your blush looks barely there just a few hours after applying it, you're not alone. The struggle to keep blush on and looking fresh all day is real. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do before, during, and after applying your makeup to help get the most out of your blush. The next time you find your blush fading away before the day is over, try these simple hacks to make it last longer.

One of the most important first steps you can take before applying any blush or makeup is to prep your skin first with your skincare routine. Always cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize before putting any blush on. Instead of just sticking to the surface of your skin, it will blend in with it naturally. Cleansing and exfoliating will help remove dead skin cells, which will let your skin be better able to absorb products such as moisturizer and makeup. 

After cleaning and exfoliating your skin, the next step is to moisturize. You should always use moisturizer before applying makeup to your face if you want your makeup to look blended, clean, and natural.

"If you don't moisturize your skin before you apply your makeup, it won't sit as well, it won't last as long and it won't look as good," Lisa Potter-Dixon, Benefit's Head Makeup Artist, tells Glamour UK.

Although you don't want dry, flaky skin, skin that's too oily can cause your blush to slip off since it has nothing to hold onto. If your skin is prone to oiliness, build a skincare routine for oily skin that will help soothe your skin and control oil production. Many dermatologists recommend using a cleanser that has salicylic acid in it, as this ingredient can help combat your oily skin. New York City dermatologist Dr. Hadley King tells Bustle, "It penetrates into pores to remove excess sebum."

You can also try adding retinol into your skincare routine to take care of your oily skin. Retinol is a product that has completely taken over the skincare and beauty scenes, with the hashtag #retinol garnering nearly 4 billion views on TikTok. "The solution [for oily skin] is products that exfoliate, increase cellular turnover, and unplug pores," Patricia Wexler, a board-certified dermatologist, tells Byrdie. Retinol checks all three of these boxes and can be the solution you've been looking for when it comes to unrelenting oily skin.

It might sound like a good idea to apply blush to bare skin, but this could actually be preventing your blush from sticking and lasting to the end of the day. Apply a base of foundation to your skin before putting on any blush. The foundation could be the key to helping blush stay blended on your skin and help you get the most out of the makeup staple.

If you're using a cream blush, it's recommended that you use a liquid foundation to keep the blush looking smooth. Using a powder foundation with a cream blush can make the end result look streaky, smudged, and less blended, which you want to avoid when you're going for a natural, flushed-cheek look (via Byrdie). When you apply your blush after putting on the foundation, you'll also have more control over how you can use the blush to contour and color your face. 

When the powder blush just isn't giving you that long-lasting look you're after, swap it for a cream blush or a cheek stain. Cream blushes, which often come in the form of blush sticks, are thicker than powder blushes, giving you a dewier, more glossy look that could last longer. Unlike powder products, a cream blush will blend right into your makeup and give you a natural glow that doesn't just sit on the surface of your skin. It won't be as easily wiped off as powder blush, but you should still be mindful of how often you touch your face or press your phone to your cheek.

You can also opt for a cheek stain, which temporarily stains your cheek with a rosy, vibrant color. Celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg tells InStyle, "The formulas tend to be longer lasting than powders and creams and they're very natural-looking." 

If your blush can't seem to make it through the day, try layering on different textures to help them stick to your skin. Makeup artist Susan Giordano tells Glamour, "If your skin really eats blush, try layering. Start with a sheer cream kind, then brush on a powder one in the same color." When you're layering, make sure you don't add too much blush to avoid overdoing it. The best part about layering different blushes is that you can have fun and experiment different shades to get the perfect shade of blush to complement your skin tone.

To find the best shades of blush to mix on your skin, you'll need to first know whether you have warm, cool, or neutral undertones to your skin. Daniel Martin, makeup artist and global director of artistry & education at TATCHA, tells Allure, "Test it out on the apples of your cheeks to see if it 'clashes' with either your natural lip color or lipstick. If it looks off or unnatural, you should choose another shade."

When you're done applying your blush and are happy with the final look, let it sit for a few minutes. If you're using a cream blush, it's best that you wait a few minutes to let the dewy texture of the blush set and blend naturally into your skin. Once your blush has set for a couple of minutes, it's time to seal the look into place with a setting spray. Setting spray is a mist that gives your skin a barrier to help keep your makeup in place, while also hydrating the skin for a dreamy glow. 

You should always use a setting spray in your makeup routine, and you can even use it after applying foundation and then again after adding your blush for added protection. According to Allure, D'Alba's Piedmont Aromatic Spray Serum is a great pick for extra hydration and moisture.