How to Apply Bronzer and Blush for That Perfect Glow
When it comes to beauty bag essentials, bronzer and blush should be at the top of the list.
Although both products bring a lot to the makeup table, people often confuse how, where, and when to use them to get the effect they’re after.
How do you apply bronzer and blush together?
Blush is intended for use on the apples of your cheeks and should bring a rosy glow to your face, and bronzer is about adding a warm glow that looks like you’re naturally tanned, so you can easily use both at the same time.
Start with the bronzer first and then add the blush to the apples of your cheeks when you’re done.
Whether you’re looking for a naturally fresh makeup look or headed out for a night on the town, both of these products can help you achieve it.
This guide will show you how to apply bronzer and blush the right way, when you might want to use them, and how to choose the right shades and colors to achieve that perfect glow.
Should You Use Bronzer and Blush?
As two of the most commonly used beauty products, it should come as no surprise that you can use bronzer and blush together.
However, although somewhat similar in that they add warmth and definition to the face, they’re actually quite different in the finish they achieve.
Bronzer should be applied whenever you’re looking to add some warmth to your face, and want it to look as though you have a natural sun-kissed complexion.
Blush is used specifically on the apples of your cheeks to create a flush of color, intended to mimic the natural blushing effect that can occur on the face.
For a full face of makeup, you can use bronzer and blush together, giving you that flush of color with an overall look of being golden and tanned on the face.
Otherwise, blush can be used in your everyday makeup routine and bronzer kept for times when you need to add a healthy glow, so they’re just as effective on their own.
Choosing the Best Products
The most important step in choosing any makeup is knowing what shade to go with, and bronzer and blushes each come in different colors and styles.
As their role in your makeup routine is different, here’s a little more about what to look for when choosing a bronzer or blush.
Bronzer
There are three finishes you can find bronzer in, depending on the look you want, including matte, shimmer, and satin.
Then, you’ll have to decide between a cream or powder bronzer, with cream offering a more subtle glow and powder giving you a luminous finish.
Finally, the color and undertone of a bronzer should match your own skin tone, with fair-skinned users needing pinks and peaches, olive complexions suiting more colors, and darker skin matching with browns and caramels.
Blush
If you want the blush to look natural, match it with your undertone, and if you want it to stand out, go with the opposite.
Blushes come in berries, burgundies, pinks, corals, browns, reds, oranges, and more, so there’s a much wider selection of colors than bronzers.
You can get blush in powder or cream form as well, depending on the finish you want.
The Brushes You Need
One of the best things about using both bronzer and blush is that you can save some money and effort by using the same brush to apply them.
As long as you clean off the bronzer or blush before using the other, there’s no harm in keeping the one brush for both jobs.
For bronzer and blush, look for a softer and fluffier brush that will allow you to apply the product with a wider application.
An angled brush is a good idea as it gives you some control, but not as much precision as an angled and stiff brush like you would require for contouring.
How to Apply Bronzer
Bronzer is one of the easiest beauty products to apply but also the one that gets misused most.
If you want a simple tutorial on applying bronzer the right way and in the correct spots, read on for an easy one:
- Look at your face and determine the areas you’re going to target, thinking about where the sun might naturally hit.
- Get some bronzer onto your brush and sweep it across your forehead at the hair line and down to your cheek.
- Collect more and follow down from the cheek to underneath the jawline, then sweep up along the other cheek up to the forehead.
- Dust across the cheeks and nose in a straight line for a more bronzed look.
- Use small circular motions to blend the bronzer into your skin for a natural look.
How to Apply Blush
Blush is a relatively easy product to apply but knowing where exactly on your face to do it can be a challenge.
Follow these steps to simply and effectively hit the sweet spots with your blush:
- Gather a small amount of blush on the brush and tap any excess off.
- Make a large sweeping motion from under your outer eye and along the top of your cheekbone.
- Spread it in so that you’ve applied it to the apples of your cheeks as well, using small circular motions.
Tips for Using Bronzer and Blush Together
Bronzer and blush can be used together to create a dramatic evening look or something natural, but you have to know the techniques that the pros use.
We’ve got some tips you can apply at home to ensure you’re getting the coverage and finish you want.
- Start with the bronzer first and apply it where needed, then finish off with a blush to complete the look.
- If you plan on using a bronzer and blush together, make sure the color and finishes of both products complement each other.
- Use buildable products if you’re unsure about applying them, and opt for sheer finish bronzers that are more forgiving if you get it wrong.
- Consider having a different blush and bronzer for winter and summer, as your natural skin tone will likely change, and you’ll want to ensure it matches with what you have going on.
- To see where the points of your face are that need to be targeted, make a kissing face in the mirror and take note. This will show you the high points and shadows that you can work with to enhance your natural look.
- Add a highlighter for a more dramatic finish by dabbing some on the high points of your face like the tip of the nose, cupid’s bow, inner eye, and upper cheekbone.
Blushed, Bronzed, and Beautiful
Once you master the art of applying brush and bronzer, and how to choose the shades and colors that match your complexion perfectly, you’ll have the most important aspects of makeup sorted.
Knowing where, when, and why to use your bronzer and blush is key to achieving the look you want, so equip yourself with the basics for a flawless finish.
Related Questions
Anything we can do to add warmth and definition to our faces is a good thing when it comes to makeup, and blush and bronzer are just two ways to achieve this.
If you want to learn more about making the most of your facial structure, we’ve answered some FAQs about other products you can try.
Can You Use Contour and Bronzer Together?
When applied together, contour and bronzer deliver a naturally sun-kissed and glowing look all over the face with definition and precise lines to bring out the best of your face.
Some people choose to use their bronzer to do some contouring, but you’ll get better results choosing a contouring product specifically.
What Does Lip Liner Do?
Lip liner is used to create an outline of your natural lip shape so you can fill it in with lipstick, or exaggerate your natural lip line so that it’s bigger and more puckered up.
For the best results, cover your lips with concealer first and then apply the liner so that you get a more dramatic finish.
What Shape Should My Eyebrows Be?
A general rule of thumb for eyebrow shapes is to go with the opposite shape of your face, like someone with a longer face choosing wider brows to help balance the look.
To find the best shape, have a consultation with a brow specialist who can help you determine what will suit your face and get you started with professional shaping.
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