If you ask us, blusher is one of the most crucial – and fun – parts of any makeup look. It’s no secret that the right colour, texture and formula has the ability to level up the final result tenfold – and whether you opt for a more traditional pink shade, a barely there peachy flush or something altogether bolder, the impact blusher can have is truly incredible.
As much as it's about the product you use, a perfect blusher finish is very much about ensuring you use the right type of makeup brush to apply it, too. There’s a reason there are so many different types of brush available these days, after all – and the tools you use really can make a huge difference to the overall finish.
It's official: good blush brushes can make blending and buffing even easier and more seamless, but who to know which the best blusher brushes actually are? Here, we asked makeup artist Jesse Walker to share her best kept secrets – so consider this everything you need to know about shopping for blusher brushes (plus some of our all time favourites).
What type of brush is best for blush?
It really depends what kind of blush you are applying. Creams and liquid formulas are easier to apply with synthetic brushes because natural fibre bristles are more prone to absorbing the moisture from the product,” explains Jesse. “Powder blushes apply well with a natural fibre cheek brush, although there are many vegan alternatives available, too.”
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What shape and size brush is best for applying blusher?
“It really depends what kind of blush placement you prefer and how big your cheek area is. For example, if you usually apply blush on the apple of your cheeks, you might prefer a denser, more square-shaped cheek blusher brush,” says Jesse. “For a higher, more sculpted placement, an angled blusher brush. But, as with all things makeup, the best tool for you is the one that feels right in your hand, so try a few out and see what works.”
Is a contour brush the same as a blush brush?
“I wouldn’t say so – for powder contour, I prefer larger brushes with a domed tip as they pick up slightly less product and blend it out more seamlessly. You can then build up if necessary rather than accidentally applying too much product in your first swipe,” says Jesse. “For cream contour products, I use a much smaller brush to apply with as the pigment tends to be much denser and you want application to be precise - then blend out with a larger synthetic brush as needed.”
Can you use a fan brush for blush?
“I don’t think fan brushes are the easiest way to apply blush, I tend to use them for highlighter instead,” says Jesse. “Though they can work in an emergency!”
How to choose the best blush brush
“The key thing is to look at your face shape and size, then decide what you want to achieve with blush. If you want to give your face a more lifted and sculpted look, it’s best to use an angled brush and apply the blush higher up on your cheekbones. For pops of colour on the apple of your cheek, a denser brush with a smaller surface area will work better,” says Jesse. “It also depends on the level of pigment in the blusher and how this translates onto your skin tone; if you have very light skin and a very pigmented blush, a more fluffy and less dense brush is better, but if you’re having trouble getting the colour from your blush to show up then you might want to try a brush with a firmer, denser edge.”
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