Do you love wearing blush but hate how it fades quickly on your skin?
We feel you! Blush is one of our favorite products to wear, but it can be so frustrating when it doesn’t last. In this post, we’ll discuss some tips for keeping your blush looking fresh all day long.
Blush can fade quickly for so many reasons. If you don’t prepare your skin correctly for makeup, use the wrong blush formula, or apply it on bare skin, your blush may come off quickly during the day.
Keep reading for our top tips on how to make your blush stay put.
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How Do You Keep Blush From Fading?
With the right application technique, you can have a beautiful, long-lasting blush all day. Follow these tips, and you’ll be sure to have gorgeous, lasting blush all day long!
Prepare the Skin for Makeup
When your face is unwashed, the oils and dirt on top of your skin can make it hard for the makeup to blend well. Always start by washing and moisturizing your face before applying blush so that it applies easily to the skin.
Your face needs to be prepped with a layer of moisturizer for the makeup to apply flawlessly. Use a lightweight moisturizer that doesn’t clog your pores or make your makeup slip off quickly.
Makeup looks dry on dehydrated and flaky skin, so keeping your skin clean and soft allows the makeup to blend in beautifully and last longer.
Quick Tip: Add a gentle exfoliator to your skincare routine, which helps eliminate dead skin cells while keeping your skin healthy. If you have dry skin, use an AHA exfoliator to help even out your skin tone.
Keep in mind that AHAs can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so make sure to wear sunscreen to protect your skin during the day. You can also use AHA products only at night.
For oily skin, a BHA exfoliator will help unclog pores to prevent acne. We love this gentle exfoliator with salicylic acid, and it works gently to clear the pores for a more even skin tone.
Avoid Applying Blush on Bare Skin
Even though you can use blush without foundation, doing so might prevent your blush from staying longer on your skin.
Foundation is unnecessary for everyone, but applying a thin layer of liquid or powder foundation before your blush might help it last longer.
The blush will “stick” to the foundation, which helps it to last longer. The foundation will act as a barrier between your skin and the Blush.
We love using Clinique Stay Matte Foundation with the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Powder Blush for a light and natural finish.
Set Your Foundation with Powder First
Avoid applying a powder blush on top of a liquid foundation. The wet foundation can cause the powder blush to disappear quickly. If you’re using a liquid foundation, set it with a light layer of pressed or loose powder, and then apply your powder blush on top.
Make sure you choose a good quality setting powder. We love this finely milled loose powder! It is super translucent and helps to cover up flaws without looking like makeup.
Setting your foundation with powder will prevent your blush from looking patchy or streaky too.
You can also use a cream or liquid blush directly on top of a liquid foundation. We recommend using a more creamy but lightweight blush to avoid ending up with too much color on the skin. You can apply an extra layer of light-reflecting powder on top if you want that glowy finish.
Let Your Blush Set on the Skin
After applying blush, let it sit for a couple of minutes on the skin. Depending on the formula, some blushes may take a few extra minutes to settle so you can check if you have applied enough color.
If your blush looks uneven, apply a bit more and wait again!
Quick tip: Blending your blush with a brush or your fingers can cause the natural color of your cheeks to pop. As a result, you will see a mixture of the blush shade and natural flush on your cheeks. It may take a few minutes for your natural color to fade before you can see if you’ve applied enough blush.
Related: How many blushed do you need?
Use the Right Formula
Choosing the right blush formula that works well for your skin type is essential.
If you have oily skin, powder blushes are the best because powder absorbs excess oil and can last longer on oily skin.
Powder blush is also easier to blend, and you can build it up to achieve the desired look.
Quick tip: Blushes with shimmer might be more likely to fade quickly. We recommend matte blushes as they are more pigmented and last longer on the skin. If you want a natural finish, choose a semi-matte formula.
Liquid blush can be great for dry skin since these formulas typically contain hydrating ingredients that help nourish and moisturize the skin.
Cream blush usually gives a great color payoff and good staying power, but it might accentuate fine lines on mature skin types. It can also cling to dry patches, so choose a good quality cream blush that doesn’t look heavy on the skin.
Finally, gel blushes provide sheer pigmentation and can be an excellent option for all skin types, including combination skin. They can be layered easily, and they are easy to blend with your fingers.
Blend the Blush Properly
Use the right tools to blend the blush seamlessly on the skin. For instance, a gentle and soft brush will make it easy to build up the color while blending it more seamlessly.
Avoid using a dense brush as it might deposit a lot of product on the skin, which can cause your blush to look orange, dark, and streaky.
Use a fluffy brush and blend gently in circular motions depending on your face shape.
PRO TIP: Applying a ton of color all at once can cause the blush to look patchy. Start with a thin layer of blush and build up the color if needed.
We love this blush brush from Japonesque that is super soft and makes blending effortless.
Use a Primer
If your blush keeps fading no matter what you do, try to use a face primer first after your sunscreen. This helps “lock” the makeup so you won’t have to worry about your blush fading or smudging throughout the day.
We recommend using this lightweight mattfying primer for oily skin since it controls shine and locks the makeup without caking up on the face.
PRO TIP: This perfecting primer works well for dry skin because it has hydrating properties and can add a dewy glow to the skin. It gives the skin a nice glow while preventing the foundation from creasing in fine lines.
If you have large pores, use a silicone-based primer to blur the skin and give it a smooth look.
During the summer months, when your skin gets so greasy due to all the humidity, using a primer is an essential step.
Make sure to match your primer and foundation properly. For example, avoid using a silicone-based primer with a water-based foundation.
Doing so will cause the makeup to separate throughout the day.
You can also layer multiple face primers depending on your skin concerns or apply a primer on top of foundation for a poreless look.
Layer Different Blush Formulas
Using a cream or gel blush under a powder blush is a great way to achieve a long-lasting look. The powder blush helps set the cream blush so that it doesn’t disappear too quickly.
As the powder blush fades during the day, the cream blush underneath will still give the cheeks a pop of color.
Use a small amount of gel or cream blush under your favorite powder blush. This technique is excellent for oily skin because it helps set the cream blush and let it stay put on the skin.
Cream blushes might settle quickly on the skin, so a quick tip is to work one side at a time so that the blush doesn’t dry out and becomes difficult to blend.
Use a Setting Spray
It’s also essential to protect your makeup with a setting spray to ensure everything stays in place all day long. Setting sprays work like a charm when you want your blush to last longer! They can ensure that the color doesn’t fade as quickly as it usually would. Make sure you pick a good setting spray.
We love this Lock and Last Water-Resistant Setting Spray, which provides a natural dewy finish while making your makeup more long-lasting. It has a fine mist that sets your makeup without ruining the foundation underneath it. The formula also contains witch hazel to help nourish the skin. This product not only keeps your blush looking fresh but also keeps your entire look in place.
Spray a fine mist of setting spray on top of your makeup and let it dry completely. Most setting sprays contain alcohol, so I use them only on special occasions. They work great if you go from a day to night look as they can help set the makeup.
Conclusion
Blush is one of the most popular makeup products, but it can fade quickly on the skin. Most women know that blush is a key part of their makeup routine, but they may not understand why it doesn’t last well on the skin.
Avoid applying your blush on bare skin as it might not stay put all day. By moisturizing before applying makeup and setting your foundation with a translucent powder, you can help your blush to last longer. Choose the best blush formula that is suitable for your skin type. Start with a thin layer and add more if you need.
If your blush keeps disappearing throughout the day, use a primer to help lock all the makeup into place. Finally, set it with a setting spray once you’re done applying all your makeup. With these tips in mind, you’ll be sure to keep your blush looking fresh all day long!
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This sometimes happens to me. Thanks for the tips!
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
You’re welcome!