Want to add a little pop to your face? A little blush can go a long way! Bring back the sun-kissed glow of summer by following these easy steps for a rosy new look.

Before you start, consider this:

• Powder is just one of the forms that blush comes in. You can also use a cream blush, stain or gel, which all give similar effects. Dry skin normally works better with cream blushes and powder is good for oily or normal skin. You can even mix the two together for different colors and looks!
• When using liquid or cream blushes, make sure you apply the blush before any powder or foundation. If you apply blush before your foundation, it will give you a more natural, muted look. If you apply it after, you’ll get a more vibrant color and dramatic effect.

Step 1: Choose your color. Normally, pink is perfect for fair skin, peach is a good match for medium toned skin and rose looks simply marvelous on darker skin. To pack an added punch, brush some shimmer to the very apples of your cheek. Don’t be afraid to be creative and experiment! *Tip: Check out the color of your natural flush by pinching your cheeks or after a chilly trip outside to get an exact color to match up.

Check out some of our faves from Benefit Cosmetics:

Thrrrob, $28.

The perfect pink to give your cheeks a natural flush. Brush this baby on all over your face for an instant boost!

Benetint, $28.

Use the wand to brush a few strokes onto the apples of your cheeks. Blend in circular motions with your fingertips. Voila, an instant face pick me up! Caution: Color is very concentrated, make sure you don't over apply. Eek!

Powder Pop, $28.

A trio of their hottest and top-selling blushes and bronzer--Dandelion, Hoola and Dallas. Three for the price of one? Score!

Step 2: Using your blush brush, pick up a little color. Tap or blow on the brush to get the excess powder off before you apply. Make sure you don’t get too much on your brush. You want natural color, you don’t want to look like a clown! *Tip: Applying makeup in naturally lit rooms (say your bathroom with a window) will help you avoid unnatural disasters.

Bluff Puff, $20.

Try this kabuki brush by Benefit. A little pricey, but it’s always best to invest in makeup brushes. Why you say? A good brush can last forever! Well...reeeally close to forever. Kabuki brushes are great for application and even blended look. Works best with loose powder.

Step 3: Smile! Apply the blush on the apples of your cheeks. Smiling will make them pop up and make it clear exactly where to shoot for. Once you’ve found your target, dab or rub the brush a few times in a circular motion for an even look. Want to add definition and elongate your round face? Brush from your cheeks outward toward your hairline. Make sure to always brush in the same direction.

Step 4: Blend, blend, blend! This is quite possibly the most important step when applying blush. You don’t want random splotches of color in the middle of your face, but instead a natural flush. *Tip: Brush a bit of face powder over your cheeks to get rid of unsightly brush lines or if ya just went a wee bit overboard with application.

Bonus! Blush doesn’t just have to go on your cheeks. You can also use it as an all-over bronzer to give your whole face a glow or it can even double as eye shadow. Just make sure you don’t overdo it, otherwise you could end up looking like a tomato!

A little goes a long way! You don’t need to cake on the layers to get the look you want. The trick is to wear makeup and make it look like you’re not wearing any!

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by GL | 2/1/2016