Hey guys!!!!

Another installment of my series.  Today’s focus is on the cheeks.

A soft glow, image courtesy Jeanillebonterre.com

I must admit that this is an area that I have only recently gotten into.  I’m all about the eyes but I have come to realize that the right cheek colour and application could take a look to another level!!!

Again, there are many different formulations for cheek colours and these include:

  • Powder (the most popular)
  • Gel
  • Creams (my new favourite!)
  • Liquids
  • Mousses

So there is something there for everyone, you just need to find something that suits you.

There are a few things to take into consideration when selecting your cheek colour and formula:

  1. Your skin type: Are you dry or oily on your cheeks?
  2. Your desired finish: Do you want something dewy or are you looking for a glamourous, sculpted look?
  3. Your skintone:  Are you dark, tanned or on the fairer side? Are you looking for something soft or pop of colour?

For the everyday look, I would stick to a neutral colour range: browns with a hint of another colour like pink or peach.  If you have medium, tan or darker skin, don’t shy away from products with more intense colour.  The darker your skin, the more you can ‘take’ colour.  For example, I have dark NW45 skin, so lighter colours just won’t show up or they look ashy.  Even for a casual, everyday look, I have to look for blushes that are more pigmented, richly hued and some may appear bright.  Once on though, I get a rich look that blends in with my skintone.  So darker ladies, don’t be afraid of colour!!

As for the formula, cream colours work really well with dry skin types, especially if you don’t wear a foundation or primer.  Right now I am all about the cream blush! Cyah get enough of them!!! They give you that colour-from-within look.  It blends really well on the skin, looks like you are naturally blushing and gives you a natural looking warmth.  Creams also work well in hotter, more humid weather as they can stand up to sweat and natural oils without streaking.  This is my recommendation for summer and can be applied with a brush (with synthetic hairs), sponge or just  your fingers.  Just place a few dots on the apple of the cheek and blend across cheekbone using light strokes.  A few companies that make cream blushes: M.A.C. (cream blushes and Cream Colour Bases), NARS (cream blush and their Multiples – comes in stick form, handy for trips), tarte (made their name with their cheek stains) and MUFE (OMG! Their HD blushes are amazing, these are absolutely must haves!!!! and their new Aqua Creams are waterproof!), Bobbi Brown (I love their Pot Rouge in Calypso Coral), Maybelline and Covergirl.

MUFE HD blush, a must have! Image courtesy of MUFE

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge, image courtesy of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

Powder blushes are more popular and well over a base – primed skin, or skin with foundation.  I love using this over a cream blush to intensify colour.  M.A.C. and NARS are famous for making blushes that great for women of colour.  They come in a wide variety of colours and blend really well.  Also check out Make Up For Ever and NYX.  To apply powder blush, use a fluffy brush or a duo fibre blush and apply again on the apples and sweep in a circular motion to the hairline.

M.A.C. Mineralize Blush, image courtesy of Specktra.net

NARS Blush, image courtesy of Sephora

Note: I am going to include bronzers here.  Everyone should make use of a bronzer, even the darkest amongst us.  It always adds warmth skin and give a subtle glow.  Look for products with finely milled shimmer as larger chunks would make you look too ‘disco’!  Very pale persons should look for bronzers mixed with pink while more tanned/darker ladies look for golden bronzers.  Apply these on the higher part of the cheekbone, along the hairline and jawline. Cargo, NARS, Bobbi Brown and Iman make good bronzers for women of colour.

Last installment coming up!!!!

Laters!

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