Yes – you can apply powder blush on top of a cream foundation. Cream, liquid and powder products can all work in harmony to create a gorgeous makeup look. I always suggest applying cream and liquid products first as they are more emollient, then using powder products second to help set and finish your look.
Tilbury Tip: Try pairing your perfect shade of Hollywood Flawless Filter with your favourite Cheek to Chic powder blush with my Dewy, Pretty Blushed Cheeks Kit.
I recommend applying powder underneath powder blush to help set your foundation and concealer into place before adding warmth to the complexion. A light veil of setting powder helps to create a smoother-looking surface for your powder blush to swirl onto, helping you to get a seamless blend from your blush. Once you’ve applied your base makeup, add a small amount of Airbrush Flawless Finish pressed powder with the Powder & Sculpt Brush to set and perfect the look of your makeup before building up your blush.
Discover the correct order of makeup steps
The most likely reasons that powder blushes might look patchy on the skin include applying blush onto skin that is dry or dehydrated; applying powder blush onto damp skin; applying too much blush; and not spending enough time blending. To help your powder blush to look seamless on the skin, follow these steps:
Choose hydrating products that help to target dryness and dehydration in the skin. Applying a deeply hydrating moisturiser, primer and foundation will help to create a smooth canvas for your powder blush to apply onto, allowing you to create a more skin-like finish that doesn’t look patchy or splotchy.
Discover the differences between dry vs dehydrated skin
Before applying powder blush onto the skin, make sure that it doesn’t feel damp to the touch. Applying powder products onto moist skin can lead to caking and creasing; to prevent this, lightly set your foundation and concealer with pressed powder before applying your powder blush or use a handheld fan to gently waft skin dry.
When you apply too much powder blush, it can become difficult to blend which can result in a patchy finish. Instead of adding lots of blush at once, take a buildable approach to your blush and tap it on little by little to gradually build up flattering, even-looking pigmentation – don’t forget to blend as you go!
Darlings, the art of blending is the key to a smooth-looking makeup application; when you don’t blend your powder blush sufficiently, it can look patchy on the cheeks, so be sure to spend a little bit of extra time blending to get the flawless blush application you’re looking for. Use a domed, fluffy brush to lightly blend out your powder blush, and if the patchiness persists, take a smaller, fluffy brush and use circular motions to buff away and harsh lines.
If your blush has gotten away from you and you’ve applied more than you want, you can remove excess blush with your pressed powder. I wouldn’t recommend using a makeup remover to fix blush mistakes as this will disturb the makeup underneath; instead, apply pressed powder onto a dense powder brush and lightly press it into any areas that you want your blush to disappear from. This will help to lighten the pigment of your blush while blurring the look of the area.
Powder blush is generally satin or matte in finish, but you can customise your look to create a dewy-looking finish using your cream blush and setting spray. By applying a powder blush over the top of a cream blush, your look will have the dewy properties of a cream and the smoothness of a powder. Then, spritz setting spray or face mist over your cheeks to give them a fresh-looking finish that makes them appear dewy and glowing.
Shop Charlotte's Magic Hydrator Mist
Yes – powder blush is a gorgeous blush option for mature skin. While mature skin types can make liquid and cream blushes work for them, powder blush is sometimes favoured for its smoothing and blurring properties. Liquids and creams can be prone to creasing which can be problematic for mature skin with fine lines and wrinkles; by reaching for a powder blush, you can give your mature skin a youthful-looking glow that’s easy to build from a subtle flush to a more pigmented pop depending on your mood.
Yes – you can apply powder blush without a brush, however, I suggest reaching for a domed, fluffy brush as this will allow you to effortlessly buff and blend for the most seamless finish.
Yes – you can apply powder blush onto bare skin to give the complexion a healthy-looking glow without foundation. When applying powder blush onto a bare face, make sure your skin is well prepped by applying a hydrating moisturiser and primer combination. Once your skin feels smooth and supple and your skincare products no longer feel damp or tacky, apply a light coating of powder blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend well to create natural-looking rosy cheeks.
Blush is your answer to a pretty, healthy glow. Read our pro tips on where to apply blush to suit your face shape, shade selection, and why a powder formulation is your blush bestie.
Blush instantly perks up and brightens your entire face. With hues ranging from barely-there peach to warm reds, every skin tone can benefit from blush.
Blush, highlighter and bronzer - what’s the difference?
Bronzer: Gives you a subtle sun-kissed glow so your skin looks healthy and tan. Apply it to the areas the sun naturally hits the skin - cheekbones, jawline, temples, and nose. Bronzer is also a good choice for heavier contouring.
Blush: Adds a flush of colour to the cheeks for a bright, fresh-faced look, usually in pink shade with plum or peach undertones. Blush is applied along the cheekbone and apple of the cheek.
Highlighter: Shimmery and lighter than your natural skin tone, highlighter adds a subtle, shimmery radiance to the skin and gently accentuates your features.
Applying makeup when your skin isn’t clean results in an uneven, patchy look that won’t stay put. Makeup slides off oily skin and doesn’t sit well on a dry, flaky complexion.
With that in mind before we get started on how to apply blush professionally, let’s begin with skin prep for a clean, healthy base.
Step 1: Cleanse your skin to remove all impurities and excess oil.
Step 2: Gently exfoliate if necessary.
Step 3: Apply a hydrating serum to help plump and hydrate your skin.
Step 4: Moisturise with a light face oil (suitable for use under makeup) or moisturising lotion.
Step 5: Smooth on a priming product. Primer creates a no-slip canvas for your makeup - it won’t slide off your skin. A mineral BB cream and tinted moisturiser are both good choices for primer.
Once your skin is prepped you can either apply foundation before blush or, if you’re having a great skin day, simply use blush on your natural base.
Your blush shade goal is to choose a hue that matches your cheek colour when you flush naturally. For a pop of colour, you can go a little more dramatic.
Use our handy guide to help you find the right shade of blush for your skin tone.
Fair skin tone
Peach - natural look
Soft pink - natural look
Coral - pop of colour
Medium skin tone
Deep peach - natural look
Warm mauve - natural look
Rich pink - pop of colour
Olive skin tone
Rose - natural look
Apricot or bronzer - natural look
Berry - pop of colour
Dark skin tone
Warm reds with brown undertones - natural
Plum - natural
Ruby pink - pop of colour
PONi Unicorn Candy blush is an innovative ombré blush with a sunset spectrum of pink hues from soft shimmery peach to bright matte pink. Shades of peach and pink are universally flattering so it's easy to find the perfect match for your skin tone.
Picking the right blush formula
Blushes come in 3 formulas - powder, cream and stain. Picking your perfect blush formula depends on your skin.
Powder: Great for all skin types (especially oily ones) easy to apply and achieve ‘poreless’ airbrushed finish. PONi Unicorn Candy blush is a silky powder - meaning it is not too drying or too oily - ideal for all skin types.
Cream: Cream blushes offer a natural dewy finish but steer clear if you have oily skin.
Stain: Suited to all skin types for long lasting wear. Beware; stains dry super fast and can be difficult to blend out or correct a heavy handed application.
How to put blush on the right way starts with the right brush!
Choose a dome-shaped blush brush with long, super-soft bristles that splay out nicely. The fluffier the brush, the less product it will pick up which, in the case of blush, is a good thing.
Brushes with tightly packed bristles can pick up a lot of product and transfer a clown-worthy amount of colour to your face. Stick with a fluffy brush for a gentle wash of colour without harsh lines.
We recommend Crown Brush’s selection of cruelty free brushes for blush application.
To apply the blush, simply swirl the brush in the product and tap off excess powder. Removing extra blush means you won’t end up with a slab of colour on your cheeks.
Exactly where to apply blush depends on your face shape. Use our guide below for the most flattering blush application methods for different face shapes.
If you have a round face shape, the sides of your face curve slightly outward, rather than being straight. Cheekbones are the widest part of your face and your chin is also rounded.
Applied correctly, blush can help a round face look more angular and lifted. Apply blush slightly lower than the apples of your cheeks and extend the line of colour up, towards the hairline using a swirling motion to blend.
High cheekbones and wide forehead that strongly tapers toward a narrow chin is the key characteristic of a heart-shaped face. Blush can help accentuate your high cheekbones.
Start by applying blush on the low part of the apples of your cheeks. Then take the colour in a semicircle towards the hairline and finish at the temples.
In terms of length and width, your face is very equal. Your chin is square and the forehead and jawline and similar width. Basically, when you look at your face straight on, the curve of your jawline and sides of your forehead will form a square shape.
Apply blush directly to the apples of your cheeks in a circular motion which will help soften the edges of your jawline.
If you have a diamond face shape, your forehead and jawline are a similar width, cheekbones are high and angular with a pointed chin.
Where to apply blush for a diamond face? Your goal is to draw attention upward and soften your features. Do this by applying blush to the tops of your cheekbones and, with a swirling motion, blend outward toward your ears.
Have an oval shaped face? Lucky you! Often considered the ideal face shape, the oval face is already in proportion. It’s very versatile for a blush application.
Start at the apples of your cheeks and sweep the blush backwards towards your temples using a circular motion.
Now you know how to apply blush professionally, get the only blush you’ll ever need! Click through to purchase PONi Unicorn Candy blush