Makeup Situation: How Can I Stop My Blush from Fading?

"I love the look of rosy cheeks, but my blush fades after an hour or so. Any tips?"

As we move about, heat up, cool back down and inadvertently rub our faces, which we do a lot, blush will fade. The best way I've discovered to keep blush a blushin' is to utilize a three-layer technique, which always works for me. So here's what to do to give a wonderful blush to your cheeks that will resist fading.

Preparation:

Make sure your skin is completely dry and smooth before you apply blush. If you have any dry patches, use a gentle exfoliating cream or mask first, so the blush won't stick to any dry bits of skin.

If you moisturize your entire face, you might want to avoid the cheek area because moisturizer will only break down the blush color, causing it to fade faster, in addition to creating a clumpy environment for any powdery cosmetics you may use to set it.

A Three-Layer Technique to Resist Fading Blush:

Step 1: Use your fingertips to apply a gel or cream blush to the apple of your cheeks in gentle, circular motions — envision massaging a small, incrementally expanding letter "O" onto each cheek.

Step 2: Use a velvet puff with a fine layer of nude-colored translucent powder to pat the powder against the cream or gel blush you applied in Step 1. This will set the color and diffuse the tone.

Step 3 Apply powder blush using a flat, fan-shaped blush brush directly over the translucent powder you applied to your cheeks in Step 2. This will subtly heighten the color and set the blush so it will resist fading.

Remember, unless you're planning to audition for the circus or feeling the need to appear perpetually embarrassed, don't make the mistake of applying too much color. Remember, the ideal cosmetic blush mimics your own natural blush. Subtle and diffused is the most flattering.

Recommended Products

Tarte Cheekstains
A fantastic, cheerfully colored water-based gel stick that contains no oil, so it has excellent staying power!
Price: $28

Benetint
An awesome ruby-tinted cheek and lip stain — dual-purpose makeup rocks!
Price: $28

Make Up For Ever Powder Blush
These blushes are made of highly-pigmented pressed powder, so you get a lovely and long-lasting color. Available in both matte and iridescent textures.
Price: $15.50

Shu Uemura Glow On Blush
This sheer powder blush comes in the most amazing pink and amber shades I've ever seen. And the pigments are strong so a little stays sheer but lasts for hours.
Price: $22

Delux Beauty Flush Stick
This is a super-easy blush to blend with a gel-like texture. It's oil-free as well and gives a wonderful, breezy-looking glow.
Price: $30

source from http://beauty.ivillage.com