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What's your go-to tool & technique for applying blush?
I reach for an assortment of blush brushes (I don’t know that I’d say one is my go-to over the others), like SUQQU Cheek, Hakuhodo B505BkSL/G5545BkSL/J5543, Chikuhodo Z-4. These days, I tend to like a slightly flatter, moderately dense brush over larger ones. If it’s a very pigmented or deep shade, I’ll use just a tap in the pan with the brush and then lightly pat from apple of my cheeks up toward my hair line, and then I’ll blend.
For sheerer or less intense colors, then I use a slightly heavier hand and then buff gently from apples and outward and upward.
— Christine
The Wayne Goss #14 quickly became my favorite blush brush – particularly for pigmented blushes. Is small but fluffy and diffused shape really disperses powder so nicely on my cheeks. Love it!
Terrific brush, isn’t it? I use mine all.the.time. It’s perfect for soft-packed blushes that are highly pigmented, just like you said. I could own several of them, because I don’t just use it for blush! This is one of those ‘must have’ brushes, imho.
Different brushes depending on what’s clean and what works best for what blush. If I’m in a rush usually I go with one of my easier-to-blend blushes and the Real Techniques Contour Brush.
My current favorite blush brush is a $3 e.l.f. small stipple brush. I’ve tried a few specific blush brushes, but I keep coming back to this e.l.f. stipple brush. I like the way the uneven bristles control the application of color. And I like that it’s smaller than most blush brushes; I have a small face.
I lightly sweep blush from the the apple of my cheeks towards the hairline, trying to apply color where my face would naturally flush. I build color very slowly, stopping to check to make sure I haven’t overdone it. I always apply the blush after powdering my face to get a smoother blend.
I look forward to seeing everyone else’s answers because although I like the e.l.f. small stipple brush, I’m open to finding something (synthetic) that works even better.
I use a typical style of brush not a single one, but I like to use those angled face brushes… I think they are sometimes called contour brushes, but I love them for blush.
I’ve yet to find a brush better than the e.l.f. blush brush (with the black handle). I remember watching a video where Karima McKimmie first used the Wayne Goss Air Brish and I fell in love with the shape and the fluidity of the bristles when she used it. Unfortunately, it’s out of my budget but the e.l.f. brush seems to be quite similar in appearance! Because my face is round-ish square-ish, I apply blush in circular motions to the fleshier part of by cheek, between the apple and the hollow, in circular motions with light pressure. I have a soft spot in my heart for NARS as Exhibit A was my first ever high-end purchase when I was in the 9th grade!
I don’t own a lot of brushes but I have the Wayne Goss airbrush (it’s the only brush I use for blush) as well as the Wayne Goss #2 (I use for highlight) and I think you’re spot on about the e.l.f brushes. Obviously they’re not *as* soft but for the price, the e.l.f. brushes are really good and the shape is quite similar to the Wayne Goss ones I have.
My absolute favorite go-to blush brush is the black handled e.l.f. angled blush brush. I have two on my vanity. I love the synthetic hairs, you just tap the brush once or twice into the product and it picks up easily. I tap off the excess powder, then I typically apply product to the apples of my cheeks, and blend back toward my hairline along my cheekbones. If I get too much intense color, I use a loose setting powder to buff it out with a clean buffing brush – like the RT one.
Because I’m quite pale it’s easy for blush to quickly go clownish on me, so I tend to use a flat, feathery brush to apply it instead of a regular blush or powder brush.
For powder, WG air, 14, or 2, depending on the depth of color. For CP, RT duo fibre, fingers. If intense (with you on exhibit A, Megan) usually a stipple.
I love the Surratt blush brush. It is softer than the chikuhodo, in my experience, but still retains its shape. It works for sheer and more intense formulas.
Depends on the formula and intensity of the shade! For super bright and/ or densely pigmented shades, ie; UD Quiver, I use my trusty e.l.f. small stiple brush to gently apply it to my cheeks in a swirling, buffing motion until it looks just right. For softer shades or more buildable formulas, I use a tapered, flatter, yet soft brush to sweep the color on, then blend and buff it into place.
Ok, so I’m not the only person who likes the e.l.f. small stipple brush!
The e.l.f. Small Stipple Brush is awesome. It’s amazing with the ColourPop blushes and other creams.
That’s what I most use it for also.
I will add my vote to the Elf Stipple Brush. I don’t swipe my blush on as I have hyperpigmentation on the tops of my cheeks and swiping or windshield wiper motions just displaces all the foundation/concealing. I like the Elf Stipple Brush because I can tap my blush on with it and it doesn’t deposit so much product that I look like a clown.
guess I have to go buy myself a elf small stipple brush LOL!
Brushes I use with powder blush: NARS Yachiyo, Real Techniques Blush brush, or Zoeva 127 Luxe Sheer Cheek
Cream or liquid blush: either fingers, Zoeva 128 Cream Cheek, 102 Silk Finish, 110 Face Shape, Real Techniques Expert Face, Real Techniques Stippling Brush
I use only one brush for apply blush – my angled brush from Real Techniques. I swirl around the blush mosaic and apply to the apples of my cheeks. Always looks good.
Until very recently I was using the Real Techniques blush brush, the egg shaped one with the pink handle. I recently purchased Too Faced Mr. Right brush and it’s perfect. I also have UD slanted blush brush that I use when draping.
Haha maybe I should tap tap like Christine. I have 2 blush brushes but would like more, the Hakuhodo look nice but pricey. One is a smith one and I guess I do the windshield wiper method in a slant concentrating one around the apples. I also have a new Smashbox synthetic brush it’s so alittle shelter applications but haven’t used it much. And I do have a Goss airbrush for super sheer very blended. Don’t really use it much.
My blushes are too dark and I’m kinda dark so that’s why.
Sorry stupid spell check!!
Duo Fiber face brush! It makes so smooth and beautiful for blush
The Real Techniques Blush Brush. I’m so fair that most blushes would be way too pigmented on me without using a fluffy blush. Because I’m heavy and have a round face, I apply blush on my cheekbones and into my hair line for a lifting effect. I never put blush on the apples of my cheeks.
Oh, for cream blushes I use either the e.l.f. Small Stipple Brush or my fingers. Placement is the same as above.
Another one who owns that Elf stippled/slanted blush brush and many more of those from TJ Max and wherever I find them! I’m petite 5’3 which comes with a petite oval face so not too much space to play around with and high cheeks. I also love the WetnWild blush brushes they are super nice and soft and I never go over board and end up looking like a clown with those. The new WetnWild blush brush however is a bit thinner and find it perfect for highliter instead. Bought a few on sale at Rite Aid! So good! Love buying brushes, lately prefer softer than too dense bristles the more dense ones are great to soften edges and blend contour, blush or highlight. Eco tools are pretty good too!
Agree with you, those inexpensive pink and white Wet n Wild blush brushes are pretty darned good.
Lots of options depending on pigmentation or effect (multiple shades swirled together): Bobbi Brown blush brush, BB angled face brush, WG fan brush, WG 14 brush, Charlotte Tilbury Powder and Sculpt brush, MAC 129 SE, or MAC 137. For cream blush, I like using Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face brush.
I have to use an angled brush! My favorite is the It Cosmetic Angled Blush Brush at Ulta! It just applies the perfect amount!
I bought a $1 dupe for Nars’ Yachiyo off Aliexpress and although it’s fake and scratchy as heck, it’s my favorite brush for blush! I almost bought the Yachiyo during the VIB sale because this shape is everything and I’d love a higher quality bristle, but not sure the $69 spread between the $70CAD Yachiyo and my dupe is worth it. Reviews say the Nars is scratchy too. It’s the only thing I can use on my apples that doesn’t deposit too much blush or move around my foundation, but I’m sure my technique has something to do with that too.