Cheek stains or liquid blushes are having a moment due to the natural glow they can give to the complexion and the rich pigment payoff some can deliver. Below, we explain what makes liquid blush different and why you may want to try one for yourself. Then, to finish things off, we have added an easy guide to how to apply liquid blush like a pro so you can get a flawless cheek stain application on the first try.
Why Should You Go for a Liquid Blush?
Liquid blushes, also known as cheek stains, are heavily pigmented yet they end up giving surprisingly natural results. These products are normally fluid, water-based emulsions that have pigments suspended in them.
The formulas are often very concentrated, so a very small amount of liquid blush is enough for a reasonable blush application. In other instances, however, they are kept sheerer, which makes it easier for makeup newbies to apply them.
Because the texture is so fluid it’s easy to spread liquid blushes over the skin, so what may look like a very saturated color at first becomes a much more natural flush once it’s blended.
Liquid blushes are somewhat similar to cream blushes, in that they are meant to be applied to the skin in the cream stage of makeup and that their main benefit is that they give a natural flush effect that looks as though it emanates from the skin. The difference is that whereas liquid blush is water-based, cream blush formulas are lipid-based. This means that they are much creamier and they take longer to dry down if they dry down at all.
Cheek stains are surprisingly great for those with oily skin because they blend easily but they set well. The liquid formula evaporates more quickly than a cream, so there is no need to worry about the product sitting on the skin, blending with facials, or moving around throughout the day.
This is not to say that liquid blushes won’t work for those with dry skin – on the contrary. They may not be as moisturizing as cream blushes, which are the ideal choice for dry skin types, but they still go on nicely and can give a bit of a natural flush to the cheeks. If you do have dry skin, it’s better to choose a liquid blush formula that is a little creamier and contains emollient ingredients.
How to Apply Liquid Blush
- Start with clean, moisturized skin. If you’re going out in the daytime, make sure to apply an adequate amount of SPF, and consider also using a primer if you need extra longevity.
- If you wear liquid foundation, tinted moisturizer, or a BB cream, apply it to your face as you normally would. It is best to keep layers of base makeup as thin as possible in general, but doubly so when you’re going to be layering more liquid products on top.
- If you’d rather keep your liquid blush nearly undetectable and extremely natural, consider applying it to bare skin and then following it up with a sheer foundation or tinted moisturizer.
- To apply your cheek tint, first, dab a tiny amount of product on the area of your cheeks that you want as the focal point. With your fingers, quickly blend out the product in a mixture of tapping and dragging motions until it is sheer. With some liquid blush formulas, you might prefer to use a liquid blending brush or damp makeup sponge instead, so feel free to experiment.
- The most common way of doing it is starting with the apple of the cheeks, and then blending the edges as well as outwards towards the temples.
- Slowly build up the coverage by dabbing on a little more product and then blending it out. Repeat this as many times as necessary, but always stick to thin layers of product. This will prevent your liquid blush from looking too heavy, and will also ensure that it won’t fade easily.
- If your blush edges need more blending, you can go in with your foundation brush or sponge, and lightly blend out the edges by dispensing a bit of foundation.
- If your blush is looking a little too heavy, you can also apply a very thin layer of foundation over it.
- Once you’re happy with how your blush looks, you can apply other cream or liquid-based complexion products like contour and highlighter.
- Depending on the look you’re going for and your skin type, you may set your complexion with a setting powder or skip it to keep things look as dewy as possible.
- Finish off your makeup however you like! Feel free to experiment by using your liquid cheek stain on your lips as well, instead of a regular lipstick.
Photos via @allisondepmuah, Instagram
