A dewy fresh makeup has long been my favourite summer and spring makeup look. Heavy makeup under the blazing African sun is only a recipe for a meltdown; hence I keep mine light with a bloom of colour in funky peach, coral pink and copper. When it comes to adding colour to any look, I will choose a blush over lipstick any day. The perfect blush does not only add colour to the cheeks, but you only have to apply it once and it stays put. Cherry on top, it can slim down a face when applied to contour your face. And who can rock a blush better than a black woman? Have you seen your cheek bones lately? I swear you are a blush advert waiting to happen, and this is what you need to know before you get your own billboard.
The skin type:
Oily or problematic skins tend not do well with cream and gel blushes, but thrive under the hypoallergenic blush powders. A pairing of mature and dry skin with the rich cream blush formulas makes for a well matched combination.
The gel and stain blushes will last longer on normal to oily skin. The catch is that they are trickier to apply because they dry fast, but once you master their application, you’re sorted for hours. Knowing which formulas best suit your skin will cut through the drama of deciding which blushes to buy or test first.
Surface skin tones:
Black women come in all lovely hues of light to dark brown. A coral pink blush might look fabulous on a light skinned black woman but may be wasted on a darker skinned one as it might not show.
Darker blush colours such as burgundy look amazing on the dark skin but can make a light woman look tacky.
Under tones:
The best way to determine a skin’s under tone is through the colour of the veins as seen on the wrists; and the jewellery colour that looks best on you. Greenish coloured veins indicate warm tones and they favour gold jewellery.
Bluish veins are for a cool skin tone that favours silver. Ladies with neutral tone can rock any bling with no worries, thus have more colour options. The shade of your favourite lipstick is also another good indicator of what colours works best on you.
Makeup formula:
Based on what formula of foundation you used, try to match your blush formula to that for easier application and compatibility.
Applying a rich cream blush on a base of liquid or cream foundation will work beautifully, but not on powder.
The perfect blush brings out the skin’s natural radiance. If you are not sure what yours is, gently pinch your cheek for flush of colour. That hue is the best natural colour that is suitable as your African skin’s blusher. Do not be shy to pinch away in your search for your ideal blush. If you find yourself being a recipient of funny looks, act oblivious. A lovely radiant skin is worth it, right?
Article by Meka