The Biggest Mistakes You're Making With Blush, According To Our Makeup Artist

Blush has been a staple in makeup for a long time, and over the years, its consistency, application, and colors have changed quite a bit. In fact, even the name "blush" isn't as accurate anymore since we have colors like yellow trending. Today, blush is a major must-have in makeup trends — from creating a snatched fox-like look with it to going for a cute and unexpected sunset vibe that pushes past basic pink. However, while there are plenty of ways to use blush, there are some common mistakes we've seen quite a bit of.

To clarify just what the most common blush errors are, we reached out to Nyane, a makeup artist with Morphe Collab, owner of Temper Hair, and a beauty and fashion content creator. And while makeup is always about having fun and experimenting with what you like, Nyane has exclusively pointed out that he has come across quite a few blush mistakes over the years — and these are the most common ones!

Even though makeup rules can often be broken — after all, makeup is supposed to be creative and fun — there are some that make so much sense you really shouldn't disregard them. And when it comes to blush it's undoubtedly the order of application. "Applying liquid blush after applying powder all over [the] face — this makes the blusher appear patchy, and it leaves a weird consistency on your cheeks," Nyane explains exclusively to Glam. In fact, when using liquid blush, you should pay attention to prepping your skin properly to further ensure a smooth application.

If you apply liquid over powder routinely, definitely reconsider applying blush before any powder products. However, if you only apply it in this order when you forget to apply blush before powder, we recommend grabbing a powder blush instead of a liquid one. Adding powder on top of powder won't result in a strange consistency, and blending it out will also be much easier. The rule is simple: Once you apply powder, you really shouldn't go back to any liquids or creams, regardless of whether they are blushes, bronzers, or concealers.

We all want our blush to be nicely pigmented, but going for a dark blush and adding too much of it will result in an overly dramatic look — at least for everyday makeup. "I feel that a dark blush (in comparison to your skin tone) is more of a nighttime wear, and a lighter more subtle blush is more of a daytime look," Nyane tells us exclusively. "One of the mistakes people do with wearing blusher is overdoing it and wearing a really dark shade as an everyday makeup look. This can look too harsh in daylight and create an 'I'm doing too much' sort of look."

So, if you already have some blushes that are too dark, ensure you're using them sparingly and blending them out so that they aren't as opaque. Of course, you can still use dark blushes if you love the way they look on you — but know that blush blindness isn't just a TikTok thing; it's very much real.

There is a reason makeup artists do specific steps in a specific order. Doing makeup in the wrong order can impact not only the final result but also the longevity of the look. And when it comes to blush, it really shouldn't be the last step in your routine. "Applying blush as your last step in your makeup routine will make the blush stand out too much and look unblended and too obvious," Nyane shares exclusively with Glam. "It's best to apply it before powder as the powder applied after will tone it down and also set it."

Of course, it's no secret that blush also has a tendency to disappear first, so if you feel that by the time you add powder and finish up your makeup it isn't as noticeable as you'd like it to be, simply add a bit of powder blush in the same color to intensify it a bit — and set it even more.

We all know that blush should be applied to our cheeks as that is where redness naturally occurs, but applying it only on your cheeks can look a bit cartoon-like. "There are many ways to apply blush," Nyane tells us exclusively. "I feel one of the biggest mistakes is when it's applied very obviously just on the cheeks."

So next time you're applying your blush, think of all the places your face might look a little red after running. "The most effective way is to apply on the cheekbone (closer to the outer eyes), brush it upwards closer to your brow and blend it into the forehead. This creates a subtle lift to your overall appearance," Nyane adds. "Plus, blending it into the forehead creates a smooth and continuous blend that appears unnoticeable. This technique is best especially for a day-to-day makeup look!" Spending some extra time to blend your blush will help create a much more natural look than applying it only on your cheeks and not blending enough. And if you want a more youthful look, explore the popular blush-on-nose trend, which will make you look like you have been in the sun for just a bit too long.