Bronzer and blush are popular items when it comes to makeup, but for some, knowing which one to use can be confusing. The two aren’t exactly the same but both are meant to enhance your natural beauty. By being smart about your skin and knowing what products work best, you won’t be the victim of a makeup mishap.  

In order to find out whether you should use bronzer or blush, you need to think about your natural skin tone and the effect bronzer or blush will have once it is applied to your skin. Blush is reserved for the apples of the cheeks and can be played up to create the appearance of chiseled cheekbones or simply dabbed on for a rosy glow. Bronzer creates a sun kissed complexion and unlike blush, it isn’t restricted to just the cheeks. Bronzer can be applied to the forehead, nose, chin, and cheeks.  

Blush

Blush is ideal for brightening up pale/fair skin. Try cream or powder blush and practice blending techniques so you’re not left with noticeable lines or streaks. Porcelain beauties should be wary of using bronzer, since this can create a very unnatural appearance. Unless you plan to get tanned, stick to blush and play up your features that way.

To find the right shade of blush, choose a shade that matches the color your cheeks are when flushed after being exposed to cold temperatures or after doing physical activities. When using blush, it’s important to apply it to the right area of your face to avoid looking like a Raggedy Ann doll. Blush is supposed to be applied to the “apples” of the cheeks. To find the apples of your cheeks, look in a mirror and smile. After dabbing your brush or applicator with some color, use gentle, sweeping motions starting at the center of your apple, and move up and outwards towards the corner of your eye and up to the temple.

Bronzer

Skin that is naturally tanned or olive tends to get better results with bronzer. Bronzer comes in all forms: sticks, gels, powders and creams. Choose the form that works best for your skin type in a shade that isn’t more than two shades darker than your natural skin tone. While it can be fun to use bronzer with glitter or shimmer, don’t overdo it or else you’ll look like a bronze statue. Bronzer should enhance your natural beauty, not dominate your complexion. One of the best ways to apply bronzer without getting carried away is by using a wide, fluffy brush. Start off with a little at a time and continue to add more until you get the look you want.

Some people use both bronzer and blush, which is perfectly fine as long as it complements your skin tone. Darker complexions work well with bronzer to highlight features, but if you want to use blush, make sure to choose a pigment that won’t get lost in your complexion. Deep roses and apricot shades look great on darker skin.

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