When & How To Use Bronzer vs. Blush

Frequently, bronzer and blush get mistaken for interchangeable products, but they each have a place on the face to create a polished makeup look.

The purpose of bronzer is to warm the face, as well as create shadows which can make the face appear slimmer (especially for round face shapes like mine). It can also be referred to as contouring when you are specially using the bronzer to give the face dimension and slim it.

Bronzer belongs right below the cheekbone, in the hollows of the cheeks. To find this, make a fish face and where you feel the indent below the cheekbone take a fluffy brush and place bronzer on each side of the face. Also use it around the temples, and across the bridge of the nose and chin. This will give the face a slightly tanned look. I used Smashbox Hydrating Halo Bronzer.

With blush, depending on your face shape, there are two places you can put it. For a round or oval face shape, you should place the blush right above the bronzer contour brushing it back towards the ears. Most face shapes can also pull off blush on the apples of the cheeks, which gives the face a more youthful look and can make it appear rounder if that is your desire. I put mine a little further behind the apples, and I used MAC blush in Springsheen.

To make sure the placement is not streaky or too muddy looking take a clean kabuki, or with a little translucent powder blend the blush and bronzer so they appear softer and more natural. Take my tips to make the most of your makeup arsenal, when you ask yourself bronzer or blush today, the answer is both!

- Kiara Aguillon

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