Cheek Perfection! Get The Perfect Cheek With 3 Easy-to-Master Products

Between contouring, highlighting, and other beauty buzzwords right now it can seem a bit confusing when it comes to cheeks! Pulling out all the stops is fun for special occasions but on a daily basis it’s nice to simplify. Here are 3 products to add to your routine to get that perfectly sculpted cheek everyday!

1. To start, you’ll need a matte bronzer, a shimmery highlighting powder, a blush, and an angled brush and a blush brush.
2. Start with your angled brush, swirl it into your matte bronzer and apply in a line to the hollows of your cheeks. Sweep it back and forth so it’s blended.
3. Dust off your same brush and sweep your highlighting powder on the tops of your cheekbones.
4. Take your blush brush and apply your colour starting on the high point of the “apple” of your cheek. Don’t know where the apple of your cheeks are? Just smile! That round higher “cheeky” part that goes up when you smile? That’s the apple! The majority of your blush goes here.
5. Now blend your blush back towards your temples. Don’t reload your brush, just use the remainder for this. This will blend everything together!
6. Voilá! The perfectly sculpted cheek!

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.

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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.

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Just For The Fair Skinned Girl… Bronzer Or Blush?

Photo credit: {a href="http://www.narscosmetics.com/color/cheeks/bronzing-powder/laguna"}1{/a}, {a href="http://www.narscosmetics.com/color/cheeks/blush/blush/orgasm"}2{/a}, {a href="http://www.sephora.com/terracotta-bronzing-powder-P284710?skuId=1326230"}3{/a}, {a href="http://www.narscosmetics.com/color/cheeks/blush/blush/angelika"}4{/a}.

Bronzer can be a bit intimidating for someone with fair skin. I use it sparingly, because, let’s face it, no one is ever going to believe my face is naturally that shade! (I’ve embraced my paleness and look up to Nicole Kidman for inspiration) However, when a spice of color in the warmer seasons can look 100% natural, when applied properly.

When applying bronzer, focus on placement. Bronzer should be applied where the sun naturally hits your face. Lightly sweep bronzer on the forehead, over the bridge of your nose, the middle of your chin and then the apples of your cheeks. Need help finding your apples? Just smile!

Blush is safe, and can brighten/add a little but of “life” to fair skin during any season. When choosing a color, opt for pink and peach-based hues. Stay away from orange tones – they’ll look too harsh and obvious. Lightly dust blush the apples of your cheeks for the most natural look.

Don’t know where to start? Try these products:

• NARS blush in “Orgasm” – it really works for all skin shades
• NARS bronzer in “Laguna” – pairs beautifully with NARS blush in”Orgasm” for a dynamic duo that works double time
• Guerlain in “Terracotta, Fair” - (will work nicely for blondes also)
• NARS in “Angelika” – for pinker days

Whether you favor blush or bronzer, don’t neglect your neck! Take one sweep of the brush down your jaw line and onto your neck for a natural-looking glow.