Powder Blush 101

Ever since I was a kid, I've always been fascinated with make-up. Armed with my ever reliable cotton buds and Johnson & Johnson's Baby Powder, I would pretend our room was a beauty salon and my yaya was my favorite client. I fondly remember gently applying powder on her eyelids to emphasize her deep-set eyes, on her cheeks to give her a rosy (or frosty, in this case) glow, and on her lips to make them look plumper. After doing some finishing touches, I would look at her, carefully checking for smudges and admiring my work at the same time. Oh, and did I mention I used baby powder? (That's how sweet my yaya is. She let me have my fun even if she knew how ridiculous she would look.) -- Let me digress a little: I miss my yaya (she was with us for almost 25 years). She took care of my eldest brother when he was still an infant and she stayed until I graduated from High School. But she's currently in HK so I haven't seen her in ages :( We still keep in touch from time to time, though. And she never forgets to call on my birthday (and my brothers' and sister's). Told you she's sweet :)


Peekaboo. My fave NARS powder blushes, both in Orgasm.






..Well, surprisingly enough, as much as I enjoyed putting my so-called cosmetic skills to use back in the day, I didn't really wear that much make-up growing up...even up to now. The idea of make-up gunk clogging my pores doesn't quite sit well with me. But that's not to say I've stopped experimenting and buying products. I still enjoy giving makeovers to friends in High School, and whenever my mom's chosen beauty stylist is MIA, I'll always be the one to volunteer to get her ready for that dinner party.

Usually, I'd just put on a little concealer and some sheer blush when going out at night, but that's it. I guess you could say that I'm a blush girl. Some would claim that their must-have beauty product is a tube of mascara while others prefer the good ol' lipstick. I must admit applying a little mascara opens up chinky eyes and it's fun to match your lipcolor with whatever mood you're in. Feeling vampy? Red it is. Demure? Nude then.
But nothing beats having that rosy, fresh, natural look you get from a blush. Just a light touch instantly brightens up the face, without looking too made-up.
Blush comes in different varieties: powder, cream, liquid, and gel, the first one being my top choice. Sure, powder fades the fastest among the four but I like how it's sheer and doesn't get oily when the temperature rises.

Model: Elaine

When I do put on blush, I noticed how people would compliment me on how natural my application is (yes, playing with baby powder does have its benefits). The key, as any make-up buff would know, is blending. And if you have a good brush, even better.

Here's how to get that rosy glow:
1. Swipe your brush over the powder blush then gently tap off the excess. Always start with light applications, then you can add some more blush later on if it looks too sheer.
2. Lightly brush in an upward stroke starting from the apple of the cheek 'til right below the temple. (1)
3. Now gently brush in a downward stroke-- some may be skeptical about this one, but trust me, it'll look more blended- from the apple 'til two-thirds down the cheek. (2)
4. Then swipe your brush starting just off the edge of the nose, more or less an inch below the eye, and blend along the apple of the cheek 'til right below the temple. This will make the rosiness look even more natural, as if you've been sun-kissed. (3)
5. Repeat the 3 strokes if necessary.
6. Go out and have fun.

...And if they ask you what brand and shade of blush you're wearing, just smile and say:
it's au naturelle :)