Blush vs. bronzer: which should you be wearing?

You’re getting ready in the morning. You’ve applied your foundation and now you’re looking to add some colour to your complexion. But what do you reach for – your blush or your bronzer?

Tricky situation, right? You almost feel like it’s your own (very, very mild) version of Sophie’s Choice*, where only one will win the glory of enhancing your complexion. It’s also confusing trying to figure out which one you should use, and where.

So here’s a super-quick guide to work out the colour your cheeks should be sporting.

IF YOU WANT TO LOOK SUN-KISSED:

Go for the bronzer. The brown pigments will give your skin that I’ve-just-spent-a-week-in-the-Caribbean glow and if you choose one with some shimmer in it, it will give your skin an instant hit of radiance.

How to use bronzer

Apply your bronzer under your cheekbones, around your jawline, by your hairline and on your nose and chin. Lightly dust some on your neck, chest and décolletage for good measure.
Try: Bobbi Brown Beige Shimmer Brick

IF YOU WANT TO CONTOUR:

Reach for the bronzer, but make sure the powder is free from any shimmer or glitter. The natural hue will help bring out your angles while adding warmth to your face.

How to contour

Apply the powder in the hollows of your cheeks – starting at your temples by the top of your ears and blending the colour down to the corner of your lips. You can also apply the colour on either side of the bridge of your nose and at your temples.
Try: benefit Hoola

IF YOU WANT YOUR SKIN TO LOOK 'AWAKE':

Hello, blush! Pink and peach blushes will help give your skin a wonderfully natural flush that almost looks like you’ve run up and down the stairs a few times (without, you know, actually having to do it).
The key to an effective blush application is to keep the colour light and not too pigmented, otherwise you’ll lose that whole ‘natural finish’ thing.

How to use blush

If your face is round or oval, apply your blush on your cheekbones up towards your ears as this will help lengthen your face and add definition. For longer faces, apply your blush on the apples of your cheeks and extend the colour horizontally towards your ears. There are other techniques if your face is square or heart-shaped, and you can read them here.
Try: MeMeMe Blush Me Blush Box in Rouge

If you want an overall natural finish:

Use both. No one actually said you have to use one or the other – we all just seem to weirdly think that’s the case.

How to use bronzer and blush

If you’re going to use both, follow the steps above. Just make sure you don’t go overboard with how much you apply and make sure you blend the colour in properly.
Try: Natio Sheer Delight Blush & Bronze Palette

*A novel where a woman has to choose between her two children.

Do you ever get confused about which to wear? Are you more likely to use blush or bronzer?