Next to mascara and concealer (thanks for helping us fake the appearance of being well-rested!), blush tends to be one of the most reached-for beauty products, no matter how much or little makeup you wear. Blush has stood the test of time thanks to its ability to create rosy cheeks and a healthy glow, further adding to a fresh-faced look. Available in an array of finishes and textures, there's a type of blush for everyone. If you've never tried liquid blush, let us turn you onto it. The creamy formulation imparts a radiant finish, lends itself to buildable color, and an effortless application process that even makeup novices can achieve.

If you're wondering the best way to apply liquid blush to add a natural-looking flush to your next makeup look, we spoke to professional makeup artists, Lynnette Cole and Jamie Greenberg, to get all their best tips. Keep reading to learn all you need to know about how to use liquid blush, from how to choose a formula to the best application tools.

Meet the Experts

• Lynnette Cole is a professional makeup artist, licensed esthetician, and the director of education for Pür Beauty.

• Jamie Greenberg is a celebrity makeup artist who paints notable faces such as Rashida Jones, Chelsea Handler, and Kaley Cuoco.

Decide If Liquid Blush Is Right for You

The good news is that anyone can wear liquid blush, although some skin types may require a little more skin prep than others. "Literally anyone can wear liquid blush, but it's important to know how to apply it," Greenberg says. "Anyone who feels like their makeup needs a little pop of hydrating color can benefit from wearing liquid blush," she adds.

"Liquid blush is most ideal for normal and dry to mature skin types, as it tends to provide a more hydrated, natural look," Cole tells us. She goes on to recommend that if you have more mature skin, you may want to avoid liquid blushes with lots of shimmer, as they can enhance fine lines and tend to be more distracting. Pay attention to the finishes of liquid blushes, as some can be creamier, dry down matte, or have added sparkle—you'll want to choose a formula that pairs well with your skin type and desired finish.

Choose the Right Formula

Before getting into application techniques for liquid blush, it's imperative to test a few different formulas ahead of committing to the one you like best. Liquid blush tends to be more color-saturated than its powder and cream counterparts, so understanding the formula and tone you're working with is essential to applying your liquid blush like a pro. Test out some different liquid blush products and shades to see which one looks best. Some liquid blushes, like Saie's Dew Blush, come with a built-in doe-foot applicator which helps with more precise application.

Pick the Best Shade

If your sites are set on liquid blush, next up it's time to pick a shade that works for your skin tone and undertones. If already have a favorite powder blush shade, look for a similar hue in your liquid formulation— just remember liquid blushes tend to be more pigmented, which means you might have to be a little lighter-handed with your application.

Celebrity makeup artist, Jeanine Lobell, spoke to Byrdie about skin tone and blush shade pairing, noting fair skin will match best with light peaches and pinks. Medium skin tones also do well with peaches and rosy pinks. Those with olive skin tones, however, will often have yellow and green undertones, making orange and golden-toned blushes the best option. If you have a darker skin tone, go for deep berry, coral, and brick red— essentially, anything highly saturated with a lot of pigment.

Byrdie Tip

Consider your face shape when applying blush to get the best results. For example, heart-shaped faces do best with application up and over the apple of the cheek to play up the high cheekbones while those with square faces should aim to apply blush to the hollows of the cheeks.

Prep Your Skin

The first step to skin prep before liquid blush application is to make sure your skin is hydrated: Liquids apply easiest to moisturized skin. To ensure that your hydration is in check, apply your skincare and let it absorb before moving on to makeup. Warning: when you layer skincare and makeup products without allowing them to sink in, your makeup is more likely to pill. As for when to apply your liquid blush, it can be your first step directly after prepping your skin and before adding foundation and other makeup (to lessen your blush's intensity) or on top of foundation and concealer, depending on the products you're using that day.

"I love to apply liquid blush after I’ve done my face makeup," says Greenberg. "I usually will put on my foundation, concealer, contouring, or warmth, and then I do my blush," she adds. This way, the pigmented flush of your chosen product gets to take center stage.

Use a Sponge, Brush, or Fingers

You can choose from a myriad of tools to apply liquid blush. Greenberg suggests using your fingers, a fluffy brush, or a makeup sponge—which you ultimately choose depends on your comfort of using each method and how pigmented you want your blush to be. "I prefer applying liquid blush with a damp, fluffy brush," Cole says, which will help to sheer it out a bit. "Beautyblenders, makeup brushes, and fingertips work really well when applying liquid blush, too."

Use a Small Dot, Then Sweep Upward

If you decide to use your fingers, it's imperative they're clean before coming in contact with your face. When using a fluffy brush or sponge, start with a small amount of liquid blush on the back of your hand, pick it up with the brush, and swirl it on the apples of your cheeks in a soft motion to bond the product to the skin and create buildable color. Add more as needed.

If you're choosing to use your fingers, dab a small amount of blush on the apples of the cheeks and blend using your fingers in an upward motion to ensure the product goes on smoothly and evenly. Fingers distribute products differently from sponges and brushes, so this might take a few tries to get a result you like. Lightly tapping your fingers on the cheeks can help blend liquid blush in further for a natural finish.

Byrdie Tip

From sunburnt blush to L-shape application, blush application hacks and trends are constantly evolving. Turn to social media, most notably TikTok, for the latest trendy blush looks.

Build Color as Needed

Greenberg recommends starting slowly when applying liquid blush. By starting with less, you can build more color as you go until you hit the perfect level of pigmentation. "Make sure you apply a tiny bit at first because a little goes a long way," she says.

It's far easier to build the pigment bit-by-bit rather than address an over-abundance of applied liquid blush. "You can always add more, but it’s harder to take away," notes Greenberg. Start with a small dot, as previously noted, and take a look at the results in natural light before you decide to go for more. Now, how much blush is the right amount of blush all comes down to your personal preference—we'll leave that up to you.

Set With Powder

After all the hard work of perfecting your liquid blush, you don't want it to smear away shortly after. Lock it in place with a translucent setting powder for long-lasting results. (For a dewy, soft finish reach for setting spray instead.) There is an abundance of setting powders on the market to choose from. If oiliness is a concern, look to formulas that pack talc or minerals. But, if you're looking for something textureless then you'll want a powder made with silica, mica, or cornstarch, MAC Cosmetics senior artist Keri Blair told Byrdie.

The Final Takeaway

We love the idea of liquid blush and how it complements nearly every makeup routine. If liquid blush has been on your list of beauty products to test out, we say go for it and reap the benefits of a seamless, rosy glow. Just look to these handy application techniques and tips on how to choose the best liquid blush formula as you embark on your healthy flush journey.