How To Apply Blush And Bronzer For Every Face Shape | Red Apple Lipstick

Blush and bronzer can really make or break your makeup look. When applied correctly and in a natural way, they have the power to show off your best features and lift your whole face. The trick is placing them in the right spot for your unique face shape.

It's All About Your Face Shape

There are six main face shapes, each one needing a slightly different technique when you apply blush and bronzer. It is not a one size fits all situation. Learning where to place color for your shape keeps everything balanced, lifted, and soft instead of streaky or muddy.

How Do I Know My Face Shape?

Round Shape: Round faces are circular in appearance, with a rounded chin and jawline and no major angles. They are symmetrical, with the same length and width, and have softer cheekbones. Think of Chrissy Teigen and Ginnifer Goodwin.

Oval/Oblong Shape: The length of an oval face is longer than the width of the cheekbones and has a rounded chin and jawline. Oblong is simply a longer oval shape where the lower half of the face is longer than the top. The forehead tends to be the widest part of the face while the rest is still rounded and soft. Think of Jessica Alba and Kate Middleton.

Square Shape: Square faces have foreheads, cheekbones, and jaws that are roughly the same width, with the jaw having sharp angles. They may appear similar to round faces but with a wider, more pronounced jawline. Think Olivia Wilde and Cameron Diaz.

Rectangular Shape: This shape is a mix of an oval and square, being a long face with a square jawline. The length is greater than the width of the cheekbones, usually with a high forehead. Think of Liv Tyler and Courteney Cox.

Heart Shape: These can look a bit like round faces but with more structure. The forehead and cheekbones are the widest parts of the face while the jawline is slender and the chin comes into a point. Kourtney Kardashian and Reese Witherspoon are great examples of heart shaped faces.

Diamond Shape: Diamond faces are similar to heart shaped faces but without a wide forehead. They have high cheekbones that are the widest part of the face with a narrow forehead and a small chin. Think of Jennifer Lopez, Halle Berry, and Scarlett Johansson.

Here are some more examples of face shapes on a few familiar faces.

Why Should I Use Blush & Bronzer?

Blush is meant to add a healthy flush of color to the face. It should look natural, not obvious, just a soft glow that makes you look well rested. You can explore Red Apple Lipstick's talc free blush for sensitive skin to find shades that suit your skin and your style.

Bronzer can be used in two main ways. One way is to add warmth to the complexion and give the skin a sun kissed glow. The other is to define and sculpt as well as balance facial features, in other words to contour the face.

Since you are essentially adding shadows to the face when sculpting, you want a bronzer that is matte and not too light, with neutral beige or softly cool undertones. For adding warmth to the complexion, you will want a warmer shade of bronzer.

Red Apple Lipstick's Sundrop Bronzer is a great shade for both bronzing and contouring. It is a warm neutral matte shade, warm enough to add natural warmth to the complexion, but neutral and buildable enough to sculpt. Sundrop blends easily and works beautifully on any skin tone when you adjust how much you use.

Where Does Blush & Bronzer Go?

Because of the different facial shapes, both blush and bronzer for sculpting or contouring are applied slightly differently depending on your shape. There is still a simple starting point that works for everyone.

• For bronzing only, apply to the areas where the sun would naturally hit your face: across the forehead, along the cheekbones, on the nose, and on the chin.
• Keep most of the color toward the outer half of your face so the center stays bright and fresh.
• Always tap excess product off your brush before touching your skin, then build in thin layers.

Bronzer for adding warmth to the complexion in general can be applied the same way on any shape. The sculpting details change slightly, which is where your specific face shape guide comes in.

Bronze to sculpt and contour the face using soft, blended strokes rather than harsh lines.

Round Shape Faces

Bronzer/Contour — Apply bronzer along the hairline, under the jawline, and on the chin to create the appearance of more length in the face. Sculpt and define your cheekbones by applying bronzer from the middle of the ears down toward the mouth, stopping just below the apples of the cheeks. You can also lightly shade the sides of your nose by blending a small amount of bronzer on each side.

Sundrop Bronzer by Red Apple Lipstick is ideal for softly sculpting round faces without looking flat.

Blush — Apply your blush across the cheekbones toward the ears and blend slightly downward. This placement helps your cheeks pop while giving the face a more angular appearance that balances the natural roundness.

Vegan Blush Brush by Red Apple Lipstick is thick and firm yet fluffy, which helps you blend easily while keeping your placement precise.

Oval/Oblong Shape Faces

Bronzer/Contour — Oval shaped faces are naturally well balanced and do not need heavy contouring. A light dusting of bronzer on the top of the forehead along the hairline and on the cheeks is usually enough. For even more sculpted cheeks, apply bronzer in the hollows just below the cheekbones and blend upward toward the temples.

For longer faces (oblong shapes), apply bronzer on the top of the forehead along the hairline, on the hollows of the cheeks, and then under the chin and along the jawline to visually shorten the length.

Blush — Oval faces can wear blush in many ways and still look great. Ideally, apply blush to the cheeks and blend upward toward the hairline close to the ears. For oblong faces, apply blush on the apples of the cheeks and blend back and out to add width and balance the length.

Square Shape Faces

Bronzer/Contour — Square shaped faces often look best when the natural angles are softened slightly. Apply bronzer on the temples and along the jaw area, blending upward toward the cheeks to reduce any boxy look and create a softer frame.

Blush — Focus your blush on the apples of the cheeks and blend outward with soft, circular motions. With what is left on the brush, lightly sweep around the temples to create a gentle halo effect that softens the strong angles.

Rectangle Shape Faces

Bronzer/Contour — Similar to square and oblong shapes, you want to focus bronzer along the hairline around the forehead and along the jawline to visually shorten and soften. You can also apply bronzer in the hollows of the cheeks, blending toward the temples for more definition.

Blush — To add some width, apply blush to the apples of the cheeks and blend out toward the ears. Keeping the color a bit more centered on the cheeks helps the face look less long.

Heart Shape Faces

Bronzer/Contour — Apply bronzer starting at the center of the forehead along the hairline and sweep it down toward the temples to soften the appearance of a larger forehead. Then apply a little on the chin and blend just below the jawline to balance the pointed chin. Add bronzer below the cheekbones in the hollows and blend toward the ears for subtle definition.

Blush — To soften your features, apply blush in a loose C shape. Start slightly below the apples of the cheeks and blend upward along the cheekbones toward the temples. This keeps the cheeks looking lifted without emphasizing the chin.

Diamond Shape Faces

Bronzer/Contour — Apply bronzer to the center of the forehead near the hairline to give the appearance of more fullness there. Then apply a bit on the bottom of the chin and in the hollows of the cheeks, blending toward the ears. This keeps the beautiful cheekbones while softening any sharpness.

Blush — Apply blush on the actual cheekbones and blend outward toward the ears. This placement flatters the diamond shape by enhancing the cheeks and keeping the overall look balanced.

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By using these tips for applying both blush and bronzer in a way that complements your face shape, your face will look lifted and naturally glowing.

Tools, Shades & Application Tips

Using the right shades and tools can make your application faster, softer, and more forgiving, especially on sensitive or mature skin.

• Choose a talc free blush in a shade that mimics the color your cheeks turn when you naturally flush. Gotta Glow, Dolly, M'Lady, Coy, Good Vibes, and Tango each serve different skin depths and undertones.
• Pair your blush with Sundrop Bronzer for a believable mix of warmth and definition.
• Use the Vegan Blush Brush so color goes exactly where you want it and blends easily.
• Start with very little product on the brush, then build in thin layers. It is always easier to add more than to fix too much.
• Step back from the mirror and check both sides of your face in natural light when you are done to be sure everything looks even and soft.

FAQs

How do I figure out my face shape quickly?

Pull your hair back, look straight into a mirror, and focus on your hairline, cheekbone width, and jawline. If your cheeks are the widest point and your chin is pointed, you are likely heart shaped. If length and width are similar with few angles, you are closer to round.

Can I use the same bronzer for every face shape?

Yes. You can use the same bronzer and simply change the placement. Sundrop Bronzer is designed to be buildable and neutral, so it works as both a warming bronzer and a soft contour on any face shape.

Which Red Apple Lipstick blush shade is best if I am not sure where to start?

If you are new to blush, Gotta Glow is a universally flattering peachy pink that suits many light to medium complexions. Medium to deeper skin often loves the brightness of Good Vibes or Tango.

Do I need different brushes for blush and bronzer?

You can use one well shaped brush for both products as long as you tap off any excess between colors. The angled Vegan Blush Brush is designed to handle both blush and bronzer while still giving precise placement.

What if I have sensitive or reactive skin?

Look for talc free, fragrance free formulas made with gentle minerals. Red Apple Lipstick's talc free blush collection and Sundrop Bronzer are created with sensitive skin in mind so you can enjoy color without extra irritation.

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