This Blush Trick Changed the Way I Do My Makeup

BLUSH WITH GREATNESSThe "W" Blush Application Trick Changed the Way I Do My MakeupThis one move made my face look more sculpted and naturally-glowy.

By Dianna Mazzone

May 16, 2022

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If there's one beauty product I "can't" live without, it's blush. Give me cream, powder, or something-in-between — I will apply it with abandon in pursuit of looking like a glowier, less-tired version of myself.

But, shock of all shocks, "apply with abandon" isn't necessarily the most efficient path to achieving that goal. I was reminded of this when I was lucky enough to find myself in the chair of makeup artist Mariela Bagnato, who offered up a blush application tip I'd never heard before.

To create a healthy-looking flush that also visually lifts the face, apply your blush in the shape of the letter 'W,' says Bagnato. Imagine the letter is plastered squarely in the center of your face: "Sweep or blend blush near your temple, down to the middle of the cheek, up to the bridge of the nose and back down [and up] the other side," she says.

The end result is a subtle glow on the areas of your face where the sun would naturally hit. And because the color sits up near your temples and swoops downwards, this technique also "helps contour your face by creating a lifting effect," says Bagnato.

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That said, the 'W' technique is not to be confused with the 'C' technique — also known as draping — in which blush is swept from the top of the cheekbone around the outer eye and up towards the temple. "This motion brings a beautiful brightness to the face," makeup artist Elisa Flowers has previously told Allure. And while I don't disagree, draping can sometimes look a little too makeup-y for my liking — whereas the 'W' method provides a fresher, more natural-looking result.

Bagnato demonstrated on me using Mary Kay Gel Cream Blush, a limited-edition formula that melts seamlessly into skin. "I love to apply this technique using cream blush because it creates a second skin finish that simulates the sunkissed effect much better," adds Bagnato. (You can shop a few Allure editor favorites below.) But if you prefer powder, Bagnato recommends using a fluffy blush brush and exercising a light hand.

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush$20 at Sephora

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Mary Kay Limited Edition Gel Cream Blush$18

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Westman Atelier Super-Loaded Tinted Highlight$75 at Sephora

And… that's it! No bells, whistles, or special tools required — just a little knowledge of the alphabet and the willingness to spend an extra moment or two next time you apply your blush. One move, major payoff.

Now shop more of our favorite blushes:

• 19 Best Cream Blushes for an Impossibly Glowy Flush
• The Best Blushes for Your Skin Tone
• 17 Gorgeous Blushes That Show Up and Show Out On Deeper Skin Tones

Watch Madison Beer's blush routine:

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Dianna Mazzone is a senior beauty editor at Allure, and a host of The Science of Beauty podcast with executive beauty director Jenny Bailly. Previously, she served as beauty editor at InStyle and held roles at Marie Claire, Refinery29, and ELLE. A graduate of the Fashion Institute... Read moreSenior Beauty Editor

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Keywordsblushcream blushpowder blushmakeup tipsblush tipsshopping