Shine bright like a naturally flushed and perfectly bronzed diamond.

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Charlotte Gomez / BuzzFeed
1. Use this handy chart to figure out how to best apply blush for your face shape.

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If you want to see it done in action, here's a quick video version from Birchbox.
2. And use this chart to figure out what blush shade is most flattering for your skin tone.
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3. Use a small dome-shaped brush to concentrate the color on just your apples and then use a clean, fluffier brush to gently blend outward into your temples and jawline.
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4. In terms of formula, cream blush is best for drier skin and has a higher color pay-off than powder blushes.
Emily Resling / Via julep.com
You can use a stippling brush, but clean fingers work just as well. Just be sure to start off with a really small amount and pat/build up the color as needed to avoid looking like a murderous clown. But if you do go a little overboard, use a damp sponge to pick up some of the excess color.
Drugstore: NYX (available on Amazon for $5.99+) and L'Oreal Visible Lift Color (available on Amazon for $5.98+)
High-end: Glossier (available on Glossier for $18) and Stila (available on Amazon for $25), and NARS (available on Nordstrom for $39)
5. If you have oily skin, try applying a translucent powder to your cheeks before putting on powder blush, so the color will last way longer.
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6. Don't be afraid of wearing blush if you have redness on your face! Just make sure to apply a good makeup primer with color-correcting properties that will even out all your bumps.
7. Switch up your application order and apply blush either before foundation or after highlighter to nail that ~glowing from within~ look.
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Apply your cream blush with a slightly heavier hand, so a natural amount will peek through the powder foundation (which also helps set the blush).
Charlotte Gomez / BuzzFeed
8. The most basic tip for applying bronzer is drawing a three shape on both sides of your face.
AnnaRose Kern / Via abeautifulmess.com
This shape makes sure the bronzer hits along your hairline/upper forehead, temples, below your cheekbone, and below your jawline. And don't forget to use circular motions to blend everything out.
Read the full post on A Beautiful Mess here.
9. If you want to cover a little bit ground, here's a slightly more comprehensive chart to follow.
Amy Nadine / Via thebeautydepartment.com
Make sure you dust some on your neck so it matches your face.
10. Powder bronzers are best for beginners because they give you the most control.
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Experiment with bronzers that are just one shade and ~baked~ bronzers with multiple shades to find the most natural finish for you.
Drugstore: NYC (available on Amazon for $4.99) and e.l.f. (available on e.l.f. for $4)
High-end: TheBalm (available on Amazon for $19) and Hourglass (available on Sephora for $50)
11. Use a big, fluffy brush (like a powder brush) for a natural, tanned flush.
If you want more intense color/definition, use a brush with denser bristles (angled brushes are especially helpful). Otherwise, a fluffy brush is a safe bet against your bronzer appearing too harsh and obvious. Tap your brush to get rid of excess product too.
Drugstore: EcoTools (available on Amazon for $7.99)
High-end: Too Faced (available on Sephora for $34)
12. If you want super precise application, try a cream formula in pen form and make little hash marks underneath your cheekbones, on top or below your jawline, along your hairline, and around your nose.
Jen Chae / Via frmheadtotoe.com
If you want to accentuate certain areas even more (like a small swipe right under your cheekbones or around your nose tip), use a slightly darker shade after the lighter one. Check out the full video tutorial here!
And if you want to contour specifically for your face shape, this is a useful guide.
Drugstore: NYX (available on Amazon for $11) and Etude House (available on Soko Glam for $14)
High-end: Trèstique (available on Sephora for $28) and Burberry (available on Sephora for $37)
14. Shimmery bronzers are great for illuminating skin and giving off that fresh ~sun-kissed glow~, but not so much for contouring and shadowing.
@bobbibrown / Via instagram.com
Charlotte Gomez / BuzzFeed
15. Use this handy chart to find out what areas you should be highlighting.
Sophia Flores / Via thebeautydepartment.com
Liquid highlighters work best for small areas like the inner corners of your eyes, which helps to really open up your peepers. Other areas that are worth a dab are right above and underneath your brow arch.
Drugstore: NYX (available on Target for $5.19) and L'Oreal (available on Amazon for $11.19+)
High-end: Benefit (available on Sephora for $26) and Becca (available on Sephora for $41)
16. Use a fan brush for a concentrated swipe that gets *right on top* of the cheekbones.
Katie VanTassell / Via katievantassell.com
17. Strobing has been touted as "the new contouring," but it's really just intense highlighting that targets your face's highest points rather than defining through shadowing.
Bellapierre Cosmetics / Via jumia.com.ng
One method is to apply cream highlighter first and then layer powder highlighter on top. If you have oily skin, just use powder highlighter to avoid looking excessively shiny. Check out a video tutorial from Desi Perkins here!
Cream —
Drugstore: Maybelline (available on Amazon for $6.35+)
High-end: RMS Beauty (available on Sephora for $38)
Powder —
Drugstore: Physicians Formula (available on Amazon for $8.29+)
High-end: Becca (available on Sephora for $38)
18. As a last step, use a finishing spray to really lock in your chiseled, glowing face without disturbing the amazing work you've already laid out.
19. And of course, there are always multitasking kits that combine highlighter, bronzer, and blush.
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