If you’re looking to update your blush game, skip a trip to the department store and take a look no further than your lipstick collection. Lipstick as blush has long been a beauty secret (years before it was called a #beautyhack) because it’s economical, it’s simple, and it works!

Whether you want an easy monochromatic lip and cheek look or a statement blush, follow our guide for using lipstick as a blush.


What You Need
+ Lip shades in the semi-matte to sheer range. Avoid shiny or metallic finishes.

+ A blending brush that suits the coverage and finish you desire (buffing brush, contour brush or stippling brush).


How to Apply
+ Always apply to dewy skin — whether it’s freshly applied primer, moisturiser, or foundation, the pigment will glide on evenly instead of sticking to dry skin.

+ Swipe a clean finger over the top of lipstick and rub between you fingers to warm up the product.

+ Apply using light taps first, then go back over the area with more pressure to work into skin. Finely blend over cheeks with your go-to cheek blending brush.

+ If the colour is too bold, grab your mini eraser sponge with a small amount of foundation on the flat edge and press over blush to subdue the colour.


Colour Tips
Muted Pink and Peach
+ Nude pinks and peach shades are perfect for adding a natural flush to fair complexions. Dab pigment over the apples of the cheeks and up along the cheekbones, grab your buffing brush and use circular stroke to blend over cheeks, then use your blush brush to blend out the edges for a lit-from-within glow.

Peach and Apricot
+ If your skin is looking a bit dull this winter a pop of peach blush is just the trick to enhance your skin’s golden undertones and brighten your complexion.

Bright Pinks, Plums, and Reds
+ Saturated lip shades are ideal for dark/deep skin tones. Use your fingers to dot lipstick along the tops of cheekbones, then use your contour brush in circular strokes to define your cheekbones and brighten your skin tone in one step.

+ Make a statement with 80’s inspired draped cheeks. Choose a light and deep shade in the same colour family (pink, red, plum). Apply the deep shade on and under the cheekbone and blend using your 301 flat contour brush, then apply the light shade directly above using your contour brush to blend out the edges.