How to Apply Blush Sticks, According to Celeb Makeup Artists

Year after year, blush has proven to be a summer makeup staple. Whether it’s being dusted onto the apples of your cheeks or being dotted at its high points, there’s no denying the power of well-placed rouge. Formula variations have inspired different trends and styles, and while jelly styles ruled 2024, it’s clear that blush sticks are the vibe this summer. Easy to carry and versatile, blush sticks can be a handy tool in your makeup routine. However, with their convenience comes the risk of overapplying. A small swipe onto the cheeks can quickly become streaky or a blotchy patch of color, difficult to diffuse. Luckily, there are ways to avoid this from happening. Ahead, we tapped two celebrity makeup artists for the dos and don’ts of applying blush sticks. Plus, see their top tricks and the blush sticks to try this season.

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The benefits of blush sticks

Portability and convenience are among the top benefits of these blushes, but the stick format has a few other advantages. Along with being easy to carry and mess-proof, celebrity makeup artist Christian Briceno shares that they allow for more control when applying them. “Having makeup products formulated in a stick means you can be more precise and use them to sculpt and define certain areas of the face,” he says. Stick blushes, in particular, are great for layering and intensifying the color of your flush. Format aside, stick blushes tend to have a creamy formula that’s easier to blend than other styles. “Liquid blushes may be pigmented but are hard to diffuse, while jelly blushes are more sheer and not well suited for people who want the most color payoff,” says celebrity makeup artist Hannah Jaclyn. In that vein, a stick blush gives you the best of both worlds.

How to apply blush sticks

Blush application varies for everyone, and given the versatility of blush stick formulas, you have options depending on the effect you want to create. If you’re going for a natural flush with just a wash of color, Briceno suggests warming the product first and then using a brush to apply. “Applying the product to the back of your hand primes it for application while a dense synthetic brush works best for diffusing,” says. Once the brush is primed with the product, begin applying in a stamping motion, pressing into the cheeks to deposit the color. For a stronger, more sculpted look, the stick can be applied directly onto the skin and blended out with your fingers. “Adding a swipe of color or several dots to your desired area is an easy method that gives you a deeper color payoff,” says Jaclyn. 

As is the case for any blush, blending is key with stick formulas. “While these blushes melt beautifully into the skin with warmth, they can drag on dry or textured areas and mature skin. So, it’s important to apply them properly and blend away any harsh lines immediately using upward strokes,” says Briceno. The tools used are just as important. Your fingers or a dense brush are ideal, as sponges can soak up too much product and soft, fluffy brushes can streak or fail to press the pigment properly.

Blush sticks to try

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The creamy formula of this stick melts into the skin and blends out with just a few pats of your fingertips. Plus, it doubles as a lip tint to give you a monochromatic look.

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For a rush of color, you can’t go wrong with Smashbox’s vivid blush sticks. The colors include a range of electric shades from coral to lavender and orange. But the formula is just as impressive—it’s creamy texture, blends out easily and leaves you looking dewy and flushed.

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LYS’ blush sticks are enriched with botanicals, such as rosehip oil and watermelon seed extract, to improve the look of your skin with each wear. Nourishing formula aside, these blush sticks are highly pigmented and can be used to create a strong look or natural flush.