Are You Using The Right Blush Brush? We Tapped A Celebrity MUA To Get The Answer (2025)

It has become common practice to reach for a makeup brush to apply products like foundation, bronzer, and cream highlighters. However, there is not just one universal tool to create every kind of look—especially when it comes to blush. Whether you want to sculpt and define your cheekbones or perfectly buff out a rosy hue, when it comes to blush brushes size and shape matter.

That being said, certain brushes play well with certain formulas, whether it be powder, cream, or liquid. In developing your application technique there are a few key things to keep in mind, and it begins in choosing the right brush shape. We tapped celebrity makeup artist Vincent Oquendo to share his key tips on utilizing blush brushes to ensure your cheeks always look their best. Below, he explains the four main types of blush brushes and how to pick the right one for your preferred glam.

The Angled Brush

Chances are you've already reached for an angled blush brush before. It is a crowd favorite because it can blend cream, powder, and liquid formulas without any hassle, allowing you to create a lifted look no matter which blush formula you choose. To use, simply place the brush along the cheekbone and apply in an upward motion, softly blending as you go, to diffuse color and layer on more if need be.

According to Oquendo, there are also many other benefits of applying blush with an angled brush. "My favorite reason for applying blush with an angled brush is that it does all the work for you," he says. "The new angled blush brush from Anisa is perfect because the way it is bound allows for the perfect amount of resistance to blend the blush, and since it is angled, it gives you the ideal cross between a contour and a blush."

The Dome Brush

If powder blush is your chosen formula, a dome-shaped brush is ideal for daily application. Oquendo highly recommends using a blush brush in the shape of a dome to drape the powder evenly without caking. Draping, a technique used to create contour and apply blush around the forehead, cheek, and jawline, is suitable for someone who uses blush versus the traditional bronzing product. In this case, there's no need to contour your whole face—you can still benefit from draping your blush by lightly applying it to cheeks only in an upward/downward motion for a soft finish.

The Tapered Brush

Significantly denser than other blush brushes, the bristles on tapered brushes are shorter, allowing more color from the blush to be deposited right onto the apples of the cheeks. It might take you some time to get the hang of using a tapered blush brush, but once you do, the benefits are endless.

If you're after the natural flush look, using a tapered blush brush with powder and cream blushes can help you get there. Remember that with shorter bristles, sometimes a product can look bold when first applied, however this can be rectified quickly by blending it down or adding a little foundation on top to help de-saturate the color. When applying powder blush, start at the center of your cheek and move upward for a lifted look and outward for a full cheek look; the same goes for cream blush. Into layering blushes? This method is excellent for making your blush last. "I love to layer cream blush and set it with a powder blush for long-lastingwear," adds Oquendo.

The Contouring Brush

Similar to an angled shape, the contouring blush brush allows you to contour the cheeks when applying powder, cream, and liquid blushes. You can also use contouring blush brushes to apply bronzer and highlighter. We love a brush that offers a tremendous multi-use benefit when short on time or budget for multiple brushes.

You can use a contouring blush brush if you wear cream formulas in blush, bronzer, and highlighter. If wanting to use one tool for all of your products (not just blush), start with your contour products first, then wipe it off or clean the brush with a makeup cleansing spray, rubbing it back and forth on a paper towel to remove any product before moving on and applying blush to your cheeks. Repeat this step before applying highlighter, as this helps with the possible transfer or smudging of different colors on the skin.

The Final Takeaway

Knowing how to use your makeup brushes will only expand your knowledge of application and allow you to learn new techniques. With several different blush brushes available, each option can help you achieve various looks and are utilized for products other than just blush. Depending on the look you're going for, you can rely on the type of brush you choose. No matter what type of blush formula you are a fan of, contouring, angled, tapered, and dome-shaped blush brushes help you master any blush look you want. Learning how to utilize your brushes is the best thing you can do, as it will enhance the performance of your products, and once you get the hang of it, you'll undoubtedly look and feel like a pro!