The next time you begin to apply blush, pinch your cheeks hard and then choose a colour that is closest to the after-pinch shade!

Celebrity make-up artist Subhash Vagal - who has done Simone Singh's face among many others - says that when it comes to applying blush, application is as important as the colour. Moreover, the shape of the face also plays an important role when it comes to applying blush.

Blush is used to highlight and accentuate facial features and should be an extension of your face.

Facing Magic

Light colours such as pinks and peaches highlight and emphasise features; dark shades shadow and minimise. "Some colours from the peach family suit darker skin tones. This colour blends in the skin and gives the face a chiselled look," says Subhash.

Always remember that blush colour should compliment the lip colour. It also depends on the time of day and occasion.

Keep the quantity of blush to a minimum during application. Start with a small amount; you can always use more if required.

Get In Shape

A chiselled face with perfect cheekbones is easy to get. Depending on the shape of your face, here is how you should apply blush:

Round Face

Apply blush on the contours of the cheekbones because this will lengthen your face. Blend well and add a little on chin as well.

Long Face

Apply it horizontally or from the apple (that is the centre of your cheeks) to your cheekbones. This will give your face a fuller look.

[BLOCK]Add a little shimmer on your cheekbones and spread evenly. This will make your cheekbones seem higher. [BLOCK]

Oval face

Highlight the cheekbones and spread evenly towards the temple.

Square Face

Apply blush on the contours of the cheekbones because this will lengthen your face. This shape is an angular version of the round face, so the application remains the same.

The Blush Family

Blush is available in a variety of types and textures. You have a choice between the powder, cream, liquid and gel blushes.

The powder blush lasts for long and is perfect for oily skin. Apply it with the brush in the box. The cream, liquid and gel blushes go well with dry skin. To blend liquid blush, spread with the tips of your finger till it evens out.

Cream and liquid blushes are the most natural looking because they sink into your skin. These have a stunning effect on skin as they give you a natural hue. Gel blushes shimmer and give you a translucent look.

The swish of a brush can transform your face…waving a brush and using your fingertips was never this 'blush'fully beautiful.