The other day, I was describing my everyday makeup routine to a skin-care professional. “Tinted SPF 50, concealer, bronzer, cream blush, and mascara,” I explained. She replied, “Blush? You still wear it even when you have rosacea?” As someone who has always loved cream blush, forgoing it because I have rosacea is something that had never really occurred to me. But it makes total sense.
One of the most common symptoms of rosacea is facial flushing and redness, so why on earth would I add even more redness to my face? In my opinion, my makeup just isn’t complete without a dab of my favourite trusty cream blush. But it did have me thinking about the many other people too scared to dip their toes into the world of blush because of their skin condition. So, I spoke with Chanel makeup artist Zoë Taylor to get the lowdown on all of the tips you could possibly want about wearing blush if you have rosacea.
Prepping Before Blush Is Key
Taylor is the perfect person to chat with about all things facial flushing because she experienced frequent rosacea flare-ups throughout her 20s. “I never thought that blush could be an option for me. After all, my face seemed so red already,” she tells POPSUGAR. “Then I discovered concealer.”
She explains that before even picking up blush, you’ve got to get concealer right first. But even before concealer, you’ve got to prep your base. “Make sure your skin is hydrated before you begin any makeup because dryness is a common symptom of rosacea,” Taylor says. Now, onto concealer. “Lightly [conceal] the areas you need to, and remember you don’t need to block everything out, just aim to even out the skin tone.” For this, she suggests a long-wearing yet comfortable and moisturising concealer, like the Le Correcteur de Chanel ($65). Another way to tone down red before you even start your concealing is with a colour-correcting primer. We love E.L.F, Tone Adjusting Face Primer in Green ($14) the smoothing formula fills in fine lines and pores while colour correcting.
Shade Consideration
One of the main misconceptions about wearing blush when you have rosacea is that it sounds counterintuitive to add red to your face. But Taylor reassures us that “the right shade in the right place can actually help balance out redness.” For this reason, she suggests going for blushers that have a more taupe or peachy undertone to counteract redness. Think Laura Mercier, Blush Infusion in “Ginger,” ($48) and Flower Beauty, Blush Bomb Colour Drops in “Toasted Cinnamon” ($10) — incidentally a great dupe for Glossier Cloud Paint in “Dusk” — or Westman Atelier, Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in “Chouchette” ($72)
Choosing the Right Formula
As previously mentioned, people with rosacea tend to be on the drier side when it comes to their skin type. For that reason, Taylor recommends trying a cream blush instead of jumping straight into a powder. However, as with everything when it comes to beauty, it’s down to personal preference. She suggests starting with a cream blush and then “lightly setting with a small amount of translucent powder to keep everything in place.” We love Givenchy, Prisme Libre Loose Powder, in “Mousseline Pastel” ($99). The loose powder has green and blue corrector pigments to keep redness under control throughout the day. Another option is a translucent powder matched to your foundation shade for additional coverage. Maybelline, Fit Me! Loose Finishing Powder ($17) is a highly rated affordable option.
Application Technique Is Important
Another key symptom of rosacea is sensitive skin. Because of this, it’s important to be gentle when applying makeup. “I prefer to use a Beautyblender ($28) to apply blush because the product stays put,” Taylor says. “However, whether it’s a sponge or soft brush you use, make sure you clean them frequently to avoid irritation.”
Don’t Be Afraid of Experimenting
As with all makeup looks and techniques, there is an element of trial and error. The same goes for blush and rosacea. That’s why Taylor recommends experimenting with both shades and placement. “Don’t be afraid to experiment with different areas of placement on the face; apply onto the apples of the cheek for a fresh flush and along cheekbones for some natural contouring.”
