Hi friends!
I love to multi-task with my makeup products. By that I mean using something for more than its intended purpose or in multiple ways. I think it’s a great way to get more creative with what you have, and to just get more use from a single product, frankly. I did a whole post earlier this year on the subject. But I wanted to briefly talk today about another example of product resourcefulness that I didn’t really touch on in that post – using lipstick as blush!
So, you don’t have blush in your current collection but want to get the same effect? Well, just whip out your lipstick and use it on your cheeks. It’s easy and just as effective. Even though I do have a blush collection – take the tour here – this is something I still like to do myself to get wear from my lipsticks.
Now, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this technique for those people who have more oily skin or who have active breakouts. If you fall into those categories I think you’re better off using actual blushes (read about my favorite drugstore blushes here). But for everyone else who either have small, capsule collections or who don’t want to spend a lot of money on multiple products, this could be useful to you.
Bobbi Brown Lipstick in Brownie, a very creamy satin texture.
For this technique I love using a matte-textured bullet lipstick that has a decent amount of creaminess or emollience to it. You get the best of both worlds then – a texture that you can blend across your skin, but that will set and not slip everywhere. You’ll also get more pigmentation from using either a matte or satin-textured lipstick.
I’ve never tried applying any formula of liquid lipstick as blush before. I think the texture would feel odd on the skin, and the blending could be too stressful (at least for me). I’ve also stayed away from using colored lip balms on the cheeks, or anything that may be too slippy or even greasy.
If you’re looking for a place to start, these are the lipsticks that I like to use as blush sometimes:
– Glossier Generation G Sheer Matte Lipstick in Cake (read my thoughts on it here);
– Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk (read my thoughts on it here);
– Bobbi Brown Lipstick in Brownie (this is a satin texture, but it still lasts quite well on my cheeks);
– Flower Beauty Mix n’ Matte Lip Duo in Honey Nude (read my thoughts on it here).
Bobbi Brown Lipstick in Brownie blended across my cheeks as blush.
This is how I normally apply lipsticks to my cheeks. I rub a decent swatch of the lipstick onto the back of my hand, tap my middle finger into the product to pick it up, and then just gently stipple the color onto my cheeks. If you prefer tools, I find duo-fiber brushes pick up and lay down cream textures very well (like this one from Lancôme). I don’t like the idea of rubbing my finger or brush directly onto the bullet, personally.
Would you or have you ever used lipstick as blush before? Would you recommend any other product to use if you don’t have blush in your collection? I’d love to know!
Oh, and if you live in the U.S. and are reading this the day it posts – have a lovely Thanksgiving weekend!
xo, Erica
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I totally love your eye-makeup! I agree, with the lipstick Blush.. Such a great idea. I have done it several times in the past. Your pictures are amazing!
Thank you so much Bushra! I’ve tried to up my game with the photos in the past few months, so your comment is very sweet!
I honestly never thought of using lipstick as blush! What a great idea, especially if you’re out and only have lipstick in your bag. Happy Thanksgiving!
Definitely! Plus it’s a great way to match the colors of your makeup together for something more cohesive.
Your technique sounds so easy! I’ll have to experiment sometime soon 🙂
Let me know how it goes!
I’m prone to breakouts, who knows if I could ever do this lol. But I like the idea of it. I’ve heard of people using eyeshadows as blush as well and I’m just so impressed by all this creativity lol.
I’ve definitely used eyeshadow as blush before, and highlighter too. Sometimes I just don’t want to use different things for each step, ya know? So I just experiment and see what works!
Totally 😀 I’ve used highlighters as eyeshadows too when I want something quick haha
What a great idea!
Thanks Diane! It’s just a quick and easy little hack I’ve been doing lately.
My skin is quite sensitive & I could see myself breaking out if I tried this but oh my gosh, your cheeks look so cute! 😍
Aw thank you! Yea it’s definitely not a method for everyone, but I like to do it if I’m really in a rush or just don’t want to use a lot of products.
Well, that’s really interesting that every woman can use lipstick instead of using blush. Thank you for sharing it.
No problem, thanks for reading and commenting! It’s just a little technique I’ve been loving lately to save some time in my routine.