Preparation
You don’t need a face full of makeup to look your best. These featherweight balms and gels work like watercolors, melting into skin and enhancing your features with fresh shades and nourishing ingredients. Simply finger-paint them into place, and let your natural radiance shine through.
“When it comes to applying these products, we have 10 amazing tools built right in,” says Los Angeles makeup artist Molly R. Stern. She suggests smoothing foundation on with your middle finger, and using your ring finger for under-eye concealer and eye shadow. For cheek color, tap formulas onto your skin with your pointer and middle fingers.
Merit Beauty Flush Balm in Raspberry BeretMaybelline New York Cheek Heat Gel-Cream Blush in Fuchsia SparkBurt’s Bees All Aglow Bronzer & Highlighter Stick in Golden ShimmerDior Rouge Dior Satin Lip Balm in ClassicL’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Balm-in-Lipstick in Beige Eden
“Don’t be afraid to go for a punchier color,” says Stern; the translucent texture will soften it. Choose a shade—we recommended a few, below—that matches your undertones: Lean into pinks if you’re cool; go coral if you’re warm. For more dewiness, swirl blush with a dot of moisturizer on the back of your hand, then dab it on.
Powders can sit on your skin; these options seep in and simulate a kiss of sun—and give deeper complexions golden warmth. For the most natural look, begin with a few dots on the perimeter of your face, and blend inward over your forehead and cheekbones.
These sticks are no-brainers—just slide them on for a barely-there tint (plus balm-caliber ingredients like shea butter). Consider matching the shade to your blush: “There’s something beautiful about the cohesiveness of wearing similar tones on your lips and cheeks,” says Stern.
