Many people think about what they can do to look younger. Most consider super-expensive beauty formulations. You know, the ones that promise to erase every wrinkle and dark circle to make you look 20 years younger. (Spoiler: no such thing, it’s all lies. Ageing is an unstoppable train. Sorry.) The truth is, looking younger isn’t about eliminating every crease. The things that actually deliver a youthful demeanour are rather less complicated. Like not too-thin brows. Like brighter teeth. Like wearing blusher. Its power to bring freshness to skin is deeply underrated. I loved blusher, long before it loved me. Back in the day, the options were incredibly limited for darker skin tones. Now there is an exciting breadth of options for everyone, many of which are skincare-led, such as Tower 28 which is excellent for sensitive or acne and eczema-prone skins. Lisa Eldridge’s range won’t clog your pores and Tata Harper’s formulations are vitamin-infused. If you prefer a matt finish, then go for a powder option, be sure to blow out the powder on your brush, then apply to the top of the cheeks and blend outwards. Otherwise you will get a very intense and unnatural finish. Gel or cream options – tap, don’t rub, into skin – are wonderful for a sheer, “glowy” look. Ultimately, there’s nothing like a glow to make you look more youthful.
1. Tata Harper Vitamin Cream Blush £30.34, tataharperskincare.com
2. Bobbi Brown Face & Cheek Palette £32, bobbibrown.co.uk
3. Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Blush £30, anastasiabeverlyhills.com
4. Tower 28 Beach Please Luminous Balm £18, cultbeauty.co.uk
5. Lisa Eldridge Enlivening Blush £24, lisaeldridge.com
6. Nars Orgasm on the Beach Cheek Palette £46, narscosmetics.co.uk
7. Hermès Rose Hermès Blush £63, hermes.com
8. Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush £44, selfridges.com
9. KVD Beauty Mod Con Liquid Gel Blush £22, boots.com
10. MAC Extra Dimension Blush £24, maccosmetics.co.uk