Yes, You Can Wear Blush With a Protective Face Mask — Here’s How

Wearing a protective face mask has become the norm during the COVID-19 pandemic, but wearing the extra accessory doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your makeup look. We’ve already learned about how to make makeup transfer-proof under a face mask, but what about ways to show off face makeup, like our favorite blush? To find out, we tapped celebrity makeup artist Vincent Oquendo for his best tips and tricks about wearing blush while rocking a mask.

TIP 1: Layer Your Blush

“One of my favorite ways to do blush with everything that’s happening is to layer it,” says Oquendo. “You want your blush to feel like more of a cheek stain — so that it doesn’t move.” Oquendo achieves this by using a foundation brush to apply the cheek color. 

Start by applying the Maybelline New York Super Stay Liquid Foundation all over the face with a big foundation brush. Next, take a little bit of the Maybelline New York Cheek Heat Gel-Cream Blush on the same brush to slightly combine the products. This will make it long-lasting and easier to see when it peeks out of your face mask.  

TIP 2: Change Your Blush Placement

Next, changing your blush placement will truly transform your makeup while wearing a protective face mask. “Instead of applying it to the apple, apply it to the hollow of your cheek where you’d place the contour,” says Oquendo. This will allow you to see the color along your temples and slightly into the outer hollow of your cheek, where your face mask ends. “It’s two steps in one because you have a contour and blush all in the same place.”