Who knew moving blush down one finger could change so much? Wonhee’s face-slimming, soft-focus blush that finally saves round, baby-fat cheeks

Does blush always make your face look even rounder? Traditionally, we tend to concentrate blush on the highest point of the apples of the cheeks, yet for those with fuller mid-faces or square or round face shapes, this approach can make facial contours look less defined. The “face-slimming, soft-focus blush” technique recently shared by ILLIT member Wonhee breaks from this convention. By slightly adjusting the placement and layering of color, you can make your signature baby fat visually disappear in an instant.

• Read more: The secret to lively cheeks: The ultimate guide to new blushes, from dewy to velvety soft-focus finishes

A twist on the traditional technique: Move the center of your blush down by one finger-width

The key to Wonhee’s technique is shifting the visual focal point. The traditional approach emphasizes precision, blending outward from a small area on the apples of the cheeks. Wonhee, on the other hand, places the center of the blush in the triangular area of the cheeks about one finger-width below the eyes and above the sides of the nose. She then starts at the center of the face and blends it outward horizontally over a wide area. Resembling the natural flush that comes through after outdoor exercise, this look has a slightly casual, cool “boyfriend style” feel. It also draws attention away from the outer edges of the cheeks and toward the center of the face through the concentrating effect of color. The once-prominent fullness along the contours naturally appears more compact under this horizontal wash of color.

Two-shade layering: Build dimension with a volumizing base shade and a strawberry-toned center

If you want the center of your face to look smooth and plump, one shade alone isn’t enough. Start by applying a light pink, almond milk tea, or pale lavender cream “volumizing shade” over a wide area to soften and fill in the hollows of the mid-face. Then lightly dot a strawberry or berry shade in the center to create a shy flush that seems to glow from beneath the skin. As the two blend together, the center of the face instantly looks more dimensional.

Choosing the right product texture is key to achieving this silky, luminous skin-like finish. When Wonhee showed the contents of her makeup bag, she shared one of her personal favorites: Two Slash Four’s All Over Face Blush (shade #Rum Beige). With a texture between a balm and a cream, it glides on smoothly without feeling sticky, while its matte finish is ideal for the first broad layer of color. To recreate the dewy “strawberry milk makeup” look from the video, many beauty bloggers and fans highly recommend Canmake’s “lip and cheek cream blush” (shade #CL01). Its translucent, jelly-like texture lets you precisely build up a vivid flush at the center for a naturally luminous, youthful-looking glow.

An everyday touch-up option that doesn’t require overhauling your makeup bag

Rather than blindly following makeup trends, it’s more important to find techniques that suit your face shape. This blush technique is especially recommended for those with square or round faces, longer mid-faces, or anyone looking to downplay fullness in the cheeks. You can recreate it using a light matte milk tea shade and a bright shade from products you already own or similarly priced palettes. There’s no need to spend a fortune on a whole new set of products to give your everyday makeup a fresh look. Before heading out tomorrow, try it with the blush you already have on hand.

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