Many women think that blush is very difficult to wear. There are just a couple of basic problems that lead to this misconception. It can be difficult to find the right color--both for your face and to match the rest of your makeup. It's also difficult to know where to apply blush and just how much to wear.

You need the right size and shape of brush in order to apply blush properly. A brush that's too small, too flat, or too hard will give you a higher concentration of color than you want with the distinct lines that you really don't want. Get a round brush with at least a one-inch diameter that has soft bristles. Tap it or lightly blow on it before applying the blush to your cheeks.

Smile just a little bit so that it's clear where the apples (or balls) of your cheeks are. Apply the blush to this area with the brush, and then use your fingertips to soften the edges even more, pulling the color just upward and outward a little bit. With just the blush that's left on the brush after doing your cheeks, highlight the center of your forehead, your chin, and your nose (if you don't have problems with redness) so that your cheeks don't stand out too much.

There are more advanced techniques that allow you to use blush and foundation to make significant changes in the apparent contours of your face. You can get a consultation from a professional makeup artist at a makeup counter before buying. Some of the most popular lines of blush come from Mary Kay, Estee Lauder, Clinique, and relative newcomer Bare Escentuals.