How to use lipstick as blush

 Would you wear lipstick on your cheeks in place of blush? Make-up artists backstage at the shows make it seem simple, but there's no denying that it's a look that could go horribly wrong (think clown-like circles rather than a natural flush).
We asked Topshop beauty consultant Hannah Murray, who created the ruddy-cheeked look at the, for her foolproof guide.

"I'll often use lipstick as blusher on shoots, or even on myself - just blending it in with my fingers. It looks fresh, it shouldn't be something you have to labour over," Murray told us. "At the Topshop Unique show I used a mix of the Topshop Cheek Jelly in Museum with the Lips in Mink and then the Lip Bullet in Joyride. I applied it low on the cheek, almost like where a little boy would blush, otherwise you can put it on the apples of the cheeks which always looks pretty."

 

The key to success though, according to Murray, is the type of lipstick you use. Too glossy in finish and you'll take on an odd gleam, but too matt and it could look chalky and dry.

"The best sorts of lipsticks are usually sheer and not too matt - Clinique Chubby Sticks are great, or some of the berry-toned lipsticks we do at Topshop. You're looking for natural hues, so rosy pinks, corals or pretty pale beige pinks," she explained. "Darker skin tones suit brighter colours so could probably take a heavier lipstick, whilst pale skins suit softer tones. You can make a favourite old lipstick work though - just mix it with Vaseline to make it softer and sheerer."

As always, good skin prep is essential for making the look work. You'll have to skip powder - unless you want it to form an unsightly paste with the lipstick - and even foundation if you really want the best results, so make sure to spend time on your complexion before reaching for the lipstick.

"You really need to keep the base as fresh as you can. If you have oily skin then perhaps use a mattifying moisturiser or a primer like the Topshop Airbrush Primer which I think is great for the T-zone. Otherwise, just use concealer where needed," she said. "I'd really advocate wearing the same colour on your lips too, it gives you a kind of monochromatic polish that looks really modern. You don't need to do much else, just brushed-up brows and a bit of mascara."