BLUSH

For a blush that is too dark, I scrape it up into a fine powder with a toothpick. I then mash up any remaining chunks with the blunt end of a make-up brush handle, and put it in a new 1cup size Tupperware container with a screw on lid that I have bought only for use with make-up. Mix some baby powder (cheapest) or  face powder in it until it is as light as you want it (stir & shake well with the lid closed). I have turned a very dark unusable blush into a very sheer wash of color that I could build up slowly for a very natural look. An added plus to this method is that your blush will now last you a really long time. If you are not ready to start mashing up your make-up just yet, another option is to dip your blush brush in face powder before you pick up the blush color from the pan to dilute it. If you want the color to go on even lighter, dip the brush in the blush pan first, and then in the face powder. These methods are also great for making brown blush more wearable. Always make sure that you knock any excess blush color off the brush before applying to your cheeks to avoid a too-heavy application.

For a blush that is too bright, you can also try the above methods. You can also try applying face powder over it to soften the color, or buffing some of it off with a cotton ball. I prefer to mix a too-bright blush with some brown blush to tone it down without lightening the color. This is also perfect for making a too-purple blush wearable. Mash the blush up in the Tupperware container (I also set aside a little bit of the blush in its original color to help me compare while I'm perfecting the new color mix), and slowly add small amounts of the brown blush. You may not need very much brown at all. Scrape the brown lightly off the pan with a toothpick or a Popsicle stick. You could use some medium brown matte eyeshadow instead, but I think you will get better results with a blush, since eyeshadow color may be more concentrated. Blush is also cheaper and you get much more of it. I like to use Wet 'n' Wild Baked Earth.

Don't toss the extra brown blush, it is a handy item to keep around even if you don't wear it as blush. Any too-brown blush you have can be used for contour, eyeshadow, or bronzer.You may also need it in the future to darken face powder, mix with another blush or eyeshadow.You can mix it with a too pink, red or rosy matte eyeshadow to give it some color. I use mine for eyeshadow, and it sure is a lot of shadow for the money! While we are on the subject of contour, there is no reason to spend money on a special contour shadow product if you wish to try this technique. Any matte, medium brown blush, eyeshadow or bronzer you already have can work. You can also use dark colored face powder for a nice sheer look. The best shades are warm, golden browns rather than cool, grayish browns (these can make you look scary when used as cheek contour).

You can also experiment by mixing other blush colors together, just be careful. If it doesn't work out you may have to trash the whole concoction. Just scrape off little bits at first and test before doing any major mixing.

See Lipstick for detailed instructions on custom mixing specific colors. Lipstick and blush colors are so similar these guidelines will work for both.

For a broken blush compact. Just mash up the rest of the blush and put it in a Tupperware container as described above and use as a loose powder blush.

To apply a loose powder blush, dip the blush brush only in the film of powder on the sides of the container to avoid picking up too much blush on your brush. Then tap the brush on the edge of the sink to remove any excess.

You can use any blush as lip color mixed with or over lip gloss or Vaseline. What was too bright or dark on your cheeks may be perfect on your lips. With this technique, the color also tends to go on lighter than on your cheeks. You can also use a cream blush on your lips for very sheer and soft color. Apply it with a fingertip, not a lip brush.

If an eyeshadow is too red, pink or rosy and makes you look sick, try using it as blush. Or mix a little with some lipgloss or Vaseline for lip color. Lip balm can also work.

To dilute Cream Blush that is too dark or too bright, mix it with a little concealer on your hand before you apply it.

Instead of buying matching blush for all of your lipsticks, use the lipstick itself as blush for the ones you only wear occasionally. Apply it like a cream blush. Dot (or smear, depending on how intense you want the color) the lipstick on your cheek over foundation and before powdering, or over just moisturized bare skin and blend. If you have any trouble blending it, use a sponge, or put a tiny dab of moisturizer or hand lotion on your fingertips. You can also mix it first with moisturizer in your hand before you apply for smoother application and a more sheer look. You can also mix together different lipstick colors on your hand before you apply to your cheeks. For a very sheer and natural look you can use lipgloss. Lipstick may not work well as blush on very oily or very dry skin. How easily it goes on will also depend on the type of lipstick formula you are using. Remember too that you don't need to match blush and lipstick exactly. You can get away with one very light, subtle, and natural blush color that goes well with your coloring and use that with all of  your lipsticks. For the most natural look, pick a blush the same color as your face gets when flushed.

Frosted Blush. I don't care for the look of frosted blush. I'd rather see frost on lips or eyes. Since frost is really only appropriate for nighttime, and matte looks great both day and night, buying special frosted products for only nighttime or special occasions can be a money waster. If you want a little frost to highlight your cheeks for a special evening, here's how to do it without spending money on an additional frosted blush.   Apply a light colored frosted eyeshadow (creme or powder) to the tops of your cheekbones. If it is a powder shadow, use a brush and apply it lightly. With a powder you could also apply it all over your cheekbones on top of your blush. Gold, Silver, Pink, Peach, Champagne, and Beige can all work. If you don't own any light frosted eyeshadows, Wet 'n' Wild makes a frosted highlighting powder you can use anywhere on your face. You get much more product for your money than you would with an eyeshadow. If you own one, this is the time to finally use the light frosted half of that blush duo.You can also use a light colored frosted lipstick on the top of your cheekbones instead. Wet 'n' Wild makes a frosted gold lipstick, a champagne, a silver, frosted beige and pink-beige lipstick and many other light colored frosted lipsticks which would all work well. You could also use any frosted light pink or peach. Another option is to just use a frosted colored lipstick as your blush. To make a cream blush frosted, mix in a little light frosted eyeshadow (cream or powder) or a little frosted lipstick.