Summer Blush Hacks That Are Perfect for Mature Skin, According to Bobbi Brown

Reported by Vogue.

A sun-flushed, just-back-from-somewhere-beautiful complexion is the beauty holy grail most of us have been chasing since forever. No flight required, though. According to Vogue, Bobbi Brown — founder of Jones Road — says the shortcut is simpler than you'd think: the right blush formula and a few deliberate techniques.

Brown's non-negotiables when it comes to formula? Strong pigment, staying power, and blendability. She developed her Jones Road Blushing Sticks with exactly those criteria in mind — and her own routine is refreshingly low-effort. A swipe on cheeks and lips, and she's out the door. "It just makes my makeup routine very quick," she says. For anyone who wears glasses or simply doesn't want to spend twenty minutes in front of a mirror, this is the kind of product that earns permanent real estate in your bag.

Apply Smart, Blend Smarter

Placement matters more than most people realize. Brown starts at the apples of the cheeks — but the move that separates a natural flush from a costume-y circle of color is what comes next. Blend up toward the hairline, then diffuse downward just enough to soften any hard edges without dragging pigment toward the jawline. For a sculpted effect, press a shade one tone deeper onto the forehead, sides of the nose, and décolletage with a large fluffy brush. It reads as dimension, not contour. As for application method, Brown uses her fingers directly on the skin — the warmth helps the product melt in — then taps to diffuse. It's particularly effective on bare skin when you want a polished look without a full base.

If blush tends to slide off your face by noon, the cream-powder combo is your fix. Layering a powder blush in the same shade over a cream formula locks everything in place, absorbs excess oil, and keeps the color from sinking into fine lines throughout the day. It sounds like an extra step; it pays for itself in longevity. And on the shade question: Brown is firmly pro-berry, even in summer. Deep berry tones work across all skin tones and, in stick form, deposit just enough pigment for a sheer, sophisticated tint. That said, she's equally on board with soft pinks and peachy hues — the formula does the heavy lifting regardless of the color you choose.

Great blush isn't about looking younger — it's about looking alive, and with the right technique, that takes about thirty seconds.

Read the original at Vogue.