Even though you’ve been wearing blush for years, you still may not have gotten it quite right. In fact, this is one of the most common makeup mistakes. A natural-looking flush requires more than just sweeping some color onto your cheeks with a brush – you need a combination of just the right tools and tactics.

Follow these tips and you’ll have the perfect rosy glow in no time:

Prep properly

Before you even reach for your blush, it’s important to prepare your complexion with the right products. Achieve a flawless canvas by starting with primer and then either the foundation formula of your choice or tinted moisturizer. Primer is essential because it ensures that your foundation and your blush go on evenly, and that they both last longer. Once you have evened out your complexion and covered up any flaws, then you can add some color back with blush.

Pick the right pigment

Choosing the right hue depends on your skin tone. Essentially, you are trying to mimic the color that your cheeks naturally turn when you’re cold or a little bit bashful. If you’re not sure of the right shade, you can always pinch your cheeks to help you figure it out. Those with fair skin and cool undertones should stick with pink blushes. However, if you have lighter to medium skin with golden undertones, a peachy or coral pigment is best. If you have darker skin, you can opt for deeper berry shades like raspberry and plum.

Place it strategically

When you’re applying pink blush, be sure to focus on the apples of the cheeks, where rosy color tends to pool naturally. Don’t know how to find your apples? Look in the mirror and aim for those rounded front parts of your cheeks that pop up when you smile. Placing one finger at the edge of your mouth will tell you where to stop when applying the pigment. Peach blush is better used for sculpting the cheekbones while adding a subtle glow. So when you’re applying a blush in this hue, place three fingers along the outside edges of your lips to determine where you should stop brushing it on.

The best kind of brush is dense with soft bristles, has a dome shape and a flattened edge. This kind of tool ensures you can more effectively concentrate color in the right areas.

Swirl the brush into the pigment and then tap it on the edge of the compact to eliminate any excess. Using circular motions, lightly sweep it onto your cheeks.