Until recently, blusher was very much an afterthought in my makeup bag -- I relied upon mascara to make me look awake and bronzer to add a glow to my skin. If I was doing a full face of makeup, I'd maybe add a few dabs of a muted blusher to my cheeks, but more often than not I'd skip the step altogether. To be quite honest, blusher always felt a bit scary -- after all it can be so easy to overdo application, and as someone with a lot of rosy tones within their skin, I was always concerned about looking overly flushed.

Then I discovered cream and liquid blushers and everything changed. Not only are cream and liquid formulas significantly easier to apply than their powder counterparts, but they never look cakey. I've also found them to be longer lasting, and I love the fact that, unlike powders, they don't settle in or draw attention to my acne scarring, or to dry patches or fine lines.

It's this very perk in fact, which makes cream and liquid formulas the best blushers for mature skin. "Focusing on creamy, hydrating textures and luminous finishes will help achieve a fresh, glowing look that complements mature skin beautifully," says makeup artist Lan Nguyen-Grealis. "This is because mature skin types benefit from blushers that are hydrating, blendable, and provide a youthful, natural glow."

As we get older, skin naturally becomes drier and loses volume, resulting in it feeling thinner and looser. This means it creases much more easily, leading to fine lines and wrinkles appearing. "Avoid matte and overly powdery formulas which can emphasise dryness and fine lines, and also dull the face," advises Nguyen-Grealis. "Glitter-heavy blushes can settle into wrinkles too." When it comes to choosing blusher colours, she recommends avoiding very dark or overly bright shades, which can sometimes look too harsh.

"Ensure the skin is well-moisturised and primed to create a smooth canvas," says Nguyen-Grealis. "Smile gently and apply blush to the highest point of the apples of your cheeks, blending upwards toward the temples. Avoid applying too close to the nose or too low, which can drag the face down."

As for the best tools to use to apply blusher to mature skin? "Use a damp makeup sponge, your fingers, or a soft brush to blend the product for a natural finish," says Nguyen-Grealis. "If needed, lightly set with translucent powder to avoid overemphasising texture while maintaining a luminous finish."