Red Blush: The “Hottest” Makeup Trend Right Now
If you haven’t been hearing the buzz around why everyone is buying into the red blush trend for this Fall, well listen up. It’s hot, and incredibly flattering…on everyone…seriously.
It came back into popularity recently after this TikTok went viral from Rose-Marie Swift, who is the creator of the beauty brand RMS. RMS Beauty is known as the “cool girl clean beauty brand” for their minimalistic and eco-friendly packaging.
Rose-Marie, now in her late 60s, also happens to be one of the original and head makeup artists for the Victoria’s Secret Angels runway shows back in the 2000’s where she suggested they use red blush, instead of pink, on the models.
This was because she said that red created a more natural and sexy “flush.” It gives you that impression of romance - the blood rising to the surface of the skin. Note the pic of supermodel Giselle Bunchen above in 2005 at the Victoria’s Secret show.
Now if you are still second-guessing the idea of putting on red blush, because an image of a circus clown pops into your head, I will change that right now. Today’s post is to show you just how easy AND flattering it is to pull off the red cheek trend and get you excited to try it right after reading this…
TL;DR
Jennifer shares how to wear the Red Blush Trend
Jennifer's product recommendations are shoppable via text links and image widgets
Red Blush: The “Hottest” Makeup Trend Right Now
CHOOSING your Red Blush
I’d say one of the most important things to consider is the finish of your blush. As much as I love shimmer, I’d personally go without any glitter or frosty texture and keep it more matte.
And when it comes to formula - your creamy textures will be easier and appear more sheer when applied, while a red powder will seem more pigmented and bold.
Most POPULAR Red Blush Options
- RMS Beauty Lip2cheek in “Beloved,” $36. Multi-tasking cream color in true red with a hint of poppy.
- Merit Beauty Flush Balm in “Rouge,” $30. Another clean beauty option that is labeled as “impossible” to mess up effortless cream blush.
- NYX Cosmetics Buttermelt Pressed Powder, in “Back and Butta” which is a deep red rosewood powder blush that is soft like buttah!
- Morphe HotShot Blush Drops, $14, shade “Fireball,” drops of buildable weightless color with this soft watermelon shade.
- Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint Lip & Cheek Blush Stain, $24, in shade “Chili,” is a new product that stains very well, so work quickly! It looks so beautiful and sinks into the skin with a most realistic flush of color.
But guess what - if you’re just too nervous to sink any money into a true red blush, but you desperately want to try this look, I have another option.
Do you own at least one or more red lipsticks already sitting around your house? Make sure they’re a cream or satin finish if you have dry skin, but a matte red lipstick would work if you are more on the oily side. I of course have a ton of variations of red lipstick hanging around, so I want to show you how easy it is to use your red lipstick as your cream blush!
Today I’m using my Fenty Beauty Semi-Matte Refillable lipstick in shade “MVP” which is a true red with a hint of blue, $20. (the case is separate for $12).
You can of course use your fingers for any of the cream blushes or this lipstick, but I always prefer to use a specific cream blush brush. My favorite one is this Soft Pinch Blush Brush, $23, from Rare Beauty.
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What other MAKEUP + STEPS to wear with your Red Blush
My inspiration is going to be the angelic look of the Victoria’s Secret Angel models, in honor of Rose-Marie who sparked this whole red blush trend and gave credit to her work on the Angels!
The goal is to look ethereal and luminous, with glowing skin that’s not too heavy with foundation, but plenty of soft color that appears innocent, yet details that are sexy at the same time. Let’s get into the steps and details…
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A. Glowing from within Skin Prep.
I always use a toner and moisturizer before I do anyone’s makeup including my own. I used the Charlotte Tilbury Glow toner, $55, here that contains Niacinamide and aims to exfoliate and refine pores for sensitive skin gals. It’s the perfect product to use before you apply your moisturizer and smells delightfully rosey. I then added my Neutrogena Hydro Boost water gel, $26, on top for extra hydration thanks to skin-plumping Hyaluronic Acid.
B. Full Brows and Lid Primer.
I like to keep the brows nice and full using my Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz pencil in “medium brown,” $25, to draw on my shape and then fill in my natural brows with her Volumizing Tinted Brow Gel, $25, in “soft brown” on top. Then I want to even out the tone on the eyelid (to get rid of the veiny look) while also giving my future eyeshadow look a base to stick to. The MAC Paint Pots in shade “Painterly,”$26, is a staple in every makeup artist's kit for doing both things beautifully!
C. Beaming Complexion.
Keeping in the sheer theme here, I used three of my go-to hydrating products for evening out my complexion. First, apply a layer of some sort of tinted moisturizer or skin tint instead of a traditional full-coverage foundation. I went with the Hourglass Hydrating Skin Tint foundation in shade 5, $49. Then touch up the under eyes and any age spots or pimples you might have with a concealer. I used the very popular and affordable Amazon concealer, Catrice True Skin High Cover concealer, $7, in shade 005.
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Then you want to add some dimension and warmth to your skin and I did that with the e.l.f. Halo glow beauty contour wand, $9, in shade light/medium. I strategically dotted high up on the cheekbones, sides of my nose, and underneath and along my jawline to the chin. Don’t forget to put a little contour directly underneath the lower lip to create shadow and give the lips a bit of extra fullness illusion if your lips are starting to thin.
Lastly set the under eyes and right in the T zone with a light veil of this Laura Mercier dupe for her loose translucent powder.
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D. Shine Bright Eyes!
I said no sparkle or shimmer on the cheeks, but I never said anything about the eyes!! Using the very sexy nude-pink eyeshadow quad, “Pillow Talk” Luxury Palette by Charlotte Tilbury, $55, allows me to have a color to do all of the above - prime, enhance, smoke, and pop. Don’t forget to smudge a black/cocoa eyeliner deep into the lash line and make sure to curl the lashes.
Then I did one of my favorite tricks. I layered TWO different formulas of Essence mascaras - they’re insanely cheap but effective - $5 each, this combo gave me false looking lashes! Usually I mix a volumizing and a lengthening formula together for best results.
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E. Flush of Red.
Since I’m using red lipstick as my cream blush, instead of applying a bright red directly to my skin, I took my blush brush and dabbed it lightly onto the bullet of color first. This allows me a little more wiggle room to make sure I don’t apply too much right off the bat! Then I patted this shade right into the highest points of my cheeks until I felt like I had enough of a hot flush of color! I still can’t believe how flattering and pretty it is!
F. Pucker Up.
I’m in looovve with this sheer red lip combo. If you haven’t tried the $2.00 elf cosmetics Spill the Tea cream glide lip liners, you are missing out! I’m buying every color. They are delightfully smooth and very pigmented. I paired the shade “Baddest Beige” liner with this Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Heat Luminizer, $26, in the color “Hot Cherry.” I’m telling you this is one of the most universally flattering glossy sheer reds that you’ll want to swipe on daily!
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Finishing Touches. I gave my hair bouncy model curls with my T3 Extra Long Barrel curling iron, $144, which I bought during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale and have thoroughly enjoyed. It’s specifically great for longer hair like mine and allows me to curl more hair, faster. // And then I think of Angels as wearing white or cream, which is why I threw on one of my cream jackets I have pulled out for the upcoming cooler months. Mine is an old Free People mid length coat, but I found similar puffer ones here on Amazon, $82, this powder Parka from Aritzia, $350, or this big puff cream jacket from Gap, $110. // My chain bow earrings are from Amazon, $9.
If you want more details on how to “Fix Common Aging Eye Makeup Mistakes,” last week's post was full of instructions so be sure to check it out! So can I expect you to try out red blush this fall??
In Case You Missed It
Yesterday, Beth celebrated Oscar's 10th Birthday and ten years of Fridays with Oscar. Click the title or image below to read the article.
Hi, I used a red blush on the mid 70’s. It was made by Estée Lauder, came in a pot. The consistency was a cross between gel and pudding. I loved it at the time. Never saw red blush again. It was very flattering. Maybe I’ll try again. Of almost 50 years have gone by.
Oh I love to hear about the old school products we used to use! Fun fact – my first real job out of college was working the Estee Lauder counter at Nordstrom 😉 Now, I need you to either grab a red lipstick and try it or go buy yourself a brand new red blush and try it again for the first time – let me know if it still feels great to wear.