Blush is arguably the most hyped beauty product there is right now.
New formulations are landing each week spanning, the traditional powder set in a palette, as well as liquids, gels and cream versions.
Besides their fresh new formulations that make them look oh-so gorgeous on skin (and long as you don’t overdo it) its the diverse selection of hues that were never previously available.
A mid rose-pink and a candy Barbie-pink are the shades that have existed forever, and they still look great. But there’s another surprising shade that’s going viral on social media for its ability to suit almost everyone.
Red blush is becoming a real phenomenon.
Before you shake your head and say it won’t work for you, know there’s a reason it’s been snowballing in popularity. Social media has shown its versatility across a wide range of skin tones for suppling a lovely summery flush to cheeks.
It’s also become known as ‘Victoria’s Secret Blush’ thanks to a revelation from RMS Beauty’s founder Rose-Marie Swift on social media platform TikTok. The former makeup artist revealed she used to use a bold tomato hue on models backstage at Victoria’s Secret’s famous runway shows because it would create a realistic blush look.
@rmsbeauty Red blush all summer long ❤️🌞 Shop Beloved Lip2Cheek at @sephora, @Bluemercury and on our website! Use code TIKTOKRMS for 20% off! #RMSBeauty #IYKYKrms #cleanbeauty #makeuptipsandtricks #rosemarieswift #makeupartist #celebritymakeupartist #redblush #creamblush #victoriassecretmakeup ♬ original sound – RMS Beauty
“They had to look very natural, says Swift. “They had a beautiful flush of color, and a lot of people always think it’s pink, but it wasn’t – it was red,”
She explains the depth of the colour looks natural, like the tone of your cheeks as a child, even catching a slight sunburn. She goes on to apply a similar red tone of her own makeup brand’s versatile cream Lip2Cheek pot blush and lip colour as an example of how the shade can look on skin.
The TikTok has taken off, now boasting over 2.7m views, with plenty more clips of people sharing their own experience wearing red blush on the platform.
How to apply red blush
L-R: Makeup by Mario Soft Pop Blush Stick in Pomegranate; Aleph Cheek / Lip Tint in Gloria; Haus Labs Colour Fuse Blush in Watermelon Bliss; Glossier Cloud Paint in Spark; Dior Rosy Glow Blush in Cherry
Cherry, strawberry and apple-colored hues are now easier to find than ever, with plenty of cream, stick and powder options. They also suit the fresh, dewy summer skin look, complete with shiny, tinted lip looks, that have taken off, starting with 2023’s ‘Tomato-Girl Summer’, carrying through to the influence of Sabrina Carpenter this year.
Keen to give it a try? When applying it the key is to make sure you start off with small, picking up a tiny amount of blush with a dedicated brush made for cheeks like Hourglass’ Blush Brush. This will ensure it blends seamlessly and you won’t overdo the colour.
For red, focus your application on the apples of your cheeks and blend with a light touch for the best results.
Another option, if you want to try out the look with less commitment, try dabbing a cream red lipstick on cheeks and blending with fingers. Opt for a neutral red, or one that isn’t too blue-based.
