These Are the Blush Trends We’ll Be Seeing Everywhere This Spring

It seems that every few years, a particular aspect of a makeup routine takes center stage. In the ’90s, it was lip liners and glosses. During the late 2010s, thick, precise eyebrows were the moment, all thanks to Tumblr and Kylie Jenner herself—an era we’re all either grieving or actively trying to forget. Now, blush has made its way to the forefront of the makeup conversation. Perhaps one of the most versatile products in your makeup routine, blush comes in various colors and requires strategic placement to achieve a distinct finish.

“Blush placement can change your final makeup look completely,” says makeup artist and lead brand educator of Make Up For Ever Eddie Duyos. For instance, a rosy-pink blush is the signature look of pop princess Sabrina Carpenter. “[Blush] can create a sweet, flushed effect, or a powerful sculpted look. Simply adjusting where you apply your blush can be totally transformative.”

In a 2020 YouTube video showcasing her five-minute makeup routine, model Naomi Campbell emphasized a high blush placement to accentuate her striking bone structure, resulting in a lifted finish. On the other hand, the trend known on TikTok as #dollmakeup requires placing blush directly on the apple of the cheeks to create a more youthful appearance. Not to mention the winter-appropriate “I’m Cold” blush, where a reddish blush is placed on the nose and high points of the cheek, mimicking the flush of red in our faces after facing the winter chill. Plus, who can forget last summer’s sunset blush, complete with an orange and pink ombre palette and a golden highlight that created a sunny gradient along our cheeks.

This spring, according to the latest runways, TikTok trends, and makeup artists, blush remains the must-have product in a routine. Of course, finding the right blush for you doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Luckily, with all of the various colors and formulas available, the process can be a lot of fun. “For a natural-looking blush, try matching the shade to the color of your inner lip. Remember, this is just a starting point—allow yourself to be expressive and playful,” says Duyos. “Color is a form of expression, so your preferences in shades and textures should always come first.” Below, we poll experts on all the insider details about the latest blush trends and how to achieve the look.

Doll Makeup

There are a lot of things we can thank the leading ladies of Pop music for: Ariana Grande’s gripping lyrics, Victoria Monet’s masterful production, and, of course, Sabrina Carpenter’s spicy innuendos. Yet one thing that they all have in common is a recognizable makeup look, referred to as “doll makeup.”

“It’s super popular right now because people are experimenting with bolder shades,” Duyos explains. “After years of bronzing and contouring, a bold blush offers a quick and fun pick-me-up that no other product does.” The star of the trend is a bubblegum blush shade that creates a sweet, fresh-faced look. “You can achieve this doll-like effect by placing a pink blush like MAKE UP FOR EVER’s Artist Blush in Daring Candy right on the apples of the cheeks.”

Color Play

Shopping for a new blush can sometimes feel like walking through an aisle of Valentine’s Day decorations, wading through an endless stream of pink and red. However, believe it or not, opting for other shades, such as orange or even purple, can be a worthy change to your usual routine. “I have always been a huge fan of bold, colored blushes in general because they bring so much joy & playfulness to makeup,” says Duyos.

For deeper skin tones, an orange shade gives a sunkissed glow, while purple shades offer a berry tint that melds seamlessly with a warm bronzer. On fairer skin tones, using an orange shade at the center of the face and even on the tip of the nose can give you that effortless “just came from the beach” look.

80’s Editorial

The ’80s are back, baby, and this blush trend proves it. A technique that Duyos describes as “draping,” this particular look brings an editorial flair to any look. Start by placing your blush on the high points of your cheeks, and then blend upwards toward your temples and into your eyelids, similar to applying eyeshadow. Although the result appears as if you took hours to perfect, it is actually a quick way to elevate your makeup. The key to this trend is opting for a pigmented blush that is flexible and easy to blend to form a subtle, fanned-out look that instantly leaves you feeling and looking runway-ready.