my fav trends & tips

BLINDED BY THE FLUSH:

THE ART OF BLUSH BLINDNESS

THE CONCEPT OF "BLUSH BLINDNESS" IS THE MODERN-DAY BEAUTY PHENOMENON WHERE THE CONTINUOUS, HABITUAL APPLICATION OF BLUSH LEADS A PERSON TO BECOME DESENSITIZED TO THE PRODUCT'S INTENSITY, RESULTING IN A SIGNIFICANTLY HEAVIER APPLICATION THAN THEY INITIALLY INTENDED—OR THAT AN OUTSIDE OBSERVER MIGHT DEEM "NORMAL."

THIS ISN'T A LITERAL AFFLICTION, BUT A METAPHORICAL ONE, CAPTURING A MOMENT OF OVERZEALOUS ARTISTRY IN THE PURSUIT OF THE PERFECT, HEALTHY FLUSH.

THE DESIRE FOR A PRONOUNCED, ROSY CHEEK IS FAR FROM NEW. HISTORICALLY, THE VISIBLE FLUSH HAS BEEN A POWERFUL SOCIAL SIGNIFIER, SYMBOLIZING YOUTH, VIGOR, AND HIGH SOCIAL STANDING. IN THE OPULENT FRENCH COURTS OF THE 18TH CENTURY, BOTH ARISTOCRATIC MEN AND WOMEN WOULD APPLY THICK, DRAMATIC CIRCLES OF ROUGE, MADE FROM CINNABAR OR SAFFLOWER, AS A CLEAR BADGE OF LUXURY AND LEISURE, SIGNALING THEY DID NOT LABOR OUTDOORS.

THIS ERA, IN PARTICULAR, CHAMPIONED A MAXIMALIST APPROACH TO CHEEK COLOR THAT ECHOES TODAY'S UNAPOLOGETIC LAYERING. IN STARK CONTRAST, THE VICTORIAN ERA SAW WOMEN DISCREETLY PINCHING THEIR CHEEKS OR USING SUBTLE HOMEMADE BEETROOT STAINS, YET THE UNDERLYING MOTIVATION REMAINED: TO APPEAR VIBRANTLY ALIVE AND HEALTHY.

THE CONTEMPORARY RESURRECTION OF THE HEAVY-BLUSH LOOK IS INTRINSICALLY TIED TO THE EXPLOSION OF BEAUTY CONTENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA. AFTER A DECADE DOMINATED BY SHARP CONTOURING AND SUBTLE CHEEK COLOR, THE PENDULUM SWUNG BACK TOWARDS A SOFTER, MORE ROMANTIC, AND NOTABLY, MUCH HEAVIER APPLICATION. MODERN BEAUTY INFLUENCERS, AND EVEN CELEBRITIES LIKE SABRINA CARPENTER AND HAILEY BIEBER, HAVE BECOME THE POSTER CHILDREN FOR THE TREND, INSPIRING MILLIONS TO EMBRACE A DOLL-LIKE, PERPETUALLY FLUSHED CHEEK. THE SHEER VOLUME AND INTENSITY OF PRODUCT USED IN SOME TUTORIALS HAS GIVEN RISE TO THE PHRASE WE'VE REFERENCED BEFORE: BLUSH SMOOTHIES, A PERFECT DESCRIPTION FOR THE LAYERED, ULTRA-BLENDED CHEEK. THE MAKEUP ARTISTS AND INFLUENCERS PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF CHEEK COLOR, PARTICULARLY WITH DRAPING AND SUNBURN BLUSH PLACEMENT (ACROSS THE NOSE AND CHEEKS), HAVE MADE THE LOOK A BADGE OF HONOR.

THE MARKET HAS RESPONDED WITH AN INFLUX OF HIGHLY PIGMENTED AND INNOVATIVE FORMULAS PERFECT FOR BUILDING UP THIS SUPER-SATURATED LOOK.

here are my favorite tips for

multi-utilization

of a single product:

CONSIDER TRYING..

Eyeshadow as Liner: Using a deep eyeshadow (taupe, black, or berry) wet with a setting spray to create a soft, grungy eyeliner.

Lip Tints as Cheek Stain: Utilizing the popular lip tints—especially the new water-color inspired, sheer shades—by quickly dabbing a tiny amount onto the cheekbones and blending immediately for a natural, long-lasting 'fresh-air' flush. This technique is key to the overall effortless, chic winter vibe.

Blush as Eyeshadow/Contour: Applying a cream or liquid blush (rosy pinks, soft peaches) to the cheeks, blending the remainder up onto the temples, and tapping a tiny bit onto the center of the eyelids for a unified monochromatic flush.