Blush is Back: A Makeup Artist’s Guide to Today’s Blush Trends

As luminous, healthy-looking skin and softly flushed cheeks continue to dominate both runways and social feeds, one of the questions I’m asked most often is how to recreate that fresh, radiant glow in real life. The truth is, for makeup minimalists and beauty lovers alike, cheek enhancement has evolved into a signature look of its own. What’s especially fun is that many classic techniques makeup artists have used for decades are being reintroduced with playful, trend-driven names that make the artistry feel fresh, modern, and well, simply irresistible!

From Y2K-inspired Ballet Blush to Sunkissed Blush, Jelly Doughnut Blush, Color Pop, Volume Blush, and my personal favorite, Underpainting, these techniques promise that coveted lit-from-within flush. However, as with most makeup trends, photos can be deceiving. Some methods require more skill than others, and not every trend translates easily to everyday wear, especially for mature skin. My goal is always to share techniques that are practical, flattering, affordable, and easy to replicate at home. Below is a clear breakdown of what these trending blush techniques are, where they originated, and how to achieve them beautifully.

BALLET BLUSH
Inspired by the soft, romantic flush seen on ballerinas and popularized during the early 2000s balletcore aesthetic revival, Ballet Blush focuses on a delicate veil of soft pink or lilac cream blush placed high on the cheeks and softly blended toward the temples. The look mimics a natural, graceful flush and works beautifully with cream or satin formulas. Application is intentionally sheer and diffused, creating a lifted, youthful effect without obvious edges.

COLOR POP
This technique is a modern spin on editorial runway makeup, where a vivid pop of color is used to energize the complexion. Rooted in high-fashion looks from the 1980s and later revived on fashion week runways, Color Pop uses a brighter blush shade (think coral, berry, or watermelon) placed strategically on the apples of the cheeks to bring life and vibrancy to the face. The key is balancing intensity with blending so the result looks fresh rather than theatrical.

SUNKISSED BLUSH
A technique long used by makeup artists to mimic a natural day in the sun, Sunkissed Blush blends a warmer peachy-coral or bronze blush across the high points of the face where sunlight naturally hits, such as the cheeks, bridge of the nose, and sometimes temples. Popularized in beach culture beauty trends of the 1970s and revived through modern “no-makeup makeup” aesthetics, this placement creates a healthy, outdoorsy warmth that looks effortless and radiant.

JELLY DOUGHNUT BLUSH
This playful name is rooted in classic layering techniques. Jelly Doughnut Blush creates a soft halo effect: deeper color diffused around the outer cheek with a brighter or lighter tone tapped into the center. The technique echoes traditional draping methods from the 1970s, reimagined for today’s glow-focused complexion trends. The result is a dimensional, softly diffused flush that looks plush and youthful.

VOLUME BLUSH
Volume Blush builds the illusion of fuller, lifted cheeks by combining blush placement with subtle highlighting and strategic blending. This technique evolved from sculpting methods used in television and film makeup to restore dimension lost under bright lighting. By placing blush slightly higher on the cheekbone and blending upward, the face appears more lifted and softly contoured without harsh lines — ideal for mature skin.

UNDERPAINTING
A long-standing professional artist technique that has recently gained viral attention, Underpainting involves applying contour, blush, and sometimes highlight beneath foundation or skin tint. This method dates back decades in film and photography makeup, where layering beneath the base created a seamless, lit-from-within dimension. Once foundation is applied over the top, the color appears to glow from within the skin, creating a natural, perfected finish that is especially flattering on mature complexions.

These “new” trends are really timeless artistry rediscovered, proof that great makeup techniques never truly disappear; they simply evolve with the times.

CHOOSING THE BEST SHADES FOR YOUR SKIN TONE
Whether you're looking to add warmth, glow, lift, or a pop of color, applying the right blush formula and shade is what matters most. Here’s an easy guide to choosing colors based on your skin tone that will enhance your cheeks and give an effortlessly looking desired glow.

🌸 Fair Skin - These shades add soft warmth without overpowering skin. Avoid overly dark and berry tones, which can look harsh.
✔ soft rose
✔ cool pink
✔ light peach
✔ petal pink
• Makeup by Mario Soft Pop Stick — Dusty Rose
• Patrick Ta Beauty Duo Just Enough.

🌸 Light to Medium Skin - Choose colors that create warmth and natural vitality.
✔ warm rose
✔ peachy pink
✔ apricot
✔ soft coral
• Patrick Ta Beauty Duo — She’s Blushing
• Palladio Beauty Blush Stick — Peach Glow

🌸 Medium to Olive Skin - Choose shades that enhance warmth and complement golden undertones.
✔ warm coral
✔ terracotta rose
✔ sun-kissed peach
✔ warm berry

Try:• Makeup by Mario Stick — Watermelon
• Patrick Ta Beauty Duo — She’s So L

🌸 Tan to Deep Skin - Look for tones that add radiance and dimension without turning ashy.
✔ rich berry
✔ warm plum
✔ burnt coral
✔ deep rose

Try:• Patrick Ta Beauty Duo — She’s Wanted
• Palladio Beauty Liquid Blush — Berry Glow

Pro Tip for Mature Skin — If you’re unsure which shade to choose, a soft rose works on nearly everyone and delivers a natural, youthful flush.

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