Just like classic electronic dance music tracks are experiencing a big revival (can you say Cerrone at the opening of the Paris Olympics?), in the beauty world we’re crushing for blush, that staple of seventies makeup. But the placement, formulas, and overall finish are markedly different from the beauty looks of that bygone era, and very much in tune with the current need for a natural, rosy glow that’s translucent and fresh.
A tinge of pink blush offers a respite from the overall harshness we are all experiencing. Things are on fire at the moment, both literally and figuratively, so we are seeking out things that are softer, more gentle. “Blush offers the softness we need in a turbulent world,” confirms Alexandra Fusco, also known as Alex Tangerine, a beauty content creator from Ottawa who knows a thing or two about the appeal of a rosy cheek with her classic makeup looks that feature a tinge of retro, pin-up beauty. “I think we want a type of beauty that’s more natural, with less emphasis on heavy, technical applications difficult to master. Blush is the makeup product that’s just pure fun, and less about structure. We’re also moving away from contouring, which was so hugely popular just a few years ago,” comments Alex, who regularly focuses on very defined and elaborate makeup for her video content. “But for everyday makeup I prefer something lighter and more natural.”
And maybe the velvetiness conveyed by blush is the same one we are seeking through the opulence of ribbons as an accessory in fashion, one that is interlaced with romantic ideals of femininity; the coquette trend showing up in a more subtle version if you wish to only incorporate one single element.
On TikTok, we’re seeing a veritable deluge of #blush content, with 5.3 billion views of the hashtag to date. If you want to find out everything there is to know about this ultra-democratic makeup product, TikTok is the place where creators share their best blush product discoveries, from new releases to undiscovered gems to innovative application techniques, on a daily basis.
Those who were less familiar with the resurgence of blush got jolted into action last winter with the sudden appeal of glass skin that started to incorporate swaths of pink on the cheekbones. And right now, blush is as hot as lip oil, the other ‘must-have’ colour cosmetic designed to provide a wash of colour that is fresh, youthful and easy.
Blush Through History: From Classic Beauty to Modern Trend
Much like other beauty products, such as eyeliner and perfume, we owe to the ancient Egyptians the idea of colouring one’s cheeks to look more attractive. In China, blush was used as early as 1600-1046 BCE. In Ancient Greece and Rome, blush was primarily used by upper-class women and applied in a subtle way. Blush was also, at a time, genderless. Remember male actors also embodied female characters in the theatre, in Shakespearean times. In 18th century France, rouge adorned the faces of countless courtesans and members of the nobility, the signifier of wealth and high status.
As red dyes became more accessible and cheaper, 18th-century European aristocrats indulged a passion for pastel hues, which were the newest chromatic innovations in textiles and artefacts, and therefore out of reach for most plebeians. Rococo paintings like those of Fragonard are a veritable tapestry of softer colours with powdery blues and pastel pinks depicting gallantry scenes. Madame de Pompadour, the biggest influencer of the era and favourite mistress of Louis XV, used pink as her signature colour, further popularizing the hue. It comes as no surprise that cheeks were also meant to be flushed, a visual reminder of the time’s infatuation with romantic love and indulgence in unabashed sexuality.
Throughout history, with few exceptions, blatantly coloured cheeks were considered only suitable for prostitutes. Perhaps another connection between blush and the erotic realm, and the tipping point of the whore-virgin dichotomy that designers explore so often in fashion. We all know Madonna built her entire career on these contrasting images. The most famous and possibly best-selling blush is Orgasm from Nars Cosmetics.
Either way, blush’s sexual connotations helped solidify its status as an essential cosmetic. Also, perhaps, a simplistic reason for why blush’s popularity has been so enduring through the years is that the pigments were easy to obtain. A bit like lip colour.
Today, blush is a must-have makeup product, and every major player in the beauty world now offers multiple formulas for different looks and finishes.
Essential Blush Formulas: Finding Your Perfect Match
New, innovative incarnations of the cheek cosmetic have also helped fuel the current obsession for blush. Women now want creamier finishes for a more dewy complexion and finish. Something that is closer to ‘clean beauty’ and not overly complicated. It’s about makeup being more accessible to all.
According to the global payment system Klarna, there was a 161 per cent increase in Canadian sales of liquid blush between November 2022 and April 2023, with cream blush purchases augmenting 89% and powder purchases 37% from 2020 to 2022. And across the country, there was an incredible 1,408% increase in pink blush sales between April 2022 and April 2023. Even in the tech world, pink is still going strong with the iPhone 15. Just saying…
But beyond the actual shades, the formulas are the biggest game changer. Rare Beauty, Selena Gomez’s powerhouse of a cosmetics brand, became an instant success in this category when it launched with its ‘Soft Pinch Liquid Blush,’ banking on peoples’ desire to simply apply the product with their fingers; a clear break from all the multiple brushes required by contouring.
“Cream blush is great, explains Alex, because it doesn’t look caked on. Same thing with liquid blush. I simply apply it over my BB cream for a nice, even, but natural look.” A must try, the new liquid blush from Canadian brand Josie Fuschini Haute Cosmétiques that is highly pigmented, providing a rich colour payoff that lasts all day.
Placement of blush is also something to look into, as makeup artists, content creators, and regular everyday girls are applying the cosmetic differently than in the past, moving away from packing the pigment in circles (and getting dangerously close to clown territory), to blending out the edges so that the look is even and natural-looking. “You can even create a beautiful sun-kissed look by gently applying your blush horizontally on the cheekbone and on the brow bone,” says Alex.
All in all, blush is an incredibly versatile makeup product that can take you from morning till night to incarnate the many different versions of yourself. To try it is to add colour to your life. Enjoy!
Photo credit:
Featured image: Alex Tangerine
