We all know how important sun protection is in fighting against aging and cancer. And while we may (sometimes begrudgingly) apply daily SPF, we may still crave that sun-kissed glow that comes with a fun day basking under the sunny skies. Now, thanks to TikTok and celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Addison Rae, we can create that look without risking damage to our skin. Introducing: the sunburned blush beauty trend.
As Judi Gabbay explains, the look is meant to mimic a flushed or rosy kiss from the sun after a day at the beach. “If you’re like me — a workaholic who uses SPF 50 and rarely sees the sun — this trend is an easy pick-me-up to fake the bake,” she says. “Whether you’re SPF conscious, unable to get to the beach, or just want to try this youthful trend, it’s easier to achieve than you think.”
Meet the Experts
Judi Gabbay is a celebrity makeup artist.
Maggie Gillette is a fashion and beauty expert.
How to Try the Sunburned Blush Look
You can achieve that ideal glow without ever stepping outside with a few easy makeup application steps. Here, fashion and beauty expert Maggie Gillette walks us through it:
- Step One: After going through your skincare routine, begin with a clean face.
- Step Two: Apply the blush lightly across the tops of your cheeks and the bridge of your nose, focusing on where the sun would naturally hit you.
- Step Three: Then, gently blend upwards towards your temples to avoid any harsh lines. “Start with a sheer wash of blush to make sure you like the placement, then layer the product to build up the color to your desired intensity,” Gillette says. “You can also add a tiny bit of blush to the top of your forehead and gently buff it into your hairline for an overall sun-kissed look,” she adds.
Tips for Pulling It Off
Avoid shimmer.
Gillette says you can use cream or powder blushes to create the sunburned blush look. However, it’s best to avoid products that overdose on shimmer since the goal is to achieve a natural, flushed look. “If you want to use a highlighter, use a gloss or one with a dewy sheen for a more subtle effect,” she adds.
Skip the foundation.
Rather than applying foundation before the blush, to go for the sun-kissed allure, skip heavy face products. Gillette says the goal is to look as natural as possible so it oozes the summer vibe.
Opt for a pink or red blush.
To recreate the sunburned look, Gillette recommends choosing a highly-pigmented product in the pink/red family and ensuring that it has enough contrast with your skin tone so that the blush pops. In other words: You want it to look like you’re sunburned!
“Think about the color your skin flushes when you’ve had a good workout, and try to match that hue,” she says.
9 Blushes You’ll Love
JAFRA Powder Blush
Available in 12 shades, you’re sure to find a complementary hue for your skin tone. This blush features soft powder that blends easily into your face without leaving a dusty finish. It’s easy to blend and looks natural with a few swipes.
Benefit Cosmetics Crystah Strawberry Pink Blush
A coveted pick from Benefit Cosmetics, this blush is ideal for blending and building. It’s lightweight and formulated to be sweat, humidity, and smudge-proof, so you won’t sweat it off as you go about your day. We also like the subtle light-reflecting glow the finish offers for cheeks!
Rose Inc Cream Blush Cheek & Lip Color
For those who are fans of cream brushes, you’ll love the vibrant hue of this pigment-rich formula. In addition to the subtle color ideal for pulling off the sunburn blush trend, it features skincare ingredients like squalane, vitamin E, and marine ferment extract to hydrate your pores. You can apply it with your fingertips, a beauty sponge, or blush for a long-wearing look.
Undone Beauty Water Blush
Inexpensive and cute, Undone Beauty offers bite-sized water blushes that you can easily pack in your purse and go. Thanks to a mostly water formula, you won’t even know you’re wearing blush when you apply the nearly-sheer color. This is your best bet if you’re looking for a super natural and dewy aesthetic that still glows.
MENTED Blush
This vegan, paraben and cruelty-free blush come in four shades: Pinky Promise, Peach for the Stars, Berried Away, and Clay Too Much. For the sunburned beauty look, stick with the last two formulas since they are shimmer-free. Made with a formula that lasts all day, you’ll enjoy the soft powder finish and the touch of vitamin E for added moisture.
ITEM Beauty Blushin’ Like Cream Blush
Dewy and delicious, a dab of this cream blush goes a long way to create the sunburned beauty look. It’s fun to apply since it goes from cream to matte, allowing you to gently massage it into your cheeks and temples and then letting you dry as a powder. The added bonus of squalene and kiwi seed oil leaves your skin feeling soft and moisturized.
Tresluce Beauty Ready to Bounce Blush
Team Cream Blush will rejoice in this dynamic pick that offers a unique jelly texture ideal for your cheeks or lips. While it’s wet to the touch, it dries like a powder, melting into your skin effortlessly. In addition, you can choose from six shade options to give your face a sun-kissed glow.
Beautyblender BOUNCE™ Liquid Whip Cream Blush
Another cream-to-powder blush that provides oomph to your overall look, this pick from Beautyblender goes a step further. It packs in vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to boost collagen and bounce. (Hence the name.) You can apply this on your cheeks or lips, transforming your everyday look into a sunburned glow.
NUDESTIX Nudies Matte Lux Blush
A dot here, a dot there, and you’re ready to look like you’ve spent all day under the hot sunshine with NUDESTIX. You can choose from five shades and use this soft-matte balm for a subtle touch of color on your cheekbones and temples. Fans rave about the buttery-soft finish and the light-diffusing formula that makes you glow without looking like you’re wearing any makeup at all.
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