As warm spring days arrive in the Northern Hemisphere, and TikTok highlights the face-transforming powers of a hint of rouge, there’s a lot of renewed intrigue around how to apply blush. When it comes to making it look like it’s your own natural, rosy glow, it must appear as if you “just left SoulCycle,” insists make-up artist Sir John, the man behind Beyoncé’s equal parts luminous and bulletproof makeup. From creating a supercharged canvas to choosing an easy, melts-right-in formula, here, Sir John and other in-demand pros share their secrets for how to apply blush and achieve a flush-from-within finish.
Create a dewy canvas
When it comes to getting HD camera-ready, all experts agree that smooth, hydrated skin is essential. Massaging in a moisturiser, or a hydrating primer if mattifying is a priority, is a non-negotiable first step. For “maximum hydration,” make-up artist Naoko Scintu recommends beginning with a sheet mask, such as the Dr. Jart+ Dermask Water Jet Vital Hydra Solution, as another option. But Sir John likes to take things a step further by pressing another layer of moisturiser onto the face after foundation, so the blush really vanishes into the skin. “The best time to apply blush is when the skin is still wet,” he explains. “The extra layer of hydration makes it softer.”