Summer's Biggest Blush Trends Include Sunset Tones and Glazed Finishes

Bronzer might be virtually synonymous with warm weather, and we'll always have a lip gloss (or three) in our raffia bags, but this summer, a new makeup category is taking center stage: And it happens to be the one applied to the center of our faces. As anyone on TikTok knows, blush has undoubtedly been having a moment, and this season is no different. So, we asked pro makeup artists to spill the deets on which blush formulas, techniques, and products will be everywhere this summer. Read on for what they have to say.

Sunset Blush

What's pink and orange and glam all over? The "Sunset Blush" trend. The technique has been dominating social feeds—and, according to makeup artists, it's showing no signs of slowing down. "The 'Sunset Blush' trend has become one of this summer's most popular," says celebrity MUA Neil Scibelli, who explains that the look combines "two warm blush tones—like peach and pink—[blended] seamlessly into each other" and topped off with a liquid highlighter on the cheekbones "to give the skin more dimension and a sunset-like glow." 

Haus Labs' global artistry director Sarah Tanno and Ana Tamayo, executive director of product development for Polite Society, note that the key to nailing this trend is all in your product selection. "You'll want to use a blush that is easily blendable," says Tanno, who recommends the brand's Color Fuse Blush Glassy Blush Balms in Glassy Pomelo and Glassy Rosette for lighter complexions and Glassy Pitaya and Glassy Tangelo for deeper skin tones. ("The brighter shade would be applied to the high point of your cheek, then blend down with the light shade," she instructs.)

"The key here is using a blurring, soft matte formula that diffuses seamlessly into the skin," adds Tamayo, who suggests applying the Polite Pop in Palm Springs to the apples of the cheeks before applying the shade Paris closer to the temples, "blending upward to achieve a seamless ombré effect." 

Sunkissed Glows

Consider this one the Aprés-Ski look's summery sister. "This trend takes your summer tan to the next level, with a sun-kissed effect that emulates a day in the sun without the damage," says David Birdwell, executive director of artistry and education for Buxom Cosmetics. To get the look, he recommends applying "a rosy or coral-tone blush, depending on desired intensity," on the apples of the cheeks, blending up out toward the hairline, over the bridge of the nose, and onto the temple, "almost where you would put a bronzer. This brings gorgeous all-over warmth to the skin and immediately gives your skin a healthy look."

Not sure which shade will give you the most natural results? Celebrity makeup artist and LashifyPRO director Beau Nelson suggests using a pH-activated blush, like Lashify's Flush Cheek, to "create an individualized, custom color." 

"Glazed Donut" Blush 

Just when you thought there was nowhere else for the "Glazed Donut" trend to conquer, the high-shine look came for our cheeks. Instead of the traditional highlighter placement—directly above the blush—this technique adds shine on top of the color. "The tip here is choosing a slightly deeper blush shade and adding illuminator all over the blush, instead of just as a highlight," explains Tayaba Jafri, global artistry director for Laura Mercier. "The illuminator will simmer down the intense blush shade." Tamayo recommends Polite Society's "foolproof" Go Flush Yourself! Face Palette for this trend; It includes three blushes and a universal highlighter to layer on top of them. 

Plus, according to Birdwell, this particular trend can easily be combined with others: "Layering a creamy highlighter, like the Summer Babe Glow Stick, on top of blush to the high points of the cheek will just add glow and extra dimension [to the looks]," he says.

Smooth Operators 

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the season's go-to blush formulas are those that can provide light, radiant finishes. These include creams, a favorite of Nelson's: "I love the way they mimic skin and melt seamlessly into the face," he says. His go-tos? Westman Atelier's Baby Cheeks Blush, Stila Convertible Color, and the Makeup by Mario Cream Blush Sticks.

Meanwhile, Scibeli says jelly formulas and stains are "back and having a moment for summer," citing Milk Makeup's viral Cooling Water Jelly Tints. "You can apply these in versatile ways across the cheekbones for a natural-looking summer flush," he says. His fave is Beauty Pie's Supercheek Cream Blushes: "They're like a cross between jelly blushes and blush stains [with] emollient oils that melt into the skin… once they dry they're not overly shiny, which is a great finish for summer."

Berry Good Blush

Berry tones might be more closely associated with the cooler months, but according to Tamayo they can help you achieve an "effortless, flushed summer look." Birdwell also recommends them for the season, telling us that "a face-framing berry-toned blush applied on top of the cheekbones and gently blended out toward the apple of the cheek and up to the temples and browbone" creates a "classic and romantic" flush. Given the richness of these shades, he says you'll want to go in with a lighter hand to keep things summery: "It should integrate into the skin and enhance your eyes and face structure, rather than be bold."