The Cheeky Blush Tip Selena Gomez Swears By For Her Makeup Application
Every it-girl, it seems, has her own special power when it comes to the beauty world. Hailey Bieber can make any manicure trendy, Kim Kardashian is the queen of contouring, and Kylie Jenner is now better known for her Kylie Cosmetics Lip Kits than her family's reality show. And Selena Gomez? The "Single Soon" singer knows a thing or two about blush. After all, one of the most popular products from her Rare Beauty brand is the Soft Pinch Liquid Blush.
While promoting her new Soft Pinch Luminous Powder Blush in April 2024, Gomez shared a tried-and-tested tip that she swears by for the ultimate blush application. "My makeup artist taught me to apply blush higher up on the cheekbone for a more lifted look — it's one of my favourite tips," she told Glamour UK.
To anyone who grew up learning to apply blush to the apples of the cheeks, this revelation may be a little shocking. But aside from achieving a glazed-looking glow, modern makeup is all about sculpting and lifting. From the ice-cream makeup hack to the so-called "supermodel face lift" makeup hack, many people are seeking that chiseled aesthetic — and this blush hack is a great way to get there.
How to nail Selena Gomez's blush hack
Getting your blush placement right to pull off this Selena Gomez hack is pretty simple, even if you've been conditioned to apply blush the old-fashioned way. Your instinct is probably to apply your product in the natural curves of your cheeks, but don't go with what feels right, as it can actually make your face look saggy. Instead, apply your blush where you'd normally place your highlighter, from the top of your cheekbones almost to your temples. If the lifted look is too much for you, try placing your blush along the cheekbones rather than above them. It will be high enough to define your cheekbones without taking the look all the way into supermodel territory.
Higher blush placement is particularly flattering for those with oval, diamond, or heart face shapes, as it will either emphasize your naturally high cheekbones or define them to balance out your face dimensions. But no matter where on the face you apply your blush, it's important to blend it out, either with a brush or a damp sponge, to avoid the dreaded elementary-school-play look. Blending in an upward motion will help to lift, while blending down can cause your face to appear droopy.
Should you use the hack with liquid or powder blush?
Judging from the Rare Beauty product line, it's clear that Selena Gomez is a fan of both liquid and powder blush. And as it turns out, you can achieve this hack with both, as it just comes down to placement. Rather than choosing your formula based on the technique you'd like to use, go with what works best for your skin. Consider ditching the powder if you have dry skin since it can highlight dry areas, but it can work wonders on oily skin, as it can absorb excess oil. Meanwhile, liquid blush is said to suit dry or mature skin thanks to its lightweight consistency. Oh, and don't forget to take into account your desired finish. Liquid and cream formulas are more pigmented and give a dewy glow, while powder usually results in a matte finish.
And if you're not sure, you could always try both! "I think everyone should have both in their makeup bag so they can choose what's best depending on their mood," makeup artist Kate Synnott told Byrdie. "You can always wear them both together. Personally, I like to apply powder first as a base and then apply cream on top for a lit-from-within glow." If you'er going to use powder blush on dry skin, ensure that you've exfoliated and moisturized beforehand. Similarly, if you like the pigment of liquid blush but lean on the oilier side, you can top an initial layer of liquid blush with a finishing layer of powder blush.