Blush Blindness: How To Embrace Rosy Cheeks Without Overdoing It

Though trends have changed dramatically in the last 100 years of blush, this popular product remains a makeup staple. It seems blush is more vital than ever if you want to keep up with beauty crazes in 2024, whether you want to try the TikTok-viral boyfriend blush hack, or even the sunset blush look that dominated spring and summer. But regardless of which blush style you prefer, there's one common mistake to avoid when it comes to this pigmented product: blush blindness. 

"This term applies to not knowing when to stop, or also not realizing that you're perhaps overdoing it," explains celebrity makeup artist Anton Khachaturian. In an exclusive chat with Glam, Khachaturian reveals that the term particularly refers to over-blushing, though it can technically apply to any makeup product. When you want blush to be the star of your makeup look, it's easy to go in heavy handed, but Khachaturian advises that the best way to avoid overdoing it is to get to know what an appropriate amount of blush actually looks like — on others, and on yourself. Then you'll be able to recognize when you're nailing your blush game, and when you've taken it too far. 

No matter what kind of makeup you're applying, you're more likely to mess it up if you don't have a good understanding of what flawless application actually looks like. It's a bit like trying to speak a language if you've never listened to it before — let others show you how it's done before you attempt it yourself! "I always think it's a great idea to find makeup looks where you like the blush, especially when the person has similar coloring and bone structure," Anton Khachaturian tells us exclusively. "This is a great way to get a better idea of what will look good on you!"

If you ever have your makeup professionally done, don't forget to take some snaps of yourself so you can use that for reference when creating your own blush looks in the future. Once you've got a good idea of your blush goals in mind, whether on yourself or on other people rocking those looks, make time to practice. Sit down and experiment with your blush application, trying to get it as close to your target photos as possible. Don't forget you can take photos with the flash on to get a really good idea of what your blush looks like in the most unforgiving light, and then you can take it up or tone it down from there. 

Knowing what your ideal blush application looks like, and practicing until you get the hang of it, are the best ways to avoid blush blindness. But Anton Khachaturian suggests that altering your makeup tools can also help you to avoid overdoing it. "A brush is great for applying, but can often lay down too much color if you're just starting out and not used to doing it that way," he says in our exclusive chat. "If that happens, you can use a Beautyblender to gently blend out an over-blushed situation. It's an excellent way to smooth out the color as well as take it down a bit!"

Regardless of which application tool you use, keep in mind that less product is always more — especially with more pigmented blushes. If you're using powder, don't forget to tap the excess off before applying it to your cheeks. With liquid and cream blushes, which are usually even more intense, only use a minuscule amount to start off with. While you can take down the color with a blender afterwards, it's easier to add more product than it is to take it away.