It's Time To Embrace The 'Pomegranate Girl' Makeup Look

Last year, the strawberry makeup look, popularized by Hailey Bieber, was all the rage, but we have now officially entered the pomegranate girl makeup era. Strawberry makeup is exactly what it sounds like: bronzed skin with slightly flushed cheeks and lips. It's meant to look fresh and natural as if you've spent the day in a field of berries. Pomegranate girl makeup takes this trend a step further. Its colors are deeper with a hint of purple, and its blush is meant to be a bold berry shade, just like the fruit the look is named after. Basically, it's the natural next step in the last few years' overwhelming trend of healthy-looking skin. Bieber may have even kickstarted this trend, too, as an Instagram post from March this year showed her with freckles and deep, rich blush, much like this trend entails. Sounds enticing, right? 

With over 15 years of professional makeup experience under my belt, my tips on how to nail this trend will have you looking like a berry goddess in no time. When it comes to pomegranate girl makeup, the emphasis is all about the skin, so prep is key. You want dewy skin that glows and looks almost shiny, which means using a great facial oil or a super-rich moisturizer. You'll also need a liquid blush in a berry shade, a cream highlighter, and a freckle pen. Once you have your tools ready, it's time to lay down the foundation for your pomegranate-inspired look.

Pomegranate girl makeup is about highlighting your skin, which means getting that lit-from-within glow. If you have the time, properly exfoliate your face according to your skin type. Those with dry skin and oily skin can benefit from a physical exfoliant, such as a gentle scrub. If you have acne-prone skin, it's best to stick with a chemical or liquid exfoliant that contains salicylic acid. While you shouldn't exfoliate every day, getting rid of dead skin cells prior to applying makeup actually helps the products sit better, so aim for about two to four times per week.

Once your face is exfoliated, apply a hydrating toner while your skin is still damp. Immediately apply a serum, followed by a facial oil, which should be the last step before sunscreen. If you don't want to look overly shiny by applying the oil directly to your face, you can add a couple of drops to your regular moisturizer. The main takeaway is that you don't want a matte finish, so it's okay to embrace the sheen. After your skincare is complete, apply concealer under your eyes and on any dark areas you want to even out. Next, apply foundation sparingly — you want your skin texture to peep through for a natural finish. Now that you have the base laid down, it's time to add some color.

The first thing you'll notice about pomegranate makeup is the brightly flushed cheeks that come with it. This is where your berry-colored liquid blush comes in. With this look, more is definitely more, so don't be afraid to pile on the color. I like to apply the blush directly onto my face with the applicator and then blend it with a makeup sponge using tapping motions so as not to disturb the foundation. Be sure not to bring the color up too close to your eyes. Instead, you'll want to spread it out across the apples of your cheeks and up toward your temples. Swipe the blush across the bridge of your nose as well for a sun-kissed look.

Take a bit of the liquid blush and tap some color on your lips, making sure to blur the edges. You can use lipstick in the same shade as well, but we love a good multipurpose product. Add lip oil for some sheen, and swipe cream highlighter over your cheekbones, the tip of your nose, and your cupid's bow. Finally, apply mascara, brush your brows to give them a bit of fluff, and fake some freckles with a pen or eyeliner. Your pomegranate girl makeup never looked so good!