How To Nail The Watercolour Blush Trend Without An Art Degree

There are few things in life that bring me as much joy as a good blush moment. It’s the product that instantly makes me look alive. For years we’ve been piling on the colour in Sabrina Carpenter-style doses (and don’t get me wrong, I’ll always love a bold pop), but this season is shaping up to be a softer story with the watercolour blush trend.

Instead of “blush blindness” and heavy-handed sweeps, this trend is all about sheer washes of colour that look like they’re part of your skin, not sitting on top of it. Imagine the way paint softly melts into paper when you dab water across it, that’s the vibe and it’s gorgeous.

Why It Works

The beauty of the watercolour blush trend is how versatile it is. It plays beautifully with dewy, balmy skin and looks chic on literally every face. It doesn’t matter if your makeup style leans “barely there” or “I woke up like this, but actually with effort” this technique works across the board. Soft terracottas, petal pinks, peachy nudes… they all layer in that dreamy, airy finish that makes you look naturally flushed rather than painted.

Tools of the Trade

You don’t need to be a pro with 47 brushes, this trend works with just blush and your fingers. Here’s what really helps:

A creamy, liquid or tint formula: Powders can work, but creams really melt into the skin for that veil-like effect.

Try: Nars The Multiple Blush

A fluffy round brush: For that feathered, stippled finish. If you only own one brush, this is the one.

Try: Boujee Beauty Blush Brush

Your hand: Makeup artists recommend using the back of your hand as a palette. Dab your blush there first, sheer it out, then tap or stipple onto your cheeks.

Here’s the step-by-step that’s been working for me:

1. Start sheer. I pump or swipe the tiniest amount of product onto the back of my hand and spread it out thinly. The key is building, not bombing your cheeks with colour in one go.

2. Tap, don’t drag. Using either my fingertips or a round brush, I pick up a little and stipple it onto the outer apples of my cheeks with gentle taps.

3. Feather outwards. From the cheek, I take it towards the temples, just slightly grazing around the eyes and fading it into the brow area. This creates that watercolour fade instead of a blunt “dot of blush.”

4. Layer softly. If I want more oomph (like for a night out), I add another sheer layer. The beauty is that because it’s diffused, it never looks overdone, even when I’m feeling extra.

I’m someone who has tried almost every blush trend. And yet, the watercolour blush feels like the one I’ll actually stick with. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it makes me look like the healthiest version of myself with the least effort.

Next time you reach for your go-to blush, try softening it first. Tap it on, blend it out, and let your skin do the talking.

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