What Is the Glazed Blush Trend?
Is "Glazed Blush" the Answer to Brightening Dull Winter Skin?
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There are some beauty trends that seem to keep on giving. We've had the viral glazed skin and, of course, glazed doughnut nails, courtesy of unofficial Queen of Glaze Hailey Bieber, and now it's time for the sheen to head upwards to the top of our cheeks as glazed blush takes centre stage.
"With the 'glazed' trend having already taken over our skin and nail looks in 2023, it's no surprise that we are all now obsessing over how to recreate the trend with our makeup bags," says Aimee Connolly, MUA and founder of Sculpted by Aimee. "Glazed blush is all about creating an ultra-flushed, luminous finish to lift and brighten the face. Think glossy, balmy and radiant – and anything but minimal! And the best part? It can work with any shade or skin type."
We started to notice the trend on our social media feeds, with leading makeup artists like Patrick Ta and Pat McGrath showcasing some serious blush looks. The red carpet followed suit with "Saltburn" actor Rosamund Pike, who added a bold blush under her black veil, and "Barbie" director Greta Gerwig opting for a bright, luminous cheek at the 2024 Golden Globes.
Now, as we all make a bid for glowing skin to combat the grey winter, is glazed blush the answer? We speak to experts to get the lowdown on what could soon be the biggest beauty trend of 2024.
What Is Glazed Blush?
Often overlooked when it comes to makeup trends, with most focusing on lips and eyes, there's nothing subtle about glazed blush. It is bright, bold, and finished with high impact sheen. At the moment, most of the trend has been centred around pink blush, but there's no reason this can't work for oranges or brown tones, too.
"Glazed Blush is moving the trend from all over shine to targeting the cheeks for a youthful, sculpted glow," explains Ruby Hammer MBE, founder of Ruby Hammer Beauty. "This is about capturing the light and it's far easier to wear than an all over glaze which can end up looking greasy rather than glowy."
Makeup artist Melissa Hurkan amped up the ultra glazed blush for Patrick Ta Beauty, creating the ultimate example of the trend, demonstrating how glazed blush could be the answer to brightening up dull winter skin.
How to Achieve the Glazed Blush Trend?
As the blush is designed to shine, highlighter is added over the colour instead of its traditional placing on top. "As MUA's we have always known the benefits of blush and highlighting correctly really make skin pop," says celebrity makeup artist Lan Nguyen-Grealis, who counts Raye and Paloma Faith as her clients. "However, until recently it took a lot of skill to create this finish without it looking greasy. Thanks to improved textures and products there are now lots of options available so you can create the look at home."
According to Nguyen-Grealis, this isn't a trend for your fingers. "To avoid it looking messy, build the colour up with a brush, focusing the colour on the top of the cheekbones," she says. By using a brush like Beauty Face Shaping Brush 125 (£23), which has a diagonal edge, you can follow the line of your cheekbone up to your temple to give a snatched, sculpted finish." Then look to add your highlighter directly on top of the colour, making a change from the way you have likely been applying highlighter previously. The key is that the blush catches the light for a more pigmented, brightening effect. "I prefer to use separate products to allow me to build up the shade intensity of the blush," says Hammer. "Afterwards I would add a liquid highlighter that leaves a sheen rather than glitter, to create the soft radiant glazed finish."
Glazed Blush Products
There are a whole host of products on the market that can help you achieve the glazed blush look. Both separate products to play with or, as the trend continues to grow, there are now hybrid products of blusher-highlighter combos to help streamline your makeup bag. The key? Practice makes perfect. Whether you're after a subtle glazed blush or looking to make a statement coloured sheen, we've chosen the best glazed blush products available ahead.
Rodial Blush Drops For Glazed Blush Trend
Rodial Blush Drops in Frosted Pink (£39)
Why not opt for a hybrid blush highlighter like these gorgeous Rodial drops? They do the glazed blush job in one. This blusher-highlighter leaves a frosted, glossy finish to the skin, which can be built up to create your desired level of glaze.
Ciate Glow-To Illuminating Blush For Glazed Blush Trend
Ciate Glow-To Illuminating Blush (£22)
If you prefer to use a powder, this Ciate blush-highlighter hybrid is another great option. Its highly pigmented formula can be built up to achieve a bold cheek and it has an illuminating highlighter throughout so you have nailed the trend with just one product.
Beauty Pie Supercheek Cream Blush for Glazed Blush Trend
Beauty Pie Supercheek Cream Blush in Universal Pink (£12 members, £30 non-members)
This little pop of joy is the perfect base if you plan to add your own highlighter on top as it melts into the skin on application. Build up the colour by gradually layering it up on to your cheekbones and once you're happy with the colour payoff, add your highlighter directly on top.
Charlotte Tilbury The Beauty Light Wand Kit For Glazed Blush Trend
Charlotte Tilbury The Beauty Light Wand Kit (£54)
This kit is made for the glazed blush trend. Start with the blush and apply along the cheekbones in an upwards direction. Once this has set into your skin, apply the highlight on top. The key is to build it up slowly to prevent the blush from peeling or smudging, so gently dab the liquid into the skin to ensure you get the blend right.
Merit Flesh Balm For Glazed Blush Trend
Merit Flesh Balm in Baby Pink (£32)
This flesh balm is great for those that want to dabble in the trend without going for the full glazed effect. Simply press into your cheekbones to add a flush of colour and give your skin a radiant, natural-looking finish.
