Once upon a time, applying purple makeup to your face was considered a big no-no. These days, though, that rule about the controversial color has seemingly gone out the window as more and more beauty aficionados everywhere are giving the purple blush trend a go.
But don’t be intimidated: While the bold hue can come across as striking, it actually delivers a very natural and healthy-looking flush with just the right amount of pop. It’s a great option for livening up your winter complexion. Not to mention, purple blush looks flawless on all skin tones.
Ready to try the trendy look yourself? Below, we’re sharing a step-by-step guide on how to nail the look this season.
What Is The Purple Blush Trend?
As with most beauty trends these days, purple blush first rose to popularity on TikTok — and it’s clear why everyone is raving about it. Beauty influencers discovered that applying a violet hue to your cheekbones — in lieu of the usual rosy or peach colors — is a foolproof way to awaken your complexion.
At first, it might seem a bit daunting to apply such a prominent color to your cheeks, but with the right amount of blending, it turns out to be quite beautiful and adds the perfect kiss of color. You can go for a subtle lavender color (that works fabulously for everyday looks) or raise the ante with a deep plum for a more dramatic look — either way, any variation of purple is a win for fair, medium, olive and dark skin tones.
How To Apply Purple Blush
If you’re just as intrigued by the purple trend as we are, here is how to do it yourself with some of our beloved products. It’s so easy, you probably won’t ever turn back.
1. Prep Your Skin And Apply Foundation
Fact: Every good makeup look starts with a good base. Depending on the look you’re going for, whether it’s matte or dewy, a makeup primer acts as a canvas for your face and sets the stage for the rest of your glam.
If you want something on the matte side, try the L'Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base. It has a lightweight formula that glides onto skin seamlessly and minimizes the look of pores and fine lines. For folks looking for a more radiant finish, the L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Blurring Face Primer Infused With Serum is your best bet since it’s formulated to deliver a youthful complexion.
Follow your primer of choice with a foundation or tinted moisturizer. We recommend our cult-classic L'Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder for a shine-free zone or the L'Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluronic Tinted Serum for a glowy finish.
2. Pick Your Blush
What makes the purple blush trend so great is that it can be achieved with any formula. If you’re a sucker for an OG powder blush, your best bet is the L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Satin Blush With Camellia Oil in Berry. It has a buttery feel that instantly gives your cheeks a radiant punch of luminous color that never cakes.
The new L'Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Lip and Cheek Tint in Eternal Rose also does a bang-up job at the purple blush look for a number of reasons. For starters, its gel-like texture is extremely buildable, so you don’t have to worry about going overboard. Secondly, the product is formulated with ultra-nourishing ingredients (hello, aloe vera!) that hydrate your face and never clog your pores. And lastly, the multi-use product can also be used on your lips, making it the best pick for monochromatic looks.
Editor’s tip: Lipstick makes a great substitute for blush, too. Reach for a purple-hued lipstick, such as the L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Shine Lipstick in Splendid Blackberry or the L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lipstick in Matte-Gic. Just note that a little goes a long way, so make sure to start with only a bit of product and build it up to your desired look.
3. Apply Your Blush
Using a makeup brush or sponge, apply the blush directly onto your cheekbones. Blend in an upwards sweeping motion to add more depth and dimension to your face and give it a lifted appearance. You can also dust blush onto the apples of your cheeks to brighten up your complexion. Just dab on the product and swirl away. Start lightly and keep building until you’ve reached the opacity you’re striving for.
Follow your blush with your favorite highlighter and the rest of your makeup routine.
Editor’s tip: If you don’t have a makeup brush or sponge, you can also use your fingers for this step. Just make sure to blend, blend, blend.
Next: 11 Best Blush Tips You’ve Never Tried
Written by: Sophie Dweck, Photo Credit: IG/ki3rraad0ra