Imagine the enchanting sight of the sun setting over the ocean, with fiery shades of pink and orange painting the sky above.
Capturing a beautiful sunset on paper might not be the easiest feat, but what about using makeup?
According to countless beauty enthusiasts on TikTok, recreating this scenic view is a breeze, using an unexpected yet innovative product – blush!
In just a few simple steps, you’ll be able to paint the gorgeous sunset with your complexion as the canvas, combining both a natural rosy flush and a picture-perfect golden hour glow.
Keep reading for our guide to the “sunset blush” trend and the products we recommend to try this unique look for yourself.
The “Sunset Blush” Trend
@alissajanay1 If only i was at the beach rn 🥲
Originally started by Alissa Holmes (@alissajanay1 on TikTok), this blush trend gives you the perfect sunkissed look for sunny days!
To get the “sunset blush” look, simply place a dot of pink blush high on your cheekbones, then a dot of orange blush below the pink blush, closer to the apples of your cheeks.
Not only do the multiple shades of blush make your beauty routine that much more fun, they also add dimension and warmth to your complexion, mimicking the shifting colours of the clouds at sunset.
Next, add a few dots of liquid highlighter, or dust some powdery shimmer over your cheeks before blending it all at once.
This creates a subtle gradient across your cheeks, for a lovely contrast between the cooler pink blush and the warm coral shade.
Plus, the highlighter adds an alluring glow that resembles the final rays of golden sunlight, to finish off the majestic sunset that you’ve created.
@makeup_emalii Sunset blush ib: @Alissajanay 🫶 . #makeup #makeuptutorial #blush #blushtrend
Best of all, you have full control over the intensity of your “sunset blush”, and the possibilities are endless!
Choose a hot pink and bright orange blush to go all the way, and top it off with gold liquid highlighter for a glamorous touch of sparkle.
Or, pick out light pink and peachy shades instead and add a muted glow with a more dewy highlighter.
Whether you prefer a natural everyday take on this trend or want to amp up the drama for a night out, we’ve got you covered.
Keep reading for our recommended blushes and highlighters to try out this trend!
Best Blushes To Try
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
Credits: @rarebeauty/Instagram
Of course, we can’t ignore one of the beauty industry’s most iconic liquid blushes – the TikTok-viral Soft Pinch Liquid Blush!
Rare Beauty’s bestselling blush comes in a diverse range of 13 shades, including both matte and dewy finishes.
They span from more muted and natural hues to bright and eye-catching colours, so regardless of how intense you want your “sunset blush” to be, there’s definitely a Rare Beauty blush shade for you.
This blush blends effortlessly into the skin, and a little goes a long way. For this trend, we’d recommend shade Lucky, a Barbie-esque hot pink, and Joy, a peachy coral shade.
The Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush retails for S$39 at Sephora.
Glossier Cloud Paint
Credits: @glossier/Instagram
Like its name, this liquid blush provides a light and airy finish, with sheer pigment that’s suitable for any makeup look.
Whether you’re adding a subtle rosy flush on a no-makeup day, or want vibrant blush for a glamourous full face of makeup, the Cloud Paint blush can be easily built up and blended out on your cheeks.
Designed to be user-friendly, they’re easier to control than more pigmented blushes. They come in 10 shades directly inspired by golden hour and scenic sunsets, making them perfect for this trend!
As a bonus, if you want to add some dimension to your flushed cheeks, the Cloud Paint also offers five bronzer shades to blend seamlessly with your “sunset blush”.
The Glossier Cloud Paint retails for S$36 on Glossier’s website.
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Luminous Powder Blush
Credits: @rarebeauty/Instagram
If liquid blushes are a little too intense for you, powder blushes are the way to go! They’re easier to layer and blend out, for a subtle everyday take on this blush trend.
The newest Rare Beauty powder blushes have been making waves online for their gorgeous glowy finish, which means they actually combine two steps together!
Instead of adding blush and highlight separately, simply dust these blushes onto your cheeks for a luminous sheen. After all, they were formulated as a cross between Rare Beauty’s liquid blush and powder highlighter!
The powder blush comes in six different shades, each with its own unique pearlescent shimmer, to suit a wide range of skin tones and give you the perfect glow to complement your skin.
The Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Luminous Powder Blush retails for S$44 at Sephora.
CANMAKE Glow Fleur Cheek
The Asian beauty world is no stranger to combining blush and highlight as well, as seen by the innovation behind CANMAKE’s beloved blush!
Resembling a bouquet of flowers, this blush comprises of a fascinating blend of five different shades in one pan, which you can either use individually or mixed together for a unique layering of colours.
The formula melts into your skin without feeling overly powdery for a delicate flush that lasts all day. Best of all, each shade is infused with subtle pearly shimmers for a hint of glow without going overboard!
The CANMAKE Glow Fleur Cheek retails for S$19.30 at Watsons.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush
This groundbreaking blush is another hybrid between a blush and highlighter! The product comes in seven shades, each with a beautiful marbled effect.
The formula combines a highlighting finishing powder with vivid pigment for a revolutionary blush product.
It uses Photoluminescent Technology to add depth and dimension to your blush look, creating the effect of customised lighting that illuminates your complexion.
So, with this lightweight powder blush, you’ll get a seamless blend of multidimensional colour!
The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush retails for S$76 at Sephora.
Best Highlighters To Try
Dior Forever Glow Maximizer
Credits: @diorbeauty/Instagram
Creating a subtle and radiant glow on your skin, this liquid highlighter is infused with pearlescent pigment for a radiant shimmery effect.
It’s formulated with 92% natural-origin ingredients, and it’s infused with iris extract to hydrate the skin for up to 24 hours. So, your skin will have a naturally healthy glow that’s boosted by the liquid highlighter’s six gorgeous shades!
Plus, it’s versatile enough to be used as a highlighter, blush, bronzer, or even an eyeshadow to transform your “sunset blush” into a full face of cohesive makeup.
The Dior Forever Glow Maximizer retails for S$78 at Sephora.
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand Highlighter Spotlight
Get the glamour of a Hollywood star with this highlighter wand!
Its rose gold shade is designed to flatter all skin tones, creating a high-shine effect with pearly shimmers instead of glitter. This means your makeup will look good in person and on camera without overly intense sparkle!
Its cushion applicator makes it particularly precise, so you can focus the highlight on the highest points of your face, where the light reflects at the most flattering angles.
The Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand Highlighter Spotlight retails for S$66 at Sephora.
Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer
Credits: @rarebeauty/Instagram
Beyond their iconic blushes, Rare Beauty’s highlighters are also a phenomenal choice for this blush look.
The Positive Light Liquid Luminizer is infused with natural ingredients like lotus, gardenia, and white waterlily, for a dewy effect.
The weightless formula also gets its shine from light-reflecting pearl particles, to create a soft and natural glow that lasts all day.
To create the illusion of an ethereal glow from within, try mixing the highlighter with your foundation for an all-over radiant finish!
The Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer retails for S$42 at Sephora.
Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter Duo
If liquid highlighters are a little too intimidating, powder highlighters can add the same captivating glow with just a few swipes.
This Fenty Beauty highlighter comprises of two shades in one product, with five different combinations to choose from.
One of these shades creates a more muted sheen for everyday use, while the other provides dramatic shimmer for a night out on the town.
Plus, they boast a unique cream-to-powder formula that melts into your skin and ensures effortless blending!
The Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter Duo retails for S$61 at Sephora.
Featured image credits: @makeup_emalii/TikTok, @alissajanay1/TikTok, @nikkietutorials/TikTok.
