When it comes to beauty trends, it’s no secret that TikTok has risen to nearly legendary status as one of the biggest sources of inspiration for Gen-Z users. Trends come and go in record time; serving as the driving force behind digital creators, consumers, and brands. One of the most recognizable of these beauty trends (and perhaps, the trend that has remained as influential as it was when it first appeared on the platform three summers ago), is the “sunburnt” blush look consisting of sun-kissed skin and warm-toned makeup.
I spoke to celebrity makeup artist Edward Cruz who’s star-powered client list includes the likes of Anna Wintour, Brooke Shields, Danai Gurira, and Busy Phillips. “It’s a fun look that is going strong, three summers in a row,” Cruz says of the sun-soaked makeup look. “I think people love it because it’s easily applied and anyone can wear it.” According to Cruz, to fully recreate this look, the focus has to be on the glow. Using a bronzer, like Charlotte Tilbury’s Glow Glide Face Architect Highlighter (Cruz’s personal favorite) or a warm tone blush is your key to bringing it to life.
To apply the highlighter or blush, Cruz is partial to Smashbox’s popular Sheer Powder Brush which is part of the brand’s Camera Ready Face, Eye, Brow, & Lip Brush Collection. For a sun-kissed look, he recommends beginning with gentle brush strokes at the highest point of one cheek bone and then sweeping the product across the face to the other. This quick and easy process also includes gently touching the bridge of the nose with the brush. Remember, you want to bring attention to the points of your face that would normally receive the sun’s rays to achieve that effortless, ‘just lifted my chin to the sun’ finish.
If you’re looking for inspiration, I highly recommend taking a quick scroll through the trend’s hashtag on TikTok or Instagram, paying special attention to the areas of the face that feature added warmth or highlight (makeup tutorials created by users Rachel Shea and Lakeya Simone went viral). The sunburnt blush trend is complimentary on everyone, but looks especially gorgeous on deeper skin tones. Ready to find out which powder and cream blushes I’ll be using to create the sunburnt blush look this summer? Keep scrolling.