Let's Talk About Blush Blindness: How Much Blush Should You Apply?

Darlings, if your cheeks are as pink as a Barbie Dreamhouse, you might have blush blindness… The question is, how much blush should you be applying and is there really such a thing as too much blush?

My philosophy is more is more when it comes to blush, darlings. Maybe I have blush blindness, I don’t know… But I love the way a vibrant blush shade floods cheeks with colour and gives them that in-love rosy glow.

Today, I’m sharing some tips and tricks on how to identify a case of blush blindness and the steps you can take to rein in your blush look when your cheeks start looking a little rosier than you intended.

What is blush blindness?

The term blush blindness went viral on social media after the blush boom of the early 2020s. Cream, liquid and powder blushes were everywhere and beauty lovers began applying more, more and more blush until their cheeks were bright pink! As blush grew in popularity and trends like high blush, sunset blush and boyfriend brush came about, people started to notice that makeup looks they were seeing were blushing more boldly than ever. Blush blindness was coined as a result of this – it playfully suggests someone has applied too much blush and just can’t tell because of all the super-bright, punchy blush looks they are seeing online. If someone says they have blush blindness, they might have dipped into their favourite brush one too many times when they were getting ready!

How much blush should I apply?

If you love blush, darlings, you can never apply too much! Makeup is expression and if you want your cheeks to be bright pink on a Monday morning, there are no rules to stop you! If your goal is to create a natural-looking blush look, I suggest applying one or two dots of liquid blush; one swipe of a blush stick, one or two dabs of cream blush, or pressing your blush brush into a powder brush two or three times and tapping off the excess. To get a more pigmented pop of blush, you can apply slightly more or layer different formulas to customise your look. How much blush do you think is too much? The answer is in the mirror!

What are the signs I’m wearing too much blush?

Do you think you have blush blindness, darling? If you think your makeup suffers from any of the below, this might be your sign that you’re wearing too much blush.

1. Difficult to blend

One of the telltale signs that you have applied too much blush is if your blush becomes difficult to blend. Blendability largely comes down to your blush formula – some blushes are easier to blend than others – however when you apply a lot of blush, it becomes tricky to diffuse the pigment and get a nice blend. Blushes that are highly pigmented or vibrant shade are especially prone to this. If the blending gets tough, you may have overdone it with your blush!

Tilbury Tip: To avoid this, try applying a small amount of cream or liquid blush to the back of your hand and applying gradually with a blush. Applying product directly to your cheek from the applicator is a one-way ticket to blush blindness!

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2. Looks stark on your skin tone

Some complexions can take more blush than others – the fairer your skin tone, the more careful you need to be when applying blush! Fair skin has a low level of contrast and applying a bright shade of blush will instantly pop, whereas deeper skin tones are richer and aren’t as easily overpowered by blush. Blush should flatter your complexion and make it looks more alive; if a blush shade looks stark on your fair skin and appears to take over your complexion, you may have applied too much blush.

Tilbury Tip: Reach for a shade of blush that looks the most flattering for your skin tone to avoid creating a look that seems unnatural or unflattering. When working with brighter shades of blush, use a light hand and build your blush look little by little.

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3. Emphasises skin texture

Your cheeks can be prone to texture and enlarged pores which can be problematic when applying blush. A light blush application can help to smooth and blur the look of your cheeks, but when you overdo it with blush skin texture can appear accentuated and pores can look more visible. If blush isn’t blended well or is layered messily on the cheeks, it’s likely it may emphasise the look of lines and texture.

Tilbury Tip: If you feel your blush is making texture more noticeable, try applying a little less and take some extra time to blend.

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4. Too close to the eyes, nose or mouth

Blush should make your cheeks look rosy and plump, darlings. When blush goes beyond the boundary of your cheeks and edges closer to your bottom lash line, the side of your nose or the corner of your mouth, you know you’ve blushed a bit too much! If this is happening when you apply your blush, it shows that you need a more controlled blush application. Remember darlings, blush should sit at the apples of your cheeks and blend gently upwards for a lift effect.

Tilbury Tip: For a more controlled application, try reaching for a smaller, denser brush like the angled side of my AIRbrush Flawless Easy Soft Blur Bronzer and Blusher Brush. A bigger brush will disperse product further, whereas a more precise brush will help prevent overapplying blush around your face.

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How to fix blush blindness

Don’t worry, darlings! If you have applied a little too much blush, I’ve got some tips and tricks to help bring your blush back down to earth.

Darlings, the perfect blush look is all about balance! Blush should work in harmony with your skin tone and makeup products to create a beautiful blushscape that doesn’t overload your complexion. When you’re about to dip back into your blush, ask yourself am I wearing enough blush? You might just be experiencing blush blindness!

On the other hand darlings, if you are a true blush addict, adding a little more won’t hurt! Play, Layer. Blush like everyone’s watching!

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Got a beauty question, darling? Ask one of my magical makeup artists and discover more beauty tips over on Reddit!