I know I don’t shut the eff up about sunscreen and the negative effects of unprotected sun exposure. And I full heartedly believe that. Sunburn is bad; sunscreen is good. However, even I can’t deny that sometimes a little bit of sun looks good on you. Once warm weather hits, all I want is the ultimate perennial summer look — bronzed, glowy, and flushed skin. I crave it. But not at the expense of my skin. Which is why, today, we’re talking about how to achieve that sun-kissed, sunburnt blush look without having to actually burn. Makeup can do almost anything. Blush and bronzer were, quite literally, invented to mimic the effects of a little too much sun. So how do we get this faux sunburned look that’s so perfect for summer?
Tips to Achieve the Sunburnt Blush Look
I don’t know anyone whose goal is to actually get a sun burn, and I’m definitely not going to suggest glorifying sun damage. But I think what we all want in the summertime is that flush you get on a hot summer day. It’s a little heated, a lot flushed, with added glow all over. It looks healthy and radiant. And luckily, it’s totally attainable without submitting to sun damage. And you probably have most of the products necessary already in your collection. It just takes a little strategy.
Step No. 1 | Determine Your Undertone
While not absolutely necessary, I think that determining your undertones and taking note of the colors in your skin naturally makes for the most natural look. Pay attention to the colors your skin turns when you’re out in the sun or heat. Choosing products that mimic those shades will look the most natural when creating a faux sunburnt blush look. But simply put, you’re going for reds, peaches, browns, tans, etc.
My complexion is pale, sometimes sallow, and I generally have neutral undertones. This means that, generally speaking, I can bounce between warm and cool toned products without much issue. But I’d say my natural flush is quite peach, and it doesn’t lean too red. If you have gold and green undertones, or an olive skin tone, you will probably want to opt for products that are rich and warm in tone. And if you have a deeper complexion, you’re probably going to get on with rich golden tones and deep berry tones.
Step No. 2 | Find the Best Formulas for You
Product formulas is something else that could be personal. Any formula will do, but if you want the most natural finish, listening to your skin comes in handy. I use a mixture of cream and powder products, but, truthfully, any formula will do.
You may want to stick with powders if your skin is incredibly oily and creams if you have very dry skin. If you’re in the middle of the road, like me, a combination of the two will work.
Step No. 3 | Placement Makes Perfect
While shade selection and formula are important, the most important aspect of creating a faux sunburnt blush look is the product placement, in my opinion. Think about where your face gets sun and where the sun hits it first. It’s the higher points of your face: the cheekbones and cheeks, nose, and forehead.
I like to start by applying my products at the tops of my cheeks and blending downward (how the sun hits you) onto the cheek, across the nose, onto my forehead, and then on the chin. A lot of the time, we only apply blush to the cheekbones or strategically on the cheek. But think about it, our skin doesn’t only redden strategically. It’s usually all over, so if you’re wanting your faux sunburnt blush to look natural, you want to mimic that effect.
Step No 4 | Finish It Off
I definitely rock a sunburnt blush look with nothing on the eye or lip but a simple balm with SPF. But if you do want to go for a full beat, I love pairing this sun-kissed look with a juicy red lip, bronze eye, and feathery brows.
My Favorite Products for A Sun-Kissed Glow
Tower28 BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Cream Blush in Magic Hour*
I love a good multi-purpose product, and this one in the shade Magic Hour* is the perfect shade for my skin. It’s a muted rose with a slightly brownish but neutral undertone. The formula also blends seamlessly with little effort. So, if you’re heavy handed (like me,) it’s no big thing. To blend, I use either my fingers or a damp beauty sponge. I usually start with my blush at my temples and then blend upward to my hair line and then onto my cheeks. A little on the bridge of my nose, a dot at the tip, and I apply whatever is left to my chin. And that’s it! Easy peasy. What I really love about this is that it is almost sheer. When a product is too pigmented, I feel like it look unnatural when trying to achieve this look. So, for me, a light to sheer formula works best! I’ve included a couple more of my favorite blushes for this sunburnt blush look below:
- Merit Flush Balm in Terracotta*
- Elf Active Lip + Cheek Palette*
- NARS Air Matte Blush in Shades: Gasp*, Rush*, and Torch*
TIP: Try layering shades to create a natural, multi-dimensional effect. For example, I like to first apply a darker red/peach/tan shade and then lightly apply a brighter pink/peach shade.
Guerlain Terracotta Sunkissed Natural Bronzing Powder*
I love a good bronzer moment, especially in the summer time. This powder* from Guerlain is a perfect option as it doesn’t contain any shimmer, which is important for creating a natural, lifelike effect. Using a fluffy brush, I sweep this onto my temples and blend it about halfway down my cheek, allowing the color to lay a little higher on the cheek than if I were contouring. I also like to bring it a little onto my forehead, right above the eye. And sometimes, especially if I’m not wearing any other eye makeup, I’ll brush my bronzer onto my lid and ever so lightly under my eye.
Some other bronzers I love for summer:
TIP: If you want your bronze to dominate the look, apply your blush first and then your bronzer on top. If you want your blush to be the focus, apply your bronzer before the blush.
Merit Brow 1980 Volumizing Eyebrow Pomade Gel*
My summer time brow preference is all about the quick, low maintenance, feathery brow look. I like them to look groomed but not too … done. You know? I’ve been using and loving the Brow 1980 pomade gel* from Merit lately. The Brown shade is the perfect shade, not too warm and not too cool, and keeps the hairs in place. Brow gels like this are great, because they add a youthful fullness and fluffy effect, just the way I like it.
Some other favorites for a fluffy, feathery brow:
- Hourglass Arch Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel*
- Benefit Gimme Brow*
- Fenty Brow MVP Sculpting Wax Pencil + Styler*
TIP: For the fluffiest brows, and to coat every hair, brush the product through the brow backward, starting at the tail and moving in. Then run the brush through the brow normally.
Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Lengthening Mascara*
I don’t fall in love with a mascara often, but this has been my absolute go to lately. So much so I just bought a second tube. It is perfect for giving me a clump-free lash that adds endless length. It’s the perfect complement to a sunkissed, sunburnt blush look. Plus, it’s a tubing mascara. So no flakes, no smudging, and removal is easy with a little warm water.
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Burnished Bronze*
When recreating this look, I typically just swipe my bronzer over my lid. But if I want a more impactful makeup look, I reach for a good bronze. I love the Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks, and the shade Burnished Bronze is a great neutral toned bronze that is shimmery but not too much. Apply a little to the lid and tap it out with a finger, and you’re good to go.
Some other beautiful bronze shades I love:
- Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize Cream Eyeshadow in Amber Gold*
- Nudestix Magnetic Eye Color in Immortal*
Merit Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil in Marrakech*
Ya’ll know I love a good lippie. And my favorite kind to complement a faux sunburnt blush look is a nice, juicy red/orange/coral/peach situation. Of course, you could pop on a tinted balm or a clear balm for an ultra natural effect. But I can’t get enough of a fresh pop.
I’m loving these lip oils from Merit lately. They are a lightweight, hydrating, pigmented oil that leave the lips feeling moisturized and shiny. Marrakech* is a beautiful bright peach shade. And they’re perfect if you’re someone who loves a bright shade but in a more sheer formula. It’s subtle. If you like a statement, you may like some of these:
- YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Lipstick Balm in Rouge Studio* or Orange Perfecto*
- Gucci Baume à Lèvres Lip Balm in René Pink*
- L’Oreal Colour Riche Shine Lipstick in Enamel Red*
- Revlon Super Lustrous Shine Lipstick in Glaring Red*
TIP: Blur the edges with your finger so there are no harsh lines for a more undone look.
RMS Living Luminizer Highlighter*
Because I use a lot of cream blush products that add a natural, glowy effect, I don’t always reach for a separate highlighting product. However, when I do, I love a natural, lit from within type of glow with this sunburnt blush makeup look. I love sheer products, like the RMS Living Luminizer* that don’t add a ton of color or blinding highlight to the face, but add a beautiful glow.
Some other highlight formulas I love for a natural, bronze goddess makeup look:
- Benefit Watt’s Up!*
- Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder*
- Merit Day Glow Highlighting Balm in Cava*
- Ciate Dewy Stix Luminous Highlighting Balm in Glow*
Whew! If you made it all the way here, you’re my people. Some people may be asking “but why would you want to look sunburnt?” I don’t. But I love looking sunkissed, and this faux sunburnt blush look is the perfect way to do it. It’s all about using the colors that your skin naturally has when spending time in the heat and sun. It looks healthy and radiant, and there is no sun damage necessary! Do you like this look?
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