Summer's Biggest Blush Trends Are Effortless With These 15 Products

Put them everywhere, not just on your cheeks.

models with blush on their temples, forehead and chin
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

A beauty guideline as old as time says blush belongs on the apples of your cheeks. But this summer's blush trends prioritize rosy tones on every other square inch of the face, from foreheads and under-eyes to hairlines and even the chin. Just glance at BeautyTok or a scroll through Hailey Bieber's Instagram page for all the proof you need.

Pinks, reds, oranges, and plums—in glossy, glassy, matte, liquid, and cream formulas—are receiving more-is-more overhauls with over-the-top names to match. Example number one: We’re blush-touring now. The viral technique, which has accumulated nearly 100,000 posts on TikTok this month alone, is essentially contouring with pink tones from top to bottom.

"There has been a huge influx of people adopting the underpainting application trend with contour products underneath foundation, so it's not surprising it carried over into blush," says celebrity makeup artist Dominique Lerma. "It gives a soft wash of color and a natural flush that's perfect for summer."

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The internet is also witnessing a second coming of Sunset Blush, a technique that emphasizes rosy tones across the nose and under the eyes, too. While this nomenclature certainly reached a peak in summer 2023, the feigned sunburned appearance is making waves once again—raking up nearly 3,500 hashtags on TikTok.

Then there's Boyfriend Blush, a cheeky name that nods to the flush men get after breaking a sweat. It encourages dusting powder on the lower quadrant of your cheek. While not necessarily the most lifting or necessarily flattering of the summer blush trends, it is perhaps the most popular application technique of the moment with viral Reels reaching over 1.5 million views.

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Putting blush anywhere but the cheeks wasn't on my 2024 Bingo card, yet it’s oddly perfect for summer. With these trends, a good blush is quite literally the only summer makeup staple you need. Not sure what to shop? We’ve got you covered with every editor- and celebrity-loved favorite blush to get your favorite look, ahead.

If You Want a Glossy Finish

For a glow or glass-like finish, a glossy, high-shine blush is the way to go. "It's like putting a lipstick on, but for your cheeks," says celebrity makeup artist Dani Parkes. "These are extremely long-lasting and don't move."

If You Want a Matte Finish

A matte finish is the way you want to go if you're chasing a post-vacation summer glow. The below formulas aren't dull or cakey—they have long-lasting radiant finishes and intense pigment, no matter which summer blush trend you're hoping to test drive.

If You Want a Cream Finish

Sculpt your face with blush, by bringing a cream stick up and into your hairline. "Creams are great to apply on the temple because you apply it like a contour to lift your cheekbones," explains Parkes.

Samantha Holender
Senior Beauty Editor

Samantha Holender is the Senior Beauty Editor at Marie Claire, where she reports on the best new launches, dives into the science behind skincare, and shares the breakdown on the latest and greatest trends in the beauty space. She's studied up on every ingredient you'll find on INCI list and is constantly in search of the world's glowiest makeup products. She's constantly tracking the biggest nail and hair trends to pop up in the beauty space, going backstage during fashion weeks, tracking celebrity looks, and constantly talking to celebrity hair stylists, nail artists, and makeup artists. Prior to joining the team, she worked as Us Weekly’s Beauty and Style Editor, where she stayed on the pulse of pop culture and broke down celebrity beauty routines, hair transformations, and red carpet looks. Her words have also appeared on Popsugar, Makeup.com, Skincare.com, Delish.com, and Philadelphia Wedding. Samantha also serves as a board member for the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME). She first joined the organization in 2018, when she worked as an editorial intern at Food Network Magazine and Pioneer Woman Magazine. Samantha has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from The George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. While at GWU, she was a founding member of the school’s HerCampus chapter and served as its President for four years. When she’s not deep in the beauty closet or swatching eyeshadows, you can find her obsessing over Real Housewives and all things Bravo. Keep up with her on Instagram @samholender.