There are broadly two categories of beauty products, if you ask me. The first one is something you buy purely to serve a need or perform a function—think clarifying shampoos, high-coverage concealers or just good old sunscreen. And then there are products you purchase (and repurchase!) only for the sheer joy of it. Sure, they may still serve a function, but the true reason you can’t quite stop yourself from adding these to cart is how they make you feel.
Case in point: the lip balm. Almost every beauty enthusiast I know today (including myself) started her journey with a tinted, often flavoured lip balm; and owns at least four to five variants at any given point today. Once you can get past the sweet, sweet nostalgia of owning a tinted lip balm, there’s a host of factors to consider. Modern variants have evolved to offer glossy shine, kiss-proof pigment and lightweight hydration that almost never feels sticky, making every reapplication a true pleasure. Plus, of course you need seperate variants each for your office desk, your car’s glove box, your handbag and one to fit snugly on the cover of your phone.
The latest beauty product to cross over from the functional to the fun side is, no points for guessing, the blush. In the past few years, the humble blush has truly come a long way from its dowdy, almost matronly image to being the star product in every beauty influencer’s routine.
There’s at least one buzz-worthy blush drop almost every month—and with good reason. Several celebrity beauty brands today are testimony to the fact that just one hero blush is enough to catapult the entire brand towards viral success.
With glowy, rosy cheeks dominating our imaginations right now (hello there, Sabrina Carpenter!), #BlushBlindness has quickly gained popularity on beauty-tok, garnering over 7.5 million posts. Essentially, the term hints at our collective ‘blindness’ towards over-application of blush and the willingness to wear questionable amounts (read: a lot) of blush while out in public. But can you really blame us? Blushes are the best products to achieve a healthy, flushed look and also offer the perfect outlet for when you’re feeling a little extra playful—purple blush, anyone?
This blush renaissance can be attributed to several reasons, the primary one being innovation in formulation and the influx of newer (read: easier, more fun) formats like sticks, pots and tubes. In an Instagram-first generation, beauty products in novel, whimsical packaging that is more likely to go viral, are quickly gaining momentum. I am buying almost anything if it looks ultra-cute on my makeup shelf, regardless of the performance.
When it comes to formulas, it appears that the classic matte powder will likely never go out of favour, but it does look like its dewier counterparts like cream and liquid blushes are here to stay. Creamier formulas offer a dewy, glazed glow that’s so of-the-moment, whereas watery tints offer lasting pigmentation and a naturally flushed look that works for every occasion. And then there are ones infused with pearlescent shimmer to eliminate the need for a highlighter, or ones supercharged with skin-loving ingredients so you can apply and reapply without feeling like you’ve gone overboard.
With a new must-have blush becoming viral on social media every now and then, it’s only natural to want to stock up on each one of them, right? At least, that’s what I’ve been doing. As a self-proclaimed blush girlie, I am on a mission to collect the best, most noteworthy blushes of our age. My current favourites include PIXI On-The-Glow Blush in Ruby for the lit-from-within balmy flush, the Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Lip & Cheek Stain in Rose for the long-lasting pigment and the Simply Nam Velvet Cream Magic Blush in Partner In Crime only for the way it melts into my skin. Other notable favourites that will always have a place in my kit include the Maybelline New York Fit Me Mono Blush in 60 Passionate (super affordable and great for everyday wear!) and the Too Faced Cloud Crush Blush in Golden Hour for its brightening, bubblegum hue.
Undoubtedly, putting on blush is hands-down the favourite part of my makeup routine. I usually apply a watery tint first and blend towards my temples for a lifted look. Next, I set it in place with my powder blush so it lasts all day. I always tend to apply just a little bit extra, but who cares as long as we’re all a little blush blind?
Tira recommends:
PIXI On-The-Glow Blush in Ruby
Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Lip & Cheek Stain in Rose
Simply Nam Velvet Cream Magic Blush in Partner In Crime
Too Faced Cloud Crush Blush - Golden Hour
Maybelline New York Fit Me Mono Blush - 60 Passionate
