Blush is back
by Metropol | June 24, 2026 8:33 am
All the hottest cheeks are wearing blush this winter – the big beauty trend of the season and must-have make-up. Metropol’s Lucy Brewer reports.
Blush is back, baby. Thanks in part to Justin Bieber’s other half Hailey, and her viral pocket-sized blush sticks, warm cheeks are brightening up winter faces. Since Hailey’s Rhode, a minimalist, hydration-focused skincare and beauty brand, launched in New Zealand in February, Cashel Street beauty giant Mecca has been restocking their shelves on a daily basis, especially the cult-favourite pocket blush shade ‘Toasted Teddy’.
Local makeup artist Kasia Stanicich, (recently crowned VIVA’s 2026 Makeup Artist of the Year), says that “cheeks are definitely the ‘feature’ at the moment, and eyes have taken a backseat.”
The award-winning makeup artist has noticed people feeling less intimidated by blush, and its expanding range of shades, formulas, and finishes. “Blush never left, but the way we apply it has definitely changed over the years,” says Kasia.
Similarly, makeup artist Chrystal O’Brien says blush is something you can never have enough off – though ‘blush blindness’ has been playfully coined on social media to describe the desensitisation of makeup, where some become ‘blind’ to how many blush layers they’ve applied.
To avoid ‘blush blindness’ and hop on the blush trend, here are our three top tips.
1. Temple worship: We were always told to apply blush by smiling and dabbing it onto the apple of our cheeks. This method, though, has become outdated. Instead, use the apple of the cheek as a starting point, brush diagonally upwards towards your temples, lifting the face. Continuing along the cheekbone, sweep in a soft ‘C’ to the upper eyelid and brow.
2. Go deep: If you are going for a more defined look, using a deeper blush brings depth to the face. This can also be supported by applying contour under the cheekbones, sculpting and enhancing the look.
3. Seasonal switch: It’s a common misconception that you have to wear the same colour of blush all year round. In spring and summer, brighter and warmer colours are recommended to enhance the sun-kissed glow. In autumn and winter, richer and deeper colours, such as plum and berry tones, are
better suited to the season.
Source URL: https://metropol.co.nz/blush-is-back/