6 Cheeky Makeup Looks We're Obsessing Over

Your cheeks can instantly change your appearance, especially when they’re colored with a natural blush. But thankfully, you don’t have to go on a long run or receive a flirty compliment for your cheeks to flush. A little bit of blush adds warmth, brightens your skin, and, most importantly, makes you look happy and healthy. Some people are afraid of too much color, but adding blush to your daily makeup routine makes you look awake and refreshed—regardless of your age. (Speaking of age, here’s Our Best Blush for Mature Skin.) From apples to cheekbones and light pinks to plums, there are countless ways to correctly apply blush. Below, a guide to the blush-centric makeup looks we are obsessed with right now.

CHEEKY MAKEUP LOOK #1: DRAPING

One of the biggest trends in blush right now is draping, a beauty-expert term for blush that stretches from your temples down to your cheeks in an exaggerated "C" shape. Draping can be done with any color blush depending on the overall look you’re going for, whether it be a subtle pink or a bold orange.

No matter the color you choose, try using a blush with shimmer in it to act as a highlighter as well. Or, opt to drape your cheeks with a matte blush before topping it off with L’Oréal Paris Infallible Crushed Foils Metallic Highlighter.

CHEEKY MAKEUP LOOK #2: PINK FLUSH

Pink blush is meant to mimic the rosiness found on the apples of your cheeks. But if it gets too close to your mouth or laugh lines, you can end up looking a little too pink. To find the apples of your cheeks, just smile for your mirror. The apples are the part that pop up when you grin. Dip a small, dome-shaped brush in a pink powder blush like L’Oréal Paris Visible Lift Radiance Cheek Duo in Romantic in Rose. This brush will help concentrate the color so it stays right on the apples of your cheeks.

CHEEKY MAKEUP LOOK #3: PLUM BLUSH

Plum blush is beautiful on medium to dark skin tones. When applied on the apples of the cheeks, it adds a warmth to your overall makeup look. Those with lighter skin tones can still pull off this darker hue, but they should use a lighter hand at first to avoid putting too much of the darker pigment on.

CHEEKY MAKEUP LOOK #4: PEACH CHEEKS

If your blush is going to extend past the apples of your cheeks, it’s best to lean towards warmer hues. Soft peaches and corals help sculpt your cheekbones. Using an angled brush, swipe the peach blush (try L’Oréal Paris Paradise Enchanted Fruit-Scented Blush Makeup in Just Curious) from the apples across the lower part of your cheekbones. This will add both dimension and a pop of color to your face.

CHEEKY MAKEUP LOOK #5: BEIGE HOLLOWS

Beige and brown blushes most closely resemble your skin tone and can be used to create definition. When used in the hollows of your cheeks, beige blush creates a subtle contour. And if it has shimmer in it, try swiping a little up on your cheekbones to act as a highlight for your newly-chiseled cheeks. Find a beige that closely resembles your own skin tone with just a little bit of contrast like L’Oréal Paris True Match Blush in Sweet Ginger or Apricot Kiss.

CHEEKY MAKEUP LOOK #6: HIGHLIGHTER

Blush isn’t the only option for a cheeky look. A little highlighter can make a world of difference. L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Highlighter Shaping Sticks are an easy way to strobe your face. Accentuating the highest parts of your face will leave you with a natural glow that enhances and sculpts your features.

For an unexpected twist, try L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Shimmerista Highlighting Powder as a highlight on your cheekbones. It comes in Moonlight, a cool iridescent blue, or Sunlight, a warm pink shimmer. Either one adds a little something extra to your cheekbone highlight.

Next up, Where to Apply Blush: 6 Unexpected Places.