Cherry blossom season is one of the most magical times of the year, and the cherry blush trend is here to keep those vibes coming. It’s a layered look that’s uber pretty and feminine, adding a bright and cheerful pop of color to cheeks without feeling overdone or too sculptural. Basically, it’s pure perfection.
“Unlike other blush trends that focus on a bold, sculpted look, this soft, delicate blush trend is unique and gives a youthful glow to the face,” notes Drita Paljevic, head makeup artist at Kevyn Aucoin Beauty. “Hailey Bieber was spotted wearing this trendy blush technique—making it even more popular—plus Jennie and Lisa from Blackpink have also been known to wear the look.”
We’ve got the full rundown on cherry blush below, including how to get the look.
What Is the Cherry Blush Trend?
Cherry blossom blush is a layered, ombre look inspired by the soft and delicate hues of cherry blossom flowers. Paljevic says that the trick to this trend is using two pink blush shades—one that’s lighter and one that’s slightly brighter—in order to create an ombre effect. This is similar to the dual tones you might see on a cherry blossom flower petal.
“I love that this blush trend is all about skin first and flushing second,” says celebrity makeup artist Christian Briceno. He adds, “It pairs well with other soft makeup trends, like diffused eyeliner or cloud skin. Plus, it’s easy to achieve and offers a wearable take on color. It’s youthful, romantic, and is all about capturing the feeling of softness.”
This look is different from other blush trends we’ve seen in a few different ways. First, it’s more subtle than some of the sculptural or aggressive blush applications that’ve been popular. Second, the ombre approach makes it feel more nuanced and natural, and the hues chosen lean more cool—like pale pink and soft lilac.
“I love this look because it encourages folks to use multiple blush shades to build color and definition, something that professional makeup artists often do, but isn’t always widely adopted in day-to-day makeup,” Paljevic says.
How to Get the Cherry Blush Look
After perfecting your base, follow this quick tutorial on cherry blush.
- Choose two blush colors (one light, one dark) with the same formulation and similar color family. Briceno and Paljevic agree that cream, liquid, or gel formulations work best since they’ll blend together more effortlessly. These colors should lean a bit cool—try shades of cherry, pinks, and lilacs. (Avoid warm corals, brick reds, or terracotta shades.)
- Apply the lighter shade all over, and quite liberally, “blending outwards for a sheer effect on the high points of the cheeks and around to the temples,” Paljevic says.
- Use the darker blush on the apple (or high points) of the cheek where you want the most color. Once you blend the two colors together, you’ll see the soft, ethereal cherry blossom look come together. Briceno says you can also apply a little to the bridge of your nose for a sunkissed effect.
- Blend the two colors well so there aren’t any harsh lines or obvious spots. The key is to have a flawless fusion of two shades for a soft and dimensional finish.
