Is Blush the New Contour? The Soft-Sculpt Technique Makes Us Think So

What Even Is Soft-Sculpt Blush?

Soft-sculpt blush focuses on softness rather than harsh shadows to create the look, which you can achieve with both powder and cream blush. Stephanie defines it as “a really seamless blush look where cheekbones look softly defined without any harsh lines or obvious product, which can help make the face look more lifted and defined without looking overdone or heavy.” Even if you’re a pro makeup artist, contour can still sometimes look harsh. By using only blush products, you soften those lines while still creating a lift.

But Why Is Soft-Sculpt Blush Trending?

Makeup trends used to be harsh—everyone knew you had makeup on when you were wearing it. From blended eyeshadow looks to bold matte lips, makeup was loud. Recently, we’ve seen trends like clean girl makeup and no-makeup makeup increase in popularity. However, that doesn’t mean bright, bold makeup is over; we still want a pop of color here and there, especially on our cheeks, which is why soft-sculpt blush is taking off.

“Soft-sculpt blush adds dimension to the face while still being really wearable and natural,” emphasizes Stephanie. “I think it's a much more realistic and natural look to achieve than the more dramatic contoured look that was popular a few years ago, but allows a little bit more room to experiment than a super minimal 'clean' look for people who are into beauty. For me, a soft sculpted blush makes an outsized difference in how lifted and awake my face looks without needing to blend away multiple layers of product.”

How to Choose the Right Shade of Blush for Your Skin Tone

Choosing the right blush for you comes down to personal preference, though there will be some shades that look better on certain skin tones over others. Still, don’t let that stop you from trying a pale petal or marvelous mauve if you feel called to. We’ll suggest some options for your skin tone and undertone, so be sure to evaluate both before determining your go-to blush shade.

Fair Skin Tones

Fair skin tones tend to look best in light pink or peach blushes, like the ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Blurring Serum Blush or the LAUREN'S SKINCARE Cream Blush. Mauves also look great too; they should just be lighter in shade. Try the RARE BEAUTY Soft Pinch Liquid Blush for a blush that’s buildable and pigmented.

Depending on your undertone, some blush shades may suit your skin tone better.

• Warm Undertone: Given the golden undertones in your skin, colors like peach, coral, and terracotta will complement your complexion. Try the award-winning MAKEUP BY MARIO Soft Pop Plumping Blush Veil on for size.

• Cool Undertone: The reddish-blue undertones of your complexion pair best with mauves and light pinks. We love the MAKEUP BY MARIO Soft Pop Blush Stick because the shaping stick is easy to sculpt with.

• Neutral Undertone: Neutral undertones have the benefit of wearing virtually any shade, so weather you want a peach like BEAUTY CREATIONS COSMETICS Blush Hush Singles in Caress Me or a mauve like CIATÉ LONDON Glow-To Illuminating Blush in Perfect Match, you’re good to go.

Medium Skin Tones

Shades like warm rose, terracotta, or even coral work best for medium skin tones. You can also try apricots, rosy pinks, and juicy berry blush shades.

• Warm Undertone: Warm rose, terracotta, and coral work best for warm undertones. Try the FENTY BEAUTY Fenty Cheeks Suede Powder Blush in Just a Crush.

• Cool Undertone: Go with rich pinks for a complementary pop of color for your cool undertones. Use the ABOUT-FACE Cheek Freak Blush Balm for a dewy finish. If you want more of a flush of color, go with juicy berry hues, such as the POLITE SOCIETY Polite Pops in Milan.

• Neutral Undertone: Again, neutral undertones have the choice of both, so you get your pick of the litter with blush.

Olive Skin Tones

Because olive skin tones are more neutral in their undertones by nature, you can choose any blush color. Go with pink or peach, like the BORN RUBY Oh-So-Natural Blush Drops in Peach Charmeuse or BASIC BEAUTY Blush in It’s October 3rd. Or, try a red or purple for a bolder pop.

• Warm Undertone: If your olive skin leans more warm (i.e., golden), try a light-medium peach or red shade.

• Cool Undertone: If you have a little bit more red-blue undertones, go with a pink or purple hue.

• Neutral Undertone: If your undertone is true neutral, any blush color is yours for the choosing. So why not dab on a mix to create a custom color?

Dark Skin Tones

Darker skin tones can wear a variety of colors, including berries (raspberry, plum), deep peaches, warm terracotta, warm browns, fuchsia, and tangerine. We love the shade range available in the DANESSA MYRICKS BEAUTY ColorFix™ Mattes Multi-Use Waterproof Liquid Pigment and TOUCH IN SOL Pretty Filter In My Heart Stick Blush.

• Warm Undertone: Warm undertones in dark skin tones look great with deep peaches, warm terracottas, and even some berry shades. We recommend the ROSE INC Cream Color Blush and Lipstick Gift Set so you can match your lips to your cheeks with this hydrating duo.

• Cool Undertone: Think purple-ish berries, fuchsias, and even tangerines for cool undertones. The MALLY BEAUTY Couture Color Cheek Lifting Marker will give you a long-lasting sculpt every use.

• Neutral Undertone: While any color looks great on neutral undertones, we do love warm browns with this complexion. Use a cream blush stick, like the KEVYN AUCOIN The Color Blush Stick, to deliver a luminous finish.

Deep Skin Tones

We love seeing vibrant, pigmented blush colors on deep skin. Shades such as berries, deep reds, warm browns, fuchsia, terracotta, and rich corals make your complexion pop.

• Warm Undertone: For a warm undertone, try terracotta or a rich coral, such as the cruelty-free DANESSA MYRICKS BEAUTY Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed or the MORPHE Huephoric Rush 3-in-1 Silk Blush, which primes, hydrates, and blurs with hyaluronic acid, vegetable collagen, and bamboo extract.

• Cool Undertone: We’ve always said that cool undertones look stunning in deep red blushes. Some of our faves include the BISHA Essential Duo Blush, F.A.R.A.H Creamy Malai Blush Stick, and LAURA GELLER Serum Blush.

• Neutral Undertone: You know the drill: Neutral undertones can wear any color. Still, a warm brown or even deep purple blush will really make your skin glow. Try the KULFI BEAUTY Mehndi Moment Blush and pair it with a cream bronzer, like the UOMA Double Take Contour Freed, for a complete sculpted look.

Your Guide to Blush Placement for a Soft-Sculpt Finish

High-Cheekbone Placement

The key to a soft-sculpt blush look is a high cheekbone placement. Stephanie shares, “I think the placement of the blush is the most important. With soft-sculpt blush, the blush often sits a little higher on the cheekbone, above the apple, and is blended upward and outward.” No blending down, and place the blush higher than you think you need to to give a soft sculpt.

Underpainting Technique

Stephanie isn’t the biggest fan of underpainting, sharing, “I find that it's easier than not to make my makeup look more muddy unless I'm very careful and precise, so I tend to just apply blush over my foundation.”

But some of us find this technique a way to achieve a lit-from-within glow. To do this, apply more blush than you think you need. Then, go over the blush with your foundation and concealer. You can always add more on top if you feel like you want a brighter pop of color.

Reverse Contour Technique

As much as you may feel like you need the MAKEUP BY MARIO SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer® or SoftSculpt® Shaping Stick you scored on Black Friday, this technique asks that you save them for another day.

Stephanie refers to this as the reverse contour technique. “Instead of putting a darker product into the hollows of my cheeks, it's about putting a light wash of color on top of my cheeks to draw attention to the cheekbones that will naturally add some shadows to the area I'd normally contour without using any additional product.” This creates a more natural finish, too.

Temple Tie-in Placement

Stephanie suggests blending toward the temples, but not all the way to the hairline. “A guideline I use is starting the blush right on my cheekbone where the pupils of my eyes start, and blend it following my cheekbone upward and outward. I tend to stop blending the product around the outer corner of my eye so it doesn't actually reach high on my temples.” This will also depend on your face shape, with some shapes benefiting from extending the blush out further.

Subtle Contour Technique

Yes, you can still use contour with blush to create this look. A pro tip Stephanie shares is to “add a touch of contour to accentuate [your] cheekbones even more,” though she notes that “contour product is not the main focus of a soft sculpted blush look.” So go ahead and use a dab or two, but not as much as you normally would.

But What About Bronzer?

We know the focus isn’t contour, but rather blush, so can you pair bronzer with this look? Well, it depends on the final outcome you’re hoping to achieve. “For a more minimal look, I don't think any additional bronzer or contour are necessary, but a bronzer can help add another layer of warm dimension to your face for a sunkissed look, while a contour can add some extra sculpting,” says Stephanie.

4 Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using Too Much Color Right Away

Start with less color than you think you need. “The key is to not add too much product at once,” shares Stephanie. “Starting with just a little bit of product can help you build toward a more sculpted look and is easier than having to take away product.”

2. Not Using the Right Blush for Your Skin Tone

You can use any blush color you like—we certainly aren’t going to stop you. But there are some shades that look better on certain skin tones than others. Try to focus on your undertones as well, using something that complements them rather than clashes.

3. Not Blending the Products

You still need to blend your blush. We know you think you can get away from dabbing on the product and calling it a day with a single finger swipe, but that isn’t the case. Use a brush like the BYOD Blush Brush to ensure it blends seamlessly into your skin.

4. Blending the Products All Together

Just as egregious as not blending is blending your blush and contour/bronzer in the same go. “I don't like to apply blush and contour/bronzer all at once before starting to blend it out, because it's easier to overapply product that way,” notes Stephanie. “I like to start with blush and then add contour or bronzer if I still want to add some more dimension to my face.”

Final Thoughts: The Sculpt Is in Your Hands

Soft-sculpt blush gives you that lifted look without too many products. But, again, you can use contour or bronzer if you’d like to look extra chiseled. Choosing the right color can make or break the look, so be sure to use one that complements your complexion. If you’re looking for the best products for you, head on over to the IPSY Shop to explore must-try shades, formulas, and finishes and find your perfect fit.