Blush is reigning supreme right now, with techniques like sunset draping and cloud skin pushing it far beyond a simple flush of colour. This iconic makeup staple is no longer limited to a supporting role; it has main character energy — being able to sculpt, soften, and set the entire mood of a look. The latest technique TikTok’s swooning over? The watercolour blush technique, which embraces a sheer, soft, and diffused approach that seamlessly blends into the skin.
A touch of blush
“Watercolour blush is a makeup technique using light, buildable liquid or cream blush to create a soft, diffused flush, mimicking a natural, watery look on the skin,” explains Dubai-based hair and makeup artist Ben Biton. This TikTok trend draws inspiration from Alberto Vargas’s watercolour pin-up girls, mimicking the effect where colours melt seamlessly into one another, leaving no harsh lines — just a delicate, ethereal glow instead.
Think romance and elegance wrapped in subtle shades of pink, orange, and red. According to Dubai-based makeup artist, Gigi Gill, it’s a ‘glow from within’ blush technique that gives a very blurred effect, whilst still letting your skin shine through. “It would literally look as if you were ‘blushing’,” she says.
What makes watercolour blush so popular? Beyond fitting neatly into the current skin-forward beauty narrative, it taps into the your skin but better philosophy that continues to define modern makeup — a stark difference from the full-face, heavy coverage glam that dominated the last decade. Unlike dense formulas and pigments from the past, watercolour blush offers a fresh, fluid alternative that allows for adaptation, from skin tones to textures, making it perfect for everyday routines too.
Experts’ guide to the watercolour blush technique
It’s simple. “Start by prepping the skin with a moisturiser and primer,” says Biton. “Apply a liquid or cream blush lightly to the apples of the cheeks, and blend with your fingers…
