The makeup we saw backstage at SS18 explored everything from glitter galore to demure ladylike looks. One of our favourite takeaways, however, was the return of blusher.
"This hasn't come from the usual trending food chain," Cult Beauty founder Alexia Inge explains, "the sudden lust for blush has come from the wellness boom that's taken over." Does that mean that the heavy coverage typical of 'Instagram makeup' is on its way out? It seems so. "In 2018, consumers will start to eschew the full-glam look of the last few years and look for products that exaggerate the attributes that signify wellness."
Alongside the healthy glow that comes from an outdoorsy lifestyle, the return of the '80s across both fashion and beauty could also be the reason behind the new blush. Glance through Debbie Harry's back catalogue of looks and you'll see what inspired the makeup artists responsible for fashion month's best faces. "There was a technique all over the catwalks called 'blush draping', which is when you take your blusher high up to your temples," Inge says.
From MAC makeup artist Kristina Vidic's soft but precise buffing at Clio Peppiatt, to the Revlon Insta-Blush swept up cheekbones at Sophia Webster, London's shows were awash with rosy flushes. Abroad? Chanel's models had clashing blue eyeshadow above their peachy cheeks, and Pat McGrath gave the girls at Valentino a whirl of flush from brow to cheekbone.
While the catwalks feature pigmented colours, to take it down to a wearable everyday look, use a light hand when swirling powdered blush up the face, and delicately dab dots of cream formulas along your bone structure before blending. For a punch, use the same product on your lips and remember, there are no colour rules here. Go as peachy or fuchsia as you like, and don't listen to those who tell you it's not your shade.
Click through to see the best blushers for creating the sweetest trend of SS18.
This By Terry blush is super sheer, so you can build up as you like.
By Terry Cellularose Blush Glace, £38, available at Space NK
The most natural-looking product, this gives a healthy shine, too.
Glossier Cloud Paint, £15, available at Glossier
We're loading our brushes with Make Beauty's bold powder.
Make Beauty Satin Finish Powder Blush in Geisha, £22, available at Net-A-Porter
The chubby stick form of this L'Oréal number makes it super easy to sweep across cheeks to brows.
L'Oréal Paris Infallible Blush Paint Chubby, £6.99, available at Boots
When it comes to multi-shade palettes, you can easily run the brush across all three (if you don't mind getting messy), or layer up on the skin for multidimensional colour.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Blush Trio in Berry Adore, £30, available at Cult Beauty
This deep berry looks divine on darker skin tones. Keep it heavy at the brows and fade it slightly when coming down the face.
Laura Mercier Creme Cheek Colour in Blaze, £21.50, available at Space NK
Another easy application, we love Sleek's rich shade.
Sleek Makeup Sweet Cheeks Blush Stick in Whimsical Wonderland, £5.49, available at Boots
Don't save oranges and peaches for summertime – they work just as well now with a silver liner or purple shadow.
Stila Convertible Colour Palette in Sunset Serenade, £29, available at Cult Beauty
Double up on lips and cheeks with Estée Lauder's cream.
Estée Lauder Genuine Glow Blushing Creme for Lips And Cheeks, £19, available at Boots
If you're already devoted to RMS Beauty's Luminizer Quad, meet the Lip2Cheek colour – a creamy shade that'll give you a could-be-natural flush.
RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek in Demure, £34, available at Space NK
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