Blusher trends aren’t usually one-size-fits-all. What looks prettily glowy on a Gen Z influencer can easily look like sunburn or like a hot flush on older skin. However, one beauty trend that works for everyone, but especially mature faces, is the universally lovely #dewyblush look. It’s a soft, health-signalling cheek glow, and as Glenn Close has just proved, it gives an instant, ageless lift to any complexion.
Attending a performance of Sunset Boulevard in New York, the iconic actress, 78, looked so radiant she risked stealing the show from its leading lady, Nicole Scherzinger. A pre-event photo shared on her Instagram shows Glenn with a dewy pink blush blended to a flawless blurred-out finish by her MUA Benjamin Puckey. A sheer, glowy base allows her freckles to show through, while a slick of inky-black liner adds definition to her blue eyes.
It is, in a word, glorious. ‘Her makeup is wonderfully fresh, youthful and dewy,’ agrees makeup artist Daniel Sandler. ‘The dewy blush on her cheeks is absolutely gorgeous. What I love about this is that her blusher has a little bit of pink in it, whereas her lip color has a little bit of peachy orange, which creates a lovely colour contrast.’
The overall look strikes the ideal balance between softness and strength, says Daniel. ‘In contrast to all the softness of the base makeup, she's got an ultra-black slick of kitten flick along the upper lash line to create a wonderful sophistication.’
It’s worth noting that blusher is arguably your most-valued player in a midlife makeup bag, as it compensates for the natural loss of colour that comes with age, and also ensures that silver hair looks striking rather than draining.
‘If you embrace grey hair then you need to add colour in your face,’ advises Daniel. ‘As a general rule, anyone with salt/pepper silvery grey hair should go for cooler makeup shades, and anyone with pure white hair will suit warmer shades.’
How to create a dewy blush look
For an anti-ageing effect, Daniel recommends applying blusher slightly higher on the cheeks: ‘This creates the illusion of a slightly-lifted, sculpted finish. Remember to blend the edges of the blush really well so they just look like a lovely, natural, ‘from within’ flush, rather than something that look obviously make-up-like and stripy.’
The best blush format to copy Glenn’s ageless look is ‘a liquid cream or gel, because they'll blend beautifully on the skin, last well, and leave a lovely slightly moist-looking finish,’ advises Daniel.
Done well, blusher is like CPR for a lifeless complexion, but many women are wary of it looking too Aunt Sally. ‘To create a very beautiful, natural effect like Glenn’s, use your fingertips and apply the blush in light circular motions to build up the intensity,’ says Daniel.
He adds: ‘If you feel that the outer edges are just a little bit too obvious and it looks like your blush is sitting on your base, simply take your finger around the outside edge of the blush to soften the line.’
Or if you feel it’s still a bit too strong, don’t worry. ‘You just need to tap a little bit of foundation over the blusher and blend it in. That way, you’ll be able to tone it down and get a lovely, naturally glowy result.’
Best blushers for a dewy blush effect
GH beauty director Lynne Hyland picks her favourites
This iconic formula, which has just celebrated its 20th anniversary, is a joy to pat in. It’s so pretty and simple: finger painting at its best. Cherub is the perfect pink for that Glenn-like flush, and it lasts all day, too.
The original is a winner in the GHI Beauty Awards, and while I love it too, I know the colour intensity is too much for some. This new cream-to-powder sister formula gives a softer effect, and is a cinch to blend.
I literally have a stack of these on my vanity, as the pots clip magnetically together. They melt effortlessly into skin, and it’s a rare morning that I don’t swipe and go with one of them.
I wasn’t sure that MAC could transfer the lustrous benefits of Strobe Cream into a blusher, but this product is luscious. The ten shades look gently iridescent without looking shiny, and are just as pretty dabbed on lips.
