The TikTok-Viral Anti-Blush Trend Spotted on Inde Navarrette, Sabrina Carpenter, & More

If we had to pick one beauty product that has dominated the past few years, it would definitely be blush—which is why the “anti-blush” trend feels like such a surprise.

Though blush has always been an essential element of a complete makeup look, it never got the attention that lipstick or eye makeup did—until the early 2020s, anyway. Cream blushes like Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Dewy Liquid Blush went massively viral and re-ignited an interest in the cheeky product, and now we've got all sorts of blush options and methods at our fingertips. We've layered cream and powders, gone all in on heavy blush, or tried transitional blush that “melts” from the under-eye down.

But the trend cycle is turning over again and “anti-blush” looks are picking up momentum. That doesn't mean wearing zero blush at all though. It's not about leaving your blush behind entirely. Instead, the anti-blush trend centers on specific shades of the product, swapping bright baby pinks and cheery corals for more subdued nudes, mauves, and peachy tones.

Though the look isn't exactly new and has gone by a few different names, the current anti-blush trend picked up steam in summer thanks to a few TikTok creators, including Kim Senser, who claimed that MAC's Skinfinish Colorstruck Blush in the shade Film Noir Buff was the perfect un-blush, so to speak—the color you wear when you don't want anyone to know you're wearing blush, but with the same warmth and dimension you get from layering bronzer, blush, and contour.

“I think it’s honestly a reaction to the intense blush trend we’ve been seeing over the last couple of years,” says makeup artist Kasey Spickard. He mentions seeing more and more creators mixing blush, foundation, and liquid contour to create “an almost neutral, cool-toned blush to sculpt the face without over-powering with a punchy color” now. As a pro artist, he says, it's something he's done for no-makeup makeup looks seen in editorials and campaigns. “It’s a way to create dimension and bring life back to the face without it overpowering.” Application-wise, the anti-blush look requires a lighter hand than traditional blush placements, placing it either on the apple of your cheek or slightly upward, near your temples. “This sculpts the face without overpowering," says Spickard.

Since then, the anti-blush trend has exploded in popularity, leading specific shades to sell out as others try to mimic the sunny yet subtle flush. We've seen it on celebs too, including several stars at the Academy Museum Gala on October 17; Emma Chamberlain, Iris Law, Inde Navarrette, and Chase Infinti were all wearing their own version of anti-blush. Even blush queen Sabrina Carpenter went for a more subdued flush!

Ahead, we rounded up a few of our favorite anti-blush blush shades to give you subtle, yet noticeable definition for the fall and beyond.