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How to Get a ‘Stained Glass Blush’ Look With 3 Shades of YSL Beauty Blush
November 01, 2023
Anyone who knows me knows that my desert island beauty product is a cream blush (well, after sunscreen, of course) and the YSL Beauty Nu Lip & Cheek Balmy Tint has always been one of my faves. I love the dewy, natural-looking finish and the multi-use element that allows me to tap some on my lips for a monochromatic effect. But I’ve never thought to wear all three shades at once until I heard about makeup artist and YSL Beauty ambassador J. Brandon Correa’s signature blush application technique — stained glass blush.
“The stained-glass blush technique started because I was looking for a way to showcase the cheek in a more dimensional way versus one basic color,” says Correa. “I was also inspired by the see-through, glass-like shine finish of YSL's Nu Lip & Cheek Balmy Tint and combining the two created the stained-glass cheek.”
Correa’s stained glass blush look involves applying different shades of the Nu Lip & Cheek Balmy Tint to different points on your face and blending with a brush or sponge for a contour and highlight effect that showcases the structure of your cheek. The combination of shades and strategic placement mimics the way light naturally reflects on different areas of your face, similar to how stained glass diffuses light. Keep scrolling to find out how to try the technique.
Step 1: Apply “Pinch” on Your Cheekbones
Though it may seem complicated to contour with blush, it’s actually super quick and easy once you understand where to place each color. To start, apply a pea-sized amount of the shade “Pinch” to your cheekbones, or the highest point of your cheeks. This will act as your highlight.
Step 2: Apply “Chills” in Your Contour
Next, apply a dab of “Chills,” the deepest shade, beneath your cheekbones where you would normally contour.
Step 3: Apply “Flush” on the Apples of Your Cheeks
Finally, you’ll go in with a dot of “Flush,” a bright cherry red shade, on the apples of your cheeks. (Pro tip: Though these blushes are sheer, they’re still fairly pigmented, so you only need a small amount.)
Step 4: Blend
Once you’ve applied your brush, it’s time to blend it all together to achieve that stained glass effect. We recommend using a blush brush to blend in circular motions up towards your temples. You’ll be surprised at how beautifully these three vastly different shades come together to warm up your complexion with a radiant glow.
While the Nu Lip & Cheek Balmy Tint has the perfect shade range and dewy finish for achieving the look, you can try it with any kind of blush. “To add even more dimension, try blushes of different textures — shimmer finish for the lightest shade, satin finish for the mid-tone and matte for the deepest shade,” says Correa.
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