Blush is the pulse of makeup—the quickest way to bring life to the skin. A subtle flush that makes us look healthy, like the glow you get after a morning run, a good laugh, or stepping into the sun for just the right amount of time. For centuries, it has been the finishing touch; the difference between looking tired and looking alive. But more than that, it has symbolised status, rebellion, romance, and self-expression. Historically, achieving this flush involved some unconventional ingredients—like carmine, lead powders, or mercury-based vermilion—that today are no longer part of beauty routines.

Fortunately, modern formulas have come a long way (no more questionable ingredients!). Yet the goal remains the same—that perfect, natural flush.

So, how did we get here? Let’s look back at blush’s intriguing, complicated (and sometimes scandalous) history.

The Ancient Origins of Blush

Blush is older than the concept of makeup itself. Over two thousand years ago, blush was sourced straight from the earth. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans each had their own variations. Egyptians ground red ochre mixed with oils to stain their lips and cheeks—a true 2-in-1 solution, long before multitasking products became popular. Greeks opted for mulberry juice, while Romans, known for their dramatic flair, used vermilion—a brilliant red pigment containing mercury, common at the time but thankfully long phased out.

It wasn’t just about looking healthy; blush was a status symbol. Pale skin and rosy cheeks meant you could afford to stay indoors, away from manual labour. Working-class individuals, naturally tanned from outdoor work, rarely wore blush.

Blush wasn’t just makeup. It was power.

The Rise and Fall (and Rise Again) of Blush

By the Middle Ages, beauty standards shifted dramatically. Pale, untouched skin became the ideal—no colour, no glow. Blush became taboo, associated with actors, courtesans, and others deemed outside polite society. Still, many women found subtle ways around it, earning blush from brisk walks or quick cheek pinches.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, blush made a bold return. In French courts, men and women painted their cheeks vibrant pinks or reds. Some of these formulas contained lead—common at the time, but now, of course, a thing of the past. Marie Antoinette famously favoured rosy, doll-like cheeks created from carmine pigment, derived from beetles, demonstrating how far beauty ideals have evolved.

Then came the French Revolution, and the perception of blush shifted again. Suddenly, being too well-dressed, too powdered or too pink all meant being too aristocratic, which was most definitely not a good thing. 

The Victorian “No-Makeup” Makeup Era

By the 19th century, the beauty pendulum swung again. Queen Victoria declared makeup vulgar, making rouge scandalous unless worn by actresses or performers. Still, blush never fully disappeared. Women discreetly bit their lips, pinched their cheeks, or dabbed beet juice before stepping out, secretly keeping the ritual alive.

Then, the 20th century changed everything.

The 20th Century: Blush Goes Mainstream

The early 1900s sparked a makeup revolution. Blush was no longer reserved for film stars and rule-breakers—it became accessible for everyone. Powder compacts appeared in department stores, shades softened, and blush quickly became an essential in everyday beauty routines.

The 1920s flappers embraced rosy cheeks unapologetically, dusting blush high onto their cheekbones—and even their knees (after all, if you were showing off your legs, you might as well commit to the look).

The 50s and 60s gave us gentle pastel pinks. Then came the 80s, boldly elevating blush towards temples, embracing the motto "more is more." The 90s, in contrast, embraced minimalist neutrals. Throughout these shifts, powder blush remained the staple—the simplest, longest-lasting way to achieve a natural flush.

The Return of Powder: The No-Rules Powder