What goes on first? Bronzer or blush? According to TikTok—they should be applied at the same time. A hybrid application that’s coined as “blonzing,” the technique is meant to give skin a burst of natural glow and color. Celebrity makeup artist Etienne Ortega tells Vogue explains it further, “Blonzing is the art of combining blush and bronzer to achieve a sun-kissed warmth with a subtle flush.”
“Blonzing is the art of combining blush and bronzer to achieve a sun-kissed warmth with a subtle flush, giving the skin a natural, healthy glow,” celebrity makeup artist Etienne Ortega tells Vogue. He goes on to say that its become popular because it delivers a soft, blended look that enhances all skin tones “making it perfect for the transitional season into fall when we want to hold onto that summer radiance.”
Photo: Courtesy of Refy
The idea here is that you use a blush that delivers that natural flushed burst of color, but also adds the depth and dimension you’d expect from your chosen bronzer. To achieve this, you’re going to want to pick a super warm hue—think desert oranges and sun-kissed mauves. A personal favorite is Rhode’s Pocket Blush in shade Toasted Teddy—described as a bronze terracotta that’s perfect to awaken medium to deep skin tones. If you’re into a more burnt sienna orange, consider the Haus Labs powder blush in shade Fire Moon or Ortega’s blush stick in Adobe. For something that reads more bronzer, Huda Beauty’s recently-debuted Blush Filter pigments are excellent as well—shade Latte is more cinnamon-hued, suited for fair skin tones, whereas shade Coco-Loco is a bit more chocolatey.
With your chosen blonzer shades in tow, all that’s left is to apply it. The key, per Ortega, is to place it where the sun naturally hits the face, start at the cheeks—below the cheekbone for a boyfriend blush effect, or blended upward for a lifted look—but also give it a go along the bridge of the nose and forehead. To ensure the blonzer is left with an undetectable finish, your best bet is to blend with a brush rather than your fingers. The Chanel N°106 brush is excellent for various powders, while Hourglass’s No. 15 Blush Brush works wonders with liquids and creams.
What I love most about blonzing is how uncomplicated it is. By simply pairing your blush and bronzer into one, you can successfully streamline your routine—instantly warming up the skin in the process. Below, several blonzing shades to sport all fall and winter long.
