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The History of Blush – The Sweet, Sexy and Scandalous!

10 November, 2015 - 08:14pm by - First Lady | 14 Comments

By BR Kellie

For as long as I can remember I’ve had a slight obsession with blusher. Being naturally pasty I would look on in wonder at the girls who were born with a natural flush to their cheeks. I’d sit in hot baths and stare at myself in our bathroom’s mirrored tiles marvelling at the glow the heat and steam gave my usually chalk coloured cheeks and sometimes I’d even do a cheek pinch to get a flush of colour going. Then as time passed and the mostly makeup-less years of high school ended, I discovered blusher.

Beautiful, colourific, the illusion of health-giving blusher. Cream, powder, tints, I tried them all and loved them all. Still do. My love affair with blush is sure to last until my last breath (and then they’d better pop some colour on my cheeks before they lower me into the ground or I’ll have some haunting to do). I have wondered though, how long has blush been around? Who first came up with the idea of putting a stain upon one’s cheeks? Has it always been the thing to do? On went my detective cap…

Blush: The Beginnings. When I look at pictures of ancient Egyptians my eye is drawn to their eyes, they were pretty big fans of lining them in kohl and oh how I wish I had half their skill. However, it turns out the Egyptians also quite enjoyed rouging their cheeks with ochre, amongst other makeup practices. Did that make them the original makeup artists? I like to think so.

Grecian Goddesses: The women of ancient Greece were also rather fond of giving their cheeks a natural looking glow, crushing berries, flowers and seeds to create their own pigments. 

The Tang Dynasty:  While wearing makeup was nothing new to the women of China back in the day, the Tang Dynasty saw a rise in experimentation; with super rouged cheeks being so hot right now… back then… ykwim. Check out this YouTube clip featuring a story on a young woman who skillfully recreated the makeup styles of the Tang Dynasty.

For a good long while there as Christianity rose to power in certain parts of the world, the lure of blush receded, but it still managed to pop up here and there. 

The Elizabethan Era: Who said a woman couldn’t be strong and fashionable? The Elizabethan era was a time when blush was beloved along with super white skin, with Queen Elizabeth said to have started the trend. 

Vive La Revolution… Or perhaps not if you were a fan of makeup? The fall of the monarchy in France saw the fall of blush, which until then had been a makeup must. Post-revolution? A more natural look was embraced, no doubt as a direct response to the extravagance of the previous era.

The Victorian Era: In the 19th century Queen Vic declared painted faces were vulgar and not for proper ladies. Did that declaration stop ‘proper’ ladies from pinking their cheeks? Not so much. A quick pinch of the cheeks saw ladies of the time sporting a ‘natural’ flush. Sneaky!

In the last century most women have been able to enjoy freedom over their looks, something commented on in this fabulous video from Lisa Eldridge.

We’ve embraced no blush, lots of blush, a medium amount of blush, but one has to wonder…

What’s Next? If the runways are anything to go by the next big look in blush is the flushed look. There’s little to no contouring and just a rosy splash of colour upon the cheeks, as if you’ve chased a manic three-year-old down the street or gone for a quick walk in your lunch break. A doable look and one to be embraced.

So tell me, are you a blushing babe? What’s your favourite blush formula? Will you be embracing the flushed trend? Chat away!  

Images: Pinterest/Buzzfeed/Wikipedia/HarpersBazaar.co.uk

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Comments

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3rd February, 2016

I don't think I will be embracing the flushed trend intentionally... chasing after master 3 is usually enough anyway :)

16th November, 2015

I personally like a hint of blush. Natural looking and not something that looks heavily applied. I don't think I've ever used a blush that wasn't powdered. My cheeks tend to look more red towards the end of the day so I like to go easy on it in the morning.

13th November, 2015

I always apply a bit of colour to my cheeks, otherwise I look a bit washed out. I think most women look better with a rosy tint to their face.

12th November, 2015

This was so interesting! Blush is a trend that truly is timeless haha. I love blush - I'm super pale, and if I don't add a bit of colour to my cheeks I will, without fail, get asked if I'm feeling okay :P I love cream blushes for a really natural flush, but powder blushes always win in terms of longevity - my beloved Za one is a makeup staple for me. xx

12th November, 2015

Ooh yes I am loving this look since I suck at contouring and think that blush is more my thing.

11th November, 2015

I lurve blush, but I prefer something that's not too crazily obvious- not so keen on a full on 80's blush! But I definitely veer towards more than less! My favourite formulas are cream blushes, Josie Maran cheek gelee is subtle but sweet, and Bobbi Brown pot rouge is my ultimate HG blush. Somehow a cream blush makes you look so fresh and youthful. Lisa Eldridge's video is amazing, she is such an artist!

11th November, 2015

I like a little blush but don't like the blushing babe look as I blush easily so don't need help in this department. I have only one powder blush and like a small enhancement.

11th November, 2015

Hmmmmm I'm starting to quite like the pink rosy apple cheek look :). As long as it's not too pink or obvious I think it looks great

10th November, 2015

I like to look like I have naturally lightly rosy cheeks with my blusher. Blusher aside, I do enjoy Lisa Eldridge's videos, they're always interesting.

10th November, 2015

What an awesome informative article about blush! I never never it went so far back in time! I love blush on others, but for myself its either a little or a lot of blush so I still need to learn.

10th November, 2015

I do enjoy blush it gives a woman a glow. Different kind of glow to higlighting. I'd like to venture outside of powders and try creams and liquids.

10th November, 2015

This is a great article, thank you. I am a bit of a scardy cat when it comes to blush, but with articles like this and a blush trial going I am trying harder with blush.

10th November, 2015

Love the unibrow on ancient Greece, but sister we have been through some tiiiiiimes!!!!! I think a little blush is nice. Maybe the future will be the full blush followed by the super white skin again....

10th November, 2015

I adore that video by Lisa Eldridge, I'm totally going to ask for her book for Christmas (If I don't cave before hand). Love blush... but that picture on the photowall already has proven that.

Julieal
11th November, 2015

that would be a lovely present

Macs
10th November, 2015

oh maree you make me giggle about the unibrow

Ringy
10th November, 2015

The Nars multiple sticks are nice and glowy.

Macs
10th November, 2015

Never tried Nars before. I must remember that.

Julieal
11th November, 2015

Nars sound really nice.

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