This Blush Hack Is Here To Save Your Sallow, Sagging Cheekbones

Blush is arguably the most versatile product in your makeup bag: You can use it to fake a beachy glow, add a bloom of color to your lips and lids, and literally change the shape of your face. Armed with a good cream blush, I can create a full makeup look in about 10 seconds flat. You could say I'm a bit enamored with the product, and when I learn a new trick, I feel practically giddy. 

Celebrity makeup artist Mai Quynh let me in on one of her secrets: "Stack" your blushes to nail a soft, dewy shine. It's a trick you might have tried without even knowing it—but once you understand the ins and outs, trust me, you won't ever look back.  

What is blush stacking?

It's all in the name: Blush stacking involves, well, stacking your blush products on top of one another for a high-impact look that reads naturally flushed. Specifically, "I love using cream blushes on the cheeks first, setting it with a light powder, and then adding a powder blush on top," says Quynh. 

With a jam-packed celebrity roster (Ali Wong, Simona Tabasco, and Riley Keough, to name a few), Quynh swears by this trick to make the skin stand out, even amid a swarm of flash photography. "The cream blush shines through in photos, while the powder blush adds more color to the cheeks," she notes. "It adds that pop of color, so you don't have to worry about it fading throughout the day." Her clients, after all, are certainly booked and busy—so a blush with some staying power is key. 

How to nail the look

It may sound simple, but you'll want to have the hack down to a science. "Powder products tend to sit on top of the skin instead of 'melting' into the skin, which makes it look more obvious in certain lighting," Quynh says, so you'll want to find the right balance. Of course, your own skin type and preferences will come into play: "It just depends on the person and how natural they want the dewy skin to come across," she adds. 

For those hoping to resemble a juicy dewdrop, follow her go-to routine below: 

The takeaway

Blush hacks are truly endless. There are myriad ways to apply the product (that's what makes it my No. 1 must-have), and you can play with your hues as you please. For the prettiest dewy glow, try Quynh's layering trick above. Is this a brand-new, never-before-seen step? Not exactly, but it sure is a look with longevit