Welcome to the era of glazed blush, the beauty must-have that’s painting London’s cheeks with a glow that’s equal parts Britpop nostalgia and Seoul-inspired futurism. As Flavourmag’s resident trend-spotter, I’m here to break down why this look is more than just makeup—it’s a cultural movement, darling.

Glazed blush is all about that high-shine, almost wet-looking flush that sits high on the cheekbones, blending seamlessly into your skin for a fresh, youthful radiance. Unlike the heavy contouring of yesteryear, this trend leans into minimalism with maximum impact. Think Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk glow meets the ethereal sheen of a Glossier campaign, but with a distinctly London edge—think less “Instagram filter” and more “caught in a dreamy drizzle on Portobello Road.”

The technique? It’s all about layering. Start with a cream blush (Fenty Beauty’s Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush is a crowd-pleaser), blend it high on the cheeks, and top with a touch of liquid highlighter or even a dab of clear gloss for that signature glaze. The result is a look that’s polished yet undone like you’ve just danced all night at a Brixton gig and somehow emerged even more radiant.

Why has glazed blush struck such a chord? Let’s rewind to the ‘90s, when Britpop ruled London’s airwaves and Kate Moss’s flushed cheeks were the epitome of cool. That barely-there, rosy glow—spotted on everyone from Blur gig-goers to Notting Hill vintage shoppers—was a rebellion against the overdone glamour of the ‘80s. Fast-forward to 2025, and we’re seeing a revival of that effortless vibe, but with a twist: enter K-pop’s influence.

Korean beauty, with its obsession for glass skin and dewy finishes, has taken London by storm. From Hoxton’s pop-up K-beauty stores to the TikTok tutorials flooding our feeds, the glazed blush trend owes much to Seoul’s mastery of luminous complexions. It’s a cultural mash-up—London’s gritty, art-school edge meets K-pop’s polished perfection. I spotted this fusion firsthand at London Fashion Week SS25, where designers like Simone Rocha paired glazed cheeks with avant-garde knits, nodding to both Mossy’s ‘90s swagger and Blackpink’s mirror-like glow.

The runways have spoken, and glazed blush is the star of the show. At Paris Fashion Week, Chanel sent models down the catwalk with flushed cheeks that looked like they’d just wandered through a misty English garden. Closer to home, Burberry’s latest collection leaned into the trend, with makeup artists using cream blushes to create a windswept, romantic flush that screamed British countryside chic. But it’s not just high fashion—high street brands like Superdrug and Boots are stocking affordable dupes, from Revolution’s Cream Blush Wands to No7’s Hydraluminous Blush, making the look accessible to all.

What’s driving its ubiquity? It’s the trend’s versatility. Glazed blush flatters every skin tone, from porcelain to deep, and works across aesthetics—pair it with a bold red lip for a night at Ronnie Scott’s or keep it minimal for a Sunday at Columbia Road Flower Market. Plus, it’s low-maintenance. A quick dab of product, a blend with your fingers, and you’re out the door, looking like you’ve just been kissed by a spring breeze.

As someone who’s as obsessed with a Turner painting as I am with a Vivienne Westwood corset, I can’t help but see glazed blush as a work of art. It’s a nod to the Romantic era’s obsession with flushed, consumptive beauty—think Elizabeth Siddal in a Pre-Raphaelite portrait—but reimagined for our digital age. The sheen catches the light like a canvas, turning your face into a living sculpture. It’s no surprise that artists like Shygirl and FKA Twigs, who blur the lines between music and performance art, have been spotted rocking the look at festivals like Glastonbury.

This trend also taps into a broader cultural shift: authenticity. In a world of AI-generated filters, glazed blush is refreshingly real. It enhances rather than masks, celebrating the natural flush of your skin. It’s a quiet rebellion against perfectionism, much like the smudged eyeliner of the ‘90s grunge scene or the raw energy of a live gig at The 100 Club.

Ready to join the glazed blush revolution? Here’s my foolproof guide, straight from the streets of London to your makeup bag:

Pro tip: Pair with a barely-there base and a slick of clear gloss on the lips for that ultimate London-cool aesthetic. I’ve been rocking this look at every event from Somerset House exhibitions to Dalston rooftop raves, and it never fails to turn heads.

Glazed blush isn’t just a trend; it’s a love letter to London’s eclectic spirit. It’s the flush of a teenager sneaking into their first gig, the glow of a model strutting down the King’s Road, and the dewy sheen of a K-pop star lighting up Oxford Street’s billboards. It’s high fashion and high street, art history and TikTok tutorials, all blended into one irresistibly chic package.

So, whether you’re queuing for a flat white in Hackney or dancing under the stars at Wireless Festival, make glazed blush your beauty go-to. It’s the easiest way to look like you’ve got your finger on the pulse of London’s ever-evolving style scene. Trust me, darlings—this is one trend that’s here to stay.