How To Nail The Cherry Make-Up Trend
THE APPEAL
“This trend is all about rich red hues, flushed cheeks and juicy, fresh skin. The key is embracing deep, sultry and vibrant tones, so the result is a look that feels bold yet effortless. Unlike its sister ‘strawberry make-up’ trend, which feels brighter and more vivid, cherry make-up is deeper, richer and more sophisticated. It taps into the coquette and has a cool-girl edge, but not in a high-fashion way.” – Natalie Rose Vella
THE BACKGROUND
“To me, this trend feels like something we’ve borrowed from the 80s and made uniquely ours. While the blown-out blush and high placement may belong to the past, the beauty of make-up lies in its ability to evolve and transform both with the times and the person applying it. With this trend, look to the iconic Diana Ross and Phyllis Hyman. We’re taking pages from their book and putting our own spin on it.” – Mali Thomas
HOW TO GET IT RIGHT
Colouring
“At first, the bold poppy red may seem a bit intimidating. I was especially unsure as to how it would look against my deep skin, but it’s now become my go-to. The warmth makes your skin appear brighter, and I’ve found this colour to be universally flattering on all undertones. It’s truly magic.” – Mali
“The beauty of the trend is that it’s so versatile, but the secret to nailing it is choosing the right shade and intensity. Cherry hues make green and blue eyes pop, while enhancing and intensifying the warmth in brown and hazel eyes. For fair skin, softer cherry tones like blue-based reds, raspberry and sheer berry stains complement cool undertones beautifully. Just ensure it still leans more towards red than pink when you sheer it out – mix in a hint of browny nude if it feels too pink. If you have medium-to-olive skin, true cherries, deep berries and neutral reds enhance natural warmth without looking too harsh. Avoid leaning too warm or too cool, or it won’t feel as cherry-like and may wash you out. Olive skin is generally very neutral, so you have a little flexibility both ways. Rich oxblood, deep wine and black cherry shades pop beautifully against deeper complexions, adding dimension and vibrance. Look for colours that lean more maroon-dark brown instead of burgundy-purple – if it’s too purple it won’t read as cherry, especially if you have a red or golden undertone.” – Natalie
Glossier / Merit Beauty
Balance
“My favourite way to wear this look is by balancing the tones. When the eyes and lips are kept more subtle, it allows flushed cheeks to take centre stage. Try using neutral shades on the eyes and lips, then add a pop of colour to your cheeks with a cherry-toned blush.” – Mali
“For a cherry lip, keep the eyes soft with a neutral wash of shadow, go for fluffy, separated lashes and a hint of liner. If you want to focus on incorporating cherry tones into your eye make-up, balance it with a sheer lip stain, soft gloss or blotted lipstick for a flushed-from-within effect. If you’re worried cherry all over the lids feels too intense, try the shade via eyeliner on the outer corners.” – Natalie
Products
“Patrick Ta’s Major Headlines Blush in ‘She Left Me on Red’ is the perfect product if you’re leaning into cherry cheeks, adding both vibrancy and glow. You can build up the intensity layering powder over cream or keep it dewy and pared back. The Haus Labs Lip Oil in ‘Primary’ is a must-have in my kit and fits perfectly with the cherry trend.” – Mali
“I’m really into lip stains by Sacheu and Wonderskin at the moment. My favourite shades are ‘P-inked’ and ‘Lovely’. Another I like is Dr Sam’s Flawless Lip Tint – it’s the most gorgeous cherry shade and leaves such a pretty, sheer finish. SANN Beauty’s Sold Lip Serum in ‘Wild’ has a little more pigment, but can be built up or sheered down, and it’s so universally flattering. On the cheeks, I love LH Cosmetics Artistick in ‘Canvas’ for a warmer red an ‘Stroke’ for something slightly cooler ‘Muse’ is a lighter, more muted tone that complements the cherry aesthetic without being too intense.” – Natalie
THE FOCAL POINTS
Lips:
“A cherry red lip is the star. You can wear it matte, with a diffused edge for a classic, effortless feel, or glossy with a dark brown, blended lip line for a juicy, modern vibe that nods to the popular ‘cherry cola’ look – a slightly more vampy take on the wider trend.” – Natalie
Cheeks:
“A flushed, berry-toned blush applied high on the cheeks gives a natural, wind-whipped glow. The more flushed and stained this looks, the better.” – Natalie
Eyes:
“Keep it soft with a sheer wash of pink or brown, or add a touch of deep brown liner for subtle definition, especially if black feels too intense.” – Natalie
Skin:
“Fresh, hydrated, glassy, lit-from-within skin complements the richness of cherry tones, almost like the glass-like, plump shine of cherries themselves. Try a lighter base or a foundation with a satin finish.” – Natalie
Tips For...
Daytime Wear
“Instead of a bold red lip, use a tinted balm or lip stain to create a just-bitten effect. There are so many long-lasting lip stains on the market now that you can apply once and forget about for the rest of the day – red lips don’t have to be high maintenance anymore. For a wash of colour on the cheeks, apply berry blush high (almost directly under the outer corner of the eyes) and lightly across the nose for a naturally flushed glow. Cream will appear more natural and blend more seamlessly into the skin than powder. On the eyes, you can’t go wrong with a quick curl of your lashes, some mascara and a hint of brown liner for definition. Burgundy mascara, especially on green and hazel eyes, is such an easy way to achieve a cherry lash effect, without it looking overpowering.” – Natalie
Making A Statement
“For a ‘more is more’, all-out cherry moment, a monochromatic approach is your best bet. Balance cherry-stained lips, cheeks and eyes in a diffused, soft-focus way. For a more editorial feel, keep the skin light. If you have natural freckles, let them shine through – this will create a sense of balance among all the cherry tones.” – Natalie
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