What do Olandria Carthan, CoCo Jones, and Kelly Rowland have in common? They’ve all been swept into the color-happy world of Esther “Painted by Esther” Ngozi Edeme. Her viral under-eye blush trick has turned timelines into full-on swatches of pink, coral, berry, and peach. The technique gives you an ethereal goddess aesthetic that makes it hard not to want to repeat every time. You place blush right under the eye so it lifts your face, wakes up your look, and brings that soft pop of color that refuses to be shy.
It’s the kind of trend that makes blush blindness feel right again. That moment where you dip back into the product even though you swore you were done. You add a little extra, then look in the mirror like, “Wait, this might be my new personality.”
For years, women of color like me were told blush didn’t belong in our makeup bag, that certain shades only worked for certain undertones. This trend proves that the thought was completely nonsensical.
Painted by Esther often reaches for cream blush because it melts into the skin and blends effortlessly. If powders feel more comfortable, spray your brush with a little setting spray before dipping in. This softens the edges and helps the color sit on the skin rather than float above it.
Myricks told Swimsuit Magazine that “blush placement is way more playful right now,” and that she loves how red blush looks beautiful on every skin tone.
The truth is, you can use undertones as a guide if you want, but you don’t have to. Warm peaches, soft roses, deep berries, and bright corals work across the spectrum when blended with intention. Fall is also the perfect time to dip into cranberry, burnt peach, and rosewood. These shades pair well with brown liners, glossy lip,s and soft smoky eyes.
If you want a daytime version, tap your fingers lightly and blend until the color looks like it’s coming from your skin. If you want something more dramatic, use a dense blush brush and build until the color shows boldly. If you add too much, blend with a damp sponge and keep moving.
The beauty of putting blush under the eye is that it works with your natural structure. Round faces can pull the color slightly outward for a lifted look. Angular faces can keep it tight for a cozy flush. There’s no fixing. There’s only enhancing.
Below are five blushes that make this look shine, along with tips to help you personalize your placement. So you can get the Painted by Esther look and blush your way into whatever feels good.
1. Morphe’s Cheek Thrills Multi-Finish Face Trio
I’ve personally been loving this blush lately. Morphe’s Cheek Thrills Multi-Finish Face Trio lets you play with three textures: satin cream, luminous balm, and velvet powder, all in the same color family. It’s a product that gives you the option to fit whatever mood you’re in.
2. Juvia’s Place Blushed Cream Blush
Check out Juvia’s Place Blushed Cream Blush, a must-have for your makeup bag. It adds a soft but vibrant pop of color that works for everything, from everyday subtlety to full-on evening drama. It’s a blush made for experimenting and having fun with your look.
3. Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder
This buildable, soft-matte Blurring Balm Powder smooths and blurs cheeks, lips, and other areas for a flawless finish. Vegan and lightweight, it tackles uneven texture without feeling heavy, making it perfect for beginners. With squalane and hyaluronic acid, it keeps skin hydrated while letting you experiment across multiple areas.
4. Patrick TA Creme & Powder Blush Duo
This blush duo gives you two vibes in one compact, creamy, dewy color plus a soft powder finish. Inspired by Patrick Ta’s viral cream-over-powder technique, the shades layer for a lit-from-within glow that lasts all day.
5. Glossier Cloud Paint Plush Blush
The Cloud Paint Plush Blush is one of Painted by Esther’s personal favorites whenever she’s working with clients.
Want some inspo before you dip into your own blush adventure? Check out these beauty content creators for tips and tricks. They show you how to play with placement, layer color, and really make blush feel like a mood.
@serenttaaa Let’s try the viral @Paintedbyesther blush technique 🤩🩷 Would y’all try out her technique?! 🤭 @Juvia’s Place liquid blush (barbie rose) @Rare Beauty liquid blush (happy) @Huda Beauty liquid blush (cotton candy) @Natasha Denona concealer (NR13) @Hourglass Cosmetics concealer (8 flax) @Too Faced born this way concealer (almond) @ONE SIZE BEAUTY loose setting powder (ultra pink) @Kosas powder blush (chills) @Painted blush duo (girly pop) @SHEGLAM setting powder duo (bubblegum) @carslan_us 2.0 pressed translucent powder (02) follow me on Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat @ Serenttaaa | 🔗 in my b!o 🫶🏽 #makeuptok #blackgirlmakeup #blackgirlmakeuptutorial #blackgirlmakeupvideos #blackgirlcontentcreator #paintedbyesther #paintedbyesthertutorial #blushtutorial #blushplacement ♬ original sound – Serena Nicole 🪷
@dylan.davii paintedbyesther is a GENIUS. @Paintedbyesther @Pat McGrath Labs @Maybelline NY @milkmakeup @ONE SIZE BEAUTY @about-face beauty @Fenty Beauty @BEAUTY BAY @makeupforever @madebymitchell #paintedbyesther ♬ Jealous Type – Doja Cat
At the end of the day, this trend is all about having fun with experimenting with color. Let yourself lean into the blush blindness moment that always hits right before the look comes together. Your face deserves joy, movement, and color that feels alive. Painted by Esther’s techniques, inspire makeup lovers to blush their way into whatever mood, moment, or main-character energy they want. The trend is here. The fun is yours.
