Becoming a world-renowned pop star is as much about talent as it is about crafting an unmistakable signature. A hit song helps, but cementing an iconic look is even better. Beyoncé has her honeyed golden locks; Taylor Swift is synonymous with a red lip (Pat McGrath's LiquiLUST Legendary Wear Matte Lipstick in Elson 4, in case you were wondering), and Rihanna has gifted us everything, from her edgy pixie to the fiery red styles of her Loud era. Today, pop music has a new face, framed by cascading, voluminous waves and anchored with a dewy flush of glistening baby-pink blush—welcome to the short and sweet world of Sabrina Carpenter’s bubblegum beauty.
Zoom into the cheeks of pop latest princess, and it’s topped with everything one would consider a perfect blush combo: natural dewiness, ombré pink tones, and strategic placement that lifts as it sculpts. Carpenter serves as the canvas, while celebrity makeup artist Carolina Gonzalez—who counts Hailee Steinfeld, Gigi Hadid, and Ashley Park among her clients—is the master sculptor behind the sought-after look that’s leading the current blush resurgence in beauty.
“I think blush is having a moment because it’s fun and gives a pop of drama or playfulness. Makeup should be just that,” Gonzalez tells ELLE.com. Looking to 2025, Gonzalez believes more people “will play with different shades, different formulations, and be more experimental.” It’s the exact formula she follows when meticulously building Carpenter’s signature look. To the naked eye, Carpenter’s glossy pink cheeks might seem like the labor of multiple products, but Gonzalez reveals just a simple trio is behind the ombré blush look. “My go-tos are Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Liquid Blush Cheek Tint in 53, 62, and 50.5 because the quality is impeccable and is buildable,” Gonzalez shares.
The trick is to work in layers with malleable formulas. “I like working with cream or liquid blushes and build until I hit the desired effect of intensity I want. After that, I set it with a setting spray or with a powder blush,” she explains. Flipping between the pinky-mauve shades, Gonzalez says, “It’s important to start in light layers. From there, I layer to hit the desired intensity that I want using my fingers, or sometimes I like to use a sponge.”
In Gonzalez’s world, makeup has no rules—her blush technique shifts depending on the final look desired. Placing blush “high on cheekbones lifts and sculpts the face; across the nose offers a sunburn look that shortens the face [and is] playful, and the apples of cheeks give a soft, full, and feminine finish,” she adds. Carpenter’s signature mug doesn’t stop at baby-doll pink cheeks—flirty, fluffy lashes, semi-matte skin, and a shimmering inner-eye highlight tie it all together. Ahead, shop more of Carpenter’s must-haves to recreate her look at home.
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Glow Setting Powder
Velour Lashes Velour-Xtensions™ Lash Clusters
