Blush Queen: Esther’s Magic on MACZine Cover

Ever feel like blush is just… not for you? Well, get ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about this makeup staple! We’re diving into how the incredible artist known as Painted By Esther turned Olandria into the absolute icon for MAC Cosmetics’ latest zine, and trust us, it’s all about embracing that beautiful blush.

The Power of Blush, Amplified

For makeup artist Ngozi Esther Edeme, or Painted By Esther as she’s known, the philosophy is simple: you can never have too much blush. It’s this passion that made her the perfect choice for MAC’s third MACZine, dedicated entirely to the art of blush. And who better to be the face of this celebration than Olandria Carthen?

Olandria herself is a huge fan, sharing in the zine, “I love blush. I truly feel like it brings out my features and I really want a lot of women with deep, dark skin tones to not be scared to put blush on.” It’s a sentiment that perfectly captures the essence of this cover story – celebrating beauty in all its forms.

Mastering the Gradient Blush Technique

The look on the cover features Olandria’s cheekbones and under-eyes brushed with a technique called ‘gradient blush.’ This isn’t new; it was popularized in the 80s and 90s by the legendary Kevyn Aucoin. Edeme also draws inspiration from the soft coral blush seen on Devon Aoki in the early 2000s.

But Edeme’s approach, often seen on women with deeper skin tones, is bolder and more pigmented. She dismisses the idea of ‘blush blindness,’ stating, “It’s not blind, it’s purposeful.” Her goal is to make blush a deliberate, enhancing feature, not an afterthought.

Edeme’s Signature Blush Strategy

How did she achieve Olandria’s stunning cover look? By using not one, but *three* different blush shades! Edeme emphasizes, “Never ever just one. That’s boring!” She expertly layered two matte shades – the vibrant neon pink ‘Candy Yum Yum’ and the softer neutral ‘Snob’ – with a radiant pastel lavender pink called ‘Lalalavender’.

• A transition color to start the blend.
• Your main, statement color.
• A darker shade to deepen and blend into the rest of the face.

Her advice for beginners? Use at least three blushes: one for transition, one as your main color, and one darker shade to blend and define. Think of it as a ‘main, middle, end’ approach to application. The key to blending, whether light-to-dark or dark-to-light, is to work from the outside edges inward.

Completing the Iconic Look

Beyond the blush, the rest of Olandria’s makeup was equally considered. Edeme added spiky lashes coated in mascara, used two different brown eyeshadows to add depth, and finished the lips with the classic MAC Lip Pencil in ‘Chestnut’ paired with the MACximal Sleek Satin Lipstick in ‘Peachstock’.

My goal is always to bring out the glow from within and never let makeup mask the person underneath. I want inner beauty to shine through in its most elevated form while celebrating every shade, feature and expression of Black women. — Painted By Esther

This philosophy truly shines through, celebrating the natural beauty of Black women and elevating it. It’s a powerful reminder that makeup can be a tool for self-expression and empowerment.