Candy Cane Blush by TikTok is the holiday glow we didn’t know we needed

Thanks to a viral TikTok audio, we were all reminded this year just how transformative red blush can be. “What people don’t know is that when I did Victoria’s Secret for years, they had to look very natural,” makeup artist and RMS founder Rose-Marie Swift shared in a popular TikTok video. “A lot of people always think it was pink. But it wasn’t – it was red.”

And just like that, red blush made its big comeback. While it may seem scary at first glance, as Swift explains, red is actually the natural color our cheeks flush when we’re excited or cold, making it a favorite among TikTokers and celebrities like Selena Gomez.

Now, red blush gets a festive upgrade with TikTok’s candy cane blush trend. Keep reading to learn more about this trendy holiday makeup look that’s both flattering and fun.

The trend

Alissa Janay, the creator behind viral blush hacks like “sunset blush” and “pumpkin spice blush,” is also the mastermind behind this candy cane blush trend. As the name suggests, Sugarcane Blush is a vibrant combination of bright red liquid blush and a pearly white liquid highlighter, applied in alternating dots that mimic the stripes of a sugarcane.

The result is a luminous flush that gives you the illusion that you’ve spent hours outside in chilly weather—only with a sleek, vacation-ready glow.

Instagram/ @sabrinacarpenter

The red blush alone provides that cozy winter warmth, while the highlighter adds a soft, festive glow, perfect for any holiday celebration.

How to get the look

While there are many red blush and highlighter combos on the market, TikTok’s favorite duo seems to be Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Cheek Tint in Flaming Red paired with Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Acqua Highlighter in Halo.

Depending on how bold you like your blush, dab 2-3 dots of red blush and 2-3 dots of highlighter in alternating stripes across your cheeks for a naturally glowing blush.

If you’re in the mood for a little extra holiday cheer, apply blush and highlighter in a candy cane pattern, starting at the apples of your cheeks and working your way up to your temples. For that extra pearly glow, finish the look with a dazzling highlighter like Fenty’s Diamond Bomb.