Zara Larsson's Grammy Glow: The £8 Multi-Use Blusher Behind Her Golden Hour Look
Zara Larsson has been widely praised for her 'super affordable' makeup at this year's Grammy Awards, with her radiant 'golden hour' inspired look relying on a blusher that costs just £8. The Swedish singer turned heads on the red carpet with a beauty aesthetic that captured the coveted glow of sunset, proving that high-end glamour doesn't require luxury prices.
The Red Carpet Moment That Captured Attention
The 2026 Grammy Awards showcased numerous stunning beauty looks, but Zara Larsson's makeup has generated particular buzz among beauty enthusiasts and fans alike. While the 'Lush Life' singer impressed with her cut-out dress and flowing wavy hair, it was her complexion that sparked the most conversation across social media platforms.
Her bronzed skin with flushed pink tones across her nose and cheeks drew immediate comparisons to that perfect holiday golden hour glow. Social media responses flooded in with comments like "It's golden hour all the time" and "Love this golden glam," highlighting how effectively the look captured that sun-kissed aesthetic.
The Budget-Friendly Beauty Secret Revealed
Makeup artist Sophia Sinot created Zara's 'Grammy glam' using products from accessible beauty brand Maybelline, with one fan noting: "Love how it's not even a high end brand and super affordable for us girlies." This approach demonstrates how professional red carpet results can be achieved without premium price tags.
The standout product was undoubtedly the prominent blusher that became the star of the show. Sophia applied it generously across Zara's cheeks and nose to create that fresh-from-the-sun appearance. Specifically, she used Maybelline New York's Cloudtopia Blush Cheek & Lip Mousse in the shade Coral Illusion, currently available for just £7.99 at LookFantastic, reduced from its usual £9.99 price point.
Product Performance and Versatility
This ultra-pigmented blusher features a lightweight mousse texture that blends effortlessly and sits beautifully on the skin, absorbing just enough to deliver a natural-looking flushed effect. Its matte finish helps to blur imperfections, creating the illusion of flawless skin while maintaining that sought-after golden hour glow.
Although Sophia selected the Coral Illusion shade for Zara's red carpet appearance, the Cloudtopia Blush Cheek & Lip Mousse comes in six additional shades suitable for all skin tones. The product promises up to fourteen hours of wear and offers genuine multi-use functionality, working effectively on both cheeks and lips to create a cohesive makeup look.
Completing the Cohesive Look
Sophia Sinot expertly lined Zara's lips using Maybelline's Lifter Liner Lip Liner in shades Line Leader and On It, currently on sale for £5.59. This liner contains hyaluronic acid to help plump lips and fill fine lines, making it easier to achieve a crisp, full-looking pout.
She then finished the lip look by applying the same Cloudtopia Blush Cheek & Lip Mousse in Coral Illusion to Zara's lips, followed by a slick of Maybelline's Lifter Gloss in the shade Sun. This gloss also features hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump lips while delivering a non-sticky finish that maintains comfort throughout wear.
Why Multi-Use Products Make Sense
Incorporating a product like the Cloudtopia Blush Cheek & Lip Mousse into your beauty collection offers multiple advantages. Not only does it help create an effortlessly cohesive makeup look, but its 2-in-1 design helps save valuable space in your beauty bag. For those uncertain about mousse textures, several other brands offer similar multi-use formulas in different consistencies.
Merit's Flush Balm Cream Blush (£26) comes with a convenient applicator for direct application to cheeks and lips, featuring a vitamin E-infused formula that nourishes and conditions skin. Wonderskin's Phlush Stick (£20) also applies directly to skin and lips, with a pH-adjusting formula that creates a unique colour based on your individual skin tone.
Zara Larsson's Grammy appearance has highlighted how accessible beauty products can deliver red carpet-worthy results, with her golden hour glow serving as inspiration for beauty enthusiasts seeking affordable luxury.
