Photos from the 1980s are usually easy to spot. Bright blush was a key look of the era, used to contour the cheekbones and temples in bold, bright reds, pinks and tans. Flushed cheeks were a means of making bone structure pop, and complementing the outrageous shadow colors, clothes and bangs of the new wave era.

Today, contouring has been rediscovered, albeit with a more natural look. Modern contouring routines often include a darker shade for enhancing shadows under the cheekbones, bronzer for places the sun would normally hit, blush for a rose glow on the apples of the cheeks and highlighter along the top of the cheek bones.

'80s Flashback

Let's travel back in time, shall we? To create a blush-forward, contoured cheek inspired by the 1980s - but not nearly as overwhelming - use more subtle versions of those bright tans and reds, and blend, blend, blend. Use a peachy-tan blush on the outer cheeks, like Shu Uemura Satin Radiant Stick Vision of Beauty in Orange Coral or Bronze Gold or Giorgio Armani Beauty Cheek Fabric in 305.

For a more complete contour, we recommend a blush-bronzer combination, like L'Oréal Paris The One Sweep Sculpting Blush Duo or NYX Cosmetics Bronzer & Blusher Combo. Now get in there and sculpt those cheekbones!

Do you notice a difference when you use bronzer to highlight cheekbones? Tell us in the comments below!

Photo: shutterstock