Celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta is at the center of a beauty world firestorm after his new 'transition blush' technique sparked accusations that he copied viral makeup creator Painted By Esther, and now fans are scrambling to recreate the ultra-blended look themselves.
The controversy exploded online after Esther, whose flushed under-eye-to-cheek makeup style has gone massively viral on TikTok and Instagram over the past year, appeared to call out Ta's latest product campaign.
Social media users quickly accused the celebrity MUA of borrowing not only the aesthetic but even the 'transition blush' terminology popularized by the influencer.
But while the online debate continues to rage, beauty lovers are equally obsessed with one question: what exactly is the Patrick Ta viral blush technique?
At its core, the makeup hack is designed to create a seamless gradient between the under-eye area and the cheeks, producing a soft-focus, airbrushed flush that appears naturally radiant rather than sharply contoured.
According to Ta, the goal is to blur the line between concealer and blush for a more diffused complexion.
The 'Transition Blush' Makeup Trick Taking Over TikTok
According to Byrdie, unlike traditional blush placement that focuses only on the apples of the cheeks, the transition blush method extends color upward toward the under-eyes to create a lifted, watercolor-like effect.
Ta recently introduced a full lineup of products built around the technique, including liquid blushes and blurring powders designed to layer over complexion makeup. He explained that the idea came from years of mixing formulas backstage to achieve a smoother blend between concealer and cheek color.
The technique involves applying concealer first, leaving it slightly damp, then blending blush directly into it. A soft powder blush is then layered over the top to diffuse the finish.
The final look is intentionally hazy, brightened, and almost sun-kissed, a dramatic departure from the ultra-sculpted makeup trends that have dominated recent years.
Online beauty fans quickly connected the style to Esther's now-signature makeup looks, particularly the flushed glam she created for reality stars and influencers. Reddit threads and TikTok commentary exploded with comparisons, with many users claiming the similarities were 'too obvious to ignore'.
Others, however, argued that the technique itself is not entirely new.
Several beauty commentators noted that variations of gradient blush have existed for years in Korean and East Asian beauty trends under names such as 'ombre blush' and 'sunset blush'.
Why Fans Are Accusing Patrick Ta Of Copying Paintings by Esther
The backlash intensified after online users resurfaced claims that someone allegedly connected to Ta's team had attempted to book Esther for a makeup appointment while requesting permission to film her technique.
According to online discussions, Esther later declined the recording request because she felt uncomfortable sharing her professional methods in that setting.
Critics also became frustrated by reports that 'transition blush' may have been trademarked, sparking fears that Esther could eventually be unable to market products under the same terminology, despite having helped popularize the phrase online.
Still, the controversy has only fueled even greater fascination with the trend itself.
TikTok is now flooded with tutorials attempting to mimic the dreamy flushed effect, while beauty lovers debate whether the look belongs to any one artist at all.
And regardless of who truly pioneered the aesthetic, one thing is certain: transition blush has officially become the summer's makeup obsession.
