I have rosacea and the rednes always gets more intense anytime my face flushes. There are different events or triggers that will cause my face to flush, one of which is embarasment. Once my face flushes - the redness is more pronounced. All I can do at that point is take calming breaths and try and bring down the flushing. a cool cloth or cool water helps. I don't use makeup because that just adds to the general redness/irritation that is there always. Its just that flushing makes the red more intense.

I think you are on the right path to try and think calming thoughts and take deep breaths.