to dazzle / deceive / blend
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to dazzle
To temporarily prevent someone from seeing because of light that is too bright, for example from headlights or the sun.
Die Scheinwerfer des entgegenkommenden Autos haben mich so stark geblendet, dass ich kurz nichts sehen konnte.
The headlights of the oncoming car dazzled me so badly that I couldn't see anything for a moment.
Although 'blenden' sounds similar to the English 'to blend', it usually has a different meaning. The most common meaning of 'to blend' (e.g., mixing ingredients in a blender) is 'mixen' in German.
Die tiefstehende Sonne hat mich beim Autofahren geblendet.
The low sun dazzled me while I was driving.
When talking about light, the light source can be the subject. Alternatively, you can use a passive construction with 'von' to put the focus on the person.
Das grelle Licht der Lampe blendet mich.
The bright light of the lamp dazzles me.
In the figurative meaning 'täuschen' (to deceive), the preposition 'mit' is often used to name the means of deception.
Der Betrüger blendete seine Opfer mit Versprechungen von schnellem Reichtum.
The fraudster dazzled his victims with promises of quick wealth.
The reflexive expression 'sich blenden lassen' has a fixed structure. The thing or person that deceives is always connected with 'von' and the dative.
Lass dich nicht von seinem Lächeln blenden!
Don't be taken in by his smile!
In the meaning 'mischen' (to mix), 'blenden' is a technical term from the production of luxury consumables such as coffee, tea, tobacco, or spirits. It is not used this way in everyday language.
Für diesen Tee werden verschiedene Sorten aus Indien und Sri Lanka geblendet.
For this tea, different varieties from India and Sri Lanka are blended.
to shine / seem
'scheinen' and 'blenden' can both have to do with light or with an outward impression. 'scheinen' means that there is light or that something gives a certain impression. 'blenden' means that light is so bright that you cannot see well. In a figurative sense, 'blenden' can also mean that someone is impressed and deceived by appearances. The confusion arises because both words can be connected with 'Schein' (appearance / shine) and impressions. 'scheinen' more often describes the impression itself; 'blenden' describes the disturbing or deceptive effect on a person.
Die tief stehende Sonne blendet den Fahrer auf der Landstraße.
The low sun dazzles the driver on the country road.
Nach dem Regen scheint die Sonne wieder durch die Wolken.
After the rain, the sun shines through the clouds again.