Blush is a makeup product that is applied to the cheeks, typically in a shade of pink, red, coral, and sometimes purple, to give the skin a flushed appearance. Blush comes in different formulas including powder, cream and liquid. It also comes in different finishes like matte, shimmer and satin.
Blush is typically applied to the apples of your cheeks, but it can also be placed higher on the cheekbone to lift and sculpt your face. It can also be applied on the nose to fake a sun burnt flush. BeautyTok has even used it to contour, a process aptly dubbed blush contouring, for a softer, rosy-hued take on face sculpting.
When searching for the right blush for your skin tone, the first thing to look at is the color and how it pairs with your skin tone. Lighter shades of pink blush and pastels will flatter pale skin tones while vibrant shades like deep berry, purple and red will look better on darker complexions. If you’re not starting off with the right shade of blush in terms of depth, pigment and hue to complement your skin tone, then focusing on the undertone isn’t helpful.
Once you’ve identified the right color of blush for your skin tone, then you want to make sure to keep your undertones in mind. If you’re not sure what those are, flip over your wrist and look at your veins. If they’re green, you have warm undertones. If they’re blue or purple, you have cool undertones. If you see a mix of green and blue, then you likely have neutral undertones.
This means that if you have warm or yellow undertones, you’ll be looking for an orange or red-based blush. If you have cool undertones, then you’ll be looking for a blue or pink-based blush. If you have neutral undertones, this means both cool and warm undertones suit you most blush colors will flatter your skin tone. That said, if you do have neutral undertones, stick to softer, warmer shades as opposed to bold, bright hues. Brighter hues with blue tones may look gray on a complexion with neutral undertones.
If you’re still unsure about picking the right shade of blush for your skin tone, test it on the apples of your cheeks and see how it pairs with your natural lip color. If it clashes, it’s the wrong undertone, if the two complement each other, you’ve found the right one.
A light pink or peach blush is the best choice for fair skin with warm undertones because it mimics the skin’s natural flush. If you have fair skin with cool undertones, try a baby pink shade. The contrast with both of these hues is just right for fair skin and it’s really hard to overdo it. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to try a coral blush or another vibrant shade, use a light hand to apply a sheer layer of color.
If you have fair skin with warm undertones try the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Radiant Satin Blush with Camellia Oil in Peony or the L’Oréal Paris True Match Blush in Bare Honey.
If you have cool undertones try the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Lip and Cheek Tint in Pink Serenity or the L’Oréal Paris True Match Blush in Baby Blossom.
If you have neutral undertones, try the L’Oréal Paris True Match Blush in Tender Rose.
For those with medium skin, pink, peach and bronzy tones are going to be a great option. As opposed to those with fair skin tones, medium skin tones have a little more freedom when it comes to delving into richer colors because they often have a mix of warm and cool tones to play it off.
Peach tones are very flattering for medium skin with neutral undertones because they share a mix of warm and cool tones. A mauve or berry shade can help to provide a youthful and healthy pop of color for those with medium skin and cool undertones.
If you have warm undertones try the L’Oréal Paris True Match Blush in Barely Blushing or the L’Oréal Paris Summer Belle Makeup Blush Please! in Blushin' in Saint Tropez.
If you have cool undertones try the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Radiant Satin Blush with Camellia Oil in Mauved or Berry.
If you have neutral undertones, try the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Lip and Cheek Tint in Everlasting Coral.
If you have olive skin, your rich skin tone calls for deep shades of blush, like plums, bright corals, vibrant pinks and lush brown hues. Like medium skin tone, olive skin has warm and cool undertones so the only color you want to avoid is pale, cool-toned shades, like baby pink if you want the most flattering look.
If you have warm undertones try the L’Oréal Paris Summer Belle Makeup Blush Please! in Blushin' in Rivera or the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Radiant Satin Blush with Camellia Oil in Amber.
If you have cool undertones try the L’Oréal Paris True Match Blush in Innocent Flush or the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Lip and Cheek Tint in Ethereal Blush.
If you have neutral undertones, try the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Radiant Satin Blush with Camellia Oil in Rosewood.
Because dark skin tones tend to have warm undertones, the best blush for dark and deep skin tones are richly pigmented shades of red, magenta and orange. Warm shades of brown and bordeaux are also gorgeous picks. If you have dark skin with cool undertones, try a purple or berry shade of blush with blue undertones. Be wary of cool-toned, pale blush shades like light pink as they can wash out the skin.
If you have warm undertones try the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Radiant Satin Blush with Camellia Oil in Marigold, the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Lip and Cheek Tint in Rosy Bliss or the L’Oréal Paris True Match Blush in Apricot Kiss.
If you have cool undertones try the L’Oréal Paris True Match Blush in Spiced Plum.
If you have neutral undertones, try the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Lip and Cheek Tint in Eternal Rose.
Deciding between warm and cool-toned blushes can be difficult so look at the shade and figure out what colors you see mixed throughout. A coral shade of blush will likely have yellow undertones because coral is a mix of peach, pink and orange. A berry shade will likely have blue undertones because it’s a mix of blue, purple and pink. A peachy shade will have a mix of warm and cool undertones, which is why it’s a sound pick for those with neutral undertones.
Once you know your best shade of blush based on your skin tone and undertones, then you can decide on the formula and finish. Mature skin should try the aforementioned Age Perfect Makeup Radiant Satin Blush with Camellia Oil. The nourishing formula melts into the skin and doesn’t emphasize fine lines or texture.
If you have dry skin, try a cream formula, like the Glow Paradise Lip and Cheek Tint. And if you have oily skin, a powder formula, like the one in True Match Blush is a great, long-wearing pick.
Next: The Best Makeup Products for Glazed Donut Skin
Photo: Chaunte Vaughn
Every woman has a makeup product you won't leave home with out applying— mine is blush. If you're anything like me, you know adding a hint of color to the apples of your cheeks can keep you looking fresh-faced all day. However, all too often blush is overlooked; many women simply use the first pink shade they can find. The truth is, like all other makeup, there is an art to choosing the best blush shade for your skin tone, and our Education Team has the scoop on how to choose the best blush color for you.
Source: @missyfabm on Instagram
The best blush for fair skin is usually a lighter shade, like soft pink, light coral or peach. For ladies, with light skin tones and cool or pink undertones, you should wear the soft pink shades for a natural look and the peach/coral shades for a pop of color. If you have a light skin tone and warm or golden undertones, try wearing the peachy coral shades for a natural look and the soft pink blushes for a pop of color.
Awake PurePressed Blush
Barely Rose PurePressed Blush
Cherry Blossom PurePressed Blush
Clearly Pink PurePressed Blush
Cotton Candy PurePressed Blush
Whisper PurePressed Blush
Copper Wind PurePressed Blush
Queen Bee PurePressed Blush
Get @mhdean1's look with Dubbonet PurePressed Blush.
The best blush for medium skin is a richer pink tone, warm mauve or deep peach. If your undertones are cool or pink undertones, you should wear the rich pink or mauve shades for a natural look and the deep peach shades for a pop of color. Ladies with warm or golden undertones should wear the deep peach shades for a natural look and the rich pink or mauve blushes for a pop of color.
Barely Rose PurePressed Blush
Dubonnet PurePressed Blush
Mocha PurePressed Blush
Flawless PurePressed Blush
Sheer Honey PurePressed Blush
Get @byfrederikkeravn's look with Mystique PurePressed Blush.
Women with dark skin look wonderful in deep fuchsia, berry, warm brown, raisin and tangerine blush shades. If you have cool or pink undertones, wear the fuschia or light berry shades for a natural look and the tangerine hues for a pop of color. For a soft and natural look, try a mauve blush for dark skin with olive undertones. Those with warm or golden undertones, should wear the warm brown or tangerine shades for a natural look and the pinks and berries for a pop of color.
Clearly Pink PurePressed Blush
Mystique PurePressed Blush
Queen Bee PurePressed Blush
Sunset PurePressed Blush
There's a simple trick to deciding whether to wear a warm or cool tone blush. For a natural look, choose a blush with the same undertone as your skin. If you want a bold looking blush, pick one with the opposite undertone as your skin. Therefore, If you have a warm skin tone (a yellow undertone), choose warm blush shade for a natural look and a cool blush shade for a pop of color. Vice versa if you have a cool skin tone (a pink undertone).
Not sure if you're warm or cool? Learn how to find your undertone.
Give our range of PurePressed Mineral Blushes and Glow Time Blush Sticks a try, and show us how you get cheeky. Share pictures with us on Instagram using @janeiredale and #TheSkincareMakeup.