Blush is one of the most game-changing makeup products out there. It can instantly brighten your complexion, give you a more youthful appearance, and even help to slim your face. But with so many different shades of blush to choose from, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. That's why we've put together this guide to help you find the best blush for your skin tone.
How Do You Choose a Blush Color?
When choosing the best blush color for you, there are a few things you need to consider. One, is your skin tone which is fairly easy to identify– depending on how melanated your skin is, you will fall somewhere between fair, medium, olive, or deep. Then, it’s time to identify your skin's undertone. Your undertone is dictated by the hue that your skin gives off. And no matter what your skin tone is, you can have one of the three main undertones: cool, warm, or neutral.
● Cool undertones are typically pink, red, or blue.
● Warm undertones are typically yellow, peach, or golden.
● Neutral undertones are a mix of cool and warm undertones.
If it’s not immediately clear where you fall among the different undertones, there’s more info on how to figure it out, below.
Best Blush for Fair Skin
Although it’s important to consider both your skin tone and undertone when choosing a blush, there are certain color families that will work well based on your skin tone alone. For instance, fair skin tones look best with blush shades that are light and natural. Some good options include soft pink, nude peach, or rose gold.
Blazing Blush
Sol Search
Best Blush for Dark Skin
Berry
Berry Flame
Fuchsia Spark
Best Blush for Olive Skin
Olive skin tones can wear a wide range of blush shades, but they should avoid shades that are too cool or too warm. The green in olive skin plays well with shades like terracotta, bronze and mauve.
Nude
Electric Bronze
Blush for Warm Undertones
If you have warm undertones, you’ll want to look for blush shades that are in the same color family with warm tones of their own. So, blushes with hints of peach and even gold are the way to go. Try peachy, coral and apricot shades.
Downtown Rush
Uptown Glow
Blush for Cool Undertones
If you have cool undertones, you don’t want to wear anything that’s too warm and therefore will clash with your undertones. Instead, look for blush shades that are similarly cool with a pink or blue base such as straight pink, rose, or mauve.
City Sizzle
Mauve
Blush for Neutral Undertones
Neutral undertones can wear pretty much any blush shade because they fall right in the middle in terms of having both warm and cool undertones. But, as a guide, it can help to stick to more neutral colors such as nudes, beiges, and taupes, rather than going too warm or cool in their choices.
Nude Burn
Downtown Rush
Buff
Choosing Blush FAQs
There are three main types of blush: powder, cream, and liquid. Which formula you choose is ultimately up to preference, but your skin type and the look you’re going for can also help indicate which one is best for you. For instance, if you have more oily skin, a powder would be best, and if you’re looking for a more natural-looking finish, you would probably prefer a liquid. Cream blush tends to be the most pigmented and actually pairs really well with a powder over top should you want a bolder blush look.
1.Powder blush is the most common type of blush. It is meant to be applied with a brush and can be used to create a natural or more dramatic look as you can easily build by layering on.
2.Cream blush is a more emollient formula that you can apply with your fingers, a sponge, or a brush. It’ll give you a more dewy finish than powder blush and melts seamlessly into the skin.
3.Liquid blush is usually a water-based formula that is best applied with a brush or sponge. It can give you a sheer, natural finish that imparts a lit-from-within glow.
There are a few ways to tell what undertone you have.
●Look at your veins. If they appear more green, you likely have a warm undertone. But if they're blue or purple, you have a cool undertone. If you can’t really tell because the color of your veins seems to match your skin, you probably have an olive undertone.
●Look at your skin in natural light. If it looks yellow or golden, that can mean that you have a warm undertone. If it skews more pink or red, you have a cool undertone. For olive undertones, you’ll notice more of a green or yellow tint to your skin.
●Try on different jewelry. Gold jewelry looks best on warm undertones, while silver jewelry looks best on cool undertones. Look equally good in yellow gold and shimmering silver? Lucky you! That’s a good sign that you have olive undertones.
There are several ways to apply blush, but the easiest way is to start by smiling to find the apples of your cheeks. Then, use a blush brush (sponge, or your fingers depending on the formula) to apply the blush in a circular motion. Blend the blush well so that there are no harsh lines.
You can also use blush to contour your face. To do this, apply a darker shade of blush that skews more brown to the hollows of your cheeks and a lighter shade to the apples of your cheeks.
If you’re after more of a sunkissed look, you can try applying your blush in the places where the sun would naturally hit. This could mean sweeping some across your forehead as well as in a “W” shape across your face. Start at the top of one ear, then trace down one cheekbone and back up and across your nose, and then mirror the shape on the other side to complete the letter.
Blush is a versatile product that can be used to create a variety of different looks. With so many different shades to choose from, there's a blush out there for everyone. So what are you waiting for? Go find your perfect blush today!
