How to Choose Blush

Last Updated: February 16, 2022 References

When you start searching for the perfect blush, it’s easy to see that there are thousands of products and colors to choose from. To help make a decision, consider your skin tone, the color lipstick you're wearing, and what kind of applicator you might prefer. Classic powders are versatile and blend-able, but stain blush can create a longer-lasting, more natural looking glow. Plus, there are more options in between. With a little bit of time and some trial-and-error, you can find your favorite blush!

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Complementing Your Skin Tone

1
Choose pale pink blush if you have fair or pale skin. Light pink, in general, is a great tone across the board for all skin types. But especially if you have fair skin with pink or red undertones, a cool pale pink blush will accent your natural color really well. Avoid pink blushes that have orange undertones, though, as those can often look unnatural.^{[1]
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- Base the color of your blush on your skin tone, as well as any other makeup you're wearing. If you have pink undertones to your skin, opt for pink and lavender shades. If you have yellow undertones, go with something that's more bronze, orange, or peach.^{[2]
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- You can find many different pink blushes at your local cosmetics store, or even at the drug store. Try several different shades until you discover your favorite one.
2
Use a sheer peach blush if you are fair with yellow undertones. Focus on blushes that have the words “satin” or “sheer” in their descriptions because the blush will be more easily blended when applied to your skin. The peach plays well with your yellow undertones to give you a healthy glow.^{[3]
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- For days you want a deeper color, apply several layers of your sheer blush to slightly buildup the color.
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3
Wear apricot- or mauve- toned blush if you have a medium complexion. Look for blushes that have orange or pale-purple tones to complement your skin. Apricot will brighten a warm skin tone, whereas mauve looks great on cool skin tones.^{[4]
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- Wear a little blush for a day time look, or build up the color for an intense night time look.
4
Pick a berry blush for a flushed look if you have medium-toned skin. For a more dewy, natural look, search for a berry-toned blusher. This is a great option for when you want to wear minimal makeup (or look like you’re not wearing makeup at all) but still want a little color on your cheeks.^{[5]
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- Put on a little blush and some tinted chapstick for a simple look when you’re pressed for time.
5
Opt for warm, peachy or rose tones if you have an olive complexion. Avoid blushes that have yellow undertones, as they can interact with your green undertones and make you look sickly. Instead, focus on finding blushes that are warmer and more on the pink and red side.^{[6]
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- Especially in the wintertime, people who have olive complexions can really invigorate their skin tone with an application of blush.
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Embrace bold raisin- or brick-toned blushes if you have dark skin. Pick bright jewel-toned blushes to accent your darker tones. Stay away from cooler tones, as they can make your skin look washed out.^{[7]
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- Cream blushes in raisin- or brick-tones are great because you can easily blend them into the lines of your cheekbones.
7
Get a flushed look with tangerine blush if you have a dark warm complexion. This tone will make your skin look dewy and like it has a natural shine. For even more shimmer, find a tangerine blush that also includes gold undertones.^{[8]
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- Tangerine is great year-round, but it can also be lots of fun in the summer because it can catch the light in a way that deeper tones can’t.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Playing with Color

1
Use a palette to try out new colors. Purchasing a palette prepared for your skin tone is a great way to try out blush colors! You may not like every shade, but playing with a palette can help you discover which colors you do like on your skin.
- It's best to choose a palette that's labeled for your skin tone, such as cool or warm. If your skin tone is neutral, you can try any color.
- If you find a color you really love, purchase it on its own when you need to replace it.
- If you change your hair color often, a palette may be the best option for you. Colors that look good on you when your hair is one color may not look as great once you've colored your hair.
2
Opt for a blush that brings out your eyes. You can use complementary colors to make your eyes really pop! Choose a blush color that complements your eye color to add a little sparkle to your look. Here are some good options:^{[9]
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- Brown eyes: Brown eyes pair well with berry colors, which will enhance the gold and yellow undertones in your eyes. Don't wear neutral or brown blush, as they will muddy your lovely eye color.
- Hazel eyes: Pick mauve, pink, or violet blush, depending on your skin tone. These colors will bring out the layers of color in your eyes. However, don't wear orange colors, which can make your eyes look dull.
- Blue eyes: Colors in the orange family are best for blue eyes, so pick out a tangerine, peach, or pink, depending on your skin tone. Avoid wearing plum, which will minimize your eyes.
- Green eyes: Green eyes look best with colors from the pink family. However, they won't sparkle much if you wear shades of plum.
3
Choose a darker blush if you're wearing a bold lipstick. Wearing a light blush with dark lipstick can make your lips look too bold. Instead, build up your blush color a few shades darker than usual.
- You can choose a darker shade, or you can apply several layers of blush to darken it.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Choosing the Right Texture

1
Choose a powder blush for a blend-able option. This is a great option for people who have oily skin because it won’t add any additional shine to your face like a cream or liquid blush might. Avoid blushes that are cakey.^{[10]
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- To test a blush for cakiness, swipe your finger across the top. If it feels chalky it probably won’t sit on your skin well.
- Use a powder brush to apply this kind of blush, and put it on the apples of your cheeks. You could also put blush along your cheekbones to emphasize your facial structure.
2
Embrace a cream blusher for a dewy, glowing effect. Choose cream if you tend to have dry skin, as the consistency won’t dry your skin out more and will make it look more natural. When you apply cream blush, make sure it’s at room temperature, otherwise it might not blend well with your foundation.^{[11]
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- Since it's a more subtle effect, cream blush looks more like skin, so it's great for creating a fresh look on aging or textured skin. However, since it's so easy to apply, it's also great for makeup beginners!^{[12]
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- If you also use powder on your face, wait to apply it until after you’ve put on cream blush.
- You can apply a cream blush with your fingers or a beauty blender sponge. Blend it into your skin along your cheekbones, or focus mainly on the apples of your cheeks for a youthful look. If you feel like you put on too much, just blend it with your fingers until it's faded.^{[13]
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3
Opt for gel blush if your skin is oily or if you’ll be out in hot weather. Use gel blush to quickly touch up your look or in situations where you won’t be out for very long, as it can fade quickly. It can add a nice tint to your skin without looking overdone, and it’s easy to apply with your fingers which is great if you’re running around.^{[14]
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- Gels don’t always show up great on olive or darker tones.
- Depending on the brand of blush you buy, you may be able to directly apply gel blush to your face from the container (a lot of them look like large chapsticks). Simply apply the gel to your cheekbones and then use your fingertips or a blender to work the blush into your skin.
4
Enjoy the long-lasting power of a stain blush for a dewy, healthy glow. Stains will stay on all day, which is great if you’ll be out and unable to check or touch up your makeup. They’re also really great if you tend to sweat a lot or if you’ll be out in the sun.^{[15]
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- Apply just a little when you start and add more if you need to. Since it’s a stain, it’s harder to get out quickly!
- Put 2 dots of the stain blush along your cheekbones and then use your fingers to blend the dots along that line.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Exploring Alternatives

1
Use bronzer to add warmth to your skin. Bronzer is technically different from blush, but it’s a great alternative if you’re looking for a quick way to add some extra color to your skin. Avoid going too dark or over-applying the bronzer. All you need is a swipe or two along your jaw line.^{[16]
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- In general, choose a bronzer that is one to two shades darker than your natural skin tone.
- You can even use bronzer along with blush. Just be careful to not apply either item too thickly so that your skin looks natural.
- If you're creating an evening look, you can combine both bronzer and blush. However, this look is too dramatic for day.
2
Create a glowing, bright look by using highlighter. All you have to do to use a highlighter stick is swipe it across your cheekbones, along the bridge of your nose, and underneath the arches of your eyebrows. Use highlighter on its own or use it in addition to the blush of your choice.^{[17]
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- There are lots of different kinds of highlighters, and you can even buy some that have colored tints, like pinks, reds, and purples.
- Highlighter can also be used with contour makeup! After you apply your contour makeup, use highlighter to draw attention to the light areas of your face.
3
Use a setting spray to keep blushes and products in place all day. These can be especially helpful if you’re in a warmer climate or are going to be running around all day. Pick a matte finish for a shine-free look, or choose a natural finish for a dewy-look. Spray your entire face after you’ve applied all your makeup, and then let it dry completely.^{[18]
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- You can even find setting sprays that have SPF in them—check out your local beauty store to explore your different options.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you put on cream blusher?

Christin Birckhead
Makeup Artist
Christin Birckhead is a Makeup Artist and the Founder of Conceptual Beauty, a beauty service based in Washington, DC specializing in wedding services such as engagements and bridal parties along with fashion shows and executive headshots. She has over 20 years of makeup and beauty consulting experience. She is also the lead makeup artist for Ascender Communications and freelances with the local NBC news team in the DC metro area. Her clients include Nancy Pelosi, Nancy Cartwright, Armin Van Buuren, Hugh Jackman, Vashawn Mitchell, Richard Smallwood, Benjamin T. Jealous, Colin Powell, Wanda Durant, and Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Christin Birckhead

Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

Swipe your fingers or a beauty blender over the cream blusher. Then, apply the blusher to your cheeks. Use your fingers or the beauty blender to blend the blusher into the rest of your makeup. If it's too dark, keep blending until it looks lighter.
Question

Is cream or powder blush best for mature skin?

Christin Birckhead
Makeup Artist
Christin Birckhead is a Makeup Artist and the Founder of Conceptual Beauty, a beauty service based in Washington, DC specializing in wedding services such as engagements and bridal parties along with fashion shows and executive headshots. She has over 20 years of makeup and beauty consulting experience. She is also the lead makeup artist for Ascender Communications and freelances with the local NBC news team in the DC metro area. Her clients include Nancy Pelosi, Nancy Cartwright, Armin Van Buuren, Hugh Jackman, Vashawn Mitchell, Richard Smallwood, Benjamin T. Jealous, Colin Powell, Wanda Durant, and Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Christin Birckhead

Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

Cream blush works best for mature skin because it more closely resembles your skin. It'll look more youthful and natural.
Question

How would you choose blush based on someone's eye color?

Christin Birckhead
Makeup Artist
Christin Birckhead is a Makeup Artist and the Founder of Conceptual Beauty, a beauty service based in Washington, DC specializing in wedding services such as engagements and bridal parties along with fashion shows and executive headshots. She has over 20 years of makeup and beauty consulting experience. She is also the lead makeup artist for Ascender Communications and freelances with the local NBC news team in the DC metro area. Her clients include Nancy Pelosi, Nancy Cartwright, Armin Van Buuren, Hugh Jackman, Vashawn Mitchell, Richard Smallwood, Benjamin T. Jealous, Colin Powell, Wanda Durant, and Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Christin Birckhead

Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

I would choose blush based on skin tone, rather than eye color. Any eye color can wear any blush, but if you have more yellow skin tones, you might look best in bronze, orange, or peach blush, while pinker skin tones look better in pink or lavender-toned blushes.