Blush Buying Guide

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Choosing the perfect blush  isn't as difficult as it seems. Although it may seem like blush comes in every shade of the rainbow, there are really only a few shades that are natural enough for everyday (non-Halloween) wear. Like most makeup, the key is to match your skin tone and blend. Now, blush shouldn't be the exact shade of your skin tone obviously, but instead a similar shade to when you naturally blush (think of those "you should have seen your face" moments).

Choosing the Right Blush

Blush Shade

One rule goes for everyone when choosing blush: the darker your skin, the deeper the hue can be. This is usually easy to work around since you can often hold up a blush next to your skin and see if it looks too light or dark. You wouldn't wear a deep brick red crimson if you are fair, just like you wouldn't wear a pale dusty rose if you have dark skin. When faced with two blush choices, one lighter and the other darker, always choose the darker color. It's easier to blend in the shade than attempt to build a color that will never show up. Also remember that as night falls, you can wear the deeper blush shades that you wouldn't sport during the day.

Understanding Undertones

Undertones Guide

Cool Tones

Some examples of cool tones are:

  • Silver
  • Grey
  • Navy
  • Cobalt
  • Periwinkle
  • Purple
  • Pink purple
  • Forest green

Some examples of cool blush tones that work well with cool skin tones are:

Warm Undertones

Some examples of warm tones are:

  • Gold
  • Cocoa
  • Olive green
  • Sage
  • Peach
  • Terracotta
  • Burnt orange
  • Yellow

Some examples of warm blush tones that work well with warm skin tones are:

You can tell which tones you have simply by standing in front of a mirror with something yellow/gold and something grey/silver. If you hold the gray up to your skin and it makes you look warm and alive, yet the yellow makes you look pale, ashen, even deathly, it's highly likely that you have cool tones. If grey makes you look bad, yet the yellow makes your skin glow, you probably have warm tones.

Skin Shade and Application

  • Light to Medium Skin
    • Apply it on the apples of the cheeks to create a youthful appearance.
    • You might look into getting a cheek illuminator /highlighter to give a soft shimmer without imparting too much color.
    • Stick to a very light bronzer  during summer unless you tan easily.
  • Medium to Dark Skin
    • Dark skin is best enhanced with luscious, rich fruity colors with warm red bases, such as true rose, cherry, apple and berry.
    • Apply blush just below the cheekbones to "sink" them and create contours. Choose a blush that is one half to two shades darker than your own skin.
    • Another great option is to look for luminizers or highlighters that will make your cheeks pop rather than adding color. Bronzers are also a great option to give your skin a glow.

When it comes to wearing blush properly, remember that the key to good application is blending. Don't overdo it. Start light and build -- always blending. Once you have the correct color saturation, blend some more and make sure that you have no harsh "edges". It shouldn't look like you are wearing makeup.

Related Guides

Foundation

Bronzers

Cosmetics and Beauty Tools

Makeup Tools

Illuminating Cheek Makeup

External Links