How to Find the Best Blush for Your Skin Tone
(Photo: Getty Images)
Blush can turn up the glow on your natural flush, dress up a blah makeup look, and even bring more depth to your facial structure. The slightly tricky part? Application. The bigger issue? Finding the perfect shades and textures for your skin tone. The best part? Applying blush is nowhere near as tedious as attempting to contour your clavicles.
“I always use what I call the ‘cinnamon bun’ method. First, swirl your brush into the blush and then tap off the excess. Then sweep the brush onto the apples of your cheeks using a circular motion,” says Mally Roncal, a celebrity makeup artist and the founder of Mally Beauty.
Though there isn’t a “one size fits all,” there are a ton of blush options for every complexion under the sun. These days, we even have products like Lipstick Queen’s Frog Prince Blush, which adapts to your natural pH balance for a truly unique shade.
Related: How to Use Blush Palettes Strategically Instead of Just Smashing the Colors Together
“Blush should look like it’s coming through the skin where you would naturally flush,” says editorial and celebrity makeup artist Lisa Aharon. Try balling your hand into a fist for a few moments, and release to see the natural color that appears. Whatever shade shows up will reveal the hue you should stick closest to when selecting the best blush for you.
Still on the fence about blush? Read on for a full breakdown.
DARKER SKIN TONES
Cream- and gel-based blush in plums, corals, and tangerines work best on deep complexions like those of Taraji P. Henson, Gabrielle Union, and Viola Davis. (Photos: Getty Images)
Ebony skin tones can really get away with rocking some of the punchiest plums, reds, and tangerines. You may want to steer away from anything too dry in texture, as it can leave behind an unflattering chalky effect. Going with a cream or gel is often a better option because it definitely gives off a more radiant glow. Stick to a deeper rouge if you are going to pair with a sexy, smoky eye. Try something more on the coral side for a simple and warm daytime bloom. Celebrity makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff, the woman behind Taraji P. Henson’s red carpet looks, suggests starting with a modest application, because as the day passes, your skin will oxidize and eventfully overintensify what your blush originally looked like.
Best Blushes:
Cover FX Customizable Click Stick in Brick Red, $18
The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain in Deep Berry, $16
CoverGirl TruBlend Blush in Deep Mauve, $7.59
MEDIUM SKIN TONES
Blushes with a sun-kissed finish look best on women with yellow-golden undertones like Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, and Nicole Richie. (Photos: Getty Images)
“Yellow undertones require peachy, orange, or coral tones,” says Sheriff.
We agree that peach is one of the most universally flattering shades out there. Most people who fall into this medium-toned category have more of a yellow-golden undertone, so it is a pretty good idea to stick within this range of hues. If you are aiming to keep in line with more of a sun-kissed radiance like Jennifer Lopez, try buffing on a blush that has a more bronze or copper tint.
Best Blushes:
Circa Beauty Ultrasuede Cream Blush in Portofino, $13
Nars Contour Blush in Talia, $42
Mally Beauty Blush Single in Georgia Peach, $13.50
OLIVE SKIN TONES
If you have an olive complexion like Kim Kardashian, Salma Hayek, and Jessica Alba, you can’t go wrong with rosy blushes. (Photos: Getty Images)
Painting the faces of notables like Jessica Alba and Nicole Richie, Avon celebrity makeup artist Lauren Andersen knows a thing or two about adding just the right touch on olive skin tones. Her color of choice: rose. “People usually play it too safe. Choosing a color very close to your skin tone likely won’t show up and will end up appearing muddy,” says Andersen. If you have a cooler undertone, go for a richer tint to avoid a washed-out look. For warmer undertones, opt for neutral rouge.
Best Blushes:
Givenchy Le Prisme Blush Powder Blush in Lune Rosse, $46
Tom Ford Cheek Color in Ravish $60
Avon Ideal Luminous Blush in Rose Lustre, $9
LIGHTER SKIN TONES
The No. 1 blush rule to remember for fair skin tones like Anne Hathaway, Dita von Teese, and Taylor Swift is to start light and then gradually build intensity. (Photos: Getty Images)
First off, you want to try and keep things on the softer side if you fall into this range. “Pigmented is always good, but make sure that you aren’t applying Barbie pink to your cheeks if your skin is porcelain. Instead, opt for a soft pale pink or, for fall, a lovely dusty rose,” says celebrity makeup artist and brow expert Tonya Crooks. Artists concur that one of the top mistakes people make when applying blush is going way overboard. To avoid looking like a clown, start subtle and build as needed.
Best Blushes:
Mac Cosmetics Powder Blush in Fleur Power, $23
Marc Jacobs Beauty Air Blush Soft Glow Duo in Flesh & Fantasy, $42
Sonia Kashuk Crème Blush in Blossom 03, $9.79
Let’s keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
