Blush has a way of livening up your entire look. Mimicking the glow you get after a brisk walk or a good laugh, it can add warmth, lift and a healthy-looking flush to your face. But, to really pull off that fresh-faced effect, you need to wear the right blush color. And it’s not as easy as picking your favorite shade. If you’re asking yourself “What color blush should I wear?”, the answer lies in understanding your skin tone and undertones .
Here, we're explaining why your blush shade matters and how to choose the right blush color for your skin tone. Once you know what to look for, the right blush won't just add color — it can enhance your complexion, tie your makeup together, and be one of the most flattering steps in your routine . So, let's get down to it and find your perfect flush.
Key Takeaways
Takeaway #1: Choosing the right shade of blush can help to add dimension to your natural features, enhance your complexion, and harmonize the overall look of your makeup.
Takeaway #2: It's important to understand your skin tone (fair, medium, olive or dark) and undertone (cool, warm or neutral) to choose a flattering blush.
Takeaway #3: Fair skin looks great with soft, muted pinks and peaches. Medium and olive skin tones can look for warm, muted hues. While darker skin shines with bold, rich colors like plum and brick red.
Takeaway #4: To look most flattering, you generally want to choose a blush that matches your skin's undertone. Cool-toned blushes will suit cool skin tones , and warm blushes will complement warm complexions.
Takeaway No. 5: After choosing a blush color, consider the best finish: matte, shimmer, or satin. Each can give a different effect depending on your desired look.
Why choosing the right blush color is important.
Blush may seem like a small detail, but it plays a big role in your overall look. The right shade can add dimension to your face, significantly brighten your complexion, and make your skin look naturally radiant. It can also help balance the rest of your look by complementing your lip color and eye makeup.
On the other hand, the wrong blush color can ruin your entire look. Colors that clash with your undertones can make your skin look dull, ashy, or overly red. Instead of enhancing your natural features, they can stand out in a blatant way. That's why it's important to find a blush that works with your skin and doesn't just sit on top of it.
That said, we know that makeup is a playground, and the best looks often come from experimenting. Below, we'll share some helpful guidelines for anyone wondering, "What color is right for me?" But remember that these tips are just a starting point. There's plenty of room to play within (and beyond) these rules, so feel free to push the boundaries and make your look your own.
How to determine your skin tone and undertones.
To choose the perfect blush color, you need to understand your skin tone and your undertone. Skin tone refers to how light or dark your skin pigment appears and is typically categorized as fair, medium, olive, or dark. Meanwhile, undertone refers to the subtle color beneath your skin's surface, which can be cool, warm, or neutral.
It doesn't take much to figure out your skin tone — all you have to do is look in the mirror and determine whether your skin looks light, dark, or somewhere in between. Undertones are slightly different. One of the easiest ways to figure out your undertone is to take a look at the veins on the inside of your wrist. If they appear blue or purple, you likely have cool undertones. On the other hand, a greenish tint usually indicates warm undertones. If you see a mix of both blue and green, or if the color isn't distinct, you likely have neutral undertones.
Knowing where you fall makes choosing your blush much easier. You'll usually enjoy the most flattering results. If you have cool undertones, cool-toned blushes will beautifully enhance your complexion. Warm undertones pair best with warm blush shades, while neutral undertones give you the flexibility to play with a wider range of colors—lucky you!
Below, we'll explain more about how to pick a blush for your skin tone and introduce you to some of our favorite formulas for a beautiful-looking flush.
The best blush shades for fair skin
The best blush colors for fair skin tones are those that add a subtle wash of color without overpowering your lighter features. In general, you'll want to avoid rich, highly saturated colors and stick with lighter shades like pale pinks and peaches.
In our experience, the best blushes for pale skin with cool undertones fall into the light, muted pink category. NYX Professional Makeup Buttermelt Blush in For the Bota is one of our favorites—it's a soft, pink color that complements light, cool undertones beautifully.
If you have warm-toned skin, try a soft peach blush, like L'Oréal Paris Lumi Le Liquid Blush in Glowy Gold Pink , which contains fine golden flakes for a natural, radiant look.
Neutral undertones benefit from versatile shades that balance warmth and coolness, so Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Cheek Tint Blush in Starlet Peach is one of our top picks. The peachy hue is soft enough for fair skin and has a luminous finish that gives cheeks a "just-pinch" look.
The best blush shades for medium and olive skin
Medium skin tones have the versatility to pull off a wide array of blush shades, each enhancing the richness of your complexion. The best blush for tan skin is usually somewhat lighter but saturated enough to "pop" on your skin.
For medium skin with cool undertones, dusty rose shades like YSL Beauty Make Me Blush Bold Blurring Blush in Rose Haze are stunning and add a fresh-looking flush.
Warm undertones look great with coral and apricot to highlight your skin's golden hue, as well as bronzer-blush hybrids (like IT Cosmetics Glow with Confidence Sun Cream Blush in Sun Warmth ) for a beachy glow.
Neutral-medium skin tones have the flexibility to play with vibrant deep pinks or reds, like YSL Beauty NU Lip & Cheek Balmy Tint in Nu Flush , which doubles as a lip tint.
Choosing the best blush color for olive skin can be a bit tricky, as olive skin can be light, medium, or deep. However, all share a subtle golden or green undertone that enhances natural warmth. Muted colors with a soft warmth are the most flattering options for olive skin.
If your olive skin leans toward muted undertones — which equates to coolness — you'll likely look best in soft, deep pinks, like Maybelline Cheek Heat Gel Cream Blush in Nude Burn .
For olive skin with a more pronounced golden undertone, warm terracotta shades like NYX Professional Makeup Buttermelt Blush in Feeling Butta are ideal for creating a faux sun-kissed glow and enhancing your natural warmth.
Those with neutral olive undertones can opt for earthy blushes, like Urban Decay Face Bond Long-Lasting Blush in Suede in Situation . This brick red shade provides a balanced, sophisticated-looking flush.
The best blush shades for dark and dark skin
The most flattering blush colors for darker skin tones are usually bold, rich shades. Lighter colors can wash out your complexion (or simply fail to show up as you hoped).
Cool-toned dark skin looks great in pink-purple and plum shades. Try it with Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Glow Blush in Mystery . The rich, dusty plum hue is perfect for giving your cheeks a flattering, natural-looking flush.
People with warm undertones do especially well with bold, vibrant blushes. A rich, fiery reddish blush, like Urban Decay Hydromanic Dewy Liquid Blush in Red Flag , can help bring out the golden hue in your skin and make you look radiant.
If you have dark skin but are neither overly cool nor warm, try a deep brick red shade. Valentino Liquorosso 2-in-1 Lip & Blush Soft Matte Color in Undressed Velvet is one of our favorites for a pop of color on the cheeks—and the hydrating matte formula also makes a great statement for a red lip.
Blush Finish: Matte vs. Shimmer vs. Satin
Once you know how to choose a blush color, you can focus on choosing the right finish. Blushes generally come in three main types: matte, shimmer, and satin. Each one offers a slightly different effect, and the best choice for you will depend on your skin type and the makeup look you want.
Matte blushes are completely shimmer-free and are perfect for sculpting and defining your features without adding shine to your skin . They They are a particularly good choice for oily skin because they won't contribute to oiliness. Shimmering blushes, on the other hand, have light-reflecting formulas. They give the skin a radiant, luminous finish, which is perfect for all the glittery makeup that's on trend right now . If you have dry or dull skin, blushes with some shimmer will be ideal, as they can visibly revive your complexion. Satin blushes fall somewhere in between. They are softly shimmery, with a natural-looking sheen that flatters most skin types and works well for everyday wear.
How to apply blush for a natural look.
Achieving a naturally flushed look comes down to proper technique and placement. Start by smiling slightly to find the apples of your cheeks, then apply blush to the height of each “apple,” blending it upward toward your temples. This creates a soft wash of color and can help visually lift your face.
Remember that blush shouldn't be strictly on your cheeks. Sweeping a little on the bridge of your nose can help create a sun-kissed effect. You can also pay attention to where your skin naturally shines when you laugh, exercise, or spend time in the sun. These are the spots you want to hit with blush.
The way you apply blush to your skin depends on the formula. Cream and liquid formulas can be applied with a sponge for a dewy finish, while powders are best applied with a fluffy brush and soft, circular motions. With either option, be sure to build up your color gradually—it's much easier to add more than you take away (without completely removing your makeup). If you're using a too heavy hand, though, you can try dusting on a touch of translucent powder to help tone things down.
