face makeup How to Find the Best Blush Color for Your Skin Tone

The right shade of blush is a must for any makeup look — whether you’re creating no-makeup makeup or a full face of glam. Blush does a great job at bringing your entire look together and it helps to give your complexion a natural flush and a radiant lift. 

But with shades ranging from peach to plum to pink and beyond, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with all the choices, especially when you’re trying to figure out which hue will look the best with your skin tone. To make the process a bit easier, we’re breaking down how to find the right shade of blush for your skin tone. Take notes as we share the best shades of blush for each skin tone and undertone.

How Do I Find the Right Blush for My Skin Tone? 

When searching for the right blush for your skin tone, the first thing to look at is the shade and most importantly, how it pairs with your skin tone. Lighter shades of pink blush and pastels will flatter pale skin tones while vibrant and more pigmented shades like deep berry, purple and red will look better on darker complexions. If you’re not starting off with the right shade of blush in terms of depth, pigment and hue to complement your skin tone, then focusing on the undertone isn’t of help. 

Once you’ve identified the right color of blush for your skin tone, then you want to make sure to keep your undertones in mind. If you’re not sure what those are, flip over your wrist and look at your veins. If they’re green, you have warm undertones. If they’re blue or purple, you have cool undertones. If your blush is the wrong undertone for your skin, your complexion may look dull and lackluster.

This means that if you have warm or yellow undertones, you’ll be looking for an orange or red-based blush. If you have cool undertones, then it’s a blue or pink-based blush. If you have neutral undertones (meaning both cool and warm makeup products suit you), you’re in luck, because most blush colors will flatter your skin tone. That said, stick to softer, warmer shades as opposed to bold, bright hues. 

Check out our best shades of blush for each skin tone. 

The Best Blush for Fair Skin 

A light pink or peach blush is the best choice for fair skin because it mimics the skin’s natural flush. The contrast is just right for fair skin and it’s really hard to overdo it. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to try a coral blush or another vibrant shade, use a light hand to apply a sheer layer of color. 

If you have fair skin with warm undertones try the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Radiant Satin Blush with Camellia Oil in Peony or the L’Oréal Paris True Match Blush in Bare Honey.

If you have cool undertones try the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Lip and Cheek Tint in Pink Serenity or the L’Oréal Paris True Match Blush in Baby Blossom. 

The Best Blush for Medium Skin 

For those with medium skin, pink, peach and bronzy tones are still going to be a great option. As opposed to those with fair skin tones, medium skin tones have a little more freedom when it comes to delving into richer colors because they often have a mix of warm and cool tones to play it off. Peach tones are very flattering because they share warm and cool tones while a mauve or berry shade can help to provide a youthful and healthy pop of color.

If you have warm undertones try the L’Oréal Paris True Match Blush in Barely Blushing or the L’Oréal Paris Summer Belle Makeup Blush Please! in Blushin' in Saint Tropez. For a liquid blush option, try the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Lip and Cheek Tint in Everlasting Coral.

If you have cool undertones try the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Radiant Satin Blush with Camellia Oil in Mauved or Berry.

The Best Blush for Olive Skin 

If you have olive skin, your rich skin tone calls for a deep shade of blush like plums, bright corals, vibrant pinks and lush brown hues. Like a medium skin tone, olive skin has warm and cool undertones so the only color you want to avoid is pale, cool-toned shades. 

If you have warm undertones try the L’Oréal Paris Summer Belle Makeup Blush Please! in Blushin' in Rivera or the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Radiant Satin Blush with Camellia Oil in Rosewood or Amber.

If you have cool undertones try the L’Oréal Paris True Match Blush in Innocent Flush or the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Lip and Cheek Tint in Ethereal Blush.

The Best Blush for Dark Skin 

When it comes to the best blush for dark and deep skin tones, richly pigmented shades of red, berry and orange are particularly flattering. So are warm shades of brown, bordeaux and purple. Be wary of cool-toned, pale blush shades like light pink as they can wash out the skin.

If you have warm undertones try the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Radiant Satin Blush with Camellia Oil in Marigold, the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Lip and Cheek Tint in Rosy Bliss or the L’Oréal Paris True Match Blush in Apricot Kiss.

If you have cool undertones try the L’Oréal Paris True Match Blush in Spiced Plum or the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Lip and Cheek Tint in Eternal Rose. 

Next: 7 Products to Perfect Your 15-Minute Makeup Routine

Edited by: Reece Andavolgyi, Photo: Chaunte Vaughn