Tips & Tricks

How To: Pick The Perfect Blush Color

July 18, 2006

Here are a few quick tips on how to find the right blush color for your skintone!


• According to Bobbi Brown, the perfect shade of blush should match the color of your cheeks when your skin is flushed or when you are working out. In other words, rosy or peachy shades are pretty much fool-proof.

• Makeup artist Noelle Wong advised that the perfect blush color is the one that matches the pink/red that shows on your fingertips (palms up). Simply compare the color of your fingertips to the different shades at makeup counters and pick the one that matches the most.

• Light pinks and corals are the way to go on pale skin. Steer clear of anything dark or bright to avoid looking like a clown.

• Warm pinks, plums and roses will flatter a yellow complexion. Stay away from brown shades that can bring your skin’s natural vibrancy down.

• Warm, tropical tones look hot on dark skin. Think warm, terracotta shades, deep plums, and brown pinks or peaches. Avoid light colors at all costs because they will look ashy or may not show up well on your skin.

• Rule of Thumb: The darker your skintone, the darker your blush color should be.

13 Comments




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13 Comments

  • Reply Robbin July 18, 2006 at 7:57 pm

    thanks so much for this post. I did not know which blush would flatter me the most! i’m on the hunt for the “perfect blush” right now (:

  • Reply juny July 18, 2006 at 10:03 pm

    the wonders of blush! 🙂
    i use clinique at the moment but once i use it up i want to try nars blushes..
    i’m pale-skinned – what color would you recommend from nars?

  • Reply Phyllis July 19, 2006 at 8:37 am

    hey Robbin, it’s really not that hard to find the right blush to make your cheeks pop. Good luck with your search! =)

  • Reply Phyllis July 19, 2006 at 8:41 am

    I *love* NARS’ blushes! Here are some of my favorites:

    Desire: matte bright pink
    Orgasm: peachy pink with golden shimmer
    Sin: dark berry with gold shimmer
    Torrid: kind of similar to Orgasm but more coral
    Outlaw: rose with shimmer

    I personally would suggest Desire and Orgasm if you have pale skin. Desire looks kind of bright in the pan but if you apply with a light hand, it will give you a doll look. As for Orgasm, I love it on all skintones. You can also try Milani’s Luminous – it’s a great knockoff of Orgasm.

  • Reply Poliya July 20, 2006 at 4:14 am

    I need a more brown than pink blush. The MA recomended me “Gingerly”, but I’m affraid it could be a little orangy. I have to try it again.

  • Reply Anonymous November 13, 2007 at 11:46 pm

    hi, i am asian and i have an in-between of medium skin tone. i wouldn’t say i’m dark, but maybe a bit yellow? anyway, what do you think of NAR’S “madly”?

    i know people say asians should stick to pinks, and peaches, but i really want to steer away from pink.

    any suggestions?

  • Reply Anonymous November 14, 2007 at 12:33 am

    hi. i am asian with medium, yellow, and olive tones. if i want something that isn’t pink what colours should i go with?

    i recently purchased NARS “madly”. any suggestions?

  • Reply Anonymous November 30, 2007 at 3:37 pm

    Thanks for the tip!

  • Reply Anonymous February 23, 2008 at 9:04 pm

    hi i was wondering what kind of blush do u use thanks

  • Reply Anonymous February 23, 2008 at 11:05 pm

    hi i was wondering what kind of blush you use

  • Reply Phyllis February 24, 2008 at 11:27 am

    I use a lot of different ones. Please check out the following for some reviews:

    http://makeupforlife.blogspot.com/2006/03/blush-reviews.html

  • Reply Anonymous May 14, 2008 at 6:48 pm

    my skin is naturally already blushing and red, instead i want to tone it down a bit would foundation be the thing?

  • Reply Anonymous July 21, 2008 at 8:27 am

    I found this site from someone on makeupalley.com. Absolutely love the makeup information. You really know your stuff! Will continue to come back.

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