By stufflovely
You probably know that the right shade of blush can warm up your complexion, add a healthy glow, and even create the illusion of cheekbones — but what’s the best blush for you? As you sort through all of the pinks, peaches, berries, and oranges on the market, it can feel a bit like trying to find a needle in a haystack. That’s why we’ve tapped makeup artists to fill us in on the ins-and-outs of finding the perfect blush shade for every skin tone, including fair, light, medium, olive, and dark complexions.
The first step is finding a blush that has similar undertones (warm, cool, or neutral) to your skin, like you would with foundation. But if you’re still unsure, makeup artist Daniel Martinhas a hack: comparing a blush to a client’s lip color.
“Test it out on the apples of your cheeks to see if it ‘clashes’ with either your natural lip color or lipstick. If it looks off or unnatural, you should choose another shade,” he says. Martin also recommends saving blush for the last step of the complexion makeup process, after foundation, bronzer, and even eye makeup. “By saving blush for last, you reduce the risk of having to wipe everything off and start over again if you applied too much at the outset,” he says. “It’s much easier to add than to subtract.”
Blush formula matters, too, according to makeup artist Angel Merino. If your skin’s on the dry side, you’re better off with a mineral or glowy blush to add luminosity. “If you’re more on the oily side, it’s a better idea to stick to something more matte to keep your cheeks looking less oily throughout the day,” he says.
Between the plethora of different shades and formulas, it might take a little bit of trial and error to land on your favorites, but view it as a makeup-fueled adventure. To be clear, you can wear whatever blush shades you damn please, and there are no hard rules. But if you’re overwhelmed by all of the blush options out there or looking for a starting point, this is the place to be. We’ve rounded up the best blushes for every skin tone, as recommended by makeup artists and Allure editors.
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