What Colour Blush Should I Wear?

Blusher has been a mainstay in the cosmetics world for decades – even centuries, in some form or another. And, of course, fashions come and go, and we might switch up where we apply blusher or how much we use. But time and time again, we turn to this classic product.

Some people love a subtle flush, whereas others go all out with fuchsia cheeks. Whatever you go for, your blush colour can have a huge impact on your overall makeup look. Warm coral shades are great for faking a summery glow, while petal pinks and dusty roses can lend your look a soft, romantic vibe.

How To Pick Blush Colour: Key Takeaways

• The best blush colour depends on both your skin tone and undertone.
• The best blush for pale skin is soft and light: think pale pink or mauve for a natural flush.
• A good blush for olive skin enhances warm, golden undertones: coral, terracotta or bronzy rose shades work beautifully.
• The best blush for medium skin suits brighter pinks and softer reds
• A good blush for dark skin will come in shades like plum, fuchsia or maroon.
• Cool undertones pair well with rosy, purplish-pink shades; warm undertones love corals and orange-reds; neutral undertones – you’re lucky as you can wear almost anything!

But as well as your desired look, blusher shade selection should also align with your skin tone and undertone. In this article, we explain why that’s important and share guidance on how you can find the best blush for you. Keep reading to learn how to pick a blush colour like a pro.

What Is Blush?

Blush, or blusher, is a type of makeup primarily used on the cheeks to mimic the natural flush that your skin gets when you blush (hence the name!) While blush colours typically fall somewhere on the pinkish spectrum, this isn’t always the case. In fact, shades can range from sandy taupe to deep purple or brown.

When choosing a blush colour, you’ll want to opt for a shade that flatters both your skin tone and undertone. A blush that’s too dark may make your complexion look splotchy or muddy, while one that’s too light may wash you out (or simply not show up at all).

How To Pick Blush Colour Based on Your Skin Tone

You can, of course, wear any blush you like, and some people like playing around with different shades for different moods and looks. That said, colour science would tell you that some shades naturally complement your skin more than others.

Ahead, we’ll share some of our favorite blush colours for different skin tones.

• • Best Blush for Fair Skin Tones

    If you’re on the fairer side, you probably avoid blushes that are too dark, as deeper tones tend to look unnatural against your light skin. A good blush for pale skin will harmonise your complexion for a natural result. Opt for soft, light shades, such as carnation pink or pale mauve.

    Best Blush for Olive Skin Tones

    Olive skin tones can be fair or dark, but tend to have greener undertones rather than pink. When it comes to blusher, pinks and reds with golden undertones are generally beautiful on this skin tone. A good blush for olive skin will bring out your skin’s natural golden tones, so look for warm corals or play with bronzy rose shades.

    Best Blush for Brown Skin Tones

    Medium skin tones are neither obviously fair nor dark, but fall right in the middle, often looking tanned all year round or with a natural caramel brown complexion. To ensure your blush pops against your skin tone, the best blush for tanned skin is usually brighter. Think pigmented pinks and softer reds, such as salmon or raspberry.

    Best Blush for Dark Skin Tones

    The darker your skin, the more saturated you’ll want your blush to be. To make a bold statement, try a vibrant crimson blush. A good blush for dark skin will bring out your natural complexion without overpowering it. Try deeper shades like plum and maroon are also a great way to build a more natural blushed finish.

Which Blush Colour Is Best For Your Undertone?

Your primary skin tone is, of course, really important when you’re looking for your most complementary blusher. But you don’t want to forget about the crucial undertone component, which we might think of as your skin’s underlying ‘tint’.

If you’re not sure what yours is, there are a few methods you can use to determine your skin’s undertone. We love the vein test for its simplicity and clarity: in natural lighting, look at the veins on the underside of your wrist:

• • Cool undertone: If they appear primarily blue or purple, you probably have cooler undertones.

    Warm undertone: Veins that appear more green typically tell us you have a warm undertone.

    Neutral undertone: Don’t panic if you can’t quite land on one or the other; people with neutral skin often see a mix of blue and green shades. That means your skin is neither entirely warm nor entirely cool – which gives you a lot of choices!

Next, let’s think about how you can choose the best blush colour to complement your undertones.

Best Blush for Cool Undertones

Those with cool undertones often have a pinkish cast to their skin, and usually feel their best with blusher shades that emphasise rather than try to counteract that coolness. Look for cool-toned blush that leans towards dusty rose, bubblegum, or purplish pinks. Carnation blush is another great pick for you if you have cool undertones and paler skin. Those with cool-toned dark skin, meanwhile, should look for vivid purple-pinks, such as fuchsia or magenta.

Best Blush for Warm Undertones

Warmer undertones look stunning with equally warm-toned blushes. Corals, salmons, and orange-reds are all great options because these kinds of shades bring out the natural warmth in your skin.

Best Blush for Neutral Undertones

If you’ve got neutral skin, a whole range of shades can look great for you – although that can make the decision-making process a bit trickier! When searching for a blush for neutral undertones, your best bet is probably to focus on pairing the blush with your skin tone rather than focusing on the undertone.

You can also think about the overall look you’re trying to create: a brighter, more vivid blush will have a more dramatic effect, while softer, subtler tones are great for a more natural-looking flush.

How To Choose the Right Buttermelt Blush Shade

Our Buttermelt Blush is available in 12 vibrant shades spanning both matte and glowy finishes. Each of these also offer up to 12 hours of fade- and transfer-resistant wear. Keep reading for a rundown on the best Buttermelt Blush shades for different skin tones.

Best Buttermelt Blush Shades for Fair Skin Tones

As we touched on, pale pink shades are a beautiful choice for people with fairer skin. Try Butta Together, a soft, rosy shade with neutral undertones that flatters cool and warm skin alike.

Best Buttermelt Blush Shades for Olive Skin Tones

Complement your olive skin’s natural warmth with a terracotta shade like Feeling Butta. Or if you fancy a bit of glow, try U Know Butta, a shimmery bright coral.

Best Buttermelt Blush Shades for Medium Skin Tones

Give medium skin a natural-looking flush with For the Butta, a soft mauve shade that is neither too light or too dark. It’s the perfect natural-looking pink for your skin.

Best Buttermelt Blush Shades for Dark Skin Tones

Our Buttermelt Blush comes in several vibrant shades that work perfectly for deeper skin tones. Try our brick-red Back and Butta for a bold blush look, or Butta Than Before for a flush of eye-catching pink that pops against your skin.

Best Buttermelt Blush Shades for Cool Undertones

If you have cool skin, an equally cool-toned blush is great for a natural-looking finish. We love For the Butta for a more subtle effect, and the vibrant My Butta Half for a pop of bubblegum pink that can’t be missed.

Best Buttermelt Blush Shades Colour for Neutral Undertones

Those with neutral undertones look great in nearly any hue. Embrace the viral strawberry girl makeup trend with the softly-shimmering Getting Butta shade, or try All The Butta, an electric violet that’s bold, bright, and made to stand out.

Best Buttermelt Blush Shades Colour for Warm Undertones

Show off your skin’s natural sun-kissed warmth with an equally golden-toned blush. Sooner the Butta is wonderful for warm-toned fair skin, while Had Butta is a hot coral shade that stuns on deeper skin tones.

How to Get a Sun-Kissed Look With Buttermelt Blush

Now that you’ve got the best blush colour for your skin and undertone, we can move on to the fun part: applying it!

Here are five simple steps for a summery, sun-kissed look.

• •  1. Prime your skin
     2. Add foundation
     3. Apply blush
     4. Warm with bronzer
     5. Set your makeup
    

  • Step 1: Prime your skin
    We may have said it a million times, but it’s always worth saying again: primer is the key to a lasting makeup look. For a glowy, summery look, consider Honey Dew Me luminous gel primer.

    Step 2: Apply Foundation (If Desired)
    Next comes your favourite foundation, should you wish to even out your skin tone. You can use any products you like, but we’re especially fond of Bare With Me Blur Tint Foundation. Apply it with the Total Control Drop Foundation Brush, or buff it into your skin with your fingers for a sheerer finish.

    Step 3: Apply Blush to the Apples of Your Cheeks
    Once your base is set, it’s finally time to apply your blush! Lightly sweep a fluffy brush over your blush of choice to pick up product, then dust onto your cheeks. For a sun-kissed look, apply to the tops of your cheekbones and blend the blush out toward your temples.

    You can also dust a little bit onto your nose to amplify the beachy effect. Just make sure you take it slow and pause to check the overall effect, so you don’t overdo it.

    If you need more tips on where to apply blush, we recommend heading on over to our article How To Apply Blush and Flatter Your Face Shape.

    Step 4: Add Warmth With Bronzer
    As far as we’re concerned, no beachy makeup look is complete without a shimmer of bronzer. Thankfully, we’ve got that covered. Just snag your favourite Buttermelt Bronzer hue and use the Buttermelt Bronzer Brush to apply the soft matte formula anywhere you’d like a touch of warmth.

    Often, we recommend focusing on places the sun would hit naturally, like the bridge of your nose or top of your forehead.

    Step 5: Set Your Look
    As soon as you’re satisfied with your look, don’t forget to set your makeup. Mist your completed look with the Plump Finish Setting Spray for a long-lasting look and up to 24 hours of hydration.

We’d love to see how you use your Buttermelt Blush! Share a snap of your look on social and tag us @nyxcosmetics_UK.

How to Pick Blush Colour FAQs