How to Find the Best Blush for Your Skin Tone

Pink blush was always the norm, but now that both red and peach are becoming staples, you may be tempted to give those a try, too. But can you pull off every shade? Here’s how to find your most flattering cheek color.

Identify Your Undertone

The first step is finding out whether you have warm or cool undertones. Fair complexions with warm undertones will have a different match than a fair skin that’s cool-toned.

If the veins on the inside of your wrist look blue, you look best in silver jewelry, and bright white and black clothes flatter your skin tone best, you probably have cool undertones. Another sign: if you have blue, gray or green eyes paired with blonde, brown or black hair.

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You most likely have warm undertones if the veins on the inside of your wrist look green, you look best in gold jewelry, and ivory and tan neutral shades flatter your skin tone best. Also, if you have brown or hazel eyes with red, strawberry blonde or brown hair, you’re most likely warm.

Best Blush Shades for Your Skin Tone 

Fair

“For paler complexions, use a warm pink blush, like the Kat Von D Everlasting Blush in Por Vida ($25, sephora.com), which will create a soft flushed look on a red undertone,” recommends Sephora Pro David Thibodeau. The long lasting formula includes rose extract, which keeps skin soft and moisturized. For cool tones, stick to a bright watermelon pink, like Kevyn Aucoin The Creamy Glow in Liquifuchsia ($24, net-a-porter.com).

Medium

Peach or soft oranges flatter medium golden tones best. They “help to enhance the inherent glow in the skin,” says Thibodeau, who recommends Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Lover ($26, sephora.com). Cool tones should opt for light, rose pink shades. For richer color, apply a cream blush.

Olive

Olive complexions look good in both warm and cool blushes. “Choose a neutral or mauve toned blush like the Marc Jacobs Beauty Shameless Bold Blush in 206 Reckless ($30, sephora.com) to be able to add visible dimension against the deeper undertones of your skin,” says Thibodeau. This silky blush is vibrant, yet blends seamlessly. Or go bold with a pop of bright pink.

Dark

A cool dark skin tone should opt for a vibrant pink blush, such as NYX Powder Blush in Red ($5,nyxcosmetics.com). Warm undertones look best in a bright red-orange like Make Up For Ever Powder Blush in Scarlet 99 ($20, sephora.com).