In a world where contouring and the brightest highlight possible dominate the makeup scene, some aspects of makeup get put on the back burner, like blush. However, blush shouldn’t be forgotten, because it has the ability to give our faces a beautiful glow and maybe a little confidence boost! We’ve curated the ultimate guide to picking out your perfect blush. Read on and go find your glow!
If your skin has cool undertones
The key to blush is knowing your undertones. Finding your undertone is super easy: just look at your wrist and look closely at your veins. If your veins appear blue, you’re a cool undertone. That means your skin tends to have more pink or blue tones. Briana, a makeup artist at Ulta, suggests a blush that is nude for your skin color. She says to stay away from most pink shades because they’ll make your skin look extra pink. Maci Garcia, a sophomore from Cal State Northridge, says “I use the blush from the ELF contouring blush and bronzing powder duo! I wear it because it’s affordable and a friend recommended it. I really like the way it looks on me.” This blush is great for cool undertones because it isn’t too pink and will wear very naturally.
One example of cool undertones is Amanda Seyfried. She rocks a natural-flush-looking blush.
If your skin has warm undertones
Check your veins––do they appear more green? You’re a warm undertone. Warm undertones have more yellow or red tints to them. If this is your undertone, Briana recommends berry and peach colors as your go-to. Stephanie Huynh, a sophomore at Lehigh University, says “MAC blush in Gingerly is a beautiful dark peach that looks natural with my skin!”
Beyoncé is the queen of rocking peach colored blush.
One beautiful berry color is NARS blush in Seduction. Briana recommends NARS because it has great pigment and a wide variety of shades.
If your skin has neutral undertones
If you’re not sure if your skin has warm or cool undertones you might be neutral! Being neutral is great because you have a lot of options. Briana says Orgasm from the NARS line is one of the most universal blushes out there. Amanda Goecke, a senior at Carthage College, says “I wear the shade Orgasm from NARS and it’s so glittery and shimmery, perfect for spring and summer.” Neutrals should try different shades to see what makes their faces pop the most.
Jennifer Aniston is a classic neutral undertone. She tends to keep her makeup pretty natural but she can really pull off a lot of different shades.
Should you use cream or powder blush?
Another aspect of blush to consider is cream vs. powder. Briana says it all depends on the finish you’re looking for. A cream blush will have a more natural looking, dewy finish on the skin. A powder blush is going to be more pigmented and matte. She mentioned that more dry skin tends to like a cream blush more than a powder blush.
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Blush shopping can seem confusing, but it doesn’t have to be! Briana advises that you start with a brand like NARS or Lancôme, because they have a wide range to select from. NYX, Maybelline, and L’Oréal also have a wide range of options at a lower price point. Then, she suggests picking a coral or peach shade because those are the most universal.
Once you find your perfect blush, it’s just as important to know how to apply it properly! Huda Beauty founder, Huda Kattan, put together a simple, short video and perfectly explained and demonstrated how to apply blush. She also throws in some of her own expert tips on color choices!
Happy shopping, beauties!