Should blush be pink or red?

Pink or red? That is the question when it comes to choosing the perfect blush color for your skin tone. Blush is a makeup item that can add a touch of color and bring life to your face, making it essential to every makeup routine. However, the wrong shade of blush can make you appear washed out or give you a clown-like appearance. To avoid such a disaster, it is important to know which shade of blush works best for your skin tone.

Understanding Skin Tones

The first step in selecting the right blush shade is to understand your skin tone. Skin tone is determined by the undertones of your skin. Undertones can be classified as cool, warm, or neutral. Cool undertones have a hint of blue or pink, warm undertones have a hint of yellow or peach, while neutral undertones have a mixture of cool and warm undertones.

To determine your skin undertone, check the veins on the inside of your wrist. If they appear blue, you have cool undertones, while green veins indicate warm undertones. If you cannot tell if your veins are blue or green, you may have neutral undertones.

Blush for Cool Skin Tones

Cool skin tones complement pink and berry blush shades. Pink blush shades with blue undertones add a natural flushed look to your cheeks and brighten your complexion. Berry blush shades provide a subtle pop of color and add a natural-looking flush to your cheeks, giving you a radiant look.

A few examples of pink blush shades for cool skin tones include NARS Cosmetics' Orgasm, Bobbi Brown's Pale Pink, and Tarte's Natural Beauty. For berry blush shades, you may want to try MAC Cosmetics' Plum Foolery, NARS Cosmetics' Sin, or Milani's Bella Rosa.

Blush for Warm Skin Tones

Warm skin tones complement peach and coral blush shades. These shades add warmth and glow to your complexion. Peach blush shades with warm undertones bring out the natural warmth of your skin, while coral blush shades provide a healthy sun-kissed look to the cheeks.

Some popular peach blush shades for warm skin tones include NARS Cosmetics' Luster, Benefit Cosmetics' Georgia, and MAC Cosmetics' Melba. For coral blush shades, you may want to try Tarte's Blissful, Milani's Coral Cove, or NYX's Cinnamon.

Neutral Skin Tones

Neutral skin tones can wear any shade of blush, making it easier to experiment with different shades and textures. The versatile nature of neutral skin tones allows for an endless option of blush shades to choose from. Neutral-toned blushes with mauve or rose undertones provide a natural-looking flush to the cheeks, while bronze blush shades add warmth and a subtle shimmer to the cheeks.

Some popular neutral-toned blushes include NARS Cosmetics' Dolce Vita, Benefit Cosmetics' Rockateur, and Milani's Luminoso.

Texture Matters

Selecting the right shade of blush is only half the journey; the texture of the blush also plays a significant role in achieving the perfect flushed look. The texture of the blush can be determined by the finish, which can be matte, shimmer, or satin.

Matte finish blushes provide a velvety finish with no shimmer, ideal for a natural-looking flush. Shimmer finish blushes contain light-reflecting particles that add a subtle glow to the cheeks, giving you a radiant look. Satin finish blushes provide a natural-looking sheen to the cheeks, creating a healthy-looking glow.

Application Technique

The application technique can make all the difference in achieving a flawless blush look. The goal is to create a natural-looking flush, as if the color is coming from within. The most common tools used for applying blush are brushes, sponges, and fingertips.

When using a brush, choose a medium-sized brush that will help you create a diffused flush. Start by dipping the brush into the blush and tapping off the excess. Then, apply the blush to the apples of the cheeks and blend towards the temples.

Sponges are perfect for an airbrushed look. Use a damp sponge to apply the blush and blend in circular motions. Sponges are ideal for those who want full and even coverage.

Fingertips are a great option for a no-makeup makeup look. Use your fingertips to dab a small amount of blush onto the apples of your cheeks and blend it out for a natural-looking flush.

Final Thoughts

Blush is an essential makeup item that can add a touch of color and bring life to your face. When selecting the right blush shade, it is crucial to understand your skin tone and the undertones of your skin. Cool skin tones look best with pink and berry blush shades, while warm skin tones complement peach and coral blush shades. Neutral-toned skin tones can wear any shade of blush. The application technique and texture of the blush also play significant roles in achieving a flawless blush look.