While finding the perfect blush shade for brown skin can be difficult, it is not impossible! The vast majority of blush shades are geared towards fair skin tones, which can leave brown-skinned ladies feeling left out in the makeup game. There is nothing worse than walking into a store and not being able to find your shade! Luckily, there are some great blush products for brown skin that will give you the perfect flush to complement your complexion. I have tried many different brands and colors so I could narrow it down to my top six favorites!
Nothing beats trial and error when it comes to solidifying your go-to beauty products. However, not everyone has the means to go trying every product that hits the market. Luckily for those that are interested in trying new products on a budget, you still have options!
Let's recap some basics before getting into this post: In a previous post about finding the perfect bold red lip shade, I shared the gem about the Ipsy Glam Bag. Each month you can receive a cute makeup bag of beauty samples from some of the top
brands in the industry. After completing a questionnaire, the Ipsy team will select items custom to your complexion and preferences for you to try!
My Ipsy Glam Bag subscription has allowed me to fall in love with new brands, discover different shades suitable to my skin tone, and sample new beauty products every month!
Now that we have recapped on that golden nugget, let's get back to blush talk!
There are some key things that you should always keep in mind when dealing with blush. For example, finding the perfect shade of blush for your skin tone often depends upon the color of your undertone. What is an undertone, you ask? Your undertone is the color or hue that lies underneath the surface of your skin. It is often more difficult to see than your overall skin tone because it tends to be in direct opposition to the actual color you possess.
I have a yellow undertone which means blush shades with pink undertones are going to get along nicely with my complexion! However, if you have an olive shade (green) as your undertone then blush shades possessing red undertones will compliment you best!
If you're not sure what your tone/undertone is, Essence Magazine provides a comprehensive guide to how you can determine yours, here.
As I mentioned, I happen to have a yellow undertone which steers me more toward pink shades of blush. My current favorite is the Eye2Cheek Dual-Use Blush & Eyeshadow by Valentino Beauty in the shade 01 BORN IN ROMA. This cream to powder formula is great for use on both your cheeks and eyes depending upon your desired look. The Eye2Cheek duo provides a smooth and easy finish that can be built upon for more coverage while still maintaining its original shade. In the photo, you can see that I have paired it with the Striking Matte Lip Color in UNDRESSED VELVET to complement the look. What I love most about this combo is how perfect the shades are for everyday wear. Let me know what you think of this particular look in the comments below!
If you're not trying to spend an arm and leg on makeup then drug store brands are always available for your brown skin beauty needs! Physicians Formula carries my all-time favorite powder blush that has been providing me with beautiful pink cheeks since high school days ;). The Powder Palette For Faces comes in three shades: Light (a light peachy nude), Medium (a peachier version of their Light Bronzer color), and Dark (a deep bronze).
I have to be honest with you guys, blush was one of the first makeup items that I actually decided to never be without.
Who says blush has to only come in pink? For brown skin, deep reds are just as flattering! One shade that fits this description perfectly is GLOSSIER Cloud Paint blush in the color Spark, available at Glossier.com. The hue mixed with its smooth cream formula allows for easy blending onto both cheeks and into other deeper tones creating an all-over healthy glow on the face when applied correctly using clean fingers!
Another shade of blush that I absolutely LOVE for brown skin tones is orange! One of my favorite shades is the blush by NYX. This powder blush in the color Cinnamon provides a beautiful warmth that can be paired with either bronzer or highlighter to complete your look and give you some depth off of the face. I like to lean toward more orange shades during the summer months when my melanin is really POPPING!
I am also a fan of liquid blush formulas which come in a multitude of shades and are great for mixing. My number one favorite is the Liquid Blush by NARS in the shade Luster. I have used this product for years! It works great on its own or layered with other blush products to create depth and dimension.
I have recently discovered that peachy tones are great on brown skin! I love this color family because it not only compliments my complexion but also gives off an air of sophistication and confidence. The Nars Multiple Orgasm blush in Riviera is also one of my favorites in peach shades which can be worn with pink or gold highlighter depending on your mood.
Believe it or not, darker colors like wine and purples have a beautiful effect on brown skin tones as well. I like to use blush in these colors for a stunning and bold look. My go-to blush in these deep tones is the Black Radiance Artisan Color Baked Blush in the shade Brick House. With darker shades of blush, I would suggest keeping your application light. The last thing we would want is for our cheeks to look bruised. Easy does it!
Blush is not the only way to add color and beauty to your face. With blush, you can play around with all different colors of bronzers and highlighters as well! A new trend that has been taking off is golden brown highlights for darker skin tones. I am obsessed with this look because it's soft yet beautiful enough for a night out on the town.
When it comes to brown skin, gold is simply UNDEFEATED. I have been using the Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Sundipped for years and it has never let me down. I apply a light blush to my cheeks, add some blush to my eyes with gold highlighter on the brow and cheekbone, and complete the look with a bronzed glow! While it can be tempting to really pile this shade on, I implore you to take it easy! Let's not turn into Goldmember!
Finding the perfect blush shade for brown skin can be a challenge. My hope is that this post has helped you find your next favorite hue and brand of blush! I would love to hear from you-- what's your go-to? What other tips do you have when it comes to applying cheek color while covering fine lines, wrinkles, or age spots on your face? Please share in the comments below!