Struggling with blush? A makeup artist explains the best shades for every skin tone

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When it comes to makeup, we’ve all pretty much got our routines down, right? We mostly know the products that work best for us.

However, there is one key step that you might be missing that will take your look from everyday to pure glam, and that is blush.

Of course, you’ve got the icons of blushers, such as Benefit’s Benetint, Milk Makeup

Cooling Water Jelly Tint, and Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand, but if you’re a complete novice to the product, how do you go about finding the right one for you? How do you know if there is a better shade match than the one you have? Blusher can completely transform a look, so we’ve spoken to Professional Makeup Artist for over 30 years, Kate Hughes, to dive into all that there is to know.

‘When it comes to blushers, the goal is to mimic a natural flush. A classic trick is to look at the colour of your cheeks after a workout or a brisk walk.’

‘For fair skin: look for soft pinks, peaches, or light lilacs. Anything too dark can look like a bruise; sheer is your friend. Medium/olive skin tones can handle richer pigments like rosy pinks, warm ambers, and bright corals. Olive undertones look incredible in warm berry shades.

Then, for deeper skin shades, go bold. High pigment terracotta, deep berries, and bright oranges show up beautifully. Don’t be afraid of colours that look scary in the pan, they melt into deep skin tones for a natural glow.’

Merit’s Flush Balms, £26, are one of our top recommended blushers. They come available in over 12 shades, so if you’re following Kate’s advice, you will be able to find a suitable shade for yourself. ‘It’s a great product for beginners to effectively build up coverage without overdoing it. Just swipe and blend with either your finger or a brush.’ It’s also a great size to pop in your bag in case you need a little reapply throughout the day.

Another excellent lightweight option is Saie Dew Blush Liquid Cheek Flush, £22. The brand combines skin-loving ingredients such as evening primrose and mulberry extract with their formulas to create an overall seamless look. This will leave a more dewy, wet-look whilst appearing natural. Follow Kate’s advice and go bold with their Hottie shade.

e.l.f Primer-Infused Matte Blush is an affordable powder alternative. This 2-in-1 long-wear blush is infused with Vitamin E and jojoba seed oil and has a primer formula to minimize shine, leave a smooth, matte finish and works to boost its staying powder. 

When it comes to where to place your blush, Kate suggests ‘To lift, apply to the high points of the cheekbones and blend upward toward your temples. This gives a snatched, fresh look. For a sun-kissed look, apply across the bridge of your nose and the apples of your cheeks. This mimics where the sun naturally hits. If you want fullness, apply directly to the apples (the fleshy part when you smile) for a soft, rounded look.

The golden rule: start with a tiny amount. You can always add more, but it’s much harder to take it off once it’s there.’

‘If you’re a complete novice, start with a cream or liquid formula. They are much more forgiving than powders because you can blend them out with your fingers if you accidentally apply too much. Powders are best for oily skin or a matte finish. It can last a long time, but it can sometimes look chalky on dry skin. 

Whereas creams are best for a dewy, lit-from-within look. Great for dry or mature skin. Then, liquid/gels are very lightweight and usually give a watercolour-like transparency. Stains dry almost instantly, so if you’re confident with placement and blending, they do last all day.’

Kate’s go-to blushers that she loves are ‘My favourite inexpensive option is Collection Cosmetics Duo Blush, as it has both cream and powder blush in seeing double (great for layering), and it’s only £4.99. Whereas a more expensive option I always reach for is Hourglass’s Ambient Lightning Blush in Sublime Flush, which costs £46. It’s such a great colour that suits almost everyone.’

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