Affordable drugstore blush options for all skin types

Blush! Makeup users can’t get enough of it. This pigmented product is definitely having a moment, with its almost magical ability to breathe vitality into any look.

And with the spotlight of internet influencers — and the various trends they’re trying out for the camera — both luxury and drugstore brands are keeping up. More and more blush options are hitting the shelves, including and cream, liquid and powder formulas.

To reap the ultimate rewards of rosy cheeks, getting matched up with the right formula is a must. Never fear. New York City based celebrity makeup artist Nydia Figueroa and Houston based beauty influencer Rose Siard will help you find the right blush formulas for every skin type and skin tone.^1,2

In this article:

• What color blush should I wear?
• The best blush for each skin type
  • The best blush for dry skin
  • The best blush for oily skin
  • The best blush for mature skin
  • The best blush for dark skin
  • The best blush for fair skin

What color blush should I wear?

Blush is sold in dozens of colors (shades of orange, pink and red), with the majority falling in the rosy sector. Each blush color is then tinted with cool or warm undertones, which is why some blushes work better for some skin tones than others. So which one is for you?

Figueroa notes that soft pinks with cooler undertones work best on fair skin tones. Peaches and corals look best on medium skin tones, and more vibrant colors, like plums and oranges, tend to be most fitting for darker skin tones, she explains.

But here’s the thing: There’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to blush. “Almost all shades can be worn effectively by the entire range of skin tones,” Siard says. You just need the confidence to give colors outside your comfort zone a try.

“I look at blush the same way I look at eye shadow,” Siard says. “You can use vibrant colors to express yourself or as a way to add subtle color and warmth to your face.”

The best blush for each skin type

Now that you know about blush and skin tone, let’s dive into skin type. Even the best color blush won’t be any fun if it doesn’t wear well and isn’t friendly to your skin.

The best blush for dry skin

Cream and liquid blushes work well with dry skin, notes Siard. The reason? These supple, more fluid formulations apply more evenly.

With this in mind, both Figueroa and Siard suggest reaching for the Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Blush. “This blush is great to give a hydrated look to the skin with a pop of color and can be used on the cheeks and lips,” Figueroa says.

The best blush for oily skin

Since oily skin has a tendency to look quite shiny, powder blushes are your friend.

Figueroa and Siard agree and both like the Essence’s The Blush, which delivers color while absorbing excess oil in the process.

“I love this kind of blush because it has beautiful pigment with a smooth application and is long lasting,” Figueroa says. Siard points out that another fabulous powder blush is the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear soft matte blush, which is known for its impressive color payoff and smooth application.

To apply powder blush for the best result, Siard likes to use an asymmetrical, semidense synthetic fiber brush.

But it’s all about personal preference, so pick your brush accordingly.

Figueroa prefers to use a fluffy brush like the Real Techniques Blush Brush. “I like to take the brush, smile and swipe from the cheekbones to the temples for a lifted look,” she says.

Siard is a particularly big fan of powder blush because it stays put on your face, both in terms of location and longevity. That said, she admits that powder blush can look patchy if it’s applied over unset foundation.

Consider applying a setting powder on top of your foundation before adding powder blush.

The best blush for mature skin

Mature skin tends to be on the drier side.³ It’s also more prone to fine lines and wrinkles. That leads both Figueroa and Siard to suggest a liquid or cream formula. Opting for a powder blush, they warn, can actually enhance the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Some powder formulas are hydrating, though, like the Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Blush.

“This blush formula is rich in nutrients while giving major color payoff,” Figueroa says, noting that it works well for combination skin, too. “It makes the skin feel soft and is more of a mix of a powder and cream blush.”

If you are in the market for a liquid blush, however, keep an eye out for products with expansive shade ranges and, if possible, convenient wand applicators. And note this: It’s much easier to over apply liquid and cream formulas than powder blushes, Figueroa warns.

The best blush for dark skin

While Siard notes that nearly all blushes can be enjoyed by all skin types, Figueroa emphasizes that some shades do look better on dark skin tones. She suggests brighter pinks, plums and oranges because the highly pigmented cheek products will show up more vividly.

With that in mind, those with darker skin tones should consider stocking their makeup bags with blushes like the Almay Healthy Hue Blush in the shade Pink Flush, Flower Blush Bomb in the shade Bitten or Pixi On-the-Glow Blush in the shade Ruby.

The best blush for fair skin

Again, almost all shades of blush can be worn by all skin types. But there are some that pop on fairer skin. Figueroa favors light peach shades for pale skin tones. Stick to light colors, such as baby or rosy pink. And if you already have pink-toned skin, aim for cool undertones and yellow-based blushes to counteract that.

Consider Pixi On-the-Glow Blush in the shade Fleur or CoverGirl TrueBlend So Flushed in Coral Crush.