How Many Blushes Should You Own?

When it comes to makeup, blush is one of the most essential items in your kit. A good blush can brighten up your complexion and add a healthy, natural-looking flush to your cheeks.

But with so many different shades and formulas available, how many blushes should you own?

And what are the best blushes for different skin tones? Keep reading to find out!

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Does Everyone Need Blush? 

Whether you need blush depends entirely on your skin conditions and the look you’re going for.

For example, if you have rosacea on your cheeks and use a light coverage foundation, you might not need to apply blush.

People with naturally rosy cheeks might also want to skip blush as they might find that they don’t need to add some color. Instead, they can focus on using a bronzer or contouring powder to add some definition.

If you have very pale skin, you might find that using a light pink blush will give you a healthy-looking flush without looking overdone.

For a full-coverage makeup look, you might need to use a little bit of blush to add color to your cheeks, as foundation can make your face look flat.

How Many Blushes Are Really Necessary?

Regarding the number of blushes you need, there is no right or wrong answer, and it all depends on the looks you want to create and your skin tone.

For example, if you want to create natural-looking makeup looks, one light-colored blush in a sheer or semi-sheer formula will be enough.

You can own two shades, one for summer and one for winter, to match the blush to your skin tone as it changes throughout the year.

On the other hand, if you want to create a range of looks, from natural to dramatic, you will need a few different blushes.

We recommend having one to three blushes in your collection, as this will give you enough options to work with while still keeping your collection manageable.

When it comes to blush, more isn’t always better. Owning too many blushes can make it harder to find the perfect shade for your skin tone and the look you’re going for.

For example, if you have a fair skin tone, you can choose a light pink shade for a natural flush or a medium pink for a bold look. You can also use a nude blush for a more subtle flush of color. So, you would need three blushes to create different looks.

Avoid using a very dark shade to prevent your blush from looking orange.

You can also add a cream, liquid, or gel blush to add variety to your collection. These types work the best for dry skin as they provide hydration and a dewy finish.

TIP: You can get a blush palette to have a wider range of colors to choose from.

What Colour Blush Should You Wear?

When choosing the right color blush, you must consider your skin tone.

The idea is to pick a shade that matches the color of your cheeks when you flush.

People with fair skin and cool undertones should look for light to medium pink blushes with blue undertones like this matte blush.

Those with fair skin tone and warm undertones should choose a warm pink or light peach shade.

If you have a medium skin tone with a cool undertone, look for a medium reddish pink shade.

And if you have a medium skin tone with a warm undertone, go for a coral blush or a peach-pink one.

For deep skin tones with cool undertones, we recommend choosing a cool plum or berry shade for a natural flush or a bright red or orange for a bold look.

If you have a deep skin tone with a warm undertone, choose a warm deep orange shade for a natural flush or a vivid fuchsia or purple for a bold look.

Best Blushes For Beginners 

If you’re starting to experiment with blush, we recommend choosing a sheer or semi-sheer formula, as these are the easiest to work with.

We also recommend opting for a matte or satin finish as shimmer and glitter blushes can be tricky to work with and can emphasize imperfections.

Some of our favorite blushes for beginners include:

tarte Mini Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush

This blush has a soft formula that is easy to build up, so it’s perfect for those who are just starting to experiment with blush.

It has a matte finish that looks natural on the skin and doesn’t emphasize dry skin or texture.

What I like about this blush is that it’s long-wearing and doesn’t fade quickly.

It’s available in various shades, from natural-looking pinks to bolder coral and berry shades.

A little bit goes a long way with this blush so that it can last you a long time. I got the travel size in the shade ‘ Seduce‘, a rosy nude color that works perfectly for light to medium skin tones.

Pros:

Long-lasting, buildable formula, matte finish, doesn’t emphasize dry skin.

Cons: None

Maybelline New York Fit Me Blush

This blush is one of the best blushes for beginners as it has a buildable formula that is easy to control.

It has various shades, from natural-looking pinks to brighter coral and berry shades.

The formula is not very pigmented, so it’s perfect for those just experimenting with blush.

It has a matte finish that looks natural on the skin and doesn’t emphasize dry skin or texture.

The only downside to this blush is that it doesn’t last very long on the skin.

Pros: Buildable formula, matte finish, doesn’t emphasize dry skin.

Cons: It doesn’t last very long on the skin.

L’Oreal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Satin Blush

This blush has a satin finish that looks natural on the skin and is easy to build up.

It comes in four shades, and the formula is subtle, so it’s perfect for those who want a minimal makeup look.

L’Oreal blushes are some of the best drugstore blushes, as they are affordable and easy to work with.

The only downside is that this blush doesn’t last very long on the skin as a high-end one, but it’s easy to touch up.

Pros: Natural-looking satin finish, buildable formula.

Cons: it doesn’t last very long on the skin.

How Do You Apply Blush? 

Now that you know what shades and finishes to look for, let’s talk about how to apply blush.

The first thing you need to do is choose the right brush. We recommend using a soft angled brush that is not very dense.

Dip the brush into the powder and tap off any excess.

If you have a round or square face shape, start at the high points of your cheekbones and sweep the color up and back towards your temples.

For an oval face, apply the blush to the apples of the cheeks.

Be sure to blend the color well so there are no harsh lines.

If you are using a cream blush, you can set it with a powder one which helps the blush to stay longer on the skin.

TIP: If you have an even skin tone, you can use blush alone without foundation to add a healthy pop of color to your face.

Should I Wear Blush Or Bronzer?

If you’re wondering whether you should wear blush or bronzer, the answer depends on the look you want to achieve.

A bronzer gives the look of sun-kissed skin, while a blush provides the face with a natural flush.

If you want a natural-looking flush, go for blush.

If you want to add color and definition to your face, go for bronzer.

You can also use blush and bronzer to add some definition to your face.

Start by applying bronzer to the areas where the sun naturally hits your face, such as your forehead, the bridge of your nose, and the high points of your cheeks.

Then, apply blush to the apples or the high points of your cheeks, depending on your face shape.

Be sure to blend well so that there are no harsh lines.

When it comes to blush and bronzer, more isn’t always better.

Start with a small amount and build the color until you achieve the desired look.

Is Liquid Blush Better Than Powder?

Liquid and powder blush each have their own advantages.

Powder blush is great for oily skin as it doesn’t add a lot of shine.

Liquid blush is great for those who want a dewy finish, so it works better for dry skin and doesn’t emphasize dry patches the way powder blush can.

You can apply liquid blushes by using your fingers or a brush. If you use a brush, use one that works with liquid products.

Conclusion

When it comes to blush, owning too many can be overwhelming.

In swatches, some shades might look different, but on the skin, they might look similar.

That’s why we recommend starting with one to three blushes:

A light pink or reddish blush for a minimal makeup look, a nude peachy blush for every day, and a bold pink or plum for special occasions.

For a dewy finish, you can also have a cream, liquid, or gel blush.

You first need to consider the look you want, as this will determine the type of blush and shades you should be looking for.

Blushes come in various finishes (matte, satin, shimmer) and undertones (cool, warm, neutral). So take some time to experiment until you find the right ones.

Now that you know how many blushes to own and how to apply them, it’s time to experiment with different shades and finishes to find the perfect one.

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