All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
The search for the perfect blush is never-ending. And although there’s tons of buzzy launches and new products popping up every day, tracking down a formula and shade that suits deep skin tones is an endeavor in itself. So, if you’ve struggled with products that don’t suit your undertone or majorly lack pigment—rest assured, we got makeup artists to share tips and the exact products they use to enhance melanin-rich skin.
The beauty world is slowly becoming more inclusive, but face products for deeper skin tones are still seriously lacking. While those with light and medium skin tones seemingly have tons of shade options when it comes to blush, deep skin tones aren’t always catered to in the same way. But, the good news is that there is a blush out there for everyone—you just have to know what to look for.
Unfortunately, not all blushes are created equal. Even if you’re attempting a diffused blush look, you’ll find that deep skin tones require much more pigment than lighter skin tones do. Not to mention, factors like shade and formula also impact how blush shows up.
Celebrity makeup artist Ash K Holm says to look for rich gemstone shades, because they typically have more pigment than lighter shades. “Pigment can always be blended away if applied too much, but pigment can’t always be added to products. The more pigment you see in a product, the more capable it is to show up on deeper skin,” she says.
Additionally, aesthetician and celebrity makeup artist Kat James says a good base, layering formulas, and the right tools are essential to achieving the blush look of your dreams. Finding the right shade is only part of the battle, but landing on an effective routine will make things much simpler.
There’s no hard and fast rule, but there are a few things you should look for when narrowing down your shade options. First, Holm says its helpful to identify your undertone before finding your perfect blush shade, “It helps to look at your décolletage and identify whether you have a warm undertone (meaning your skin pulls more yellow), a cool undertone (your skin pulls red), or a neutral undertone (your skin pulls both yellow and red undertones). Try to lean into the color palette of your undertones and match warm peachy shades with yellow undertone skin and pinky or red shades with neutral or red undertone skin for the most complementary blush.”
James also emphasizes the importance of relying on your undertone, she says the key is to choose hues that both contrast and harmonize with your undertones. After you assess your undertone, you can then find the exact shades that’ll suit you. James adds that pale or dusty pinks often aren’t a good choice for deep skin, since they tend to look chalky or not show up at all. (But of course, the best blush shade is the one you feel good wearing.) Once you know your undertone, James suggests the following blush shades.
Furthermore, when in doubt about your undertone—remember that deeper skin tones typically suit deeper blush colors the best. For this reason, makeup artist and co-founder of Just B Cosmetics Bina Khan says that red is often a universally flattering shade for deep skin. “The deeper your skin, the deeper you can go with your blush. For deep skin tones red looks absolutely beautiful, because it has the depth required to show up but also that fresh pop of bright colour,” she says.
Kat James: Aesthetician and celebrity makeup artist
Ash K Holm: Celebrity makeup artist
Bina Khan: Makeup artist and co-founder of Just B Cosmetics
Kim Paige: Professional makeup artist
Now that you know what shades to look for, all that’s left is finding the right product. We asked makeup artists for the blushes they recommend—so take note of their expert picks.
