Red blush on Black skin is a makeup match made in heaven.
“Red blush is particularly flattering as it mimics the natural flush that signals health and vitality, offering a vibrant, youthful look,” beauty industry expert and premier permanent makeup artist, Christy Calafati, told 21Ninety. “It works wonderfully across skin tones, especially on deeper complexions where it enhances natural undertones with its warmth.”
Depending on the shade of red, the noticeable blush offers everything from a natural flush of color to a burst of pigment on the cheeks.
The Best Way to Apply Red Blush on the Cheeks
To get the most out of your red blush, proper application is key. According to Calafati, your base makeup can make all the difference.
“For cream foundation, pair it with a cream blush before setting it with powder for a smooth blend,” Calafati explained.
On bare skin, the veteran makeup artist suggested starting off with a gentle hand for a natural finish. From there, you can continue to build to your desired intensity. That’s also the same method you should use for powder foundation in order to avoid any patches in your bold glam.
- Best Balm: Chanel N°1 De Chanel Lip And Cheek Balm
- Best Cream: Finding Ferdinand Creamy Blush
- Best Gel: Glossier Cloud Paint Gel Cream Blush
- Best Liquid: Jaclyn Cosmetics Plush Blush Blurring Cheek Tint
- Best Long-Lasting Blush: Urban Decay Hydromaniac Dewy Liquid Blush
- Best Powder: NARS Blush
- Best Stick: Ami Colé Desert Date Cream Blush & Lip Multistick
- Best Vegan: r.e.m. beauty Eclipse Cheek & Lip Stick
- Best Value: NUDESTIX Nudies Cream Blush All-Over-Face Color
- Most Buildable: Winky Lux Cheeky Rose Blush
- Most Pigmented: Besame Cosmetics Crimson Cream Rouge for Cheeks + Lips
Best Balm
Chanel N°1 De Chanel Lip And Cheek Balm
Chanel’s N°1 De Chanel Lip And Cheek Balm in the shade “Red Camellia” is a bold lipstick red. It’s infused with nourishing camellia oil to keep your lips and cheeks plump all day long.
Best Cream
Finding Ferdinand Creamy Blush
Finding Ferdinand’s Creamy Blush in the shade “Sumo” is a coral-leaning red that’s buildable. Add a little for a natural flush or a lot for a burst of color.
Best Gel
Glossier Cloud Paint Gel Cream Blush
Glossier’s Cloud Paint Gel Cream Blush glides onto the skin without a single streak. The shade “Spark” is a bright red that gives hints of berry hues when applied onto deeper skin tones.
Best Liquid
Jaclyn Cosmetics Plush Blush Blurring Cheek Tint
Jaclyn Cosmetics’ Plush Blush Blurring Cheek Tint delivers a full-pigment splash of color. The neutral cool shade “Plush Red” goes on as a satin liquid. Then, it dries down to a velvety matte finish.
Best Long-Lasting Blush
Urban Decay Hydromaniac Dewy Liquid Blush
Urban Decay’s Hydromaniac Dewy Liquid Blush is vegan, pigmented, and lasts for up to 24 hours. It’s infused with hydrating oils to add to its glowy finish. Also, while you’ll want to avoid red flags in your daily and romantic life, this blush in the shade “Red Flag” is the one to reach for.
Best Powder
NARS Blush
NARS’ signature Blush also comes in a buildable red shade named “Exhibit A.” Depending on your skin’s undertones, this red blush will show up either neutral or on the more coral side of red.
Best Stick
Ami Colé Desert Date Cream Blush & Lip Multistick
Ami Colé’s Desert Date Cream Blush & Lip Multistick appropriately named its red shade “Flame.” It’s an orange-y red that’s buildable. This red blush dries down to a soft-matte finish. Plus, it’s made with nourishing oils and extracts to keep your lips and cheeks comfortable throughout the day.
Best Vegan
r.e.m. beauty Eclipse Cheek & Lip Stick
The Eclipse Cheek & Lip Stick by r.e.m. beauty is vegan in all of its shades. The color named “Leading Lady” is a creamy orange-y red that you can sheer out for a natural flush. Or, you can continue to build the color on your lips and cheeks for a bold look.
Best Value
NUDESTIX Nudies Cream Blush All-Over-Face Color
NUDESTIX’s Nudies Cream Blush All-Over-Face Color is a four-in-one product. You can use it on your eyes, cheeks, and lips. Plus, it comes with a brush built into the bottom of the stick. It’s so versatile that you can create a cohesive makeup look with one pigmented product.
Most Buildable
Winky Lux Cheeky Rose Blush
Winky Lux’s Cheeky Rose Blush is a literal rosy red blush. The shade “Crown” is the product’s brick red color. That said, all of the shades are made with carnauba wax and vitamin E to aid in its blendability.
Most Pigmented
Besame Cosmetics Crimson Cream Rouge for Cheeks + Lips
Besame Cosmetics’ Crimson Cream Rouge for Cheeks + Lips is a pigmented, and vegan, red blush. It applies onto the skin like a balm-feeling cream formula, yet it dries down to a matte finish that lasts. So, you won’t have to keep reapplying your blush to keep the bold color going.
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