I Never Knew Which Blush Shades Actually Complemented My Skin Tone Until I Tried These 10

Pros: Easy to blend, dimensional color, hydrating formula

Cons: Nothing to note

Shades: 6 | Formula: Cream | Finish: Natural

I’ve tried many a blush in the several years I’ve worked in editorial. In fact, I have nearly 40 in my possession currently—and that’s after editing down my collection. Whether that sounds like a hoarder’s cry for help or not, I’ve established an authority on the most flattering blush shades for fair skin, and this marbled stick from French beauty brand Violette_FR is the one I come back to day after day. Louise is a middle-of-the-road, neutral pink that kisses my pale skin with a touch of warm color, offering a believable flush that magically works year-round—a romantic, natural pink against my icy winter complexion and a realistic, bronzy-pink glow on my summer-tanned visage. My skin is prone to redness thanks to rosacea, but this hue never makes my cheeks skew cherry. Plus, its creamy formula makes my dry skin look healthy and plump with its natural radiance.

Customer review: “I love the unbelievable redness reducing effect of this (my favorite) Bisou Blush!!! Thank you Violette for all of your pretty colours, but especially for this one that saves me from wearing foundation and makes me feel not only ok with my complicated skin but also chic and ready to leave the house in seconds!”

Pros: Low priced, easy to blend, buildable color

Cons: May have too much slip for oily skin

Shades: 8 | Formula: Cream | Finish: Radiant

I will never forget how blown away I was by my first blend of SheGlam’s blush stick. Gorgeously sheer yet easy to build, this under-$10 formula that rivals the buttery blendability of some of the beauty industry’s most celebrated luxury blushes. The shade Hush Hush is a personal favorite for the believable warm flush it grants fair skin (I’d compare it to Violette FR’s Louise, but for less), though I’m also partial to Chestnut Flush, a sheer terracotta that screams “cold girl” makeup, and the mauvey Painted Peony for olive undertones.

Customer review: “First time getting this blush and I am NOT disappointed. So smooth and blends like butter! Super pretty colour also.”

Pros: Buttery blend, chic shade range, luxurious packaging

Cons: Pricey, but worth it

Shades: 8 | Formula: Cream | Finish: Natural

If you’re serious about your blush game, then you won’t mind spending a pretty penny on your forever go-to. This Westman Atelier blush stick became the apple of nineBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing editors’ eyes when we put these to the test, and though we all selected different hues, we came to the same conclusion: it’s one of the best blushes we’ve ever tried. Senior beauty editor Jamie Schneider has fair, cool-toned skin, and she couldn’t stop raving about Chouchette’s honey-pink hue. “It’s as if this blush shade was tailor-made just for me,” she wrote in her review. “The peach hue melts into my cheekbones for a healthy, effortless, rom-com flush.”

Customer review: “This product is so incredibly beautiful on both lips and cheeks. The color payoff is fantastic and it LASTS. I've already bought another one.”

Pros: Hydrating formula, elevated shades, beginner-friendly

Cons: None I can think of

Shades: 13 | Formula: Balm | Finish: Natural

Like attracts like, which is why cool-toned blushes tend to suit cool undertones best, regardless of skin tone. Merit’s Flush Balm is a fledgling cult classic for several reasons: It blends like a dream, offers a dewy, hydrating finish, and bears the most beautiful shade range of buildable colors. The hue Cheeky is a cool pink cream blush that stands somewhere between mauve and rose—a perfect shade for mimicking realistically flushed skin on fair, blue-tinted complexions. When I do a cool-toned makeup look and want to keep my look cohesive, I don’t hesitate to add a few dabs of this flexible balm.

Customer review: “I love how easy this blush cream balm is. Sheer, light and creamy, with a buildable colour, gives me a beautiful healthy glow, and fuss-free gorgeous natural colour to my lips. Definitely the only non-negotiable make-up item in my hand bag.”

Pros: Large amount of product, healthy-looking finish, easy to blend

Cons: May be too dewy for oily skin

Shades: 10 | Formula: Balm | Finish: Dewy

Much like Merit’s Flush Balm, Makeup by Mario’s Soft Pop cream blush has a balmy texture—its formula is the sheerest of the MBM blush lineup and dubbed a “veil” for its watercolor-like hue. The warm hue Rose Crush has the muted pink elements that work so well for fair skin while veering slightly warmer than my other favorite for pale skin, Pink Peony, which boasts a blue undertone. This rosy blush is universally flattering, but looks extra gorgeous when stippled onto ivory skin with warm undertones.

Customer review: “Honestly, this is the BEST blush formula ever. As a blush addict (I have a huge blush collection including Dior, Chanel, Westman, Hourglass, Glossier, Rhode, Armani) I have 8 shades of this Mario blushes and I can't wait to get more. Beautiful! Blendable! Comfortable! Durable! 10000/10.”

Pros: Easy to sheer out and build, flexible color, hydrating formula

Cons: On the expensive side

Shades: 10 (natural and radiant) | Formula: Liquid | Finish: Natural

It’s not right to round up my favorite blushes and not include Armani Beauty’s iconic liquid blushes. The beloved Cheek Tints have graced the faces of Sydney Sweeney, Sabrina Carpenter, and Addison Rae, to name a few, and the love isn’t solely there for brand campaigns—the natural-looking, dimensional, gloriously hydrating formulas have made real fans out of stars and editors alike. I personally fall within the neutral to olive realm of undertones, and I adore the way this purpley-mauve hue complements my olive tones, especially when the sun draws them out in the summer.

Customer review: “This is the most beautiful blush I’ve ever used! I purchased the mauve color and as long as Armani makes it I will purchase it! It’s a creamy blendable blush. A little goes a long way. Try the mini size. You will not regret it!”

Pros: Long-wearing, hydrating formula, easy to blend

Cons: Easy to over-apply due to high pigmentation

Shades: 7 | Formula: Cream | Finish: Radiant

Neutral skin tones sit somewhere between warm and cool, which means that your skin tone plays nicely with practically any blush shade, so long as it’s easy to sheer out. (Yes, neutral, fair skin can even handle berry and terracotta shades!) Ward recommends this LYS cream blush stick in the muted mauve shade, Elite, for its skin-warming color that brings neutral tones to life. “It’s a mauve-toned blush that gives just the right touch of color while adding a healthy, natural glow,” he explains. “It blends seamlessly and leaves the skin looking fresh, not overdone.”

Customer review: “I love this blush! It's very pigmented and I've noticed that the color lasts longer compared to other blush brands I've tried in the past. The color options are super pretty as well.”

Pros: Blurring, buildable color, long-wearing

Cons: None I can think of

Shades: 8 | Formula: Powder | Finish: Radiant

It’s hard to declare the best pink blush on the market, but this sweet, ballerina pink blush from Ilia is a repeat hit in my collection. The pressed powder is a relatively new launch for Ilia, and I can’t seem to get over its utterly smooth, pore-blurring formula that makes my skin look doll-like. The buttery blush looks extra flattering against fair skin in this Glinda-pink hue, which errs on the cooler side but also works on warm, neutral, and olive undertones. If you’re in the market for a true pink blush, you’ll want to add this one to your collection.

Customer review: “I'm not a huge blush person but this formula looks SO NATURAL on the skin. Definitely worth it!”

Pros: Dimensional shine, buildable pigment, luxurious packaging

Cons: Quite pricey, fragranced

Shades: 8 | Formula: Powder | Finish: Radiant

Lavender is an unsuspecting blush color that looks oh so fabulous on fair skin. But if going purple sounds too intimidating, then this lilac-twisted pink blush from Valentino is the perfect option for you. Especially pretty on cool-toned complexions, this shimmery eye-and-cheek powder gives the skin beautiful dimension and impressive color in just a few swathes. I wanted to gatekeep this one, but I simply can’t—it’s my second-most used blush aside from the Violette FR Bisou Blush.

Customer review: “Tried this for the first time and I love it! Color and color payoff are beautiful. It melted well into my skin and was buildable, so it can be as subtle or bright as you want. Makes for a good eyeshadow/blush combo, and the mini brush helps make the compact so much more convenient.”

Pros: Dimensional matte finish, upgraded formula, buildable color

Cons: Some shoppers debate its pigmentation compared to the old formula

Shades: 14 (shimmer, matte) | Formula: Powder | Finish: Matte

Ward tells me that warm undertones take well to peachy-pink blush hues, which explains why Nars’ Powder Blush in Orgasm Edge is on constant rotation in my routine when my fair skin gains a summer bronze. This blushing peach shade is a matte iteration of the iconic Orgasm shade; its buttery, talc-free formula adds a believable flush of color and skin-plumping dimension, despite lacking Orgasm’s original shimmers. It’s easy to build the color into a statement pop of color or wear it pretty and natural, but however you spin it, it’s effortlessly beautiful.

Customer review: “I have super sensitive skin and was struggling with a minor breakout prior to buying this. I had my doubts about this product because I was worried it would clog my pores or worsen my breakout. But the talc-free formula proved to be the most acne/sensitive skin-approved product. It also lasts forever and you can wear it sheer or build it up. It gives the most ‘from within’ glow. The price is totally reasonable in my opinion given the product NEVER RUNS OUT. EVER.”