Celebrity Makeup Artists Always Use These 9 Blushes on Clients With Darker Skin

"This blush from Dior is a surprisingly neutral tone that finishes any makeup look from day to evening with a satiny sheen. Try adding any residual blush to your temples for a beautifully balanced evening look."

"Nars blush in Exhibit A is a bold matte red that feels very on-trend. This is a two-for-one, in my opinion, since I use it as a blush and as an eye shadow to create a monochromatic beauty look."

Pro tip: Don't assume a blush will look the same on your skin as it does in the packaging. Smith notes that this is one of the most common mistakes people make when shopping for blush. To ensure you pick the best hue, she suggests swatching the product on the back of your hand since it receives a similar amount of sun exposure and will likely have comparable coloring to your complexion. 

"For everyone who prefers cream blush, I recommend Milk Makeup's Lip + Cheek in Quickie. This sheer berry-toned color is a quick fix to brighten your complexion. When you're on the move, swipe it across your cheeks and lips and then blend it out using your fingers for a fresh look."

"Fenty Beauty's Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush in Summertime Wine is my new fave for my makeup travel bag because of the convenient packaging. The shimmering berry tone makes it a must for creating a discreet cheeky pop."

Pro tip: Don't apply too much too soon. According to Smith, a heavy-handed swipe of blush can end up looking unnatural or dated, "like a French aristocrat at the palace of Versailles or a character from Pose presenting yourself to the judges." To create the most modern flush, concentrate on the apples of the cheeks without being too heavy-handed. (It's easier to add than subtract!)

"Chanel's Joues Contraste Powder Blush in 320 Rouge Profond is a favorite because the texture is sublime. It’s a velvety, blendable, and buildable texture that effortlessly melts down into the skin."

Pro tip: Pay attention to the color of your natural flush. As Reiko Brown points out, the most strategic way to select the best blush for your skin tone is to choose a color that your skin would naturally turn when you flush. "Look for shades that make your skin glow and look healthy—you want the color to enhance your skin tone, not to contrast with it." As a general rule, she prefers a lineup of blue-based pinks, pure oranges, and soft reds for clients with deeper skin tones. 

"A big mistake is choosing a blush color that’s not authentic to your skin tone," she continues. "Your blush color should literally resemble the color you would flush in the sun or after a vigorous run. For instance, berry tones don’t work on all dark skin tones, and no one blush is interchangeable on all dark skin tones. Even if you have a similar shade of skin, your undertone may be different. Really assess your skin tone and don’t choose blush colors just because the shade is beautiful."

"Maybelline's Cheek Heat Gel-Cream Blush in Berry Flame is a water-based gel blush that I love to pair with bare skin. It really bonds to [the] skin and gives the most realistic finish, and the color works on a variety of skin tones. I apply bronzer along the cheekbone first, and then I put this just over the apple of the cheek for a 3-D effect that defines cheekbones and gives a natural-looking blush of color."

Pro tip: Avoid blushes with pearl-based shimmer. According to Reiko Brown, these can read false and unnatural on dark skin tones. Instead, she suggests prioritizing blushes with gold or bronze shimmer.

"Danessa Myricks's Vision Flush in Sunset is a beautiful orange liquid blush. It has a rich, flattering pigment without being too dark. I love to tap two to three dots up along the cheekbones and blend with either my fingers or a fluffy brush up toward the temples for a lifting effect."

"Mented Blush in Berried Away. I love the warmth of this berry tone to help bring out the sculpted shape of the cheekbone. I like to layer it over contour and bronzer, towards the back of the cheekbone and up to the hairline for added warmth and a sculpted, naturally contoured look."

Pro tip: Avoid overly cool blush tones. As Simkin explains, these types of shades often look ashy on dark skin. Additionally, hues that are too pale will also fall flat, which ultimately has the opposite effect we want from a blush. 

"Don’t get scared of how shockingly bright pink this blush is. I love it lightly dusted all the way up the temples on the deepest skin tones. It creates the most ethereal, romantic glow."

Next: This Product Equation Creates the Ultimate No-Makeup Makeup Look