Blush is one of the quickest ways to bring life, glow and a hint of freshness if you’re wearing the right shade back to your face. I’ve tried hundreds, if not thousands of cheek products during my time reporting on beauty, and while many are good, not all blush is created equal. The right shade can brighten up your complexion, or raise it to the burnished level of a village square fountain; the wrong shade may land you with patchy or dull skin, or prove to be nothing other than an expensive flop. Otherwise, you risk playing born-with-it bingo: You have to know your skin tone, undertone, the formula that will serve you best and even how to apply it. If you’ve floundered in the makeup aisle, dumbfounded over which pink, peach or coral berry shade suits you best, then this screed is for you.

Step 1: Determine Your Skin Tone

To find the perfect blush, you’ll first need to know what type of skin tone you have. Skin tone is the natural hue of your complexion and which tends to be grouped into three categories: light, medium, and dark.

Light Skin Types: Light Fair skin types are light complexion, burn very easily and the overall appearance of such type skin is natural Soft pink to ivory. Medium skin tones are generally between beige and olive colored, tanning quite easily under the sunlight, while deep skin tones tend to be rich and dark aren’t likely to get burned due to more melanin being available in the skin naturally.

It’s important to know your skin tone because there are certain hues of blush that complement it. For one, darker shades might be too harsh for fair skin and lighter shades may not be as visible on deeper complexions. Once you find your skin tone, it’s easier to choose shades that will seamlessly blend with your natural coloring.

Step 2: Identify Your Undertone

Once you figure out your skin tone, the next most important step is determining your undertone. That undertone is the subtle hue beneath your skin that makes colors, including makeup, look the way they do on you. There are three categories: warm, cool and neutral.

Golden peachy or yellow tones are also indicative of warm skin tones. Gold jewelry looks best on you and warm hues are your natural preference. Cool undertones have a bit of pink, red or blue in them, and silver jewelry usually looks better on your skin. Neutral undertones are in between the two and can typically go either way with warm or cool hues.

Why does this matter? Blush is located right on the high points of your face. The undertone, if it doesn’t blend with your own, may make the color look fake. Warm undertones look great in peachy-coral-terracotta tones, and cool ones sparkle in rose-berry-plum shades. People with neutral undertones have the best of both worlds.

Best Blush Shades for Every Skin Tone

Fair Skin

• Cool Undertone: Baby pink, cool rose, soft berry
• Warm Undertone: Peach, apricot, light coral

Medium Skin

• Cool Undertone: Soft plum, mauve, berry
• Warm Undertone: Coral, peachy pink, warm rose

Deep Skin

• Cool Undertone: Wine, raspberry, rich berry
• Warm Undertone: Brick red, deep coral, burnt orange

These shades complement your natural complexion and create a soft, radiant flush without looking too overpowering or too light.

How to Choose the Right Blush Formula

Finding the perfect blush isn’t just about finding the shade for you it’s also about finding a formula that works for your skin type and gives you the finish you like.

Powder blush is typically best for oily or combination skin as it helps control shine and lasts all day. It’s available in a matte or satin finish and is amazing if you like more of a refrained, buildable look.

A cream blush is ideal for those with dry or normal skin. It blends into the skin beautifully and has a dewy, natural finish. Whether you’re feeling the glow-up or just lightly made up, cream is your best friend.

Liquid blush works on all skin types and provides a sheer, blendable finish that can be layered to your preferred level of intensity. It’s light as air,”long wearing, and looks extremely natural- a favorite for both daily wear and glam.”

By picking the formula that suits your skin type and makeup look, you’re guaranteeing that your blush looks smooth, fresh, and flattering from posh brunch until post-bombshell glam products.

How to Apply Blush Based on Your Face Shape

Not even the best blush shade and formula will look hot if you don’t apply it properly. The blush should go according to your face shape as well.

If your face shape is round, you may want the blush to be placed up a little higher (toward the top of your cheekbones), to give the illusion of lifting and toning. On oval faces, blush that’s dusted right on the apples of the cheeks with a light blending outwards appears most natural and balanced. If your face is square, sweep the center of your cheeks in a circular motion to soften angles. If your face is heart-shaped, blush on the outer upper cheeks will help balance your wider forehead and narrower chin.

Knowing your face shape is key to putting blush in a position that complements your features and gives you a natural, flattering look.

Final Thoughts

Discovering the ideal blush shade for your skin tone doesn’t have to be confusing. Once you identify your skin tone, undertone and the best formulas of blush (as well as how to apply them for your face shape), picking a shade is easy and fun. A touch of blush is like an instant facelift, but only if you find the right shade: The wrong color can look awkward and clowns have ruined red noses for everyone!