Why Red Blush Is Trending Right Now

If you spend any amount of time on the beauty side of TikTok, you may have noticed that red blush is back in a major way. Dewy, flushed cheeks were all over the runways at Paris Fashion Week, and the fresh-faced trend quickly caught the attention of beauty influencers and makeup lovers around the world. Honestly, it’s not hard to see why. While the thought of rocking a cherry red blush may seem intimidating, the vibrant hue is actually surprisingly wearable (and much more versatile than you may think). Ahead, we’ll explain how to find the best red blush for your skin tone and undertones and offer tips on how to wear this striking hue for a gorgeous, fresh-faced flush.

Who Does Red Blush Suit?

Anyone can wear red blush, though the best red blush color for you depends on your skin tone and undertones. Your skin tone describes the intensity of your skin’s pigment, which is typically categorized as either fair, medium, or deep. Undertones, on the other hand, describe the overall “temperature” of your skin—cool, neutral, or warm. (If you need help figuring out your undertone, check out our article How To Identify Your Skin’s Undertones for tips and advice).

If you have a fair skin tone, look for a soft cherry red or a red-pink blush to add a playful pop without overpowering your complexion. If you’re wary of skipping straight to crimson, a deep rosy blush, like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Blush in Spiced Plum, provides a soft flush with slightly less intensity than a vivid scarlet hue.

Those with medium or deep skin should look for richer reds for a natural-looking flush of color. Try a brick red blush, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Blush in Daring Rosewood—it looks dark in the packaging, but it’s buildable, so you can tone it down (or amp it up) based on your preferences.

Dark red blush, meanwhile, is best suited for those with deep skin tones. Rich burgundies and sultry wine shades will create a natural-looking wash of color that perfectly complements your complexion. For a gorgeous lit-from-within glow, try the L’Oréal Paris Le Liquid Blush in Glowy Worth It Medium. The liquid formula is buildable, blendable, and feels weightless on the skin.

Your undertones should guide your decision, too. As a general rule, you’ll get the most flattering results if you pair like with like. So if you have cool skin, stick with blue-reds or berry shades that have a slight purplish tint—these cool-toned hues will flatter your complexion nicely. Orange-reds, siennas, and fiery crimsons, meanwhile, are ideal for those with warmer skin. If your undertones are neutral, you can pull off pretty much any red hue without it clashing with your skin.

How To Wear Red Blush

After you’ve honed in on the best red blush for skin, applying it is pretty straightforward. First, you’ll want to prep your skin as usual, applying whatever base makeup—such as foundation and concealer—that you normally wear.

Then, gather your tools. If you’re using a red powder blush, you’ll need a brush to apply it. For red liquid blush (or cream blush), you can use a brush, a makeup sponge, or even just your fingers—the choice is yours. Pick up a bit of product and begin applying it to your cheekbones, blending the pigment toward your ear for a soft, diffused feel. For a lifted look, place the blush slightly higher on your cheekbones and blend it up toward your temples.

When applying red blush, we suggest starting with less product than you think you need, as the vibrant shade may be more pigmented than the blush you normally use. After applying your first layer, step back and take a look at your cheeks. If you decide you want to add more color, do so, but keep using a light hand to build up the product to avoid overpowering your look. Once you’re done, mist your face with setting spray or set with powder to help lock everything into place.

Editor’s tip: Many people believe that blush should be applied to the apples of the cheeks, but the best placement actually depends on your face shape. For a detailed rundown on where to apply blush to complement your unique features, we suggest giving This Is The Best Blush Placement for Every Face Shape a thorough read.

5 Red Blush Makeup Looks To Try

Once you’ve found your perfect shade of red blush and mastered the application, feel free to experiment with different looks until you find one you love. Here are some of our favorite red blush makeup looks worth trying out.

1. Sunburnt blush

Bright red blush lends itself perfectly to the sun-kissed “strawberry makeup” trend (another TikTok favorite). To create this beachy look, apply a red cream blush to the center of each cheek and along the bridge of your nose. The placement may seem unconventional, but executed properly, it creates a convincing sunburnt glow—without the risk of sun damage.

2. Red blush on fair skin

Don’t feel like you can’t rock bright red blush if you have fair skin. The right shade can give you a gorgeous, rosy cheeked glow without overpowering your features. Sweep it onto your cheeks for a subtle pop of color, or pair it with bright red lipstick for a striking monochrome look. For the latter, we’re fans of the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick in Maison Marais.

3. Deep red blush

Level up your night-out look by pairing a dark red blush with plum-toned eye makeup and a glossy, crimson lip. The vibrant look is eye-catching, but by sticking to hues within the same color family, you can avoid appearing too over-the-top.

4. Cherry red blush

There’s something commanding about cherry red blush—the vibrant hue practically screams confidence. Find the brightest, boldest red cream blush you can and blend it onto the highest part of your cheekbones for a lifted look that takes practically no effort to execute.

5. Glowy red blush

Red blush is already a showstopper, but amping it up with some shine makes it even more swoon-worthy. To recreate this radiant look, dot the L’Oréal Paris Lumi Le Liquid Blush in Glowy Worth It Medium to the apples of your cheeks and blend well with your fingers or a sponge. Then, apply the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer to the tops of your cheekbones for an ultra-dewy, luminous finish.

Next Up: How To Find Your Foundation Shade Match: An Expert Guide

Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris