Can black women wear blush?
No one wants to look like a clown, and a clown has been my constant reference point when thinking of blush. Whenever I’ve gone to a cosmetic counter to try some new colors or get a makeover, I cringe when the makeup artist pulls out the blush. I’m dark chocolate, so when I see pink or coral coming at me…I start thinking of images of Grace Jones back in the eighties (that woman’s cheek bones are a perfect canvas for blush and contour). I know I’m not the only sister that has blush issues. So I started wondering, how can I get a natural flush without looking like I painted my cheeks red?
“Women with skin of color come in a zillion shades, but here’s one constant: Any blush with a bit of gold shimmer looks fabulous on you. It instantly brightens your face, and makes you look like you’ve just returned from Ibiza.” – Iman
Tips
- Choose a water-based liquid/stain or cream formula on dry to normal skin. If you have very oily skin, a powder blush may work better than cream (many creams tend to break down in oil). Finding the right formulation of blush is something that you may have to use trial and error with.
- Shades: Corals, Golden Bronze, Dark Pinks and Berry tones. Some reds will work depending on your skin tone. If you have warm undertones, try something with a warm golden shimmer. Shades from NARS (Exhibit A, Torrid, and Taj Mahal), MAC, Dior, and HIP by Loreal are some of my favorites.
- When in doubt, use a bronzer. It will give you a glow without the pink/coral/red color.
- Blend, blend, blend. You do not want the blush to look like it’s sitting on top of you skin. You can achieve this by applying the blush with a light hand and a fluffy brush. You’re not looking for color…you’re looking for glow. Blush should be applied right after foundation, but before overall facial powder. The color should appear to be coming out of your skin.
- One trick is to spray some MAC Fix + to your brush and apply it to your cheek after putting on your blush. It will help the blush to adhere…like it’s one with the foundation.
Category: african american, black women, blush, how to, makeup, products
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I use Bonne Bell Deep Dark Bronzer and follow with a touch of L’Oreal Hip Blush in Blushing Bride. I am somewhere between warm and cool – MAC NW45 concealer is a perfect match for my skintone.
I’m a “NW47″ and NW50″ depending on the season. I get dark in the summer!
If your dark like I am, I’m not a fan of ‘blush.’ Seems like a European concept to me. I don’t ‘blush’ and don’t naturally have ‘pink’ cheeks. What’s best I think is something that highlights the natural contours of your face.
I love “Raizin” from MAC! It’s my go-to!
Makes my makeup look really complete!
I used to go without blush and I looked so blah…
And I tried gel blush from Tarte in Blushing Bride but that felt funky and looked funky later on in the day.
I am a beautifiul chocolate color and love blush. It is very possible to have a beautiful flushness to your face that adds to your glow without making you look awkward. I definitely always use bronzer as well but when i’m wearing blush I barely put any on. Just a bit in areas that need a little highlighting. Also I think its a matter of finding a great tone. Because black skin isn’t really–highly recognized– we have the personal task, ladies to look a bit harder and find what works for to achieve the looks we like. And remember blending is KEY, less is more.
My loves: MAC Deeper Bronze, MAC Fever. Nars Body Glow is fun too.
Really helpful post. Love the whole blog!