How to Choose the Perfect Blush Shade for Your Undertone

Blush is one of the easiest ways to give your complexion a pick-me-up. Just a pop of color on your cheeks can instantly make your skin look more healthy and radiant. But choosing the right blush shade can make all the difference in scoring that aforementioned pick-me-up. The key? Matching your blush to your undertone.

What Is an Undertone?

Your undertone is the subtle hue beneath your skin’s surface that affects how colors appear on you. There are three main undertones:

Warm: Hints of yellow, golden, or peach.
Cool: Notes of pink, red, or blue.
Neutral: A balance of both warm and cool tones.

Your undertone remains consistent, even if your skin tone changes with the seasons. Knowing your undertone is essential for finding makeup, clothing, and hair colors that enhance your skin rather than clash with it.

How to Identify Your Undertone

If you’re not sure about your undertone, try these easy tests:

Vein Check: Look at the veins on your wrist. If they appear green, you likely have warm undertones. If they look blue or purple, you’re cool-toned. A mix? You might be neutral.
Jewelry Test: Gold jewelry tends to complement warm undertones, while silver flatters cool tones. If both look equally good, you’re neutral.
White vs. Cream: Hold up a pure white fabric and a cream-colored one to your face. If white brightens you up, you’re cool-toned. If cream looks better, you’re warm.

Why Does Undertone Matter for Blush?

Choosing a blush that clashes with your undertone can wash you out, exaggerate redness, or simply look unnatural. A complimentary shade, on the other hand, enhances your complexion, giving you that lit-from-within glow.

The Best Blush Shades for Each Undertone

Warm Undertones

Complimentary Colors: Peach, coral, warm apricot, and terracotta tones. Try ReDimension Blush in Mai Tai and Bohemian Girl, or Lip2Cheek in Smile and Modest
Why It Works: These shades bring out the golden hues in your skin, creating a harmonious, sun-kissed look.
Colors to Avoid: Cool-toned pinks or purples can clash and make your skin look ashy.

Cool Undertones

Complimentary Colors: Soft pink, berry, rose, and cool mauve. Try ReDimension Blush in French Rosé and Bermuda Rose, or Lip2Cheek in Demure and Spell.
Why It Works: These shades highlight the natural rosy tones in your skin, adding freshness.
Colors to Avoid: Orange or peach tones can exaggerate redness and look overly bright.

Neutral Undertones

Complimentary Colors: Lucky you! You can wear a wide range of shades, from peachy-pink hybrids to earthy rose tones. Try ReDimension Blush in Maiden's Blush and Pomegranate Fizz or Lip2Cheek in Beloved and Lost Angel.
Why It Works: Your balanced undertone means you can play with warm and cool shades.
Colors to Avoid: Extremely bright or neon shades might overpower your balanced complexion.

RMS Beauty Blush Picks

Our founder and master makeup artist, Rose-Marie Swift, worked carefully to create blushes in universally flattering shades that complement every undertone. Both our richly pigmented Lip2Cheek and the radiant finish of ReDimension Hydra Powder Blush comes in a multitude of shades to compliment every skin tone.

Cream Blush
When you want more lived-in color, go for a cream formula like Lip2Cheek. With a base of organic coconut oil, it melts into skin and can be layered for a richer pigment or sheered out just with the swipe of your finger.

Powder Blush
Prefer a powder? ReDimension Hydra Blush uses a sugar-derived wet powder technology to combine a creamy texture with a long-lasting 3D finish so you get the best of both worlds.

Final Thoughts

Understanding your undertone is the secret to choosing a blush shade that gives you the most natural looking flush of color. Still not sure which blush would go best? Book a free Artist Advice consultation to chat with a makeup artist for a personalized recommendation.