Instagram Is Obsessed With Orange, Yellow, and Blue Blush — See Photos

In August of 2021, TikTok user Rachel Rigler blended Nudestix’s Nudies Matte Blush & Bronze in the eggplant shade Moodie Blu Berry onto her cheeks, helping spark a trend for purple blushes. Suddenly, other creators were rushing to get their hands on plum-, berry-, and violet-hued blushes rather than traditional pinks and reds. For some creators, the exploration into new blush shades stopped with the purple hues, but many others are now wearing even more unconventional colors like blue, yellow, and even white — to the point that we might even say we’ve got a new trend on our hands. 

One of those creators is Los Angeles-based Isabelle Ikpeme, who has experimented with yellow and blue blush colors. Ikpeme shares with Allure that she’s a huge fan of colorful blush, which is why she decided to try different shades, and says orange is next on the list. Inspired by other creators, Denmark-based Freja Bermann also tried bright yellow blush and didn’t stop there. She’s dipped into black pigments for an edgy moment and used several colors to create a literal blush rainbow. 

These creators aren’t looking to recreate a natural flush with blush so much as they are looking to play around with color and placement. Wearing unconventional colors isn’t as hard or as intimidating as it looks; a decent knowledge of color theory will take you a long way. 

Makeup artist Marie Bruce tells Allure she likes to reach for complimentary colors when applying blush. “I take into consideration my client’s hair color, skin tone, and what we’ve already done on the eyes,” she shares. “The latter because I love nothing more than blending the eye shadow into the blush and connecting them in a way that makes my heart sing.” For example, orange, red, and yellow are complementary colors to one another, as are blue, purple, and pink. 

Makeup artist Danessa Myricks, on the other hand, recommends playing around with contrasting colors. “Try using an opposite shade of what you’re wearing or something contrasting your skin tone or hair color. For example, if you have a cool skin tone, try a warm bright blush,” she shares.

As for what blush formula you should reach for, it’s ultimately a matter of preference among liquids, creams, and powders. Bruce likes to layer cream and powder together for an extra pigmented look and a “soft powdery finish” but recommends skipping the cream base if you want a more subtle look. Myricks, however, says that cream formulas blend with ease and “work best for controlling and blending unusual shades.” We suggest trying different formulas to figure out which you prefer. 

For certain hues, reaching for an eye shadow palette or cream pigment is your best bet, seeing as not that many brands are creating yellow or blue blushes. That’s why Bruce recommends reaching for MAC Chromalines, a range of waterproof cream pigments, or Revolution x Clueless Paid Perfection Forever Flawless Palette with 18 different eye shadow colors. We also suggest the Best of Beauty-winning Danessa Myricks Colorfix and Made by Mitchell’s Blursh Liquid Cream Blusher.

Ultimately, staying loyal to the rosy pink and ruby red blushes is more than fine if that’s what you love. Creators like Ipekeme and Bermann are great examples of how you can wear makeup however you please. So, if you’re ever tempted to add a little razzle-dazzle to your makeup routine, buff a violet, yellow, or blue pigment on your cheeks instead. 

Read more stories about avant-garde makeup:

• 30 Times Pat McGrath Proved She’s the Mother of All Makeup Artists
• Black Beauty Creator Shantal Martin Used Real Flowers for This Romantic Floral Makeup Look
• The Reverse Cut Crease Trend Is Basically Irresistible to Makeup Influencers

Now enjoy the unboxing of the November Allure Beauty Box:

Don’t forget to follow Allure on Instagram and Twitter.