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Blush for every skin tone: six shades from Nude to Plum

Which blush suits fair, medium and dark skin, where it belongs – and why professionals always apply it last

Blush is the product that makes a face look awake in ten seconds – or, chosen badly, chalky and flat. The most common mistake is not the amount but the shade: a delicate pink that looks fresh on fair skin disappears completely on dark skin. That is why our INCEPTION blush comes in six shades that cover the whole range from fair to deep.

The six shades and who they are made for

  • Nude – a soft beige-rosé for very fair skin and anyone who wants barely visible blush. Usable as a contour tone on medium skin.
  • Peach – warm peach for fair to medium skin with a warm or neutral undertone. The classic "fresh" tone.
  • Roots – an earthy rosewood that looks natural on medium skin with a cool undertone and gives a soft bronze finish on fair skin.
  • Terra – terracotta with a red core: the choice for medium to dark skin with a warm undertone. On fair skin only sheer.
  • Love – a rich, clear red-pink that glows on dark skin and makes a strong statement on medium skin.
  • Plum – deep plum for dark and very dark skin with a cool or neutral undertone. On deep skin tones Plum looks like a natural flush – pastels look grey.

Rule of thumb: the darker the skin, the richer and deeper the shade. And always consider the undertone – we explain how to determine it in the undertone guide.

Where blush belongs

Smile – and apply the blush not on the apples of the cheeks but slightly above them and outwards towards the temple. That visually lifts the face. On a round face, more towards the cheekbone and diagonally upwards; on a narrow face, more on the apples and horizontally. Never closer than two fingers' width to the nose.

The right brush

The No. 2 angled blush brush follows the cheekbone line and places the colour exactly where it belongs. If you want just one brush for powder and blush, take the No. 14 2-in-1 brush. Pick up colour, tap off on the back of your hand, apply in short strokes and blend the edges with the clean part of the brush.

Why professionals apply blush last

First foundation, then powder, then eyes and lips – and blush at the very end. That way you see the overall balance and dose correctly. A look with strong lips needs less blush, a look with nude lips more. The monochrome trend – blush, lids and lips in one colour family – works particularly easily with Terra and Peach.

Refill instead of a new case

The blush comes in the bamboo case and can be refilled like our powders. So you can own several shades without buying several cases – ideal if you reach for Terra in summer and Roots in winter.

See all complexion products

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