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This article was originally published in March 2023. It was last updated in August 2026.
If I could choose one makeup product to take with me on a desert island, it would be blush. After I apply my bronzer, I need blush in order to bring more dimension to my face — it makes all the difference in the world, especially if you have medium/olive skin like me. Bronzer alone is just not enough.
The placement of the blush is also very important. I’ve tried the beauty trend of applying it on the tip of my nose to achieve that sunburnt look, but it just didn’t work for me. The way I like to apply my blush is by smiling. I start on the outer apples of my cheeks and then spread it upwards towards my sideburns so that it blends with the bronzer.
Just like my foundation, I’m extremely picky when it comes to blushes. If I like a blush, I’ll stick to it for years. When I first started getting into makeup, I scoured Sephoras and other high-end department stores in search of the perfect blush for my medium-olive skin. However, back in 2017, there wasn’t the plethora of blushes that there is now on the market. Now we have creams, liquid formulas with matte finishes, an incredible array of mauve/berry/plum hues, and blushes with a blurring effect that mimic your real flushed cheek color.
It’s been amazing to see how blush has become a statement in the last few years, especially on TikTok and Instagram reels.
I tried many ‘universal’ blushes, those that claim to work for all skin tones. But these were either too rosy, the pigment didn’t show up that much, or they had shimmer, which I personally prefer foregoing.
I spent hours and hours at Sephora trying out different blushes, like the viral TikTok Dior’s Backstage Rosy Glow, but the shade was too pinkish for medium skin. Other brands like YSL and Milk recently came out with cream blushes that provide a dewy finish – which in my opinion were too dewy, almost like a lipstick stain.
Another example is Fenty Beauty, a brand that I love. Unfortunately, the cream blushes don’t fully convince me. The only mauve shade has a shimmer finish and the rest of the shades don’t pique my interest. I hope they release a powder formula in the future!
If you have medium/olive skin, then coral/berry/mauve/plum tones are your best choice.
Note: I have medium tan skin with olive undertones. The shade suggestions below are based on what works best for me. I’ve seen plenty of girls with medium skin on Youtube and IG reels who can pull off rosy colors beautifully. 🙂
Here’s a roundup of the best blushes for medium/olive skin!
Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Healthy Glow Stick
Recommended shade: Cherry Glow
After using Saie for two years, I thought no other blush could ever replace it, but boy was I wrong. When looking for new blushes this year, I tried the new YSL Make Me Blush Powder, but the texture was too fine and matte for my liking, and when I blended the product with my fingers, it looked patchy. The Merit Balm Cream Blush was nice, but it felt very oily on my skin.
Released in June 2025, the Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Blush Healthy Glow Stick is everything I’m looking for in a blush: incredible staying power that lasts through sweat, beautiful, glowy pigment that looks like second skin, and added skincare benefits. I wasn’t a fan of Charlotte Tilbury’s blushes in the mid-2010s, as I found them mostly geared toward lighter skin tones, but man, this one truly delivered — it really is unreal! The retractable packaging is also a big plus!
Charlotte Tilbury: Website and Instagram
Saie Dew Blush
Recommended shade: Dreamy
I’ve been using this blush every day for the last two years. Not only is it a showstopper (I always get compliments on it), but the lasting power and pigmentation are incredible. The picture below was taken at 8 am. At 8 pm, I walked into a Sephora and an employee asked me what blush I was wearing. It really lasts all day and I’m on my second tube!
Besides the beautiful color, I love how it blends into the skin so seamlessly. Other blushes can look patchy and are harder to blend. With this blush, all I need is two dots on each cheek, a few pats to blend it, and voila!
Saie Dew blushes can be considered the softer version of the Rare Beauty liquid blushes. They have a dewy finish (not matte), and the formula is very buildable and forgiving.
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid blush
Recommended shade: Love
In 2017, when I was a makeup rookie, Nars liquid blush in the shade Torrid was my go-to. This was until i noticed that it was breaking me out. It was also hard to blend, which is why I deviated from liquid blushes for a while.
When Rare Beauty launched in 2020, their liquid blushes caused a frenzy and became a viral sensation. It didn’t matter if masks were mandatory and your makeup couldn’t be seen; people gathered in the Rare Beauty display section sharing their experiences with the products they had purchased from the brand.
It’s already been six years since the release of Rare Beauty, and some of their Soft Pinch Liquid shades continue to be sold out at Sephoras and online.
After trying out all the shades, Love (matte finish), was the one that suited my skin color the best. It’s a beautiful terracotta color and is the one I highly recommend if you have medium/ olive skin.
In order to apply it, take off the excess product from the applicator and then dot it on your cheeks — that’s all you need! Make sure the applicator doesn’t have any excess product. If you can’t get the hang of it, then apply it on the back of your hand and work it from there with your fingers or a brush.
Because of the matte finish, it blends amazingly with the rest of my powder and cream products without being overpowering or disturbing the rest of the formulas.
Rare Beauty: Website and Instagram
Patrick Ta’s Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo
As far as high-end blushes go, the Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo has reigned supreme at Sephora since its release in 2020. According to an article by Glossy, the Blush Duo ranked as the second best-selling blush in Sephora last year, preceded by the record-breaking Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush.
Patrick’s signature cream-over-powder technique became a viral sensation on TikTok. Since then, this blush has been prominently featured in celebrities’ and influencers’ get-ready-with-me videos.
The blush duo, which comes in a luxurious compact case, features a cream with a satin-like finish and a finely milled powder for that perfect finishing touch. I tested the shade She Left on Red and I was impressed by how buildable yet insanely pigmented it is. They’re stunning!
If you want to splurge on a luxurious blush where you get both cream and powder, this is the perfect product for you!
Patrick Ta: Website and Instagram
Physical retailers: Only at Sephora!
Bareminerals Gen Nude Powder Blush
Recommended shade: You Had Me at Merlot
An oldie but a goodie! The Gen Nude powder blush was my go-to in 2017. It’s so pretty that even Priscilla Ono, Rihanna’s makeup artist, complimented it when I met her at the Sephoria event in 2019! “Your blush is so pretty,” she said. This was one of the very few mauve/plum blushes that you could find at Sephora back in the mid-2010s. During this time, Bare Minerals was also one of the very few clean makeup brands on the market.
With this powder blush, a little bit will go a long way. I love it so much that I purchased it a second time last year. I truly hope Bare Minerals doesn’t discontinue this color!
Bare Minerals: Website and Instagram
Too Faced Cloud Crush Blurring Blush
Recommended shade: Watermelon Rain
In 2023, Too Faced released these beautiful powder blushes. The texture is very silky, velvety, and I love the blurring effect with the matte finish. They’re so beautiful! The best shade for medium/olive skin is definitely Watermelon Rain.
As opposed to the burgundy hue of the Bare Minerals blush, this one is a fuchsia pink, which can be intimidating. Nevertheless, the color blends beautifully on medium skin tones and doesn’t look clownish.
Other than their liquid eyeliner, I’ve never gravitated towards Too Faced because some of them are very childish to me, like their heart-shaped palettes and other scented products. However, to say that I was surprised by this blush is a huge understatement. It’s definitely worth it if you’re looking for a new powder blush to add to your arsenal!
Too Faced: Website and Instagram
Sephora Collection Colorful Face Powders
Recommended shade: Hey Jealousy
While I was at Sephora, I shared with the employee that I was in the process of writing this article. To my surprise, she was nice enough to give me a blush tour and told me about their best-selling blushes! She took me to the Sephora Collection display section and said that these were selling very well. While I was testing them, I realized that Hey Jealousy is a dupe for Watermelon Rain by Too Faced!
I used a light hand to swatch Watermelon, which had a smoother texture and felt softer to the touch. If you’re looking for more bang for your buck, the Sephora Collection blushes are a nice option!
Where to get it: Sephora’s website or at any Sephora’s physical location.
Haus Labs by Lady Gaga — Color Fuse Talc-Free Powder Blush with Fermented Arnica
Recommended shade: Acai Sky
Two weeks before this post went live, Lady Gaga’s makeup brand, Haus Labs, released five powder blushes! So of course, I went to Sephora and tested them. I tried the shades Acai Sky and Watermelon Bliss on each cheek. While I was strolling through the aisles, the manager noticed my cheeks, “OMG your cheeks are so pretty, what product did you put on?” I told her about Haus Labs, and asked her which shade looked better on me. She pointed at my right cheek, where I had Acai Sky.
I was blown away by the brand’s advanced technology in their product formulation, combining science and nature. It’s called Haus of Labs for a reason!
The powder blush has the same blurring effect technology that more brands are using nowadays for powder formulas. But Haus Labs took it further by making them talc-free with fermented arnica. This herb has been used for centuries to ease pain, heal bruises and reduce inflammation.
In an interview, Gaga said: “I use regular arnica on my body all of the time for fibromyalgia. I used to take prescription medication to take down inflammation, and I actually found that it didn’t really work and that arnica was much more powerful. I wanted to explore the healing powers of arnica on the face.”
At first sight, the colors are very intense, but they have a blurring effect once they melt into the skin, providing a delicate wash of color. A little bit goes a long way, so be gentle on the application. This isn’t the most affordable blush, but the compact mirror and the great amount of product you’re getting make up for the steep price point.
Haus Labs: Website and Instagram
Mented Cosmetics
Recommended shade: Berried Away
This Black-owned brand has my favorite powder bronzer of all time. Since Mented Cosmetics is now available at Ulta Beauty, I tested the shade Berried Away, a burgundy shade that is very reminiscent of You Had Me at Merlot from Bare Minerals. A plus from this blush is that it’s formulated with vitamin E! If you’re not familiar with Mented Cosmetics, they’re known for their ultra-pigmented formulas and smooth powders.
Mented Cosmetics: Website and Instagram
e.l.f. Putty Blush
These $6 putty blushes have been TikTok approved. My friend got one at Ulta and when we met and two weeks later, she said she was really surprised by the formula! If I were to pick one up, I would definitely choose the shade Tahiti.
As you can see, there’s never been a better time to buy blush. Depending on your skin type, budget, and the formula you’re looking for, there’s something for everyone!
