There’s something undeniably captivating about purple blush. With its juice-stained, melted popsicle-like flush, it offers a fresh take on cheek color—especially for medium to deep complexions.
Unlike traditional pinks and reds, purple adds depth, vibrancy, and a universally flattering touch to any look. Whether applied sheer for a subtle wash of color or built up for an editorial edge, it’s a versatile choice that deserves a spot in your makeup routine.
Not convinced? Read on to discover why purple blush works, how to choose the perfect shade, and what to pair it with.
Contents
- 1 Why Does Purple Blush Work?
- 2 How to Pick the Right Purple Blush
- 3 Best Purple Blush Shades for Fair to Light Skin Tones
- 4 Best Purple Blush Shades for Medium to Medium-Tan Skin Tones
- 5 Best Purple Blush Shades for Dark to Deep Skin Tones
- 6 How to Apply Purple Blush
- 7 What to Pair Purple Blush With
- 8 The Final Takeaway
Why Does Purple Blush Work?
The secret behind purple blush lies in its unique undertones. Makeup artist Jamie Greenberg explains that purple blends pink and blue hues in different proportions, depending on the shade. This combination creates a depth and dimension that traditional blush colors often lack.
“The pink undertones enhance your natural flush, while the blue tones complement your complexion and eye color, creating a striking contrast,” Greenberg says.
Meanwhile, makeup artist Tobi Henney highlights another reason for purple’s appeal—it sits opposite yellow on the color wheel. This contrast helps brighten the face, making purple blush a standout choice for adding radiance to the skin.
How to Pick the Right Purple Blush
Makeup is all about self-expression, and anyone can wear any shade they love. However, if you’re looking for guidance on selecting the most flattering purple blush for your complexion, we asked the experts for their top recommendations. Here’s what they suggest, along with some must-try picks from the market.
Whether you prefer a soft lavender tint or a rich, deep plum, there’s a purple blush out there that will enhance your natural beauty and elevate your makeup game.
Best Purple Blush Shades for Fair to Light Skin Tones
If you have a fair to light complexion, makeup artist Jamie Greenberg recommends opting for pinkish or mauve-toned purples, while Tobi Henney suggests softer shades like lavender and lilac. Lighter, cooler tones with pink undertones ensure that the color remains fresh and natural without feeling overpowering—perfect for everyday wear.
Top Pick: NARS Afterglow Liquid Blush in Wanderlust
💜 Why You’ll Love It:
- A soft, subtle purple hue that flatters fair to light skin tones
- Lightweight liquid formula for a seamless, natural flush
- Buildable and transfer-resistant for customizable intensity
- Infused with antioxidants and sodium hyaluronate for added skincare benefits
Henney praises this NARS blush for its silky, blendable texture and non-shimmery glow. Whether you want a sheer wash of color or a bolder look, this versatile formula delivers a radiant finish that enhances your complexion effortlessly.
💰 $32 at Sephora
Clinique Cheek Pop Blush in Pansy Pop
💜 Why You’ll Love It:
- Delivers a soft, natural pop of color ideal for lighter complexions
- Blends seamlessly for a radiant, fresh-faced look
- Lightweight formula with a smooth, buildable finish
This delicate, flower-pressed blush from Clinique gives just the right amount of color for a brightened, healthy glow. Simply sweep it onto the apples of your cheeks and blend upward toward the cheekbones for an instant lifted effect.
💰 $30 at Ulta
Tower28 BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Cream Blush in Party Hour
💜 Why You’ll Love It:
- Multi-use formula for both lips and cheeks
- Infused with skin-loving ingredients like aloe vera, green tea extract, and castor seed oil
- Provides a sun-kissed lavender-pink hue with a natural, luminous finish
Sensitive skin? No problem. Tower28’s BeachPlease blush is formulated to be gentle and hydrating while delivering a sheer yet buildable wash of color. The creamy formula melts into the skin, making it an easy go-to for a fresh and dewy look.
💰 $20 at Sephora
rom&nd Better Than Cheek in Vine Nude
💜 Why You’ll Love It:
- Subtle yet buildable pigment for a soft-focus effect
- Blurring texture minimizes the appearance of pores and blemishes
- Matte, velvety finish that lasts all day
If you’re hesitant about trying purple blush, this cult-favorite K-beauty pick is a great place to start. Though it appears understated in the pan, once applied, it gives a soft, natural-looking flush while providing a smooth, flawless finish.
Best Purple Blush Shades for Medium to Medium-Tan Skin Tones
For medium to medium-tan complexions, deeper purples like soft violets, purple-fuchsias, and rich berry tones work best. Tobi Henney describes these as “medium-strength purples”—darker than lavender but not as intense as deep grape hues. These shades enhance warmth in the skin while delivering a flattering, luminous flush.
About-Face Cheek Freak Blush Balm in Score
💜 Why You’ll Love It:
- Balm formula melts seamlessly into the skin for a dewy, natural finish
- Sheer yet buildable pigmentation allows for customizable intensity
- Pink undertones complement olive and golden complexions
For a fresh, radiant look, this About-Face balm blush is a top pick. While the color looks bold in the pan, it blends out beautifully on medium skin tones, leaving behind a soft, natural flush that enhances the skin’s warmth.
💰 $18 at Ulta
Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo in She’s Wanted
💜 Why You’ll Love It:
- Duo includes both cream and powder formulas for layering versatility
- Rich berry-mauve shade pops beautifully on medium to deeper skin tones
- Long-wearing, high-pigment formula with a naturally luminous finish
Patrick Ta’s artistry-approved blush duo is the ultimate multi-use product, offering intense color payoff and extended wear. Use the powder alone for a matte flush, or layer the cream on top for a fresh, radiant look that lasts all day.
💰 $38 at Sephora
Haus Labs Color Fuse Longwear Hydrating Glassy Lip + Cheek Blush Balm Stick in Glassy Lilac
💜 Why You’ll Love It:
- Delivers a dewy, “glass-skin” finish with long-lasting wear
- Infused with fermented arnica to reduce redness and irritation
- Goji berry complex helps plump and hydrate the skin
Haus Labs’ Glassy Lilac is a striking orchid shade that looks especially gorgeous on olive skin tones. This hydrating, serum-like formula provides the glow of a cream blush with the staying power of a powder, making it perfect for an all-day fresh-faced look.
💰 $34 at Sephora
If you’re looking to step outside of traditional blush shades, these purple-toned picks bring the perfect balance of vibrancy and warmth to medium to medium-tan skin tones!
R.E.M. Beauty Eclipse Cheek & Lip Stick in Standing O
💜 Why You’ll Love It:
- Multi-use formula for both cheeks and lips
- Extra-creamy, breathable texture with a dewy, luminous finish
- Infused with jojoba seed oil for hydration and effortless blendability
R.E.M. Beauty’s Standing O is a deep burgundy wine shade that perfectly balances red and purple tones, making it an ideal pick for medium skin tones looking for a richer, more dramatic flush. The formula glides onto the skin seamlessly, delivering a naturally radiant glow that feels as good as it looks.
💰 $20 at Ulta
These expertly selected blushes offer the perfect blend of vibrancy and depth, ensuring that medium to medium-tan complexions get a gorgeous, flattering pop of color!
Best Purple Blush Shades for Dark to Deep Skin Tones
Deep and dark complexions can beautifully pull off bright, true purples. Makeup artist Jamie Greenberg recommends jammy plum hues with blue or pink undertones, as they create a stunning contrast without the risk of looking ashy or dull. These rich shades enhance deeper skin tones with vibrant, long-lasting color.
Nudestix Nudies Cream Blush All-Over-Face Color in Moodie Blu
💜 Why You’ll Love It:
- Deep eggplant shade with bold, buildable color payoff
- Soft matte, non-drying, and weather-resistant formula
- Long-wearing and effortless to blend
This deep, cool-toned purple blush from Nudestix is a TikTok favorite for a reason. The shade Moodie Blu delivers a striking, vibrant pop of color that can be sheered out for a soft flush or intensified for a dramatic look. Plus, its matte formula ensures all-day wear without drying out the skin.
💰 $35 at Sephora
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Faith
💜 Why You’ll Love It:
- Ultra-pigmented, weightless liquid formula
- Long-lasting, blendable, and buildable
- Deep berry shade that enhances dark complexions beautifully
Rare Beauty’s viral liquid blush in Faith is a deep matte berry shade that packs a serious punch. A little goes a long way with this intensely pigmented formula, making it perfect for those who want a bold, statement-making flush that lasts all day.
💰 $23 at Sephora
Kulfi Mehndi Moment Long-Lasting Radiant Cream Blush in Lucky Lotus
💜 Why You’ll Love It:
- Designed to complement all skin tones, but especially radiant on brown and Black skin
- Pink undertones provide a soft, natural-looking flush
- Long-lasting, radiant finish with a soft-focus effect
Kulfi’s Lucky Lotus is a stunning purple blush with pink undertones, making it a fantastic option for deep skin tones with warm or golden undertones. Its cream formula blends seamlessly into the skin, offering a dewy yet long-wearing finish that enhances natural beauty.
💰 $28 at Sephora
These bold and vibrant blushes are perfect for deep and dark skin tones, adding richness, depth, and a stunning pop of color!
How to Apply Purple Blush
According to makeup artist Jamie Greenberg, applying purple blush is just like applying any other blush—there’s no need to overthink it.
💜 Application Tips:
✔ Control the Pigment: Use a light hand for a soft flush or a heavier hand for a more intense look.
✔ Choose the Right Tool: A slightly dense but fluffy blush brush is best for blending powder formulas, while a damp sponge helps press cream or liquid blushes into the skin for a seamless finish.
✔ Optimal Placement: Apply blush directly onto the cheekbones and blend in an upward sweeping motion for a lifted, sculpted effect. For extra dimension, lightly sweep the blush toward your temples.
What to Pair Purple Blush With
Interestingly, makeup pros have different approaches when it comes to styling purple blush with the rest of your makeup look.
💜 The Minimalist Approach (Greenberg’s Pick):
- Keep the rest of your makeup neutral so the blush remains the star.
- Pair it with a hydrating nude lip balm for a soft, glossy finish. (Greenberg loves The Bloss in The Nude One.)
💜 The Bold Approach (Henney’s Pick):
- Play up the drama by pairing purple blush with cool-toned eyeshadow—matte or metallic.
- Add a glossy lip for extra dimension. (Henney swears by MAC’s CremeSheen Glass.)
The Final Takeaway
At the end of the day, makeup is about self-expression. While our experts have recommended shades that flatter different skin tones based on color theory, there are no rules—wear what makes you feel confident and beautiful.
Whether you’re experimenting with a soft lilac flush or a bold berry statement, let these suggestions guide you—but don’t be afraid to break the rules and make the look your own! 💜✨