Purple Blush Is the Unexpected (But Majorly Flattering) Trend We Can’t Get Enough Of
The color purple has long had artists and trend-seekers in a chokehold—from the late, great Prince’s Purple Rain craze of the ’80s to the T-Swift “Lavender Haze” era—and beauty trends naturally follow suit. So when Rihanna dropped her iconic FENTY BEAUTY cream blush in an unexpectedly bold purple, the internet’s jaw collectively dropped. This was no neutral rosy-mauve tint; it was an in-your-face purple blush that was surprisingly buildable, versatile, and universally wearable. The iconic shade spawned a bevy of TikTok stans and officially brought purple blush into makeup repertoires everywhere.
OK, so how can you wear purple blush? Whether it’s a statement-making cheek pop or low-key lilac flush, we chatted with makeup artist Gabrielle Alvarez for all the deets on what makes this hue so flattering, how to style it, and the products you’ll need to try the trend yourself.
Meet the Expert
Gabrielle Alvarez is a pro makeup artist based in Los Angeles.
Why Does Purple Blush Work?
At first glance, purple blush can look intimidating in the pan, but there’s more at play than what meets the eye. “When used in small quantities, purple helps neutralize golden undertones in the skin, becoming a more wearable pink tone that looks fresh and youthful,” says Alvarez.
Though purple blush is wonderfully suited for deeper skin tones and those with warm/yellow undertones (thanks to that tone-neutralizing trick), cool and fairer types can still wear it by taking note of undertone-shade pairing.
How to Pick a Purple Blush
Alvarez suggests taking a look at a color wheel before selecting a shade. “Purple is between blue and red. So when a purple shade leans towards blue, it will read as cool, while shades that lean towards red will read as warm.” Use your undertone (cool, warm, or neutral) to help steer you in the right direction, but don’t be afraid to experiment—there are no rules when it comes to beauty.
If you want a subtler take on the purple blush color, your best bet is something with pink/mauve tones as the base—like CLINIQUE Cheek Pop™ Powder Blush in Pansy Pop. The buildable powder blush helps scale up the intensity to your liking while still giving a natural-looking flush. Plus, lighter shimmery shades can double as a highlighter. Prefer a creamier feel and a dewy finish? Try TOWER28 BeachPlease Cream Blush in Party Hour for a pink-leaning purple shade that flatters cool and warm undertones alike.
For those who prefer going bold, FENTY BEAUTY Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush in Drama Cla$$ offers a sheer wash of color with a hydrating shine, while HALF MAGIC Cheek Fluff in Only Drama brings a more pigmented pop with a blendable, soft-focus finish.
How to Apply Purple Blush
The beauty of purple blush is just how versatile it can be. With a lighter hand and thoughtful placement, it can easily become an everyday staple. “I love placing blush under the eyes towards the apple of the cheeks for a fresh look, or vivid amounts toward temples for a more editorial look,” says Alvarez.
Use a fluffy blush brush to evenly sweep powders across the cheeks, blending the edges to avoid any harsh lines that could give the purple a bruise-like appearance. For cream or liquid blush, using fingers can help warm and melt the product into the skin, while a sponge (or brush) can give a little more control for blending and diffusing.
What to Wear It With
Like many, Alvarez prefers to let purple blush have its moment by keeping the rest of the face minimal. A slick of mascara, skin-like foundation, and barely-there lip color (if any) will let your purple blush appear natural without looking too overwhelming.
Take things up a notch by trying a monochromatic look—many cream blush formulas (like NUDESTIX Nudies Blush Stick in Moodie Blu) can be worn as lipstick and eyeshadow as well. Or, pair with a sharp winged eyeliner for an edgy, going-out take on purple blush.
Final Thoughts
Wearing purple blush is a great way to break out of beauty ruts and expand your palette beyond your go-to hues. And with a little attention to your shades, formulas, and application techniques, you’ll have a new mainstay with tons of possibilities.
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