For a healthy glow and enhanced cheeks, nothing beats blush! But how do you choose the right blush? Here's how.

Just like our skincare routine and its many essentials (from eye serum to sun cream to lip balm), our make-up routine also contains key products that we couldn't do without... such as blush. 

A brief history of blush

Blush dates back to ancient times! Even back then, various substances were used to give cheeks a tender pink hue... In ancient Egypt, women crushed minerals such as malachite and red ochre to create pigments, which they then applied to their cheeks. The Greeks and Romans also used natural dyes made from plants, flowers and berries to add dimension to the complexion. It was in the Middle Ages, with its dark (too dark) period, that the use of blush became less and less popular. At that time, fair, pale skin was considered a sign of high social status and the wearing of color was little appreciated... During the Renaissance, the beauty ideal changed once again, and women began to introduce make-up into their daily lives. For the cheeks, they used mixtures of natural substances such as dried flowers, rosewater and berry pulp.

In the 19th century, it was associated with lightweight women, before becoming a make-up staple. In those days, women used lipstick to pigment their cheeks. It wasn't until the early 20th century that blush as we know it today materialized. The first commercial blushes appeared, containing colored powders specially formulated for the tender, fragile skin of the face. Today, blush comes in a variety of forms: powder, cream, liquid blush, stick and even gel. They are made from a variety of ingredients, including mineral pigments, synthetic colorants and binding agents, and their formulas can be adapted to suit different skin types (oily, combination, dry, etc.).  

How to choose your blush 

There are as many blushes as there are cheeks on this planet (or almost...), and since it's the finishing touch to a successful make-up application, it's important not only toapply blush properly , but also to choose it carefully. To do this, there are a number of points to consider. 

Choosing your blush according to your skin type

Both dry and mature skin types are eligible for the same type of blush, since their skins have the same similarities. In these cases, it's best to opt for a cream, liquid or gel blush. These moisturizing formulas will add luminosity to the skin and prevent it from looking dull. Powder blushes should be avoided, as they can accentuate dry patches, become embedded in fine lines and further age the skin. 

Oily and combination skins prefer powder blushes, as they have a light, matte texture that avoids the shine brought on by excess sebum. If you have oily or combination skin, be sure to choose oil-free, long-wearing formulas to prevent the blush from dissolving quickly. Avoid creamy blushes, which can make skin even oilier... In certain cases, liquid blushes can do the trick, provided they are specially formulated. 

Sensitive skins, on the other hand, will pay particular attention to the formulation. Whether it's a liquid blush, a cream blush or a powder blush, if you have sensitive skin, it's imperative to choose a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free blush to minimize skin irritation. For example, mineral blushes are a good option, as they are gentler on the skin and less likely to cause allergic reactions.

Which blush for which skin tone? 

Blush means color, and color means skin tone! To choose the ideal blush color, it's essential to know your skin tone. Here are a few tips to help you find the blush that's right for you!

1. Fair skin: for fair skin, shades of pale pink, light peach or light coral blush can be flattering. Avoid colors that are too bright or too dark, which can look artificial on fair skin. It's always best to opt for subtle tones that add a touch of natural color to the cheeks...

2. Medium to olive skin: for darker skin tones (under olive or under yellow), blushes in warm tones like coral, peach and bronze are generally very flattering. Shades of medium pink or earthy pink (e.g. rosewood) can also work well. Avoid shades that are too light, as they may not stand out sufficiently on the skin.

3. Peau foncée : pour les peaux foncées, les blush aux tons riches et intenses sont magnifiques. Les nuances de baies, de prune, de bronze profond ou de terracotta mettent indéniablement en valeur la peau. Les teintes plus vives comme le fuchsia et le corail foncé sont peuvent aussi être superbes. Forcément, on évite les teintes trop claires qui peuvent laisser un aspect cendré à la peau.

4. Very dark skin: for very dark skin, nothing beats a blush in deep, rich tones such as plum, burgundy, chocolate, grape, dark red or brick shades are also flattering. Forget the rest of the too-light shades, which may not stand out sufficiently on your skin.

Here's a tip: if the texture of your lipstick allows, you can also use it on your cheeks as a blush. This two-in-one aspect is increasingly popular with cosmetics brands.