You *Can* Wear Red Lipstick and Blush Together — Here’s How to Do It
February 10, 2021
A good blush moment is my favorite way to achieve a fresh-faced, dewy look year round. After making a resolution to wear more red lipstick, though, I find that when paired with my usual flushed cheeks, I end up looking like a kid who went wild with her mother’s makeup stash. That’s why I decided to tap beauty expert Billie Gene for some tips on how to best wear red lipstick and blush together for different skin tones.
To strike a perfect balance between your blush and red lipstick, “always apply a red lip that complements your complexion,” says Gene. He also adds that you should choose a blush that matches your skin’s undertone. “This will allow the lipstick to be the star player on the face.”
The Best Blush and Lipstick Combos for Fair to Light Skin
If you have a fair to light skin tone, Gene says that you can get away with wearing any shade of red lipstick. He recommends lipsticks with cooler, blue undertones as they tend to make light complexions look brighter. When it comes to your blush, he suggests opting for a soft dusty pink. Try the L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Signature Shiny Lip Stain and the Maybelline New York Fit Me Blush in Nude.
The Best Blush and Lipstick Combos for Medium to Olive Skin
If you have a medium to olive skin tone, you can’t go wrong with orange-based red lipsticks. Think: Maybelline New York Color Sensational Ultimatte Slim Lipstick in More Scarlet. For blush, Gene recommends sticking to a soft, dusty rose blush if you have a light to medium complexion, while those with olive skin or a deeper medium tone look great in rich shades like berry. Gene adds that you can also pick a blush that leans orange to enhance the lip color or a bronzy blush to shape and add a natural flush of color. Try the NYX Professional Makeup Sweet Cheeks Creamy Powder Blush in Totally Chill, which is a rich terracotta rose shade.
The Best Blush and Lipstick Combos for Dark Skin
If you have a darker complexion, Gene says that deep, brick-tone reds and bright reds with blue undertones look great against your melanin. If you don’t want to go too bright, we love the NYX Professional Makeup Shine Loud High Shine Lip Color in Never Basic for its deep red wine tones and sultry vibes. As for blush, consider trying products that lean peachy or orange. If you ask us, you can’t go wrong with the Tower 28 Beauty BeachPlease Tinted Lip + Cheek Balm in Golden Hour.
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