The best blushes for dark skin

They have an almost buttery texture in the compact, but Surratt Beauty blushes go on like a powder, with a satin-to-matte finish. Named after the iconic magazine editor Diana Vreeland (who famously had a penchant for plenty of rouge), this rich plum shade has a slight shimmer that gives deep skin tones a gorgeous, subtle glow. Apply with a fluffy blush, concentrating on the apples of the cheeks.

Thanks to an ultra-moisturizing formula that includes grape extract and Ayurvedic oils, this blush from celebrity makeup artist Gucci Westman gives your complexion a beautiful ‘morning-fresh’ sheen. It also helps skin to produce collagen and hyaluronic acid, so it won’t dry out. Poppet is a hot-pink hue, and this is best applied with your fingers: blend it out for natural-looking, flushed cheeks, or build it up for more impact.

Deep skin tones can pull off bright shades beautifully, and this poppy-red tint from RMS is guaranteed to amp up your blush game. Brand founder Rose-Marie Swift is a champion of natural, organic ingredients, and her cult favorite Lip2Cheek blushes owe their creamy texture to a blend of rosehip oil, coconut oil and cocoa butter. For a dramatic evening look, press Beloved into the apples of cheeks with your fingertips before blending with a buffing brush and working up towards the temples.

Nars blushes are famously packed with pigment and Angelika is no exception. Described as a cotton-candy shade, this blush works best as a high-impact highlight, perfect for sweeping along the tops of cheekbones (Nars senior makeup artist Cherelle Lazarus recommends using the #21 Contour Brush). Layer Angelika over a more matte, plum blush for added depth and dimension.

This multipurpose makeup stick from Ilia allows for foolproof application. The creamy, hydrating formula is packed full of natural oils, as well as a winning combination of shea butter, cocoa butter and beeswax, which helps it glide on effortlessly when applied directly, and melt seamlessly into the skin when blended. Alternatively, try warming up the product with your fingers, then tap them on to your cheeks for a subtle wash of color.

Lilah B.’s blush in b.memorable is a burnt cherry hue that really complements the richness of deep-dark skin tones. Infused with moisturizing ingredients, including coconut oil and aloe, this product applies like a cream but promises a long-wearing matte finish. It also doubles as a buildable lip stain: throw this sleek and super-compact case into your clutch and dab on for a quick monochrome makeup look.

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