Blush is a necessity when you wear a bold lip. If you don’t wear some color on your cheeks, your lips could wash out your complexion. Think of blush as a complement to your lips . . . your lips are the center of attention and you don’t want your cheeks to “steal the show.” Wearing too much blush or the wrong color is an easy mistake to make. To make it simple, I paired a number of Tarte’s Amazonian Clay 12-hr Blushes with different lip colors. This is my absolute favorite blush because of its pigment, blendability and staying power. (If you don’t want to invest in multiple colors of blushes, Too Faced recently released a “blush wardrobe” that I included as well . . . I listed the colors that would work below the list of products used in the photos).
Orange
Orange is the new red. Ok, I hate sayings like that but you’ve seen the J. Crew models wearing it, right? Classic like red but more modern. To choose the right blush, you’re going to want to stay away from pinks and reds. Choose an orange, peach or coral color to complement the orange.
Wearing:
Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Tipsy
Urban Decay Lip Pencil in Bang
**Too Faced Love Flush Blush Wardrobe in Baby Love
Purple
Purple is tricky. I love the color on the lips because it’s somewhat unexpected, but the blush is harder to choose. Find one with purple or mauve undertones and stay away from reds and bright pinks. Just a small amount will work – let the lips do the talking for this look.
Wearing:
Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Flush
Stila Stay All Day Lip Color in Como
**Too Faced Love Flush Blush Wardrobe in Justify My Love
Wine
For wine lips, you’ll need more blush than you probably think you do. The dark dramatic color of your lips can drain color from your face if you don’t choose a dark enough blush. Try one with a bit more brown than pink and don’t be afraid to use a little bit of a heavier hand!
Wearing:
Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Vampira
Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Dazzled (Blushing Bride would also be a great option if you prefer a matte blush as Dazzled has a shimmer finish)
**Too Faced Love Flush Blush Wardrobe in Your Love is King
Red
Red is always a favorite – classic, timeless, and a perfect way to add a little glam to everything from jeans to your favorite little black dress. You can always go with a neutral blush with this color, but I like playing up the cheeks a bit with a red lip. Finding a color that matches (like a red or dark pink) will work great.
Wearing:
Sephora Luster Matte Long Wearing Lip Color in Scarlet Letter
Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Natural Beauty
**Too Faced Love Flush Blush Wardrobe in How Deep is Your Love
Nude
Nude is a favorite of mine. It looks especially good with a dark smokey eye. For a nude lip, you’ll want a blush that is similar in color and apply it with a light hand. Highlighter looks especially pretty with nude lips and cheeks. (This is my favorite).
Wearing:
BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lip Liner in Pumped, Too Faced La Creme Color Drenched Lip Creme in Naked Dolly, Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme Gloss (this gloss has mixed reviews but I absolutely love it, ESPECIALLY over a nude color . . . it softens the look a bit and adds depth so it doesn’t look like your lips are erased!)
Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed
**Too Faced Love Flush Blush Wardrobe in I Will Always Love you
Pink
Dollface is one of my favorite blush colors and it looks especially pretty with a pink lip. If bright pink isn’t your thing, it looks just as pretty with a softer pink. Pink blush adds the perfect “I’ve just been outdoors in the cold” flush to cheeks and warms up paler skin.
Wearing:
MAC Tinted Lipglass in Pink Poodle, Urban Decay Lip Liner in Anarchy
Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Dollface
**Too Faced Love Flush Blush Wardrobe in Love Hangover
Lipstick & blush is my favorite way to add a little color in the dreariness of winter! It’s a nice way to brighten up your skin when the sun is nowhere to be seen. For more makeup tips and tricks like this one, check out our Beauty section!
XOXO,
Scotti
