How to Wear the Versatile, Vibrant Purple Blush Makeup Trend

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 pro makeup artist Gabrielle Alvarez.

To Alvarez’ point, purple is one of the more versatile shades of blush. “Depending on your individual complexion, it can create a range of effects,” explains KULFI BEAUTY founder Priyanka Ganjoo. “From soft looks that appear natural to a true purple, or rich magenta that looks bold and radiant—it's a way to celebrate diversity in beauty, offering options beyond traditional pink and peach blushes.” 

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 looking at a color wheel before selecting a shade. “Purple is between blue and red,” she says, “So when a purple shade leans towards blue, it will read as cool, while shades that lean towards red will read as warm.” 

Basically, 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.

“A cool lavender hue looks stunning on lighter skin tones with cool to neutral undertones,” Ganjoo explains. “For deeper skin tones, it’s important to avoid those shades because they often have too much white behind it, making your skin look grey. Purple blush is incredibly flattering on medium-deep/deeper skin tones. If you have cooler undertones, go for a true purple or a shade with blue hints. If you have warmer and olive undertones, go for a purple with a pink undertone.”

If you want to experiment, you can start with the KULFI BEAUTY Mehndi Moment blush in Lucky Lotus, which is purple with a pink undertone and plenty of pigment. “The color looks intimidating at first glance, but once you blend it out, it looks a fresh, radiant pink,” Ganjoo says. “Pro Tip: Never be afraid to try different shades and mix and match them.”

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 the LYS BEAUTY Higher Standard Satin Matte Cream Blush 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. 

Our expert suggests using 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. The YC COLLECTION Y01 Cheek Brush’s ultra-soft dome-shaped bristles allow you to apply, blend, and diffuse. 

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. 

Ganjoo has one standout secret to nailing the look: “A little goes a long way,” she says. “Start light and build up gradually. It's easier to add more than to take it away. Blend well to avoid any harsh lines. And most importantly, don't be intimidated by how it looks in the pan. When applied, it creates this beautiful, natural flush.”

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.  

And Ganjoo totally agrees. “Depending on your style, keeping the rest of the look minimal lets the purple blush shine,” she says. “Think a swipe of mascara, a natural-looking foundation, and a subtle lip color.”

You can also 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. 

If opting for that monochromatic look, Ganjoo says you can use eyeshadows that align with the shade of your blush, while using a deeper mauve lip color. “Adding purple blush into your look is all about what makes you feel confident and beautiful,” she says.

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. 

Ultimately, it's a refreshing way to embrace joy and self-expression. Purple blush adds a fresh, vibrant glow that complements a variety of skin tones in unique ways. It’s about playing with color and creating new shades that complement diverse undertones. Depending on your product, you’re able to go high-intensity or soft and subtle.