Look to your eyes to determine the best blush for you

May 4, 2012

You’ve probably heard of choosing your blush color based on your skin tone. Those with “cool” undertones can wear cooler pinks, while those with warmer colors can lean toward the orangey side of the spectrum. However, did you know that the color of your eyes can also dictate the hue that looks best on your cheeks? Using basic color theory, you can make your eyes look their brightest and your entire face glow.

Remember learning about the color wheel way back when? Well, complementary colors come into play when you are doing your makeup, too. Basic color theory states that the colors directly across from each other on the color wheel are the most pleasing to the eye when paired together. Red and green, blue and orange, and purple and yellow are commonly used in pairs because they make their partner pop. Think about this the next time you choose your blush.

Blue eyes. Just like the color orange makes blue stand out, a blush with tangerine undertones will look good if you have blue eyes. Peach is a good way to translate these complementary colors into something complexion-friendly. Icy pink also brings out the light in blue eyes.

Blue-eyed ladies should stay away from plum hues on their cheeks. Because this shade is similar to indigo and cobalt, it tends to minimize eyes instead of drawing attention to them.

Green eyes. Green-eyed women can wear pretty much any shade of pink. Just as red works to bring out the most verdant colors, pink blush will make green eyes pop. Deep plum blush won’t work for green eyes, though, since it tends to neutralize any flecks of yellow or gold.

Brown eyes. Ladies with chocolate-colored eyes can wear berry hues on their cheeks to make their eyes stand out. Because brown eyes often have flecks of gold or yellow, the purple undertones in berry-colored blushes complement them nicely.

That said, neutral blush with beige or brown undertones will blend into these golden highlights, making brown eyes look dull.

Hazel eyes. Hazel eyes stand out next to a mauve blush, or anything pink with cool violet undertones. These shades play up the iris’s base color of gray while also highlighting the shades of olive and amber.

Stay away from orangey pinks if you have hazel eyes, since they tend to make the charcoal hues in your eye look flat.

About the author

Santana Jordan

Around the age of 35ish, Santana Jordan realized that most of the makeup information that was readily available was all geared towards teeny boppers. This makeup artist and esthetician specializes in makeup techniques for the over 30 crowd. You know, those of us that need to hide a wrinkle or two – or ten and don’t want to look like we’re on our way to a rave. When she’s not taking the latest makeup trends and making them grown woman friendly, she is working on the launch of a kid’s clothing line inspired by her daughter, Lana Sofiah.

Related Posts:

Do you know how to find the best eyeshadow shades for you?
You know your favorite color, and you know the color of your eyes, but you still might not know what ...

Channel Rainbow Bright with your eyelashes
If you're anything like me, you pass right by those colorful mascaras at the drugstore. I had fun with those ...

Matching your makeup to your hair: A primer
There are so many makeup "rules" out there. Some schools of thought recommend matching your makeup to your eye color, ...

Make your green eyes pop with these eyeshadow shades
My green eyes are my favorite feature, but it can be hard to find colors that compliment them. I've always ...

Yes, you can wear colorful makeup without looking like Bozo the Clown
When I see those bright shades of eyeshadow and lipstick in the makeup aisle, I wonder how people actually pull ...