Best blush for dark skin

The best blush for dark skin is a rich berry, brick or plum with real pigment behind it. Deep skin has so much natural depth that sheer, pale blushes either vanish or sit on top and turn ashy, which is that grayish, chalky cast nobody wants. Saturated shades like berry, brick red, plum, warm terracotta, burnt orange and deep raspberry melt in and read as a genuine flush. Undertone still matters. Red and warm undertones glow in brick, terracotta and burnt orange, while cool or blue-leaning deep skin looks incredible in plum, berry and fuchsia. Look for highly pigmented formulas and skip chalky, pale-based powders, since that white base is usually what causes ashiness. Cream and liquid blushes are especially beautiful because they melt right into the skin.

Tips that actually help

• Swatch on your cheek, not your hand. If a blush looks gray or chalky after blending, it's not the one.
• Choose highly pigmented formulas. You should see color after one or two taps, not ten.
• Try cream or liquid blush for a seamless, skin-like finish that won't look powdery.
• For extra glow, layer a golden or bronze highlight over your blush and skip silvery or white-based shimmers that can look ashy.

Go easy on: Pale baby pinks, chalky pastels and anything with a heavy white base tend to look ashy on dark skin. Silvery or frosty shimmers can also turn gray.