The best natural blush is a stable in your makeup routine—but that does’t mean it’s simple to find the right one for you! Blush can keep your skin looking glowy, radiant and youthful OR it can make you look 10 years older. Either way, this is the ONLY best natural blush buying guide you’ll need.
By: Lisa Fennessy
IN THIS POST:
- Blush color 101: synthetic vs. natural colorants
- Should I choose a powder or a cream blush?
- The best natural blushes
- Common questions about the best natural blush
- Best natural blush shopping guide
- References
I think we a can all agree there is a good way to do blush and a bad way to do blush. Can I get an amen?!
But “good” vs. “bad” isn’t where we’re really living anymore either. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—it’s really less about “shopping to avoid ingredients” and more about “choosing what ingredients you want to use” on your skin. And to quote myself, I don’t know about you but I’ll take organic jojoba seed oil for $1,000, Alex.
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Blush color 101: synthetic vs. natural colorants
I’ve talked about the synthetic vs. natural colorants before, but let’s do a little refresher:
Some ingredients, especially in the color cosmetics category, can’t be “natural” and reap the rewards consumers want. Colorant pigments, which are such a hot issue among green beauty fans, brands and retailers, are a great example.
Synthetic pigments deliver the reddest reds and the pinkest pinks. Typically, brands that use these dyes are able to achieve true colors, while brands that opt to avoid fall short of true reds and/or pinks. But the downside is that these colors, originally derived from coal tar and now petroleum (1), have been linked to cancer (1), neurotoxicity (2), genotoxicity (2) and concerns with long-term safety (3). Most dyes, including Yellow 5, have been banned in Europe (4). (More here, if you want a deeper dive.)
Colorants derived from fruits, berries and botanicals are considered more natural, but it’s really hard to get a high color intensity when just using fruits and berries. (Again, more here, if you want a deeper dive.)
The last category of colorants, iron oxides, titanium dioxide and mica, is what you’ll see pop up in many better beauty brands’ blush ingredient lists. They’re natural elements that are found in the earth, and while they can have contamination issues, they can also be COSMOS certified, which is the third-party certification that we consider the best. (And one more time: more here, if you want a deeper dive.)
Overall, the most important things I look for in ingredient lists are:
- Nothing that’s on TNK’s NO THANKS list.
- Transparency. If a brand is up-front about its choices, and the WHY behind it, I can make a better, easier choice for myself (and you can too). (Here’s a GREAT example from RMS Beauty.)
Should I choose a powder or a cream blush?
One big thing to consider about blush colors is the formula. You’ll likely run into three formula options: powder blushes, cream blushes and tinted balms. Let’s chat about the pros and cons of each.
Powder blush has a tendency to sit in the fine lines and collect in the inconsistencies of skin—especially as the day goes on. But, they’re easy to apply, and many people feel comfy using them.
Cream blush formulas go on smooth and dewy and bring life to the skin. They’re less likely to settle into creases. Plus, they’re buildable so you can rock a fresh wash of color or amp it up for more drama when you need it. On the flip side, some cream blushes also double as a highlighter, which can great because I don’t know any forty-something who wants to walk around strobing at lunchtime. However, if you’re looking for a more subtle glow, you might not want to rely on reflective micas that are prominent in some cream formulas.
If you want a subtle, dewy, refined look, a tinted balm will be your best friend. It’s a hint of a highlighter with a pop of color that will take your look NEXT LEVEL. These can be trickier to apply to get the wash of color you want, but practice makes perfect!
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The best natural blushes: my top picks
RMS “Re” Dimension Hydra Powder Blush | $35
I’m not a huge fan of power blushes, especially for maturing skin, but the RMS “Re” Dimension Hydra Powder Blush is an exception. What first drew me in was the shades they offer. Comes in 6 shades and every one of them is *I want that* status. I have this in French Rosé, Maiden’s Blush and Mai Tai, but I would also slay Hanky Panky, Pomegranate Fizz and Sangria too. I legit can’t pick a favorite shade.
Second, I would consider this blush a blush / highlighter crossover. It reflects light in a skin-softening, glowy way that seems to even skin tone and pull an entire look together. RMS describes this phenomenon as a “wet powder technology that combines a creamy texture with a long-lasting 3D finish.”
And of course I love the inclusion of skin-loving ingredients like wildcrafted buriti (a potent antioxidant) and organic jojoba oil (to moisturize and protect). I’m 100% obsessed.
Other pros include:
- Buildable color
- Applies evenly
- Long lasting
- Doesn’t clump or settle in fine lines
- Lights up the face
- Feels weightless
- Face looks fresh and hydrated
- Compact is refillable and refills are available
- Recyclable packaging
- Fragrance free
Fitglow Beauty Multi-Use Ceramide Cream Lip + Cheek Palette | $48
This palette came out last year and I can’t stop using it. LOVE LOVE LOVE that we get four colors in one. This pre-set palette includes four new shades: Mauve Berry (creamy mauve berry), Sun Peach (soft peach), Watermelon (soft rose) and Fig (soft raisin rose). I use Fig and Watermelon the most. These colors are buildable, mixable, potent and creamy.
This palette is technically multi-use meaning you can apply color to lips, cheeks and eyes and while I might do a wash of blotted color on my lips, I really prefer this just for cheeks. I find it really thin on lips and it doesn’t last that long for me.
And of course, it wouldn’t be Fitglow if it wasn’t skincare first, so while this is technically makeup, it’s also treating skin with organic castor seed oil, organic safflower oil, apricot kernel oil and ceramides.
I love this palette so much, I wish it came in fall, winter, spring and summer options (hint, hint FG!!) so I could glow up according to the season.
Other pros include:
- An extra large mirror on the inside of this compact (LOVE)
- No shimmer added
- Pigmented
- Blends easily
- Sets down well
- Color lasts
- Face looks fresh and hydrated
- Refillable palette
- Palette made from recycled plastic bottles
- Fragrance free
ILIA Beauty Multi-Stick | $36
This multi-stick comes in 12 pigmented, rich shades in both natural and luminous finishs—including options for highlighters too. It’s a staple and I’m not the only one who thinks so as it was awarded “The Best Makeup” by Oprah’s Beauty O-wards (2022) and “Best Blush” by Allure’s Readers Choice Awards (2021).
This blush is perfect in every way. It’s creamy, easy to apply and buildable. I can apply this and blend with my fingers or a brush. And I like this on both my cheeks and lips. Also delivers a base of skin-loving ingredients like shea butter (nourishes), avocado oil (skin softening + antioxidants) and orange peel wax (protects and conditions skin).
Lastly, this also comes in a Limited Edition 6 color palette, which I’m obsessed with—especially for travel. More here.
Other pros include:
- Buildable color
- Makes face come alive
- Certified gluten-free
- Fragrance free
- Can wear as a true wash of color
- Works on lips
- Color lasts
Best natural blush shopping guide
ALL the products we recommend in this post.
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What’s your go-to blush?
TNK Team Note: This article contains affiliate links. TNK uses affiliate links as a source for revenue to fund operations of the business and to be less dependent on branded content. TNK stands behind all product recommendations. Still have questions about these links or our process? Feel free to email us.
Common questions about the best natural blush
In my book, it’s cream blush all the way. ILIA Beauty Multi-Stick, Fitglow Beauty Multi-Use Ceramide Cream Lip + Cheek Palette and RMS Beauty’s “Re” Dimension Hydra Powder Blush are my top picks. Learn why here.
Creams or balms will deliver a dewy, healthy look while a powder blush can collect in fine lines or even dull an overall look. Learn more here.
Natural blush comes in so many shades, there is really no compromise. These are some of my favorite shades.
References
1. Kobylewski, Sarah; Jacobson, Michael F; Toxicology of food dyes; International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health July 2012.
2. Taylor, S.L.; Baumert, J.L.; Encyclopedia of Agriculture and Food Systems, 2014.
3. Nomination background D &C red no. 27 [CASRN 13473-26-2], D&C Red No. 28 [CASRN 18472-87-2]; National Institutes of Health, October 2000.
4. Food dyes; Center of Science in the Public Interest, 2008.
Eva
February 11, 2019Hi Lisa, as a woman over 40 myself I really love these posts! Just wanted to add that I never ever use powder because it dries me out, but Sappho’s powder blushes are absolutely amazing! They are not drying at all and give you a really nice glow. Hope you get the chance to try them out! (I have “Luv the Cheeks”)
Lisa
February 11, 2019Hi Eva! Oh AWESOME! I haven’t tried Sappho’s blushes yet but I love everything else I’ve tried by them so I will definitely give them a go. Thanks for reading girl!
Emily
February 12, 2019Hi Lisa! Just found you and WOW. Sooo excited to learn from you. What oil do you use from “West of South”?
Lisa
February 12, 2019Hi Emily! My bad! They have only had one product until now – I need to amend the link, thank you! It’s the Prickly Pear Repair : ) So good!I have a coupon code on my “coupon code page” too! xo!
Laura
February 21, 2019Loved this over 40 blush post and story. You mentioned an under eye coverup that you loved for the over 40 crowd on Instagram stories, would love to know what that suggestion was?
Lisa
February 21, 2019Was it an eyelid primer? If so it was probably this one – I love it!
Lisa
May 25, 2021Have you ever tried Beautycounter products? Most of their product are ewg certified. I just recently bought their cream blush and really like it,
Lisa
May 25, 2021Hi Lisa, I have! So glad you found something you like ; ) Lisa
Kimber
December 28, 2021Thank you for this article! I just ordered the cheek/lip tint by Olio & thank you for including the hyperlinks. I am 43, and I have a très simple skincare routine because she is hyper-sensitive, but I still want to add some flair now & again. I’m looking forward to trying this balm because it’s non-toxic & it’s multi-functional which will goes perfectly with my simple skincare & make-up routine.
Lisa Fennessy
January 2, 2022Hi Kimber! Hope you love it, let me know what you think! xo, Lisa
S
February 16, 2022You mentioned your eyeshadow is Obscur, what brand? The link doesn’t take me to a single item and Olio E Osso’s site doesn’t list it either. Thanks!
Lisa Fennessy
February 25, 2022Gressa!