Last Updated: December 29, 2022

9 best natural blushes and rouges for all skin types & tones.

WRITTEN BY Grove Collaborative • 9 min read

No makeup regimen is complete without a tasteful application of blush to tie the whole look together. Lips of a deep red or tantalizing pink can certainly catch the attention of your love interest, but it wouldn't look at all complete with pale or monotone cheeks. No, it takes a brush of the blush to tie it all together.


There is no discernible difference between blush makeup and rouge makeup. This makeup, whatever its moniker, has been around for centuries. Since the time of the Ancient Egyptians, people have been adding that last touch of rose tint to their cheeks to round out the whole makeup ensemble.


Centuries ago, the base was made of lead. Scary, right? But long gone are the days of applying poison directly to our skin – especially when there are many natural makeup blushes available, including the top-rated items listed below.


This list of products was determined by ratings and reviews from Grove members.

1. PYT Beauty Hot Flush Blush

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PYT Beauty Hot Flush blush is an everyday powder blush that enhances your cheeks with a natural flush of color.

KEY BENEFITS:

- Buildable silky formula

- Matte and Shimmer shades

- Hypoallergenic

- Vegan & 100% Cruelty Free, Leaping Bunny Certified

CLEAN BEAUTY

- Harsh chemical free

- Talc and Silicone Free

- Paraben, Sulfate and …
(1)
0.16 oz
$20
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2. RMS Pressed Blush

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Flushed perfection in a creamy pressed powder. This concentrated blush builds easily for a dramatic flush. Hydrating, anti-aging, non-irritating, regulates skin balance for optimal skin health and luminosity.
(2)
1 compact
$24
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3. RMS Hidden Desire Palette

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This limited edition collection features 8 never-before-released products. Features: six new swift shadows in both luminous and satin finishes that can be mixed and matched to create an array of endless shades in addition to featuring a universally flattering pressed blush and an exclusive luminizing powder.
(2)
0.52 oz
$42
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4. Vapour Beauty Aura Multi Stick

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The essential multi-tasker for creating your naturally radiant look, from monochromatic elegance to a fresh pop of color. Beautifully blendable color for cheeks, lips and lids.

To use: Warm Aura Stick in a circular motion against the back of your hand. Sweep onto apples of cheeks, blending outward and upward using fingertips.
(6)
0.29 oz
$36
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5. Lily Lolo Cheek Duo

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Keep this luxuriously moisturizing Lily Lolo Cheek Duo in your purse for on-the-go touch-ups that add a silky glow to your sweet cheeks throughout the day. With a wee mirror and applicator included, this compact is the essence of convenience. Bonus: It’s vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free, and has natural antibacterial protection.

Looking for …

(2)
2 oz
$24
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6. Ere Perez Beetroot Cheek & Lip Tint

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Long-lasting tint for cheeks and lips. This water-based formula featuring beetroot extracts to nourish and hydrate skin. Rich in antioxidants, this healthy tint acts as a natural blush/stain and lasts all day. A popular 2-in-1 product, beetroot adds vibrancy to a fresh face or over makeup. Designed in an easy applicator for fuss-free natural color.
(38)
0.15 oz
$29
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7. Burt's Bees 100% Natural Blush with Vitamin E

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Glow beautifully and naturally, wherever you go. This 100% natural, lightweight mineral makeup features Bamboo, Honey and Vitamin E to nourish skin and enhance your cheeks' natural glow for beautiful results, inside and out. For best results, use a brush and apply to the apple of your cheeks and blend outwards towards your temple. Choose from three …

(33)
1 unit
$10.99
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8. RMS Lip2cheek

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This lip2cheek is a unique formula that combines hydration and protection with abundant mineral color for a beautiful, natural finish on both lips and cheeks. Created with nourishing organic ingredients, each unique shade can vary from a youthful sheer to a more densely colored stain.

(7)
0.17 oz
$36
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9. Olio E Osso Tinted Balm

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Handmade in the City of Roses, this elegant, yet every day–use Olio E Osso Tinted Balm is made in small batches to get just the right color shade every time. This lip balm is triclosan-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, and never tested on animals. It’s also made in the U.S. with responsible packaging by a women-owned business. It’s available in ten …

(76)
0.35 oz
$28
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FAQs

How do you apply blush so it looks natural?

There are many who would argue that the best makeup looks as though you aren't wearing any makeup at all. If your aim is a natural look, this is best achieved by selecting makeups that come very close to your natural skin tone. From lipstick to foundation to blush – you’ll want all of them to match your complexion as closely as possible.


Begin by applying a foundation that most perfectly matches your skin tone. Powder foundation works well too if you can't bear the sticky feeling of liquid foundation.


The best natural blush should be only one or two shades more red than your foundation. Apply this lightly with a soft brush onto the apples of your cheeks.


Finally, if the blush looks too red, go over your cheeks with a very light application of foundation. This will tone down the redness of the blush. If the blush isn't red enough for your taste, apply a blush that contains a stronger hint of red.


What is the difference between highlighter and blush?

The deciding variable is how the makeup is intended to be used. Blush makeup has a very specific purpose: to accentuate or embellish the cheeks with a reddish hue. As with lipstick, it’s meant to be applied to a specific location in order to enhance the coloration of that area of the face. This doesn't mean you absolutely can't apply blush to your jaw or your forehead. You could do some very tasteful and interesting things with out-of-the-box thinking.


Highlighter, on the other hand, is meant to reflect light and provide a luminescent quality to areas of the face, producing a more curved aspect to the places it’s applied. Conversely, highlighter gives the face a less rounded look when you apply it directly beneath the apples of your cheeks. If you apply it along the ridges of the nose, it appears to slim the area along the sides.


What does blush do to your face?

Used on occasion, the skin is relatively safe from any harm. However, many blush makeups on the market contain harsh chemicals. When you use them too frequently, these chemicals can do the opposite of what it’s meant to do when applied. Blotches and pimples can form, and in some cases, severe allergic reactions can produce much more disastrous results.


It’s fortunate for us that clean beauty companies have come along and done away with these chemicals which aren't only harmful to the skin, but also to the environment. Natural makeup takes a more holistic approach to skincare and beauty, seeking out the best ingredients nature has to offer that produce an effective and beautiful result. In the end, this quest for a better natural product benefits us all!


What is Grove Collaborative?

At Grove, we take the guesswork out of which products are good for you and your home. Every product meets strict standards for being nontoxic, effective, sustainable, and cruelty-free. Once you find products you love, we ship to your home on a flexible, monthly schedule.


If you're ready to make the transition to natural cleaning, beauty, and household products, shop Grove Collaborative's natural products for the eco-friendly tools to tackle the job.

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