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5 Blushes to Try for Medium Skin Tones

Next up, here are five blushes to consider if you have a medium skin tone. I tried to include different price points, finishes, and undertones, but there are so many blushes available, there are many more worth trying. I’m a firm believer that we can wear whatever we desire, whether or not it is supposedly “suitable” on us or not–there’s no harm in trying 🙂 Please share any suggestions in the comments!

  1. theBalm Cabana Boy — a medium-dark, cool-toned plum with a satin finish
  2. Kevyn Aucoin Neolita — a rich, berry-red with a satin finish
  3. Makeup Geek Summer Fling — bright pop of orange with a matte finish
  4. Clinique Peach Pop — a pink-coral with warm undertones and a luminous sheen
  5. Tom Ford Love Lust — a brightened, coral with a frosted finish

>> See side-by-side swatches! <<

66 Comments

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Lauren Avatar

Pretty! I don’t have any of those so I need to check them out. I have a medium skintone and my all-time favorites are:

(1) MAC Small Vanity
(2) It Cosmetics Pretty in Peony
(3) Nars Deep Throat

Lyse Davitt Avatar

Can you tell me, maybe in MAC terms, 🙂 what is considered light or medium skin tone?

I am C1 in Face and Body and NW25 in others. Is that medium?

Thanks for your help.

Miss J Avatar

I’ve always considered NC40/42 like a dark medium. I’m NC20, and I consider myself light to light-medium. I’m always like, “I’m light…but like…a dark light,” LOL. It’s all about perception, huh? I know many sales girls who would just classify me as fair, so I always wonder what they think when they see someone much lighter.

Bella Avatar

I am exactly your colour and I call myself medium tan. (Nars Stromboli to Barcelona). Nars just calls us Medium 3 or 4 or something LOL. I can wear all of the blushes mentioned though and I own Love Lust, which I love. I find that so often fair skinned bloggers (not Christine LOL) will offhandedly toss a “and I don’t think this product will show up on darker skintones” when they don’t have the foggiest clue what they’re talking about!!

A Name Avatar

I want to try the clinique one! And I wish Love Lust was within my price range.

As someone with medium skin with very yellow undertones, Estee Lauder Sensuous Rose is my current go to – it looks really natural and goes well with a lot of other makeup. Also, Chanel Presage gets a lot of use from me.

Natalie Avatar

Hey! I was just trying to justify getting Love Lust lol I was going to settle for a dupe, but this is a great idea! I haven’t actually started losing yet 😉 so I have the full 38 pounds to go! Congrats on losing 40!That’s awesome!

Zia Avatar

Oh, I forgot to say, I am really impressed by Cabana Boy, the finish is gorgeous! I myself would say I have light skin, but it’s very buildable and so I can see it working for all shades of medium skin too.

Ammara Avatar

I’m liking the look of Tarte’s Exposed these days. Haven’t bought it yet, but considering it. I have medium skin tone as well, probably the same as yours.

Bella Avatar

I am a darker medium and I love Nars Amour, Lovejoy, Love from the Spring collection, Bobbi Brown Nectar, Chanel Rose Initiale…and I absolutely ADORE Hourglass Ambient Lighting blushes in Luminous Flush, Mood Exposure ad Radiant Magenta.
Becca blush in Flowerchild and Mac Blushbaby are faves too.
And the discontinued Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush in no 10, RIP!! (Fortunately my pan is still pretty full LOL.)

Faith Avatar

I own Lovelust and Summer Fling. I think Lovelust will look good on me in the winter. I’m too bronze right now. Summer Fling looks great! And it’s a perfect option for folks who didn’t get Mac’s Ocean a City.

Grace Avatar

Hi Christine,
Is TF love lust and Clinique peach pop similar? I know you love Love lust. It’s on my wish list but if it’s similar to peach pop I might get they one instead:)

Lisa C Avatar

I’m NC25 and really want to try the TF love lust. One of my favs right now is MAC petal power. I tried to like the Cheeky bugger but it was too light. Great picks!

san Avatar

Hmm I was so excited thinking medium skin blushes..now I realise at nc44 I have to wait for dark skin blush series :).I love MAC gingerly, Chanel Presage, NARS Sin ,Amour and Torrid.Im wondering if Nars Seduction and Liberte would be a good match for yellow undertones.
Btw Christine is Ask Temptalia still active?? Where can we ask our doubts?

Christine Avatar

Honestly, NC44 could still wear these! 🙂 You’re more in-between medium and dark, and so you could really take recs from both!

There’s no ask Temptalia at present – I, unfortunately, can’t keep up with it, but you’re always welcome to ask questions in the comments’ sections!

Miss J Avatar

IMO, Seduction would be stunning on your skin tone! I’m yellow under toned, but at the light/light-medium end of the spectrum, and I love the way it looks with my undertones. Have you tried Dolce Vita?

attika Avatar

i’m NC30 with quite neutral-warm undertones and i am a sucker for nude blushes! my favorite lately is rouge bunny rouge habanera. my all time favorite is mac blushbaby, burberry tangerine, burberry cameo. i also LOVE clinique peach pop!! and la femme terracotta, mandarin red. i have so many favorites, LOL!

Helene Avatar

I’m quite light, but I’d love to have Neolita. It’ll have to wait, though as I have just bought one and have one on it’s way here. But it is a very pretty colour.

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