The A to Z Guide to Coral Blush -- Peachy-Coral to Coral-Red!
If I had a weakness in cheek color, it would be coral. Whether it’s a lighter coral with lots of shimmer or intense coral that borders on copper, I have a weakness for all of them. I could probably write a dissertation on all things coral (I don’t know about having the energy for that, though!). We’re entering another hot week here in Arizona, which always puts me in a summer mindset and leads me to think about my good friend coral blush!
So, I thought I’d share some of the best performing, permanent shades I’ve tested and reviewed… I would love to hear about your favorites in the comments, but don’t forget to chime on the official Best Coral Blush page!
Table of Contents
Lighter Corals
Light corals can sometimes get into a peachier territory, and for some skin tones, they end up more as brightening or highlighting shades. I’ve tried to include an assortment of options across price points, shimmer-levels, and both pinker and more orange-leaning hues. I often use these types of shades as highlighters or as a highlighting blush (something that highlights and adds color — not something that’s necessarily sheer!).
Pro tip: If you have an arsenal of highlighters, you can easily layer a highlighter over a darker coral blush to get the effect of a lighter coral! For the lightest effect, apply the highlighter first and then use a fan brush to delicately apply a coral blush slightly lower (and then blended into the highlighter). This creates the definition of a blush while marrying the two together.
Blushes like Make Up For Ever B302, Hourglass Diffused Heat / Incandescent Electra, Essence Satin Coral, and Persona Georgia are stellar picks for those who like more of a skin-like finish–not flat and not quite matte. Dior’s Hologlam has more contrasting shimmer, so it can be a way to wear a coral base without it reading as warm-toned (alternatively: layer a lavender, purple, or cooler pink highlighter over a coral blush you already own!).
Sydney Grace’s highlighters—Sun Kissed Peach, Cantata, Peach Kisses shown here–are intensely pigmented and shimmery, and they tend to read true-to-pan but a little brighter.
NYX Magnetic Illuminator ($9.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a light-medium, peachy-coral with warm undertones and a frosted, golden sheen. It had good...
NYX Magnetic Illuminator ($9.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a light-medium, peachy-coral with warm undertones and a frosted, golden sheen. It had good...
Maybelline Molten Rose Gold MasterChrome Metallic Highlighter ($9.99 for 0.24 oz.) is a light peach with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had...
Maybelline Molten Rose Gold MasterChrome Metallic Highlighter ($9.99 for 0.24 oz.) is a light peach with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had...
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Hollywood Beauty Light Wand ($38.00 for 0.4 oz.) is a light, pink-peach with moderate, warm undertones and a luminous...
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Hollywood Beauty Light Wand ($38.00 for 0.4 oz.) is a light, pink-peach with moderate, warm undertones and a luminous...
Sydney Grace Sun Kissed Peach Highlighter ($9.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a bright, light pink-peach base with light, peachy-gold shimmer that gave it a more...
Sydney Grace Sun Kissed Peach Highlighter ($9.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a bright, light pink-peach base with light, peachy-gold shimmer that gave it a more...
Sydney Grace Cantata Highlighter ($12.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a bright, light-medium peachy-pink base with a strong, gold metallic shimmer. The base...
Sydney Grace Cantata Highlighter ($12.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a bright, light-medium peachy-pink base with a strong, gold metallic shimmer. The base...
Sydney Grace Peach Kisses Highlighter ($12.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a light-medium pink base (with warmer, yellow undertones) with warm, golden shimmer...
Sydney Grace Peach Kisses Highlighter ($12.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a light-medium pink base (with warmer, yellow undertones) with warm, golden shimmer...
Make Up For Ever B302 Artist Face Color ($23.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a brighter, light-medium pink-coral with very fine, golden pearl. It had a more...
Make Up For Ever B302 Artist Face Color ($23.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a brighter, light-medium pink-coral with very fine, golden pearl. It had a more...
Dior Hologlam (601) Rouge Blush ($46.00 for 0.23 oz.) has a light-medium, peachy-coral base with flecks of iridescent pink and violet sparkle...
Dior Hologlam (601) Rouge Blush ($46.00 for 0.23 oz.) has a light-medium, peachy-coral base with flecks of iridescent pink and violet sparkle...
Hourglass Diffused Heat Ambient Lighting Blush ($35.00 for 0.15 oz.) is described as a "vibrant poppy." It's a...
Hourglass Diffused Heat Ambient Lighting Blush ($35.00 for 0.15 oz.) is described as a "vibrant poppy." It's a...
Natasha Denona Alba Duo Glow ($38.00 for 0.35 oz.) is a light-medium pink-coral with warm, golden shimmer for a luminous sheen. It had good...
Natasha Denona Alba Duo Glow ($38.00 for 0.35 oz.) is a light-medium pink-coral with warm, golden shimmer for a luminous sheen. It had good...
Essence Satin Coral Satin Touch Blush ($2.99 for 0.17 oz.) is a medium, coral-orange with warm undertones and a satin finish. The more I blended and...
Essence Satin Coral Satin Touch Blush ($2.99 for 0.17 oz.) is a medium, coral-orange with warm undertones and a satin finish. The more I blended and...
Persona Georgia Super Blush ($22.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a brighter pop of medium coral-orange with strong, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It...
Persona Georgia Super Blush ($22.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a brighter pop of medium coral-orange with strong, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It...
Hourglass Incandescent Electra Ambient Strobe Lighting Blush ($38.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a brighter pop of pink-coral with warm undertones and a luminous...
Hourglass Incandescent Electra Ambient Strobe Lighting Blush ($38.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a brighter pop of pink-coral with warm undertones and a luminous...
Clinique Melon Pop Cheek Pop Blush ($25.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a light-medium, pink-coral with warm undertones and a luminous sheen. It had good color...
Clinique Melon Pop Cheek Pop Blush ($25.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a light-medium, pink-coral with warm undertones and a luminous sheen. It had good color...
MAC Springsheen Powder Blush ($24.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a medium, pink-coral with golden shimmer. It had medium, buildable pigmentation--and it was...
MAC Springsheen Powder Blush ($24.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a medium, pink-coral with golden shimmer. It had medium, buildable pigmentation--and it was...
Medium Corals
I have another 15 picks for more light-medium to medium-depth coral highlighters and blushes (though, most of these are officially blush shades). Again, I’ve tried to provide a list of high-performing options across price points, finishes, and undertones so that you can rediscover a favorite you already own (or something similar!) or narrow down to something on your wish list.
Pro tip: For those who feel they’re too heavy-handed, try a less-dense brush–a highlighting brush, fan brush, etc.–to pick up and to apply color. It is always easier to build up color than it is to take down, but if you ever go too heavy, here are two tricks: 1) use leftover foundation (on a brush or sponge) and gently dab over the edges to soften, 2) dust translucent or flesh-toned loose powder to soften.
Blushes like Make Up For Ever B308, B210, and B314 offer really skin-like finishes with really nice vibrancy and true-to-pan color. Cream blushes like Fenty’s Strawberry Drip along with ColourPop Totes / Sidewayz have both brighter color paired with almost dewy finishes that are perfect for getting all the summer vibes.
Wet 'n' Wild Bloom Time MegaGlo Highlighting Powder ($4.99 for 0.19 oz.) is a soft, pink-peach with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had...
Wet 'n' Wild Bloom Time MegaGlo Highlighting Powder ($4.99 for 0.19 oz.) is a soft, pink-peach with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had...
Anastasia Peach Fizz Loose Highlighter ($25.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a lighter, peachy coral with warmer undertones and a metallic finish. It had a lot of...
Anastasia Peach Fizz Loose Highlighter ($25.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a lighter, peachy coral with warmer undertones and a metallic finish. It had a lot of...
Make Up For Ever B308 Artist Face Color ($23.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a bright, medium orange-coral with warm undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had...
Make Up For Ever B308 Artist Face Color ($23.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a bright, medium orange-coral with warm undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had...
Surratt Beauty Parfait Artistique Blush ($32.00 for 0.20 oz.) is described as a "coral." It's a light-medium, coral-orange with warm undertones and a...
Surratt Beauty Parfait Artistique Blush ($32.00 for 0.20 oz.) is described as a "coral." It's a light-medium, coral-orange with warm undertones and a...
Make Up For Ever B210 Artist Face Color – Blush ($23.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a vibrant, medium pink with warm, yellow undertones and a satiny sheen. It...
Make Up For Ever B210 Artist Face Color – Blush ($23.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a vibrant, medium pink with warm, yellow undertones and a satiny sheen. It...
ColourPop My Sun and Stars Pressed Powder Blush ($7.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark pink-coral with subtle, warm undertones to its base and...
ColourPop My Sun and Stars Pressed Powder Blush ($7.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark pink-coral with subtle, warm undertones to its base and...
theBalm Hot Mama Shadow/Blush ($20.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a medium, pink-coral with warm undertones and a golden shimmer. It had good pigmentation--just...
theBalm Hot Mama Shadow/Blush ($20.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a medium, pink-coral with warm undertones and a golden shimmer. It had good pigmentation--just...
Buxom Mykonos Wanderlust Primer-Infused Blush ($22.00 for 0.13 oz.) is a bright, medium coral with a balance of pink and orange undertones and faint,...
Buxom Mykonos Wanderlust Primer-Infused Blush ($22.00 for 0.13 oz.) is a bright, medium coral with a balance of pink and orange undertones and faint,...
Clinique Peach Pop (02) Cheek Pop Blush ($25.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a pink-coral with a satin finish and warm undertones. The texture is soft and...
Clinique Peach Pop (02) Cheek Pop Blush ($25.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a pink-coral with a satin finish and warm undertones. The texture is soft and...
Make Up For Ever B314 Artist Face Color – Blush ($23.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a medium, pink-coral with warm undertones and fine, golden pearl. The...
Make Up For Ever B314 Artist Face Color – Blush ($23.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a medium, pink-coral with warm undertones and fine, golden pearl. The...
Fenty Beauty Strawberry Drip Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush ($20.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a brighter, medium-dark pink-coral with moderate, warm...
Fenty Beauty Strawberry Drip Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush ($20.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a brighter, medium-dark pink-coral with moderate, warm...
Natasha Denona Bloom Highlighter Blush (Mini) ($19.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark pink-coral with soft, warm undertones and a stronger,...
Natasha Denona Bloom Highlighter Blush (Mini) ($19.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark pink-coral with soft, warm undertones and a stronger,...
ColourPop Totes Blush Stix ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a rich coral with warm undertones and a barely-there pearl paired with a dewy finish. The blush...
ColourPop Totes Blush Stix ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a rich coral with warm undertones and a barely-there pearl paired with a dewy finish. The blush...
ColourPop Sidewayz Blush Stix ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a medium coral with warm undertones, but leans pinker, and warmer, coppery-gold pearl. It had...
ColourPop Sidewayz Blush Stix ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a medium coral with warm undertones, but leans pinker, and warmer, coppery-gold pearl. It had...
Sydney Grace Summer Love Pressed Blush ($9.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark orange-coral with warm undertones and fine, golden shimmer that...
Sydney Grace Summer Love Pressed Blush ($9.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark orange-coral with warm undertones and fine, golden shimmer that...
Rich Corals
The deeper a coral gets, the closer it gets to orange, copper, or red! I’ve included a mix of medium-dark to deep coral hues (a few that are officially categorized as copper or red, actually!).
Pro tip: A color can look less and less like it does in the pan when applied with a lighter hand or is really blended out (e.g. applied more sheerly). It’s important to assess what color you want on your cheeks and not just what a blush might look like heavily swatched or in the pan.
Heavy swatches are great for showing color payoff, undertone, and finish, but you will want to look at an as-applied or really blended out swatch to see how the base comes out. A good example is with red blush: bluer-based reds can look pinker when sheered out instead of true red!
Products like Flower Beauty’s Melon and ColourPop Mic Drop offer a cream/liquid format, which can be more forgiving when working with a deeper hue. I also find that cream formulas can look a bit truer-to-color even when sheered out.
I’m a huge fan of MAC’s Extra Dimension Blush range for a blush that offers a luminous finish with color impact (Cheeky Bits, Telling Glow, Faux Sure). These also work well as highlighting blushes (depending on your skin tone).
Surratt Beauty Brillante Idée Artistique Blush ($32.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark coral-orange with warm undertones and a satin finish. ...
Surratt Beauty Brillante Idée Artistique Blush ($32.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark coral-orange with warm undertones and a satin finish. ...
Dior 999 Rouge Blush ($44.00 for 0.23 oz.) is a rich coral-red with warm undertones and cooler, pink pearl that gives it a luminous sheen when applied...
Dior 999 Rouge Blush ($44.00 for 0.23 oz.) is a rich coral-red with warm undertones and cooler, pink pearl that gives it a luminous sheen when applied...
ColourPop Invite Only Blush Stix ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a medium-dark, coral-red with faint pearl and a subtle sheen. It was less dewy compared to...
ColourPop Invite Only Blush Stix ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a medium-dark, coral-red with faint pearl and a subtle sheen. It was less dewy compared to...
Flower Beauty Melon Blush Bomb ($9.99 for 0.3 oz.) is a medium-dark, true coral with warm undertones and a dewy sheen. It appeared slightly pinker...
Flower Beauty Melon Blush Bomb ($9.99 for 0.3 oz.) is a medium-dark, true coral with warm undertones and a dewy sheen. It appeared slightly pinker...
Ginger Pop (01) is a brighter, medium coral with moderate, warm undertones that were just barely orange-leaning but fairly well-balanced between pink...
Ginger Pop (01) is a brighter, medium coral with moderate, warm undertones that were just barely orange-leaning but fairly well-balanced between pink...
Chanel Malice (71) Joues Contraste Powder Blush ($45.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a medium pink-coral with warm undertones and a pearly sheen. MAC Fleeting...
Chanel Malice (71) Joues Contraste Powder Blush ($45.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a medium pink-coral with warm undertones and a pearly sheen. MAC Fleeting...
MAC Cheeky Bits Extra Dimension Blush ($28.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a bright, medium pink-coral with golden shimmer. It had semi-opaque, buildable...
MAC Cheeky Bits Extra Dimension Blush ($28.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a bright, medium pink-coral with golden shimmer. It had semi-opaque, buildable...
MAC Telling Glow Extra Dimension Blush ($28.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a bright, medium orange-coral with warm, red undertones and gold shimmer. It had good...
MAC Telling Glow Extra Dimension Blush ($28.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a bright, medium orange-coral with warm, red undertones and gold shimmer. It had good...
Surratt Beauty Ponceau Artistique Blush ($32.00 for 0.20 oz.) is described as a "poppy." It's a brightened, medium-dark pink-coral with warm...
Surratt Beauty Ponceau Artistique Blush ($32.00 for 0.20 oz.) is described as a "poppy." It's a brightened, medium-dark pink-coral with warm...
Make Up For Ever B316 Artist Face Color – Blush ($23.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a bright, medium pinky coral with warm undertones and a mostly matte...
Make Up For Ever B316 Artist Face Color – Blush ($23.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a bright, medium pinky coral with warm undertones and a mostly matte...
ColourPop Mic Drop Blush Stix ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a bright, vivid pink-coral with subtle, warm undertones and a natural finish. It had rich color...
ColourPop Mic Drop Blush Stix ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a bright, vivid pink-coral with subtle, warm undertones and a natural finish. It had rich color...
ColourPop Yes She Did Super Shock Cheek ($8.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a medium-dark, reddish-copper with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had a...
ColourPop Yes She Did Super Shock Cheek ($8.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a medium-dark, reddish-copper with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had a...
Thinking of You is a brighter, orange-coral with a matte finish.
- Opaque coverage
- Smooth, velvety, not powdery
- Picked up evenly with dry brush, applied...
Thinking of You is a brighter, orange-coral with a matte finish.
- Opaque coverage
- Smooth, velvety, not powdery
- Picked up evenly with dry brush, applied...
MAC Faux Sure Extra Dimension Blush ($28.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a medium-dark, rusty copper with warm, red undertones and fine, gold and pink pearl. It...
MAC Faux Sure Extra Dimension Blush ($28.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a medium-dark, rusty copper with warm, red undertones and fine, gold and pink pearl. It...
Taos is a rich, coppery plum with warm undertones and a pearly sheen. The blush was intensely pigmented, while the texture was soft, smooth, and just...
Taos is a rich, coppery plum with warm undertones and a pearly sheen. The blush was intensely pigmented, while the texture was soft, smooth, and just...
Great guide and tips! Coral blush is my absolute favorite.
Lots of lovely picks! Some of which I have (Essence Satin Coral, Maybelline Rose Gold Molton Highlighter, Flower Beauty Melon) or intend to get. Then there’s a few shades of coral that I have that, while not amongst these, I really enjoy using and love the look of too: MAC Spring Flock, Nars Fetishised, HG Lucid Glow. Coral blush (and lipstick!) always feel like they herald the arrival of summer!
Some really pretty blushes here. I also really like the Milani Luminoso, which I think would fit in very well with some of these others. I really wanted to Sydney Grace Peach Kisses but I couldn’t find it on their site. (so I picked up some others)
You can find Peach Kisses in their highlighter section, as both a fair and medium option!
Such beautiful picks. Anyone who is fair and uses Hologlam, what brush are you getting the best payoff with? My husband got this for me for Valentine’s Day (what timing!!!), and in spite of how pale I am, I don’t even look like I am wearing blush when it is on. Any tips or tricks are appreciated, because it swatches beautifully.
I usually use Sonia G’s Face Two!
Oh yeah, she is much smaller than what I have been using. I’m gonna have to do some research and play around with this!
I can’t speak to Hologlam specifically (and I don’t have fair skin), BUT I have found that when you’re looking for a ‘heavier’ powder application, best options are natural brushes, or a makeup sponge or puff. Using a sponge or puff can be a bit trickier to blend out, but you can use a brush around the edges to help with that. Hope that helps!
This is just fabulous Christine – what a stunning array of coral blushes!. I think coral shades are the most flattering on all skintones and what I most like about the above list is how they are all subtly different. I tend to hover between the light and medium shades, although for a blush I would go for Hot Mama and Peach Pop.
Coral just isn’t a great colour on me for the most part. I have Hot Mama (it came in the Balmbini palette, so wasn’t a choice) and have considered buying Dior’s 999 for quite some time but never took the plunge. But years and years ago, Sephora had an amazingly affordable cheek trio of their Los Cabos bronzer, and 2 blushes – Blushing Pink, which I thought would be an all-time favourite, and Coral Punch, which I figured I’d never use but which turned out to be the huge surprise, in a good way. It leans more toward the pinky-red side of coral – a lot like 999 or Strawberry Drip. And seeing this post, I’m thinking I’ll dig that trio out and start using it some more.
Coral (and orange) is my big weakness too! In particular when we are talking about lipsticks? Do you planning to do something similar about lipsticks? In that case I bet you that I’m going to have most of the shades you’ll mentioned, no matter if light or deep coral, if pinky, orangish or reddish corals, I have almost every shade! About blushes, I tend to gravitate toward medium and dark corals. I’m not deep by any means, I’m light, l medium when I got tan (which it’s quite easy for me) but most of the blushes meant for light skin, barely show up on me…