10 best blushers for dark skin tones: Plums, bronzes, corals and deep reds

Arguably one of most pigmented blushers on the market, the powder formula from Chanel truly lives up to the brand’s reputation of producing luxurious complexion products. With an iridescent hue and subtle floral scent, this blush has all the markings of a traditional compact with all of the fun of a deep yet demure pink colour. Its build-ability makes it a super versatile blush and we loved how this looked on bare skin on minimal make-up days. Unlike most powder formulas, this blush rose to the occasion when we applied it using our fingers, making it perfect for adding a little lustre to cheeks without disturbing the make-up underneath. Although for ultimate application wins, we found that using a brush was best.

The original black girl-friendly high street brand Sleek is a go-to for affordable yet reliable complexion products and this blush is no different. The pretty compact is packed filled with glitzy pigment, making it a no brainer grown-up dark skin-approved replacement for the ash-stricken blushers found in teenage make-up gifts sets. We loved that this blush because of its immense colour pay off and product to packaging ratio fit for daily brush dips and experiential monochromatic eye-cheek-lip beauty looks.

This multitasker from RMS is the stuff of hydration dreams. Packed with shea and cocoa butter and a deeply pigmented red sheen, this is the wonder product that just keeps giving. Pop it on your cheeks for a warm lived-in dew and on the lips on no make-up days for a complexion pick me up. We loved the boldness of this creamy blusher, but the distinct natural fragrance does take some getting used to. However, any initial scent apprehension is quickly swept away by this blusher’s versatility and infallible tones.

The cream blush from editorial-worthy beauty brand Kjaer Weis is exactly what you need if you’re looking for a chic, environmentally-conscious option. The shade lovely is just that, a deep berry-toned offering that’s suited to dark skin across all undertones. The super sleek packaging is refillable making it a perfect brand to note for upcoming beauty buys. We loved that this blusher provided us with a dusting of colour and the creamy formulation allowed for great build-ability when warmed between fingertips.

Who doesn’t love a multi-purpose palette? For luxurious versatility and glow, this essentials palette from Burberry does exactly what it says on the packet. If you’re not quite ready to dive into the blush trend, the sculpting bronzers and lit from within highlighters in the palette are there to help you ease in. We loved the middle blush in shade coral for a warm sun kissed look on even the dullest of winter days. 

At first glance, the “glow” and “swish” powders in this compact can appear muted and therefore unsuitable for dark skin, however with a buff of a brush this blush transforms – just like magic. The beautifully rich shades provide an added depth which makes cheekbones appear sculpted. We found that both formulas worked best in unison, so a large fluffy brush swished across both rings was more than enough for a buildable glow. Be advised though this is not the one to reach for when looking for a matte finish. 

High street fashion powerhouses have been quick to relish in the big business that is beauty over the past few years, but few have managed to make a truly notable mark in the space. This & Other Stories blusher in “marrabas mole” may not be able to singlehandedly cement its place in the beauty stardom but it sure comes close. Build-ability wise, this is a one-stop dust over the nose and cheeks job, and is definitely not for the faint of heart. The sumptuously warm orange blusher is a perfect holiday-eque beauty buy, ideal for making a statement.

This blush packs a punch. Vivid pink is the main headline here and with a bright pink colour pay off that doesn’t hold back. We tried this on both medium coverage foundation as well as a heavy duty complexion base, and loved the flushed yet matte finish, an unexpected winner on dark skin. Heavy hands beware, however, as it is easy to over-do. We loved this for more adventurous and experimental make-up days. 

Brain child and namesake brand of make-up artist heavyweight, Gucci Westman, is on its way to making big waves in the UK beauty space. This poppy-pink hued blusher stick is just a tiny taste of the expertly put together collection but it’s a fool proof place to begin. It offers a perfect flush of colour, whether dabbed on to cheeks, lids or lips to create a natural-looking dewy finish. The high pigment pay off from this stick did not compromise its build-ability and versatility, but considering that it’s just a solo stick, it’s not as good value for money in comparison to multi-use palettes in the same budget bracket.

A bold purple addition into the blusher mix for dark skin tones is always a good idea. The impact of the Rihanna fronted make-up brand on tone inclusivity is one that was deeply felt across the beauty industry. Fenty Beauty’s game changing approach to complexion products spans further than foundations and all the way to bright innovative blushers. Rather than colouring in the plummy red lines, this ultra-violet purple is an updated approach to the deep purples that normally translate well across both warm and cooler undertones. Although we loved this futuristically bright colour, there’s 10 other shades available in the range if you’d prefer something more muted.