Brown Blushes Are The Makeup Trend You'll See Everywhere In 2024
Close your eyes and imagine a blush shade. You're probably thinking of something pink or coral-toned right? Well, that's about to change, because 2024 is all about brown blush. Yeah, you read that right. Brown. Of course, many of us probably have a brown shade in our makeup bags already. We apply it to the cheek area either as a contour or bronzer shade, either in the hollows of the face for a little dimension or the high points for a sunkissed glow. But now the shade is making its way to the main part of the cheek. Why? Well, brown blush can be a more natural-looking alternative to the pink tones (or orange tones) we're used to seeing.
It may also be an extension of the blush trends we've been seeing in recent years, where people want a sun-kissed glow without risking sun damage. You may remember the sunburn blush trend was all about that back in 2022. "We all like the sun-kissed effect on our skin, but now that we're being safe with the sun, we're going to use makeup to recreate it," makeup artist Violette explained to British Vogue. And brown blush is perfect for giving you this look. It'll look like you've spent some good time outdoors so your cheeks will look like they've developed a healthy tan — but with no sun damage at all. But how easy is it to pull off? Well, allow us to show you.
Go soft and cool if your skin's on the lighter side
We know, the idea of brown blush can be particularly scary if you have lighter skin. But trust us when we say anyone can pull this look off — if you pick the right shade. Lighter-skinned beauties looking to rock brown blush will most likely suit a cooler shade that leans more towards grays than oranges in its undertones. Anything too dark or orange-leaning will look unnatural. And always remember to have a light hand when applying, you can always add more if you need it!
Darker skin tones will suit darker brown blushes
The darker your skin tone, the darker you can experiment with your brown blush. Something darker with an orange or even red undertone will look stunning on darker-skinned beauties, as they'll compliment any warm undertones. If you're really stuck on what shade to pick though, Bobbi Brown artist-in-residence and celebrity makeup artist Mali Thomas told Marie Claire that cocoa shades will work any almost all skin tones.
Keep an eye on your placement
Another thing to know about brown blush is that you need to be careful about your placement. It's pretty easy for a brown shade to look muddy quickly (hey, we've all been there with our bronzer, right?) so try not to apply the shade anywhere you wouldn't usually place your blush. When in doubt, try the old-fashioned smile trick for perfect blush every time.
Remember that brown blushes don't always look brown on the skin
If you're really apprehensive about giving brown blush a go, keep in mind that not all brown blushes actually look super brown on the skin. Particularly if you're going in with a light hand, brown blushes can usually have a more pink or orange look on the skin rather than looking full-on brown — just in a more natural way. "It just adds a nice flush of color to your face," TikTok beauty influencer @blushinwithb explained.
Don't be afraid to go shimmery and brown
Just like with literally any other shade of blush, a little shimmer can go a long way. So don't be afraid of it! Many people use brown blushes when they're going for a bronzed look, so applying one to your cheeks with a built-in shimmer will give you a stunning, sun-kissed glow. A brown shimmery shade will look particularly gorgeous on those with a darker complexion, giving a lit-from-within glow.