Blush Colors You Should Stay Away From If You're Older

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The internet has a diagnosis for everything these days — and that includes your makeup. "Blush blindness" is another entry in the online glossary of aesthetic missteps: a term for overdoing the blush, especially when your cheek color clashes with the rest of your face. As we age, it becomes easier to fall into the trap.

According to LA-based hair and makeup artist Luna Viola, "Blush can be aging with the wrong application," she exclusively told Women. "Applying blush too low under the cheekbones can create a sagging effect, dragging the face down." Precise blush placement can have the opposite effect, however. "When applied higher up on the cheekbones, blush can add definition and lift in the face adding a more youthful look," Viola added. For the perfect placement, try the old-fashioned smile technique.

Of course, it's not just a matter of where you apply it; what you're applying can be just as unforgiving. The beauty of blush lies in how little it takes to revive the entire face, giving warmth and lift for a vivacious visage. But as the canvas changes, so must the pigment. So few of us are ever taught to edit our palettes with age. Instead, we fall into old patterns, relying on familiar shades that no longer do what we think they do. And like so many makeup mistakes that are aging you, the result is almost always unflattering.

The fact that even our most beloved shades can eventually turn on us is a cruel twist. But the good news is, knowing what to avoid makes finding flattering colors all the easier. With a few smart swaps, you can bring blush back into your routine in a way that feels fresh again. "Ladies with older skin [should] avoid bright saturated colors and matte browns," Luna Viola said, adding that these colors can read as "harsh" and "accentuate fine lines." Matte brown tends to sap light from the face rather than reflect it. Meanwhile, high-saturation hues demand more attention than they deserve, calling out contrast instead of creating harmony.

If you're embracing silver hair, tone matters even more. The best makeup colors to wear with gray hair lean towards warmth and softness, like soft roses and warm corals. In an exclusive interview with Women, Viola notes these shades "can smooth imperfection and add a fresh radiant appearance," in addition to helping restore the natural warmth that silver hair can mute.

Texture matters too. Chalky, matte powders cling to dry patches and settle into the skin's creases — an effect that seldom complements. Viola suggests a softer approach: cream blushes that blend more naturally into the skin, offering a healthy sheen. You could even try the watercolor blush trend for a more natural, moisturizing look. Some of the most fine-tuned cream blush formulas include Beauty Pie's Supercheek and Fenty's Cheeks Out Freestyle, which deliver the color without the heaviness.