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My issue with blush

anne

Veteran

I love pink. I wear it often, particularly hot pink, and also paler pink. But blush - well so often, particularly when it is a top, I find myself thinking "I'd prefer that as white".

Someone (Lisap?) spoke about blush being muddier - and I don't like muddy colours on myself. The blush items I have tried, which have often looked great on the shelf, don't go well with my olive complexion.

Does anyone feel the same way - or should I change this preference?

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

Aida

Veteran

Anne I think blush covers a little range of shades (as with any color). I don't wear the muddy blushes, either -- I opt for those that are clearly mixed with white and NOT brown or gray. Probably more of a baby pink than what most think of as "blush" but the visual effect would be pretty much the same if that suits your coloring more than the muddier blush shades. Clearer peaches will work in lieu as well. I wear both of those over the dustier blushes

(EDIT: In my WIW from today all the "blush" shades are the clearer pinks/peaches I'm describing. The effect may be a little "brighter" than a muted blush would be in the same context, but hey that's what suits my coloring.)

Anonymous

I like blush in theory, less so on myself. I'm not ruling it out, but it would have to be a shade that doesn't wash me out. Not blush, but Peach is my poison eye color (on myself). Don't most people have one color they just dislike on themselves? My mom hates to wear gray, which depending on shade, I love to wear.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

There's probably a great blush for everyone, but it might take some searching to find it. I remember Diana did a very interesting post comparing different blushes and she did find one that looked lovely on her in the end.

The peachy versions are horrible on me. It has to be a cooler blush or it won't work with my complexion and even if it does work, it won't be one of my best colours. It's nice combined though. I have a sweater that combines blush, black, and white, and it works surprisingly well.

Sal

Veteran

I suspect we suit similar colours Anne although you are blonder than me. I can wear a peachy blush quite well, but look horrible in cooler blushes/muddy blushes. I like a little contrast with my skin too, otherwise i feel "off".

I guess it depends if you want to wear it or not...

anne

Veteran

Yes Sally, at the glacial pace my wardrobe acquires things it is a bit of an academic point! I haven't checked recently but I'm not sure the budget has recovered from the "2 pair of running shoes in one year" hit it took.

DonnaF

Veteran

I was just thinking: Maybe *blush* is the color of one's own cheeks when one blushes. Thus, there are nearly as many blush shades as there are skin colors, and each of us has a flattering *blush* color.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I'm partially color blind and while I can see pink is different from red and can even recognize blush on occasion, I just can't see 'cooler' blush from 'warmer' blush. Warm tones look terrible on me....so I simply don't have any blush in my wardrobe. Though I really love the idea of blush.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I like blush in theory and on other people, but I have never really found a shade I like on me well enough to wear. I always feel like it just washes me out or just sort of blends in with me. I've tried various ones and still no luck. It probably doesn't help that I don't see many pieces in blush that are styles that appeal to me.

Peri

Veteran

I'm the same way...and I really think a lot of it has to do with vocabulary. Were all of those pictures from Angie's post today "blush"? I wouldn't have called many of them that...lots of bright baby pink to me. Not pale baby pink. See...words.

The one time I ordered something described as blush, it looked pale pink on my monitor. IRL it was way more tan than pink, and went back really quickly. So, what is blush really? I doubt there is an answer for that. I'll be dense...I don't know what to call the shades of pink I like, I just know what I like. And don't like.

anne

Veteran

Yes Peri - I agree that lots of them were baby pink - which I like!

jenanded

Veteran

I too needed a cooler and more vibrant colour or it washes me out. Hower I did get a little blush top with a navy edging and it plays nicely with a navy jacket and skirt. It is the only time such a colour has ever worked for me so hearing your and others concerns...

Bijou

Veteran

Any blush that veers into the nude tones is not good for me. I have blonde hair and fair skin, and nude tones wash me out. I need a more pink based blush and items in these tones are favourites for me. I have a light wool coat that is a bit of a warmer blush but because I often wear a scarf with it, the scarf puts colour next to my face. Blush is a great way to get a light colour into your wardrobe, particularly in winter when dark shades dominate.

Summer

Veteran

Same here, Anne. Although pinker versions do exist, I find that most veer too far towards peach, or are simply much too pale.
I'd stick with your pinks unless you can find the perfect pink-based blush.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Blush does not need to be muddy. Your version of blush can be ice pink.

Anonymous

It sounds like an icy baby pink is your blush Anne. Bet it would be great on you.

Anonymous

A darker ice pink is great on me but blush washes me out. I have dark brown hair and very pale colours aren't that great on me.

Aziraphale

Veteran

This touches on a problem I was having last week when talking about colour analysis. When we use a word to describe a colour, it's often not exact. To me, "blush" means any shade of very pale, barely-pink, but it could be anything from a delicate warm pink to a muddier, pale brownish-pink. Perhaps I just have my definition of the word wrong, but it's also possible that there is a blush for everybody -- sort of like how there's a red for everybody?

Sara L.

Veteran

I think of blush as being various shades of pale pink. I have several pieces I would call blush and some are muddier than others. I only have them in bottoms, so I'm not sure whether it's a good color for me or not.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I echo, Sara. I have lots of blush, and they are ALL different. Pale pink or nude-y peach is the best way to describe them. Blush is NOT tan or beige.

KikiG

Veteran

Blush next to my face washes me out, so I have blush--almost ballet pink--casual pants from WHBM, which I wear with high contrast tops, like black or burgundy, as an alternative to white pants. I really thought I'd like this more than I actually do. I may not blush again.

tulle

Veteran

I like Donna's idea of choosing the blush pink that tones with one's own blushing cheeks! For me, that means clear, cool light pink. But my golden-skinned daughter looks beautiful and delicate in peachy-nude blushes.

Elle

Veteran

I also have a hard time finding a blush shade that I like near my face. The peachy ones are too orange for my skin and the cooler ones wash me out. So I default to ballet pink for tops. I do have a great blush purse - alas, can't be worn with ballet pink tops but looks great with pastel blues.

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Blush is such a pretty color and Aida's and Diane's comments on your thread here really clarify it for me, too, so I hope you find a shade that works for you. I recall a peachy silk one I was eyeing a couple of years ago, which seemed to bring out my cheek colors and although I didn't buy it, the blouse was gorgeous (photo quality not the best).

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Sal

Veteran

I think it is a fairly new word - there used to be peach, apricot and baby pink....And then nude was the word for a while... but I think this is slightly different to blush.

There has been a lot of blush/nude/pale pink around here for the last couple of years in chain stores - while I like it I wish there was more choice of colour!!