I am very much a play-it-safe kind of girl when it comes to makeup. Never will you ever catch me in a colored mascara (brown is the limit of my experimentation), a red lip (scary), or blue eyeshadow. With that being said, you can imagine my complete and utter shock when I became the biggest fan of—wait for it—the purple blush trend. “It looks a little wild in the pan, but on the skin it reads way softer and more like a fresh, cool-toned flush,” celebrity makeup artist Lisa Aharon tells me. “Think of it as a brightening blush rather than purple; it wakes the face up in a really pretty way.”
It seems that we collectively just all got the memo that purple is the new pink, too. According to beauty and wellness marketplace Fresha, searches for purple makeup have surged 229 percent in the past month. Add that to the fact that the orchid-esque tone made its way onto multiple Fall/Winter 2026 runways (read: Carolina Herrera, Balenciaga, and Khaite), and it’s clear that this is about to be the it-color of the summer. “I think we’re craving something that feels a little different but still wearable. Purple blush is giving us that modern, almost editorial twist without being over the top,” adds Aharon.
But as with anything in the makeup world, the finish is only as good as the formula. Lucky for you, I’ve been busy testing more purple blushes than I know what to do with. My favorite (and Lisa’s favorite) is still under embargo (I promise to spill the tea when I’m allowed), but there really are so many gorgeous shades of violet out there. To shop our go-to purple blushes, and get some extra tips from Aharon, keep reading.
The Best Purple Blushes
Aharon calls this the “perfect wearable violet that blends like a dream.” It does run a bit pinky, so if you’re still intimidated—despite my best efforts to calm you down—this is a fabulous Purple Starter Blush. Bonus: it comes with a blush brush in the compact.
Selena’s blushes need no introduction. But if you’re unfamiliar, let it be known that these babies are ultra pigmented. When we say a little goes a long way, we mean it. A saftey pin tip-sized dot will be plenty for you to achieve the purple blush vibe.
For a softer, diffused look, the gives you that cool-toned flush without feeling too “done,” Aharon recommends this guy. It’s a reminder that purple blush doesn’t have to be reserved for a big night out or fancy event; it’s very wearable on the day-to-day.
If you have a deeper skin tone, Rihanna has created the chef’s kiss of purple colors. It’s a super deep plum with great pigment and even better staying power. I actually recommend applying this formula with your fingers, too, so it really couldn’t be easier.
Yes, foundation matters when you’re trying to blur your pores, but so does blush (!!). This blurring formula truly creates an airbrushed finish. The matte formula also helps smooth out any textured spots and is ideal for oily skin types. A win-win-win.
Ok, hear me out: these eyeshadows came out this past week and are incredible. While this is technically for the eyes, the formula is so creamy, long lasting, and sheer that I love swiping a little on my cheekbones. Don’t knock it until you try it—trust me.
Orgasm gets all the hype (and rightfully so), but the shade Hunger is a sleeper hit. It’s a very cool-toned plum that looks good on fair to deep skin tones. There is a hint of shimmer in the powder, but it’s more of a light-catching sparkle than a true glitter.
While Euphoria makeup isn’t as out-there as it’s been in the past two seasons, we still have a Big Reasons to thank the show’s makeup artist Donni Davy. Case in point: this stunning magenta plum blush with the craziest pigment payoff. While the other purples on my list are softer, this baby has a true violet finish.
If this matte, satin blush is good enough for Dua Lipa, it’s good enough for me. The compact is so chic to pull out of my bag and the deep plum hue looks particularly gorgeous on olive skin tones.
How Do I Pick a Purple Blush for My Skin Tone?
Purple blush is a little tricky because the color you see in the pan isn’t quite how it actually shows up on your skin. The key, says Aharon is to pay attention to undertones. So if your skin is fair or light (hi, yes, that would be me), a softer lilac or lavendar is the way to go. “Medium to tan skin can handle something a bit richer, like a rosy violet,” she adds. For deeper skin tones, reach for a saturated plum shade.
How Do I Apply Purple Blush?
The key is to start small; go in with a light dusting and build up until your desired finish. Everything else—bronzer, highlighter—should stay pretty minimal to keep the purple tint the focus. “A neutral or slightly warm bronzer works best and adds dimension without competing,” says Aharon. “For highlight, think champagne, pearl, or even something with a subtle pink shift; don’t pick anything icy or metallic.”
Why Trust Marie Claire
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.”
