I'll be honest, the first time I saw purple blush on my feed I thought it was a filter. Then it kept showing up. Lilac cheeks, mauve cheeks, that slightly cold, flushed look like you just walked in from the wind. So I finally tried it, and now I get why the purple blush trend isn't going anywhere this fall.

If the pan looks scary, I get it. But on skin most of these go on way softer than they look. Here's what I figured out, plus the Korean blushes I'd actually start with.

Why it works (I had to look this up)

Purple and yellow sit opposite each other on the color wheel, so a sheer lavender wash kind of cancels out that tired, sallow look. My skin goes a bit yellow in winter and a lilac blush makes me look more awake than any highlighter does.

Deeper plums are also nice for a little shape. I put them slightly higher, right under the cheekbone, and it reads like a soft contour with color instead of a muddy brown line.

Okay but which purple?

This is where I messed up at first. I grabbed the darkest shade because it looked pretty in the swatch, and it was a lot. The rule I go by now: if you're fair, stay in pale lavender and lilac. Medium and olive skin can go soft violet, mauve and berry. Deeper skin tones look amazing in plum, grape and wine, and honestly the lighter lilacs can turn ashy, so go richer.

Whatever you pick, use less than you think and blend it upward. Low and heavy is how you get the bruise look.

The easiest one to start with

Peripera Syrupy Tok Cheek liquid blush on a pink background — Peripera Syrupy Tok Cheek

If you only try one, make it Peripera Syrupy Tok Cheek. It's a liquid blush with a syrup-like texture, you press the button, get a drop on your finger, and tap. It goes on clear and glowy and it didn't move my foundation around, which is my biggest issue with liquid blush.

The shades I'd look at are 02 Milky Lavender if you want it soft and 10 Pale Lavender if you're really pale. 03 Friendship Mauve is the safe in-between.

Basically colored water, in a good way

FEEV Hyper-Fit Color Serum tubes on a pink background — FEEV Hyper-Fit Color Serum

FEEV Hyper-Fit Color Serum is a watery serum tint, and I mean watery. Shake it first and go slow, because it's low viscosity and it will run if you're dramatic with it (ask me how I know). The payoff is super clear, so you layer it until it looks right.

Icy Lavender is the purple one and it's the most "I'm cold" shade on this list. It's also vegan certified, if that matters to you.

For a mauve that looks like your own cheeks

Model wearing Peripera Pure Blushed Sunshine Cheek — Peripera Pure Blushed Sunshine Cheek

Not every purple has to be loud. Peripera Pure Blushed Sunshine Cheek spreads like watercolor, light and see-through, and it doesn't clump when you go back in for a second layer.

029 Dusty Mauve is the one I keep reaching for on days I don't want anyone to clock that I'm wearing purple. 024 Mauve Cream is a little warmer.

The lilac one I wanted as soon as I saw it

3CE Bouncy Blur Balm in a lilac shade on a pink background — 3CE Bouncy Blur Balm

3CE Bouncy Blur Balm has this jelly cream texture that melts in when you pat it with your finger. No powdery finish, and it doesn't dry out by the afternoon.

The shade is Lilac Whisper and it's exactly what it sounds like. You can also put it on your lids, which I did on a lazy morning and it actually looked planned.

Two colors, so you can cheat

Models holding 2aN Dual Cheek blush palettes — 2aN Dual Cheek

The reason I like 2aN Dual Cheek for this trend is you get two shades side by side, so if the purple is too much you just mix in the other one. It's a melting cream texture that blends easily even with a brush.

01 Cotton Candy Violet is the purple pick. 13 Berry Cupid is the berry version if you're medium or deeper and want something richer.

The one living in my bag

Model wearing 2aN Pocket Cotton Blurring Stick on cheeks and lips — 2aN Pocket Cotton Blurring Stick

2aN Pocket Cotton Blurring Stick is a twist-up stick for lips, cheeks and eyes. Dab, blend, done, and it gives a sheer watercolor finish that doesn't go patchy.

06 Cream Mauve is a soft purple-pink, and 03 Berry Milk if you want it a bit brighter. Doing the same shade on cheeks and lips is the easiest way to make this look feel intentional.

If you want it juicy, not matte

Amuse Lip & Cheek Healthy Balm compacts stacked on a pink background — Amuse Lip & Cheek Healthy Balm

Amuse Lip & Cheek Healthy Balm has two textures in one compact and works on lips, cheeks and eyes. It's made with 70% essence so it has this wet, fruity glow.

04 Grape Balm is the purple shade and it's really pretty on medium and deeper skin. On my fair skin I sheer it out a lot.

For oily skin people

Rom&nd Better Than Cheek powder blush compacts on a light background — Rom&nd Better Than Cheek

Cream blush slides off my friend's cheeks by lunch, so for her it's powder. Rom&nd Better Than Cheek has sweat and sebum absorbing powder, a soft matte finish, and the fine particles give a blurred, airbrushed look instead of a chalky one.

C02 Blueberry Chip is the cool purple-pink. N02 Vine Nude is more of a muted mauve if you want something quieter.

If you're still on the fence, start sheer and go from there. Worst case, you put a little peach on top and nobody knows. You can see every shade in our blush collection.

MAKEUP

Purple Blush Is Everywhere Right Now: The K-Beauty Shades I'd Actually Try

FAQ

Does purple blush work on every skin tone?

Yes, it's more about the depth of the shade than the color itself. Fair skin usually suits pale lavender and lilac, medium and olive skin looks great in soft violet, mauve and berry, and deeper skin tones can go for rich plum and grape shades.

Why does purple blush make skin look brighter?

Purple sits opposite yellow on the color wheel, so a sheer lavender wash can tone down sallowness and make the cheeks look a little fresher.

Is cream, liquid or powder blush better for purple shades?

If you're nervous, start with a sheer liquid or a balm because you can build it up slowly with your fingers. Powder is easier to keep in place on oily skin.

How do I keep purple blush from looking bruised?

Use very little, blend it up toward the cheekbone instead of low on the cheek, and tap a warmer pink or peach on top if it still feels too cool.

Written by Hyerin Park

Hyerin has always loved shopping—fashion, beauty, and pretty much anything worth adding to cart. Since starting Baerry, that habit has turned into testing dozens of new beauty products that land on the team’s desks in Seoul, plus plenty she buys herself. An ISTJ with a very high bar for what makes the cut, she treats her own face as the testing ground before recommending anything.