While red blush has always been part of the beauty scene, it often takes a backseat to pinks, oranges, and even berry tones. But leave it to rms beauty’s Founder Rose-Marie Swift to give red its well-deserved moment in the spotlight.
In June 2024, rms beauty posted a TikTok video of Rose-Marie applying the brand’s Lip2Cheek in Beloved on a model’s cheeks, sharing why she always opted for red blush during her time as a makeup artist for Victoria’s Secret.
“When I did makeup for Victoria’s Secret, the models always had to look very natural,” Rose-Marie explains. “They had a beautiful flush of color, and a lot of people think it’s pink, but it wasn’t—it was red.”
The audio went viral, leaving us all wondering: have we been sleeping on the most-flattering blush shade all along? Contrary to popular belief, the right shade of red can serve as more of a universally-flattering neutral than a clownish pop of color. It may look bold and intimidating in the pan, but once you swipe it on, it offers the perfect, natural flush.
Ready to try it for yourself? From cherry to strawberry and apple, here are five red blushes you need in your beauty bag.
rms beauty Lip2Cheek in Beloved , $36
The red blush that kicked off the online frenzy—it’s perfectly balanced, not too blue or yellow, making it flattering for all skin tones.
Charlotte Tilbury Lip and Cheek Glow in Sun-Blushed Glow , $40
This fiery red blush melts onto the skin, offering weightless, buildable color with a dewy, sun-kissed glow.
Nudestix Gel Color Lip and Cheek Balm in Wicked , $27
This rich, deep red boasts a super-moisturizing, balmy texture that delivers a glossy, never-sticky shine.
Jeffree Star Cosmetics Magic Candy Liquid Blush in Blood Sugar , $26
Tap, blend, and enjoy a blurring, long-lasting hot red flush that dries down to a gorgeous satin matte finish.
Dominique Cosmetics Pillow Soft Hydrating Lip + Cheek Stain in Satin Rouge , $22
Apply it and forget it. This long-lasting flush adds a vivid, glossy payoff that fills in fine lines and then settles into a natural, healthy-looking finish.
