A Complete Guide on How to Find the Perfect Cheek Tint for You

By Emma Izquierdo

Ready to meet your new favorite cheek tint? Say hello to our Sheer For It Blush Tint. Our lightweight formula delivers a soft kiss of color that’s totally buildable, blendable, and made to play. Not sure which shade is perfectly right for you or how to build and layer them for the perfect pop of color? We’re breaking it all down in our ultimate guide below.

Whether you're going for a barely-there or bold and vibrant makeup look, each blush shade gives you the freedom to customize your flush exactly how you like it. And at an affordable price point, you can scoop up all of your favorite shades without splurging!

Why Choosing the Right Blush Shade Matters

Blush isn’t just the cherry on top of your makeup look—it’s the cheeky little secret for bringing your whole makeup look to life. Wearing the right blush shade (and placing it just right) can help highlight your features, add warmth, and give your complexion that effortlessly radiant finish.

The best part: every blush shade can be for everyone—it all just comes down to preference. The magic is in the placement and layering. Some shades may make your skin tone pop more than others, but that just means you've got multiple favorites to work with.

Whether you’re going for a soft glow or a bold statement, choosing a hue that complements your skin tone is key to unlocking that “you, but extra” energy. Want to learn where to place your blush based on your face shape? Check out our blush placement guide.

Pink Positive – Sheer Pink Cheek Tint

Looking for a soft flush of color that pops just right? Think: a touch of color that adds life without overpowering your natural glow. Pink Positive is our favorite choice if you’re going for that gentle petal-pink blush look. Apply blush on the apples of your cheeks and blend upward toward the temples for a fresh-faced finish.

Dab onto the high points of your cheeks and blend out with our tint blending brush.

Plums Up – Sheer Plum Cheek Tint

Craving something a bit moody but still soft? Plums Up is a dreamy multi-use tint that delivers a natural-looking flush with a sheer plum hue.

This versatile shade complements a wide range of skin tones and pairs beautifully with both minimal, fresh-faced makeup looks and more dramatic evening styles, adding a touch of romantic color that appears naturally flushed.

Bonus tip: Layer with a light hand and build as you go. Our cheek tint formula is super customizable, so you can keep things soft or go bolder.

Orange Crush – Sheer Orange Cheek Tint

Looking for a more sun-kissed makeup look? Orange Crush is the perfect vibrant mix of warm peach and soft coral that always delivers.

The warm hue of this cheek tint shade adds an unexpected yet flattering warmth to all skin tones, perfect for creating a fresh appearance that mimics the natural flush you get after a day at the beach.

Left on Red – Sheer Red Cheek Tint

Ready for a juicy pop of color? If so, then Left on Red is the perfect blush shade for you. This lightweight formula delivers a captivating flush of color that transforms your complexion with a romantic, flushed-from-within glow.

For a striking makeup look, pair this vibrant tint with minimal eye makeup and a clear lip to let the blush be the focal point, or incorporate it into a monochromatic red makeup moment by coordinating with a matching red lip.

Cherry Cola – Sheer Black Cherry Cheek Tint

Cherry Cola offers a sumptuous deep burgundy flush, bringing that effortless drama that warms up the complexion beautifully.

This buildable formula allows you to control the intensity—from a subtle hint of color for daytime to a more dramatic flush for evening glamour—making this shade a versatile addition to any makeup collection.

Why We Love this Buildable Cheek Stain Formula

Need a little extra pigment to make a shade pop on your skin tone? Just layer it up—our incredibly buildable tints are designed to work with you, not against you!

Depending on the makeup look you’re going for, add one swipe of our blush tint to your cheeks for a natural makeup look using our blush blending brush. Need an extra pop? Simply add an extra swipe or two!

Focus your blush just above the apples of your cheeks for a sculpted lift, and layer as needed for your perfect flush. Like we said, because of our light and buildable formula, you’re always in control of how bold or soft you want your blush look to be.

How to Use Our Cheek Tint as a Lip Stain

Big news for makeup minimalists or anyone who loves an effortless and all-over flushed look: our cheek tint doubles as a lip tint! If you're into a just-pinched pop of color that looks like you just wrapped a hot yoga class, this cheek stain is for you.

Thanks to its ultra-watery formula, you can swipe it onto lips then pat and blur for a seamless, lived-in look. Each of our five shades can be built upon for a light wash of color or a bold, full lip. If you want a more pulled-together finish, layer our Glow Reviver Lip Oil on top for a hit of glossy hydration. Feel free to match your lip and cheek shade for a cohesive look, or switch your shades up to keep your makeup look playful and dynamic!

Blush Layering

We love that flirty and natural flushed effect, and it’s all because of our cheek tint’s buildability. Tint formulas, while fast drying, are great for keeping it soft and subtle or dialing it all the way up without ever looking overdone.

Want to create your own signature shade? Try mixing two tint shades together (hello, Pink Positive and Orange Crush!) or layering different tones on the apples vs. the cheekbones for a natural gradient effect. You can even pop a brighter shade on top for a finishing touch that brings everything to life.

Because our formula blends so easily, it’s ideal for experimenting and playing with color without the commitment. One product, endless possibilities—just the way we like it.

Blush Formulas: Get to Know the e.l.f.ing Difference

When it comes to blush, formula really matters—and we bring the blendable, buildable pigment in every format. Here’s the breakdown:

  • Powder blushes give a soft, matte finish and are great for oily skin or layering.

  • Cream blushes melt into the skin for a dewy, skin-like glow.

  • Liquid blushes offer buildable pigment with a fresh, radiant finish.

Blush tints are in their own league—watery, super lightweight, and designed to give you that sheer, flushed look without feeling heavy. Think that just-pinched look after a workout.