True Mauve

Situated between violet and pink on the color wheel, mauve is a great transition color when leaving the warmer summer days behind. The bluish-purple blush shade is subtly striking and looks beautiful whether worn alone or with monochromatic glam.

Apply a dot of liquid blush to the apples of your cheeks for a sheer mauve tint. For a more pigmented look, add more blush and blend it with a fluffy brush until you’ve achieved your desired intensity.

Intense Berry

Whether sheer or vibrant, berry tones (like cranberry and blackberry) are an excellent choice for fall. Berry-inspired blush colors are also wonderfully versatile, so you won’t have to search high and low for complementary lip colors and eyeshadows.

For a lifted look, apply a small amount of blush to the apples of the cheeks with your blush brush (check out these Byrdie-approved options), then blend it upwards on the cheekbones. For more of a doll-faced cheek, apply the blush in the center of the cheek and swirl in a circular motion with a blush brush.

Wildberry Purple

Purple might not be the first blush color you’d think of wearing in the fall, but it’s a must-try shade. Pair it with matching berry lips and smoky gray eyeshadow for an autumnal glam look. If you prefer a more minimalist approach, apply a tiny amount to the apples of your cheeks and keep the rest of your look pared-back (think: clear lip gloss and mascara).

Spicy Picante

Give yourself the gift of bold cheeks this fall with a hot, spicy picante orange blush. The color isn’t as muted as traditional pumpkin shades, bringing something fresh to the season. Blushes with orange undertones look stunning on everyone, making this a perfect choice for all.

For the best application method, warm the cream blush with your fingers and lightly tap it on your cheeks until it’s blended. For more impact, layer your cream blush with a powder in a similar shade.

Burnt Cinnamon

A blush that resembles burnt cinnamon screams fall. It’s not too brown, red, or orange—it’s just right. This shade pairs well with other earth tones, so play around with colors and see what works best for you. We suggest experimenting with darker brown lipstick or smoky eyeshadows.

Pumpkin Spice

Pumpkin is one of the universal symbols of fall, so incorporating the shade into your makeup is a no-brainer. You don’t have to opt for a bright orange hue, either. So many gorgeous, deep pumpkin blushes are on the market these days. Draping a creamy pumpkin orange blush across your cheeks and temples will add tons of warmth and dimension to your makeup look.

Mahogany Brown

Those with medium and deeper skin tones should consider a mahogany blush this season. It’ll enhance the natural color of your cheeks and cheekbones while adding a natural radiance to your look. In addition to the brown tones, this blush from Dior has hints of pink and purple, adding a subtle, rosy flush to your makeup. Plus, it reacts with your skin’s pH and moisture levels to further customize the color.

Electric Red

Add instant cheer to your cheeks this fall with an electrifying red blush. We promise it’s not as intimidating as it looks. While vibrant in the packaging, this blush goes on sheer and can be built up even more if you want bold cheeks.

Pair it with bright orange-red lipstick to make an impactful statement, or wear sheer gloss to keep all the attention on the cheeks. Applied too much color? You can bring down the tone of your blush by lightly tapping your foundation brush on top of your blush to help mute it slightly for a more natural appearance.