Why Mulberry Flush Is the Only Blush Trend That Matters Right Now

What Is Mulberry Flush?

“Mulberry and plum blushes give you that natural wintery flush with minimal effort,” celebrity makeup artist Christian Briceno tells IPSY. “They’re more popular in fall and winter because deeper berry tones suit seasonal wardrobes better, and mimic the realistic cold-weather flush on the face.” Shades like cool berry, wine, and plum are best for achieving that “just came in from the cold look,” and according to Briceno, these richer colors remain soft and wearable when blended. 

Why It’s Trending

Mulberry shades don’t just complement the season, either. Right now, wine tones are all over social media, and everyone from Hailey Bieber to Anok Yai has worn the look. The snow bunny aesthetic is totally in—and if you don’t believe us, just look at all the shade debuts in the past few months. PATRICK TA now stocks a rich berry blush, RHODE BEAUTY has a new plum shade of its best-selling Pocket Blush, and ICONIC LONDON has perfected its sheer blush formula in a “Fearless Flush” shade. There’s no denying mulberry blush is the hottest shade of the season.

How to Choose the Right Mulberry Tone

Just like foundation shades, there’s an ideal mulberry shade for every skin tone. Per Briceno, soft plums, berry roses, and mauve mulberry tones are best for fair skin, while classic mulberry and raisin-rose shades work well with medium-toned skin. Darker skin tones are complemented well by wine-cherry, rich plum-wine, and oxblood-berry shades, says Briceno.

If you have a cool undertone, Briceno recommends reaching for cool berry and plum shades. This bright berry color from POLITE SOCIETY is a good choice, but if you want something more subtle, try the Kulfi Beauty Mehndi Moment Blush in shade “Blessed Berry.”

Those with warmer undertones will want to grab a tone that leans more wine or raisin, like the ICONIC LONDON Sheer Blush in the “Fearless Flush” shade. Meanwhile, this ROSE INC Cream Color Blush and Lipstick Set and this  Kulfi Beauty Mehndi Moment Blush in the shade “Lucky Lotus” are perfect for olive and neutral undertones.

Don’t just pay attention to your blush’s shade, either. Check out the formula and swatch products to find your true match. “If the swatch looks opaque and milky, it’s more likely to go grey and ashy, especially on deeper skin,” says Briceno. He mentions that the best mulberry shades go on sheer at first and can be layered slowly, rather than depositing all their color in one spot. “Some berry tones deepen as they set, so if you can, give it 30 to 60 minutes before you commit to the look,” he adds.

As for what type of blush formula you use, it’s totally up to you. If you’re prone to dry skin, Briceno recommends a cream or gel formula, and if you’re prone to oily skin, he advises using a satin powder. 

Application Techniques

Blush is a great way to sculpt your face. You can wear it high up on your cheeks for a “cold-girl” glam, underpaint for a truly snatched look, or apply it across your nose for a fresh, frostbitten vibe. 

“To give the face a lifted, structured look, blend along the top outer cheekbone toward the temple,” advises Briceno. “Keep away from the lower cheek to maintain a lifted effect.” For extra definition, he mentions you can use a deeper mulberry as a shadow/blush hybrid. “Place the deeper blush shade slightly behind the cheekbone (closer to your ear) and blend it upward with the softer shade,” he says.

To underpaint, apply your blush first, then your skin tint or foundation over it. This will make your blush look as if the color is coming from within your skin, rather than sitting on top—perfect for that “lit-from-within” look. 

To make it look like you’ve just come in from the cold, apply a cool-toned mulberry blush high on the cheeks. “Sweep lightly across the bridge and tip of the nose to mimic a natural wind flush,” Briceno recommends. “Keep the rest of your complexion fresh and hydrated.”

No matter what technique you go for, Briceno has a few tips. First, layer your blushes for longevity. Start with a cream blush, like the FLYTE.70 Hazy Cheek Crème Blush in the shade Tenderness, then add a light sweep of matching powder to set the color. Still, “mulberry shades can often overwhelm,” he warns. “Build color in thin layers.”

Mulberry Flush Makeup Looks We Love

1. Cold Wind Flush

You know when you walk in from the cold, and the tip of your nose is all cold and red? Consider this the glam version. Add a bit of creamy mulberry blush to the apples of your cheeks and the tip of your nose—you can even use the color to contour a bit. For a truly “flushed” look, blend the color in with a dense but fluffy brush, like this vegan ALAMAR COSMETICS Cheek Perfecting Brush. 

2. Blended Berry Blush

If you’re having trouble finding the right mulberry shade for you, make one! Play around with berry, plum, and wine tones to find your two favorites, then combine them to create your ideal shade. While this look swatches two different shades of those viral Rhode blushes, we think layering them would look beautiful. Layer the darker blush below, blend it out, and then sparingly blend your lighter blush on top. Remember, you can always add more product to make your look more saturated. 

3. Bitten Plum Blush

For an utterly delicious glam, reach for a cool-toned plum blush. Apply it high on your cheeks, and use a blush brush to sweep the product back toward your temples—this will help you get that “lifted” look. Complement your blush with a matching plum lipstick. Try this top-rated Petal Soft Lipstick Crayon by LAURA MERCIER. 

4. Winter Sunburn Flush

Want to look like you’ve been kissed by the winter sun? It’s all about the blush placement. Swipe your favorite mulberry blush across your cheeks, nose, and the top of your forehead. You can amp up the look by adding a bit of blush to the outer corners of your eyes too. Blend it all out and you’ll look fresh off the slopes—even if you’ve traded in your skis for a sled. 

5. Winter Wine Blush

You’ll want a glassful of this glam. Grab a wine-colored blush and apply it across your cheeks, sweeping it upward. Keep most of the product on the apples of your cheeks—in-between your nose and cheekbones—to make your face look fuller and more cherub-like. The MALLY BEAUTY Couture Color Cheek Lifting Marker in shade “Whisper Wine” lasts all day and adds a luminous shine, so you can skip highlighter if you want a more subtle look. 

Final Thoughts

Mulberry blush is taking over this winter, and with so many variations—like plum, wine, raisin, and endless combinations—you can really make the look your own. Tailor your glam by sweeping the blush high up on your cheeks, underpainting, or applying it across your nose for a frostbitten vibe. And, for all your mulberry blush needs, check out our curated list of products on the IPSY Shop.