How to Make Blush: 5 Recipes for an All-Natural Glow

Blush is an easy, go-to makeup that can add a splash of color to brighten your face. Not all blushes are made equal, however, and even many of the most popular cosmetic brands use harmful chemicals.

These unwanted additives can have short-term effects like clogged pores, skin irritations, or breakouts. They may also cause allergies or have long-term side effects—meaning you should completely avoid skin care products that contain them.

All-natural cosmetics and blushes exist but they can break the bank. Unfortunately, those coined as "natural" still may contain a number of artificial ingredients.

So how do you keep your dewey glow while staying true to your natural preferences? It is time to get creative and learn how to make blush at home from all-natural ingredients.

DIY Blush Basics

A homemade powder blush consists of two main ingredients: a natural clay and a natural pigment.

A clay like kaolin helps the ingredients stay together, while also drawing out excess oil and dirt from the skin and preventing clogging of the pores. Arrowroot powder, a starch obtained from the root of tropical plants, is another popular ingredient in natural powder blush and can lighten up any shade.

For your unprocessed pigment, turn to nature, which has ingredients aplenty that add color to your blush:

For a dark pink shade, add in beetroot.
Rose petals help bring out red and pink tones.
Turmeric powder achieves a deep orange hue.
Ginger root brings out a light gold.

Whether you are looking for a peachy glimmer or a deeper maroon hue, experiment with mixing different pigments to get your perfect blush. Here are five recipes for homemade blush to get you started.

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Bright Pink Beetroot Blush

Beet Powder In Wooden Bowl — Linda Hall / Getty Images

Not only is beetroot a beautiful shade of fuchsia, it also is packed with antioxidants and properties that your skin will absorb and benefit from.

Ingredients

1/4 cup of arrowroot powder
1/4 teaspoon of beet root powder
1/8 teaspoon or less powdered activated charcoal

Steps

In a small bowl, add the arrowroot powder and a small amount of beetroot powder. Mix well to ensure the pink and black powders blend evenly and you don't end up with big clumps of either.
Keep adding small amounts of the colored powder until you reach your desired pigment.
Store the blush powder in a small jar with a tightly sealed lid.
Use a blush brush to apply the powder to the hollows of your cheeks.

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Soft Glow Rose Petal Blush

Top view botanical skincare home spa treatment with pink rose petals & clay face mask — Anna-Ok / Getty Images

This DIY blush recipe is made from natural ingredients that are easy on the skin and provide a soft pink glow.

The bright pigment of pink sweet potato powder makes it a great, all-natural pigment to add to blushes and lip glosses. Rose petal powder has a beautiful rose hue and can help balance your skin tone—bonus points for its divinely floral scent!

Kaolin clay is a white clay commonly used in cosmetics like face powders, masks, and scrubs. This powerful ingredient can cleanse the skin and soothe skin irritations. Finally, cocoa powder contains high levels of vitamin E, which your skin will love.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon kaolin clay
1/2 teaspoon pink sweet potato powder
1/2 teaspoon organic cocoa powder
3 teaspoon rose petal powder

In a bowl, mix the kaolin clay with the pink sweet potato powder, cocoa powder, and rose petals powder and blend well. For a darker blush, add more cocoa powder.

Store the powder in a glass jar or reusable blush container.

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Natural Cream Blush

Homemade Organic Make-Up — Ivan Bajic / Getty Images

Cream blush adds an extra shimmer and lasts longer than loose powder blushes. This recipe combines natural ingredients that are safe and nourishing for your skin.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon of shea butter
1/2 teaspoon beeswax pellets
1 tablespoon aloe gel
1/2–1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1/2–1 teaspoon pink sweet potato powder

Steps

Put the shea butter and beeswax pellets in the top pot of a double boiler.
Slowly heat the ingredients, stirring frequently until they are completely melted.
Add the aloe to the top pot and whisk together until the mixture is smooth and blended.
Remove the pot from heat and slowly start adding the cocoa powder and beetroot powder a pinch at a time until you get the desired color.
Dip a spoon into the mixture, allow a few seconds to cool, and then test the blush on your cheek to make sure you're happy with the pigment.
Once you have the perfect hue, spoon the mixture into a reusable, sealed container.

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Deep Purple Blush

Hibiscus powder for preparing homemade face and body masks, facial toners or exfoliating scrubs (bath salts, foot soak). Karkade DIY beauty treatment and spa recipe. Top view, copy space — kazmulka / Getty Images

Combining the vitamin C abundant in arrowroot powder and the properties of ginger and cinnamon, this blush powder is as good for your skin as it is beautiful. The essential oils add a divine scent, while also lending their own benefits for the skin.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons madder root or hibiscus powder
1 tablespoon arrowroot powder
Pinch of ground cinnamon (for darker color) or ground ginger (for lighter color)
2–3 drops lavender essential oil
2–3 drops frankincense essential oil

Add all of the dry ingredients to a small bowl and mix well. Next, add the essential oils to the bowl and blend. Store the blush in an air-tight, recyclable container and apply with a blush brush to brighten your complexion.

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Barely There Peachy Blush

Overhead close up of one open jar of spilled pink blush powder — Yulia-Images / Getty Images

For those who prefer the natural look, this simple DIY blush will give you a fresh, peachy glow.

Mix together one part beet root powder, one part peach petal, and one part arrowroot powder.

Store in an airtight, glass cosmetics container that can be reused for the next batch. The blush will stay fresh for a few months.