Blush vs. Rouge: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Blush is a cosmetic for adding a pink or reddish tint to the cheeks; rouge historically refers to red-colored makeup for the cheeks.
Key Differences
Blush is a makeup product used to add a natural-looking color to the cheeks, often in shades of pink or peach. Rouge, traditionally a red-colored cosmetic, was used to give cheeks a more dramatic, often redder hue.
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Nov 28, 2023
Modern blushes come in various formats like powder, cream, and gel, offering subtle enhancement. Rouge, historically, was available in fewer formats and tended to provide a more vivid and noticeable color.
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Nov 28, 2023
The term "blush" is more commonly used in contemporary makeup language, signifying a natural, healthy glow. "Rouge" is an older term, often associated with bolder and more theatrical makeup styles.
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Nov 28, 2023
Blushes are often formulated with ingredients that benefit the skin, such as minerals and vitamins. Rouges were traditionally made with more basic ingredients and sometimes included cinnabar or carmine for their intense red color.
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Nov 28, 2023
The use of blush is generally aimed at mimicking a natural flush, suitable for everyday wear. Rouge, in its traditional form, was more often used in stage makeup or for special occasions, creating a distinct and bold look.
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Nov 28, 2023
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Comparison Chart
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Blush and Rouge Definitions
Blush
A cosmetic to mimic natural cheek coloring.
She applied blush for a fresh-faced look.
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Nov 22, 2023
Rouge
Rouge was traditionally a bold makeup choice.
Vintage makeup styles often featured prominent rouge.
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Nov 22, 2023
Blush
Blush often comes in powder or cream form.
Her makeup bag always had a compact with blush.
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Nov 22, 2023
Rouge
Rouge is less common in modern makeup.
She found a vintage compact with rouge at the antique shop.
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Nov 22, 2023
Blush
To become red in the face, especially from modesty, embarrassment, or shame; flush.
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Oct 19, 2023
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Rouge
A red-colored cosmetic for cheek coloring.
She used rouge to add a classic charm to her look.
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Nov 22, 2023
Rouge
Rouge historically signified theatrical makeup.
Actresses in the 1920s often wore rouge on stage.
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Nov 22, 2023
Blush
A reddening of the face, especially from modesty, embarrassment, or shame.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rouge
A reddish powder, chiefly ferric oxide, used to polish metals or glass.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rouge
To color or prettify as if with a facial cosmetic
"Their job is to rouge up the war ... to turn the horror into cheering press releases" (Richard Corliss).
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Oct 19, 2023
Blush
Makeup used on the face and especially on the cheekbones to give a usually rosy tint. Also called blusher.
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Oct 19, 2023
Blush
An act of blushing; a red glow on the face caused by shame, modesty, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rouge
(Canadian football) A single point awarded when a team kicks the ball out of its opponent's end zone, or when a kicked ball becomes dead within the non-kicking team's end zone. Etymology uncertain; it is thought that in the early years of the sport, a red flag indicated that a single had been scored. (This scoring term is not often used in Canada, with the term single being more commonly used.)
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Oct 19, 2023
Blush
A pale pink wine made by removing the dark grape skins at the required point during fermentation.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rouge
In the Eton College field game, a scoring move accomplished by touching the ball down behind the opponents' goal-line (somewhat similar to the try in rugby). Originally, the player who scored the rouge had a chance to kick a goal, and the rouge was used as a tie-breaker if an equal number of goals was scored by each side. In the contemporary Eton College field game, a five-point score is awarded for kicking the ball so that it deflects off one of the opposing players and goes beyond the opposition's end of the pitch, and then touching the ball.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rouge
(obsolete) From 1862 to 1868, a similar scoring move in Sheffield rules football. From 1862 to 1867, accomplished by touching the ball down after it had been kicked between two "rouge flags" either side of the goal. From 1867-1868, awarded for kicking the ball between the rouge flags and under the crossbar.
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Oct 19, 2023
Blush
(intransitive) To become red in the face (and sometimes experience an associated feeling of warmth), especially due to shyness, shame, excitement, or embarrassment.
The love scene made him blush to the roots of his hair / to the tips of his ears.
He wasn't used to this much attention, so he blushed as he saw dozens of pairs of eyes watching him.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rouge
A red amorphous powder consisting of ferric oxide, used in polishing and as a cosmetic; crocus; jeweller's rouge.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rouge
(ambitransitive) To apply rouge (makeup).
She rouged her face before setting out for the party.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rouge
A red amorphous powder consisting of ferric oxide. It is used in polishing glass, metal, or gems, and as a cosmetic, etc. Called also crocus, jeweler's rouge, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Blush
(copulative) To change skin color in the face (to a particular shade).
When he saw it, he blushed a beet red.
I wasn't surprised, but it was embarrassing enough that I blushed a little pink.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rouge
A cosmetic used for giving a red color to the cheeks or lips. The best is prepared from the dried flowers of the safflower, but it is often made from carmine.
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Oct 19, 2023
Blush
(transitive) To express or make known by blushing.
Looking at me with a knowing glare, she blushed her discomfort with the situation.
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Oct 19, 2023
Blush
(intransitive) To have a warm and delicate colour, like some roses and other flowers.
The garden was full of blossoms that blushed in myriad shades to form a beautiful carpet of color.
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Oct 19, 2023
Blush
Of dope or varnish: to develop an undesirable white precipitate on the surface, due to being applied in humid conditions.
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Oct 19, 2023
Blush
To become suffused with red in the cheeks, as from a sense of shame, modesty, or confusion; to become red from such cause, as the cheeks or face.
To the nuptial bowerI led her blushing like the morn.
In the presence of the shameless and unblushing, the young offender is ashamed to blush.
He would strokeThe head of modest and ingenuous worth,That blushed at its own praise.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rouge
Rouge gives a more dramatic cheek color.
For the evening event, she chose a deep rouge.
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Nov 22, 2023
Blush
To grow red; to have a red or rosy color.
The sun of heaven, methought, was loth to set,But stayed, and made the western welkin blush.
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Oct 19, 2023
Blush
To have a warm and delicate color, as some roses and other flowers.
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen.
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Oct 19, 2023
Blush
To suffuse with a blush; to redden; to make roseate.
To blush and beautify the cheek again.
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Oct 19, 2023
Blush
A suffusion of the cheeks or face with red, as from a sense of shame, confusion, or modesty.
The rosy blush of love.
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Oct 19, 2023
Blush
A red or reddish color; a rosy tint.
Light's last blushes tinged the distant hills.
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Oct 19, 2023
Blush
A rosy color (especially in the cheeks) taken as a sign of good health
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Oct 19, 2023
Blush
Sudden reddening of the face (as from embarrassment or guilt or shame or modesty)
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Oct 19, 2023
Blush
Turn red, as if in embarrassment or shame;
The girl blushed when a young man whistled as she walked by
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Oct 19, 2023
Blush
Blush is used for a subtle cheek tint.
A light sweep of blush was enough for her day look.
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Nov 22, 2023
Blush
Blush colors vary from light pink to peach.
She preferred peach blush for her warm skin tone.
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Nov 22, 2023
Blush
Blush enhances the cheeks' natural glow.
Adding blush gave her face a healthy radiance.
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Nov 22, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can rouge be used for a natural look?
Historically, it was more for bold looks, but modern formulations can be subtle.
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Nov 28, 2023
What is blush used for?
To add a natural tint to cheeks, mimicking a healthy glow.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
What was rouge traditionally used for?
To give cheeks a dramatic, often red hue.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Is blush suitable for daily wear?
Yes, it's designed for a subtle, everyday look.
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Nov 28, 2023
Is rouge associated with a specific era?
Often with the early 20th century and vintage makeup.
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Nov 28, 2023
Are there natural blushes?
Yes, many brands offer natural or organic blushes.
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Nov 28, 2023
Did rouge have other uses historically?
It was sometimes used on lips or even cheeks for a unified look.
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Nov 28, 2023
Is rouge still popular?
It's less common now, often replaced by modern blushes.
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Nov 28, 2023
Can blush be used for contouring?
It's primarily for adding color, but can complement contouring.
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Nov 28, 2023
Is blush available in various shades?
Yes, from light pinks to deeper tones.
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Nov 28, 2023
Was rouge always red?
Traditionally, yes, primarily in varying shades of red.
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Nov 28, 2023
Did historical rouge have harmful ingredients?
Some old formulations contained cinnabar or carmine.
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Nov 28, 2023
Is rouge still made with traditional ingredients?
Modern rouges have evolved with safer, more diverse ingredients.
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Nov 28, 2023
How has rouge evolved over time?
Modern versions are more versatile and less intensely pigmented.
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Nov 28, 2023
Can blush be used on all skin types?
Yes, with various formulas suitable for different skin types.
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Nov 28, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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