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Blush vs. Rouge — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on August 1, 2024
"Blush" is a natural reddening of the face due to emotion or a cosmetic product, while "Rouge" specifically refers to a red cosmetic used to color the cheeks or lips. Both can accentuate facial features but have distinct origins.
Blush vs. Rouge — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Blush and Rouge

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Key Differences

"Blush" as a noun captures two primary meanings: the natural reddening of one's face due to emotions, such as embarrassment or happiness, and a cosmetic product applied to the cheeks to simulate this effect. In the former, the physiological response is involuntary, and in the latter, it's a deliberate act of beautification. "Rouge," on the other hand, is rooted in the French word for "red" and pertains to cosmetics. Traditionally, it was used to add a reddish tint to the cheeks or lips, enhancing or altering the natural color.
"Blush" as a verb captures the act of turning red in response to emotions. For instance, one might blush when receiving a compliment. This physiological reaction is spontaneous and linked to feelings. "Rouge," in contrast, does not have such a verb form. Instead, it remains solidly in the realm of cosmetics, indicating a product's usage rather than an emotional response.
Both "Blush" and "Rouge" find their place in the world of makeup. Over time, however, their distinctions have blurred. In modern usage, especially in the U.S., "blush" often refers to the cosmetic product applied to the cheeks to give them color, whereas "rouge" is somewhat more dated, recalling a time when red pigments were primary in makeup.
In cultural contexts, "blush" and "rouge" carry different connotations. Blushing can be seen as a sign of innocence or genuine emotion, a natural response that's uncontrollable. "Rouge," being a cosmetic, conveys deliberation, artifice, or the desire to enhance one's appearance. Though both pertain to reddening, their associations and implications diverge.

Comparison Chart

Definition

Natural reddening or a cosmetic product
A red cosmetic for cheeks or lips
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Origin

From Old English "blyscan" (to become red)
From French "rouge" (red)

Usage

Can refer to a physiological reaction or a cosmetic product
Primarily refers to a cosmetic product

Connotation

Innocence, genuine emotion
Deliberate beautification

Verb Form

Yes (e.g., "He blushed in embarrassment.")
No

Compare with Definitions

Blush

A slight tinge or hint of color.
The sky had a blush of pink at dawn.

Rouge

A red cosmetic for coloring the cheeks or lips.
She applied some rouge to her cheeks for a dramatic effect.

Blush

Show shyness, embarrassment, or shame by becoming red in the face
Kate felt herself blushing scarlet
She blushed at the unexpected compliment

Rouge

A red powder, used for polishing.
He used rouge to give the metal a shiny finish.

Blush

Be or become pink or pale red
The trees are loaded with blushing blossoms

Rouge

A deceitful or dishonest person (dated usage).
He was known in the town as a rouge and a scoundrel.

Blush

A reddening of the face as a sign of shyness, embarrassment, or shame
He had brought a faint blush to her cheeks

Rouge

Any of various red cosmetics.
She searched for the perfect shade of rouge to match her outfit.

Blush

A pink or pale red tinge
The roses were white with a lovely pink blush

Rouge

To color with rouge.
She rouged her lips before heading out.

Blush

A wine with a slight pink tint made in the manner of white wine but from red grape varieties
Blush Zinfandel

Rouge

A red powder or cream used as a cosmetic for colouring the cheeks or lips
She wore patches of rouge on her cheeks

Blush

Another term for blusher (sense 1)

Rouge

Short for jeweller's rouge

Blush

To become red in the face, especially from modesty, embarrassment, or shame; flush.

Rouge

(in Canadian football) a single point awarded when the receiving team fails to run a kick out of its own end zone.

Blush

To become red or rosy.

Rouge

Colour with rouge
Her brightly rouged cheeks

Blush

To feel embarrassed or ashamed
Blushed at his own audacity.

Rouge

(of wine) red.

Blush

A reddening of the face, especially from modesty, embarrassment, or shame.

Rouge

A red or pink cosmetic for coloring the cheeks or lips.

Blush

A red or rosy color
The blush of dawn.

Rouge

A reddish powder, chiefly ferric oxide, used to polish metals or glass.

Blush

A glance, look, or view
Thought the painting genuine at first blush.

Rouge

To put rouge onto
Rouged her cheeks.

Blush

Makeup used on the face and especially on the cheekbones to give a usually rosy tint. Also called blusher.

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).

Blush

An act of blushing; a red glow on the face caused by shame, modesty, etc.

Rouge

To use rouge.

Blush

A glow; a flush of colour, especially pink or red.

Rouge

Of a reddish pink colour.

Blush

(figuratively) Feeling or appearance of optimism.

Rouge

Red or pink makeup to add colour to the cheeks; blusher.

Blush

A sort of makeup, frequently a powder, used to redden the cheeks.

Rouge

Any reddish pink colour.

Blush

A color between pink and cream.

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.)

Blush

A pale pink wine made by removing the dark grape skins at the required point during fermentation.

Rouge

(obsolete) In the Eton wall game, a scrummage, melée.

Blush

The collective noun for a group of boys.
A blush of boys.

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.

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.

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.

Blush

To be ashamed or embarrassed (to do something).

Rouge

A red amorphous powder consisting of ferric oxide, used in polishing and as a cosmetic; crocus; jeweller's rouge.

Blush

(intransitive) To become red.

Rouge

(ambitransitive) To apply rouge (makeup).
She rouged her face before setting out for the party.

Blush

(transitive) To suffuse with a blush; to redden; to make rosy.

Rouge

Red.

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.

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.

Blush

(transitive) To express or make known by blushing.
Looking at me with a knowing glare, she blushed her discomfort with the situation.

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.

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.

Rouge

To paint the face or cheeks with rouge.

Blush

To glance with the eye, cast a glance.

Rouge

To tint with rouge; as, to rouge the face or the cheeks.

Blush

Of dope or varnish: to develop an undesirable white precipitate on the surface, due to being applied in humid conditions.

Rouge

Makeup consisting of a pink or red powder applied to the cheeks

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.

Rouge

Redden by applying rouge to;
She rouged her cheeks

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.

Blush

To have a warm and delicate color, as some roses and other flowers.
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen.

Blush

To suffuse with a blush; to redden; to make roseate.
To blush and beautify the cheek again.

Blush

To express or make known by blushing.
I'll blush you thanks.

Blush

A suffusion of the cheeks or face with red, as from a sense of shame, confusion, or modesty.
The rosy blush of love.

Blush

A red or reddish color; a rosy tint.
Light's last blushes tinged the distant hills.

Blush

A rosy color (especially in the cheeks) taken as a sign of good health

Blush

Sudden reddening of the face (as from embarrassment or guilt or shame or modesty)

Blush

Turn red, as if in embarrassment or shame;
The girl blushed when a young man whistled as she walked by

Blush

Become rosy or reddish;
Her cheeks blushed in the cold winter air

Blush

A reddening of the face due to emotion.
She felt a blush rise to her cheeks when he complimented her.

Blush

A cosmetic product used to give color to the cheeks.
She applied a peach-colored blush to highlight her cheekbones.

Blush

A feeling of shame or embarrassment.
He felt a blush of guilt thinking of his actions.

Blush

To become red in the face, typically from embarrassment.
He blushed when she teased him.

Common Curiosities

Is "rouge" a dated term?

Somewhat. In modern American English, "blush" is more commonly used for the cosmetic. "Rouge" is older and less frequent.

Is "rouging" a term?

Yes, "rouging" means applying rouge, especially to the cheeks.

Can "blush" refer to colors other than red?

Yes, in cosmetics, "blush" can come in various shades, not just red.

Why do people blush?

It's a physiological response, often linked to emotions like embarrassment, excitement, or attraction.

Is "blush" always linked to embarrassment?

No, blushing can occur due to various emotions, including happiness or excitement.

Is "rouge" only for the cheeks?

Historically, rouge was for cheeks and lips, but modern usage mainly associates it with cheeks.

Are "Blush" and "Rouge" the same?

Not exactly. While both can refer to cosmetics, "blush" can also denote natural reddening, whereas "rouge" is specifically a red cosmetic.

Can men wear rouge?

Absolutely. Cosmetics have no gender; anyone can wear rouge or blush.

Can "blush" be used as a verb?

Yes, "to blush" means to turn red, often due to emotion.

Is "rouge" only a cosmetic term?

Primarily, but it can also refer to a polishing compound or, in dated usage, a deceitful person.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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