COLOUR EDIT: PERFECT PINKS

When I first started cake decorating, choosing gel colours felt like a bit of a guessing game. Shopping online made it tricky to tell what a colour was actually going to look like — and hard to judge whether I already had something similar lurking in my collection.

If you're a seasoned caker, you’ll know how much colour choice matters. The wrong shade can throw your whole design off… and frankly, it’ll probably irritate you forever. (Or maybe that’s just me.)

For the first post in this series, I’ve put together a simple guide to the pink gels I reach for most often. These are personal picks — ones I use regularly, that are stocked by multiple retailers, including (quick delivery), non-cakey ones like Amazon.

You won’t find a huge list of every brand on the market — just the ones I’ve found to deliver consistently excellent results, good value for money, and easy availability.

So, with that checklist in mind, let’s kick off!

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🌸 A Note on Pink Tones

Pink can cover everything from warm coral tones (which have more yellow) to cooler, more purply hues (which have more blue). Some of the shades I’ve included here could easily be argued into other colour categories — and that’s totally fine. The line between coral and orange, or deep pink and violet, is a very subjective one.

The aim is simply to give you a starting point — something to refer back to when you’re planning a colour scheme or deciding which pinks deserve a spot in your stash.

That said, when it comes to colours, screens can often vary quite a bit in how they choose to display them, which means photos alone aren’t always much help in providing the full picture (no pun intended). So, I’ve tried to explain the vibe of each shade through themes and palette ideas, as well as the kinds of moods or feelings they bring to mind.

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💗 Best Deep Pink

🏆 WINNER: SUGARFLAIR / FUCHSIA

One of the first gel colours I ever purchased — and still one I use all the time. It’s a slightly blue-toned pink that leans just far enough into the cool spectrum to feel rich and polished.

As part of Sugarflair’s Spectral range, it offers fantastic tonal variety — from airy lilac-tinged pastels to a luxurious deep pink. What I love most is that it never looks brash or overstated. There’s a plushness to it — more velvet than neon.

I like using this shade for designs that need a bit of drama or glamour, so it’s great for burlesque themes, high-fashion designs, or jewel-toned elegance.

Works great alongside deep navy, violet, and icy grey for opulent, cool-toned creations. Or try with crisp white and silver for something fresh, modern, and graphic.

🥈 RUNNER UP: COLOUR SPLASH / RASPBERRY

Slightly less blue than the Fuchsia, Raspberry is a gorgeous, juicy colour that looks incredible at full intensity alongside clashy brights like lime green or sunshine yellow.

This colour demands attention, so pay homage to its vibrancy. Think shocking pink VW Beetles, bold lipstick and nail polish tones, festival gear, headphones, electric guitars, and eye-catching designer packaging.

Use it bright: alongside black and silver for ultimate rock-chic vibes. Or tone it down, and team it with pale apple, cream, and neutral fawn for a calming combo that’s great for cute character cakes.

🍑 Best Coral Pink

🏆 WINNER: FRACTAL COLOURS / CORAL PINK

A fairly recent addition to my collection - I’ve tried loads of coral pinks (one of my favourite shades), but many lean too orange for my taste. This one gets the balance just right.

At full strength, it has a gorgeous, glowing, sun-soaked energy and looks stunning alongside vibrant turquoise, or deep emerald. It also looks amazing when used with black and accented with metallics.

Great for fruity themes and retro geometric 60s and 70s designs — or, for something a little more rustic, try it with relaxing neutrals, light wood-effect textures, and silvery eucalyptus green.

Used lightly, it becomes a peachy blush with just enough pink to keep it feeling fresh — ideal for romantic creations that require warmth and subtlety.

🥈 RUNNER UP: SUGARFLAIR / ROSE PINK

A reliable rose pink is a must-have in any cake maker’s kit, and this one’s been a favourite for a long time. It leans warm, as you would expect — but avoids overly peach tones.

This colour is more natural and nuanced than the Coral Pink above, making it a winner for traditional vintage palettes — perfect when you're after a touch of old-world elegance. Think dried rose petals, love letters tied with faded ribbon, chaises with worn velvet upholstery, heirloom table linens, and ornate scent bottles.

For a fresher take, conjure up cooling sea breezes at sunset by pairing it with pale aqua and adding accents of bright coral, rose gold, and silver.

💕 Best "Pink" Pink

🏆 WINNER: COLOUR SPLASH / PINK

This one was quite tough to call — I wanted to recommend a solid, no-nonsense pink you can always rely on. For want of a better term, a bog-standard pink — and I mean that with love.

Colour Splash Pink is cheerful and fresh. It doesn’t lean too blue or too warm, making it incredibly versatile and easy to work with. It always photographs beautifully, even when my lighting’s a bit off or my camera settings aren’t quite right (which happens more often than I’d like).

At its brightest, it’s classic candy pink with fun 80s energy — think bubblegum machines, quirky fashion, roller skates, and neon arcade signs. Partner with vibrant tangerine orange for a true slice of happy.

Used as a pastel, it’s perfect for nostalgia-filled, sweet-treat themes — think marshmallows, frosted doughnuts, macarons, lollies, candy floss, and strawberry bonbons. Team it with delicate lemon and lavender for a soft, scrumptious look.

🥈 RUNNER UP: FRACTAL COLOURS / BUBBLE GUM PINK

I first picked this up while attempting to colour-match some pre-coloured sugar paste — and ended up liking it far more than expected. It’s pretty close to Colour Splash Pink, but nudges a notch warmer, which gives it a different character.

It's ideal for designs that lean into fun 50s kitsch — think American diners with checkerboard floors, polka dot dresses, pink Cadillacs, cat-eye sunglasses, stacked hatboxes, and powder puffs.

Team it with cool mint for retro perfection — or combine with chalky neutrals, mellow mauve, and teal for a contemporary twist.

🎖HONOURABLE MENTION: SUGARFLAIR / HOT PINK

Yes, I broke my own rules by picking a third shade — but Sugarflair’s Hot Pink definitely deserves a shout-out in this category. At full strength, it has a warm, vivid rose vibe: punchy, upbeat, and eye-catching.

It was a strong contender for "best deep pink" — but it takes a fair bit of gel to achieve the most vibrant result, while the winner and runner-up got there with less.

That said, it’s the mid-tone you can achieve with this colour that I really rate. It’s a dependable performer — perfect for florals, summer-themed birthdays, balloon animals, and bunting.

Use it as a pastel to evoke a classic English high tea — with edible ivory lace and touches of duck egg and old gold.

🎀 BEST VINTAGE PINK:

🏆 WINNER: COLOUR SPLASH / BURGUNDY

I know this might raise some eyebrows as a “pink,” but hear me out. When used sparingly, this colour is a soothing, dusky pink—elegant and understated. The more you add, the closer it drifts toward a plumy, reddish hue. Because of this, it’s a tricky colour to pin down, so I’ve given it a home here, as it felt like a better fit than the purple or red families.

This shade is perfect for large vintage florals, damask textures, and velvet effects. I discovered it years ago and used it for peonies on my very first two-tier cake, so this colour and I have a bit of history — which feels just right for this category.

For effortless glamour, style it with vanilla and black.

🥈 RUNNER UP: SUGARFLAIR / RASPBERRY SORBATE

Raspberry Sorbet sits in that odd but interesting space between pink and dusky lilac, with a subtle muted (almost muddy) undertone that gives it real depth.

I’ve used it to create faded rosebuds and vintage cameos, and it also works a treat for aged cobbles and stonework effects. It’s perfect for adding lashings of old-world charm — try it alongside a palette of light taupe, mossy green, and weathered grey. Finish with pearls and touches of gold or antique brass for timeless sophistication.

For a modern and moody update, combine it with creamy almond and charcoal, and accent with smoky plum and bronze for a rich, refined look.

🍼 BEST PASTEL PINK

🏆 WINNER: COLOUR SPLASH / PALE PINK

Choosing a winner here wasn’t easy, but Pale Pink just edged it out for its versatility. It’s not too purple or too peach — it’s the baby bear’s porridge of pinks, just right every time. A solid choice when you want something delicate without being wishy-washy.

Heads up: the swatch on the tube is a bit misleading, but don’t be thrown off — now you know! :)

This shade works beautifully for any project needing a balanced pastel, so it’s obviously ideal for baby and toddler cakes. It was also my pick for the awning and bunting on my ice cream cart cake.

It always reminds me of those rather elegant boxes from posh chocolatiers, so try it alongside maroon, cream, and rich cocoa brown for a touch of luxurious, chocolate-inspired opulence. Or go fizzy and unexpected with spring green and a splash of lemon to give your design a sunny, carefree vibe.

🥈 RUNNER UP: SUGARFLAIR / FLAMINGO PINK

This shade just missed out on the top spot because it leans peachier than the winner. That said, it’s a gorgeous warm pastel that reminds me of pink-tinged clouds at sunset.

It feels fluffy, cosy, and snuggly — an excellent choice for fairytale cakes, ballet themes, knit textures, and butterflies. (Side note: I’ve made tonnes of butterflies in this colour, but oddly, never a flamingo — must sort that.)

For a dreamy, beach-escape vibe, use it to create blush-toned marbled seashells, and complement with "white sand" and copper accents. Add pale turquoise for an uplifting contrast.

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🎨 Where These Colours Sit on the Pink Spectrum

For a quick visual reference, here are all the colours mentioned above arranged in spectrum order — each swatched from light to dark. This will give you a clearer sense of how each shade relates to the others and where they start to shift into different colour groups. I hope this helps you choose the perfect pink for your next project.

1. Toggles & knitted buttons: Sugarflair / Flamingo Pink

2. Seashells & starfish: Fractal Colours / Coral Pink

3. Jewellery elements: Sugarflair / Rose Pink

4. Vintage buttons: Sugarflair / Hot Pink

5. Steampunk elements: Fractal Colours / Bubblegum

6. Butterflies: Colour Splash / Pale Pink

7. Skulls & bones: Colour Splash / Pink

8. Hearts: Colour Splash / Raspberry

9. Roses: Sugarflair / Fuchsia

10. Brooches: Colour Splash / Burgundy

11. Leather Buttons: Sugarflair / Raspberry Sorbet

    
    

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✨ Tips for Working with Pink Gel Colours

Fillings & Coatings

• Buttercream and white chocolate ganache are naturally yellow-toned, which can throw your pink off. Stick to cooler pinks with a hint of blue to balance it out — and you won’t end up with salmon surprise.
  

• Some brands of pink gel colours can be tricky to incorporate into high-fat bases like ganache or buttercream, which can result in a grainy or uneven appearance. Don’t blame yourself — it just happens sometimes. If you want to skip the brand trial-and-error altogether, try oil-based colours (Colour Mill are a good option). But if you’re sticking with gels, just test it with a small amount of filling first. With the price of chocolate and butter being what they are, you could save yourself a lot of pain and pennies.

Sugar Paste & Modelling Paste

• If you're mixing pink into a brilliant white paste (like Massa Ticino’s Bride White), the final colour will closely match your gel. With slightly off-white pastes (like Saracino’s white modelling paste), the yellow tint will shift the hue. Again, using a cooler-toned pink will help balance this out.
  

• If your design calls for a deep pink in elements that need to dry hard—like sugar flowers or self-supporting pieces—use a highly concentrated gel colour such as Sugarflair’s Spectral range. This lets you achieve bold colour without overloading the paste. Too much gel can affect paste consistency and slow drying time. And let’s be honest… time is never on our side.
  

• It’s not uncommon for some pink gels to darken slightly as they dry. This happens due to moisture evaporation and how the colour pigments react with whatever medium they’re mixed into. If you need total colour accuracy—like matching a swatch for example—mix a small test batch and let it dry before committing to colouring a kilo (or two) of your best sugar paste. Been there, done that, ripped up the t-shirt.
  

Cake Batter

• In my experience, while plenty of pink gels claim to be bake-stable, the results are often hit and miss. I once made a pink velvet cake with a supposedly "stable" gel and ended up with something that reminded me of peeling sunburn — not ideal. These days, I stick to Sugarflair spectral gels or switch to oil-based colours when colouring-up cake batter. It’s not about brand loyalty — just hard-earned experience. Some gels simply can’t take the heat, and that’s not something you want to discover once your cake is out of the oven.

  
  

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📣 What’s Next?

Colour Edit is a series of colour-focused breakdowns to help you choose, mix, and match shades with confidence. This is the first of these posts and I’ll be covering other colour groups in the near future, but please give me a shout in the comments if you have any other colour-related queries.