The Best Blush Makes it Easy to Achieve a Radiant Glow
Blush is that finishing touch that ties your entire makeup look together, giving you that dreamy “I’m not embarrassed, I’m just sunkissed” glow. The best blushes come in liquid, cream, and powder formats, allowing you to pick your poison—layer them together or use just one. Many of which are also safe for use on the eyelids or lips, meaning you can streamline your beauty routine (or pack less on your next vacation!).
According to celebrity makeup artist Sheika Daley, the right blush is one that “gives the feel of a beautiful warmth from within.” Thankfully, there are numerous options to choose from. You’re not limited to rosy pink; you can experiment with cool, muted mauve tones or vibrant red shades to awaken your complexion. Read on as we ask two of our favorite makeup artists what to look for and how to pick the best blush for your skin tone; plus, a look at 15 of our favorite formulas.
Our Top Picks
- Best for Mature Skin: Jones Road Miracle Balm, $38
- Best Pigment: Rare Beauty Liquid Blush, $23
- Best Cream: Merit Flush Balm, $30
- Best Tint: Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain, $24
- Best Liquid: Saie Dew Blush, $25
- Best Powder: Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Divine Blush, $39
- Best Stick: Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick, $48
In This Story
- How to Pick the Best Blush for Your Skin Tone
- What to Look for in a Blush
- What are the most iconic blushes?
- How to Apply Blush
- Cream vs Liquid vs Powder Blush
- Meet The Experts
Best Viral: Dior Rosy Glow
- Why we love it: The pink Dior Rosy Glow blush went viral for a good reason; although it may appear extra bright in the package, it offers the perfect glow. The secret lies in its technology, as it reacts to the skin’s moisture level upon application, ensuring it looks flattering on every skin tone. But don’t overlook the new shades; both Rosewood and Cherry (pictured above) are colors you won’t be able to live without if you want a change from the classic pink.
- Type: Powder
- Finish: Natural Finish
- How to apply: Stroke the tops of your cheekbones with a blush brush.
Best for Mature Skin: Jones Road Miracle Balm
- Why we love it: This Miracle Balm isn’t just for the apples of your cheeks; it can also be applied to your eyelids and lips for a bashful glow. This balm is surprisingly hydrating (thanks to the featured jojoba seed oil), almost like a tinted moisturizer. There are a few different shades to choose from—some of the balms can be used all over the skin for color correcting or dewiness—but we love the shade Flushed for all skin tones looking for the perfect pink blush.
- Type: Balm
- Finish: Natural Finish
- How to apply: Break the seal on the top, then apply the balm using your fingertips, palms, brush, or sponge.
Best Cream: Merit Flush Balm
- Why we love it: Merit has mastered the clean girl aesthetic with its creamy, satin-finished, blendable blush, formulated without any acne-triggering ingredients. Its petite size allows for easy application directly to the cheeks, even on the go—it’s so compact, you can stash it in your pocket. Shade Stockholm, pictured above, is a versatile baby pink.
- Type: Stick
- Finish: Satin Finish
- How to apply: Swipe onto cheeks or lips, then blend with your fingers for seamless application.
- Staying power: All day
Best Tint: Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain
- Why we love it: This liquid blush passes the “what would you bring to a deserted island?” test as it not only works as a gorgeous cheek tint that is buildable but can also be applied to the lips as well. Forgive us for being vain, but we��ll be looking good if ever stranded. While you likely picture the remember the signature rose shade, the range has expanded to include new shades including fiery red and desert rose.
- Type: Liquid
- Finish: Natural Finish
- How to apply: Glide onto lips, dot onto cheeks, and blend quickly.
Best Liquid: Saie Dew Blush
- Why we love it: The thing about Saie’s Dew Blush is that it not only gives you the vibrant, lit-from-within glow you’ve been seeking (in eight buildable shades!), but you also don’t have to clog your pores in the process. It’s formulated with brightening mulberry extract, alongside soothing elderberry and evening primrose extracts. We'll be reaching for shade Cutie—described as a warm dusty rose—until our summer tan kicks in.
- Type: Liquid-Cream
- Finish: Natural Finish
- How to apply: Apply two to three dots along the cheek, then blend to achieve your desired flush. Layer if needed for extra intensity.
Best Powder: Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Divine Blush
- Why we love it: You never forget your first, and we still can’t forget the day we first tried this divine blush. Divine being the operative word, as it’s not necessarily matte or glowy but lands in that perfect sweet spot between the two. There are nine shades to choose from, and all of them blend in easily. So, while they may be ultra-pigmented, you can truly customize how it looks on you.
- Type: Powder
- Finish: Satin/Matte Finish
- How to apply: Sweep onto the apples of the cheeks, moving from the cheekbones towards the temples.
Best Classic: Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush
- Why we love it: Sophia Richie Grainge-approved, we immediately added this Chanel blush to our carts before it sold out. And while it may seem unassuming, the included brush actually works, allowing you to apply it directly onto your skin and take your compact with you for on-the-go touch-ups. Make sure to sweep a bit onto your nose to complete the look.
- Type: Powder
- Finish: Radiant Finish
- How to apply: Sweep onto the apples of your cheeks.
Best Blurring: Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder
- Why we love it: The concept of a balm powder might seem confusing, but hear us out: it goes on like a balm but starts to feel like a powder upon application. Apply it to both your lips and cheeks as it smooths and blurs any imperfections. And if dewy is your go-to makeup preference, this product contains both hydrating squalane and hyaluronic acid.
- Type: Cream
- Finish: Natural Finish
- How to apply: Swirl your fingers into the blush pan, then press onto your cheeks and lips. Tap and blend in for a natural finish.
Best Pigment: Rare Beauty Liquid Blush
- Why we love it: Rare Beauty’s viral blush requires just a small amount to achieve the coverage you desire. Its liquid formula is super pigmented yet buildable—simply tap, tap, tap into the skin and watch as it blends seamlessly like a second skin. No matter your preference or skin tone, there’s something for everyone with nine shades available in a radiant finish and four in a matte finish.
- Type: Liquid
- Finish: Matte/Radiant Finish
- How to apply: Apply 1-2 dots on each cheek, then use your fingertips to gently pat the blush into the skin.
Best for Multiple Finishes: Nars Blush
- Why we love it: When you think of blush, do you immediately think of NARS Orgasm? It was a cultural phenomena when it dropped; and while that shade is still a favorite of ours, the range has expanded to include 19 additional hues. There are some similar to the sheer, pinky shade you swore by years ago, as well as some vibrant pops of color and barely there nudes.
- Type: Powder
- Finish: Matte, Satin, and Shimmer Finishes
- How to apply: Sweep onto the apples of the cheeks, moving from the cheekbones towards the temples.
Best Stick: Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
- Why we love it: This creamy versatile stick effortlessly glides onto both your cheekbones and lips—nothing less is expected, given that the brand was started by esteemed makeup artist Gucci Westman. If you’re tired of the dry matte look (though the brand's new matte lipsticks are incredible), this product is super hydrating, thanks to jojoba seed oil and various fruit extracts. Paired with the brand’s bronzer and highlighter sticks (available in a trio), you’ll have everything you need to perfect your look, whether you’re hitting the town or going for something au naturel.
- Type: Stick
- Finish: Natural Finish
- How to apply: Swipe onto cheeks and lips, then blend in.
- Staying power: Long-wear
Best Natural Finish: Glossier Cloud Paint
- Why we love it: While Glossier may have introduced many of us to no-makeup-makeup, this blush is versatile enough to complement both barely-there beauty looks and buildable for more dramatic makeup styles. Its creamy texture blends easily and is formulated with blurring powder pigments, ensuring a natural finish without streakiness, whether you apply it with your fingertips (make sure to sanitize), a brush, or a sponge. Plus, the brand just launched a set of bronzers to extend the Cloud Paint universe.
- Type: Gel-Cream
- Finish: Natural Finish
- How to apply: Squeeze a dot onto your fingers, then dab onto the skin to blend.
- Staying power: Lasts most of day
Best for Cream & Powder: Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Blush Duo
- Why we love it: Gone are the days of having to choose between powder and cream blush—after all, it’s 2024. Patrick Ta’s blush duo offers a two-in-one solution, allowing you to enjoy both powder and cream. However, you’ll still need to choose between all 12 of the gorgeous shades available, unless you decide to purchase them all. We don’t judge!
- Type: Cream/Pressed Powder
- Finish: Radiant Finish
- How to apply: Apply powder first with a brush, then layer the cream onto the apples of the cheeks with your fingertips or a foundation brush.
- Staying power: Long-wear
Best Illuminating: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush
- Why we love it: If you’re seeking a blush that gives you a kissed-from-the-sun glow, look no further than the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush. Infused with two advanced formulas, combining strobe powders with vibrant cheek colors, there isn’t a makeup artist we know who doesn’t have this shimmery hybrid product in their kit.
- Type: Powder
- Finish: Radiant Finish
- How to apply: Swirl the entire blush tile to pick up powder, then apply to cheeks and blend upward.
- Staying power: Long-wear
Best Bronzing: Tom Ford Shade And Illuminate Blush Duo
- Why we love it: The price tag on this blush may be high, but it contains not one, but two shades (semi matte and soft shine), so you can think of it as getting two products in one—girl math. It’s super pigmented and looks great alone, but it also pairs well with a cream blush underneath. Perfect for those who want a bit of sheen without glitter.
- Type: Powder
- Finish: Natural Finish
- How to apply: Use semi-matte shades to sculpt cheekbones and soft-shine shades to highlight the complexion.
- Staying power: Long-wear
How to Pick the Best Blush for Your Skin Tone
According to celebrity makeup artist Kirin Bhatty, the choice of blush depends on the makeup look you’re aiming for—whether it’s pink, coral, peachy, berry, bronzed, or apple red—and then finding something that suits your skin tone. So, if Barbie pink is what you’re after, “you just have to turn to the brands that do justice to your individual skin tone and go from there,” she says. (All of the blush brands in our guide have versatile options for any complexion, for what it's worth.)
Another crucial factor to consider when determining the right blush for your skin tone, often overlooked, is hair color. Daley explains that if a client has dark brown or black hair, she will tend to go for more pinky blush tones. However, if that same client lightens up their hair and goes blonde, she will opt for a peachier, orange blush to play up the bronze tones. For women with darker skin tones, she loves to do a mix of deep berry and vibrant orange for the perfect flush.
What to Look for in a Blush
For Bhatty, it’s all about finish and texture. “I love cream, liquid, and sheer powder blush because I like to layer them,” she says. “Too much pigment for me isn’t great; I prefer a buildable formula that I can work with on the skin but still packs a punch so that I don’t have to use a ton.”
Daley, on the other hand, first and foremost checks to make sure that the product doesn’t leave an ashy tone upon application. “I like for the blush to dissolve into the skin and start to just illuminate the cheeks for a youthful finish.”
What are the most iconic blushes?
There have been so many iconic blushes over the years, long before the days of viral TikToks, including NARS Orgasm (the OG according to Bhatty), and Benefit Cosmetics's Benetint. In recent years, we’ve seen a ton of chatter around Rare Beauty’s liquid blush, Dior Rosy Glow, and the Merit Flush Balm.
How to Apply Blush
Both of our pros love to use textures together and have the powder blush act as a setting powder. Daley says that when doing a full foundation look, she will use a little cream blush for underpainting first (placing it underneath the foundation), and then she will apply a powder blush finish on top. “I find that the powder blush starts to penetrate through the foundation to meet the cream base, which creates this beautiful harmony on the skin.”
Cream vs Liquid vs Powder Blush
Having to choose between the three is like choosing a favorite child — you just can’t! According to Daley, cream/liquid blushes are known to create a beautiful satiny finish on the skin, which is great for dewy serum skin looks. The consistency of the product gives you the ability to add a little bit of glow to the skin without adding a lot of product. Not everyone loves a dewy finish, though. For those who prefer a very beautiful matte finish, powder blush is the perfect complement.
Meet The Experts
- Kirin Bhatty is a celebrity makeup artist who often works with Florence Welch and Tessa Thompson.
- Sheika Daley is a celebrity makeup artist whose clients include Kelly Rowland and Saweetie.
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