Enter Your Blush Era With These 14 Gorgeous Blushes for Every Skin Tone
We need to talk about blush. Sure, there may have been a time when blush was super polarizing—either you loved it or you hated it and there was no in between—but these days, we’re hard pressed to find a stellar makeup routine that doesn’t at least add a dab of the much-loved makeup product. More often, we’re seeing people experiment with different blush styles (have you tried blush draping?) via TikTok beauty hacks and trends like the “I’m Cold” TikTok trend, which calls for a natural-looking flush and optional mascara and concealer.
But with so many blushes on the market, which are the best ones to reach for? Whether you’re looking to perk up a tired complexion, add a finishing touch to a bold beauty look, or achieve a natural-looking glow, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up 14 super-smooth powders, satisfying gel-creams, and silky liquid blushes in every shade under the sun to give you the rosy, glowy flush of your dreams. Continue reading for the best blushes to add to your makeup kit ASAP.
1. Best Liquid Blush:
RARE BEAUTY Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Encourage
When Selena Gomez’s blushes first hit the market, we watched as they totally shook up the blush scene with their color payoff and versatility. Available in both matte and dewy finishes with 13 universally flattering shades, these blushes are so pigmented—but also so buildable—that they work for all skin tones. That alone was enough to win us over, but this formula also layers beautifully over makeup without disturbing your hard work. One of our favorite shades is Encourage, a dewy, soft neutral pink that looks good on everyone we’ve asked to try it.
2. Best Gel-Cream Blush:
GLOSSIER Cloud Paint in Puff
Applying this super blendable gel-cream blush is an absolute dream. The light-as-air formula is so easy to work with and blends seamlessly with just your fingertips, so it’s one of our favorite beginner-friendly liquid blush formulas to recommend. It goes on sheer at first and builds up to a full flush, but don’t worry—it’s practically impossible to go overboard. While we could write a love letter to this blush (we’re that obsessed!), there are two reasons we think this formula is superior: It features collagen to leave cheeks feeling fresh and dewy, and it has special blurring pigments that give skin a hydrated, soft-focus effect that doesn’t highlight texture or pores. Wear it and you’ll get a natural-looking, magic hour glow all day.
3. Best Buildable Blush:
CLINIQUE Cheek Pop™ in Rosy Pop
The name says it all—dust this smooth powder blush on the apples of your cheeks to make your complexion truly pop. The highly pigmented formula goes on bright (but not too bright), and blends out to a soft wash of color. Want to go bold? Just add more. It won’t look cakey or streaky. It’s longwearing, buildable, and comes in shades that flatter every skin tone. Our current fave: the shade “Rosy Pop” for a burst of pink that’s fit for any occasion.
4. Best Blush for All Skin Types:
TARTE COSMETICS Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Party Dress
We’re willing to bet you’ve come across this cult-favorite, beauty editor-loved product more than once during your search for the perfect blush formula. It’s packed with a ton of healthy ingredients that make it a total win for your skin. First, Amazonian clay makes it stay put for hours (12 to be exact!), then mineral pigments smooth and soften skin, and vitamin E hydrates and provides antioxidant protection. The silky powder gives skin a natural flush and doesn’t settle into fine lines and pores—so it’s no wonder it’s a makeup artist fave. It gets the Ipster stamp of approval, too, with 4.5 stars and almost 150,000 (!) reviews. Even blush skeptics are fans of the product, with one Ipster saying, “I like blush but don’t use it too often, but this shade is really perfect, I could see it becoming a often worn product for me!”
5. Best Rosy Glow Blush:
HOURGLASS Ambient Lighting Blush in Champagne Rose
This gorgeous compact will go down in makeup history as one of the most mesmerizing products of all time. One swirl of your brush in the soft, marbled pigment (which is a mixture of luminous pearls and blush-toned hues) imparts a multidimensional color and a soft, lit-from-within glow. The blush is made using photoluminescent technology to create depth and natural-looking radiance, and it’s also packed with pigment, easy to blend, and never streaky. Basically, it’s our dream blush.
6. Best Universally Flattering Blush:
NARS Mini Blush in Orgasm
If a Hall of Fame for blush existed, you would almost certainly find the iconic NARS Blush in Orgasm adorning the walls. This legendary, cult-classic color is famous for a reason: It works with just about every skin tone and undertone and has all-day staying power. The lightweight formula feels weightless on the skin and blends beautifully, so we love reaching for it when we want to layer up our blushes. If you’re still nervous about choosing a blush even after reading this list, this NARS blush is a great place to start.
7. Best Wine-Colored Cream Blush:
FENTY BEAUTY Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush in Summertime Wine
What’s more romantic than a soft, wine-colored flush? Not much, TBH. Whether it’s for date night, late night, or you’re just feeling a bold blush moment, this super fresh formula from the iconic FENTY BEAUTY will do the trick. Perfect for oily skin types (and all skin types, really), the non-greasy formula lasts for hours and doesn’t feel slick on your skin. The sheer, blendable color melts onto your fingertips like butter so it goes on seamlessly, never cakey. Plus, it’s water-resistant and sweat-resistant for all-day wear (can you say beach day?).
8. Best Universal Pink Blush:
CHARLOTTE TILBURY Cheek to Cheek Blusher in Pillow Talk Original
Google “iconic” and CHARLOTTE TILBURY’s Pillow Talk shade is sure to find you. Beloved by models, celebs, makeup artists, and more, this super versatile rosy pink and champagne powdery blush will give you a beautiful, dewy flush in an instant. It’s made using Light Flex Technology to capture light and reflect it back on you and finely crushed pearl pigments for an added hit of luminosity (without looking shimmery). Wear it and you’ll be ready for your close-up 24/7.
9. Best Peachy-Pink Blush:
PATRICK TA BEAUTY Monochrome Moment Velvet Blush in She’s Passionate
No one knows glow like celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta. This peachy-pink blush is made with light-reflecting mica to illuminate your best features and plant-based moisturizers to keep your skin smooth, hydrated, and happy (which is key to upping your glow). It’s so pretty, we love it on our lids as an eyeshadow and cheeks for a beautiful pink monochrome look. (Check out our Patrick Ta makeup tutorial here.) And guess what? Ipsters love it, too. Ipstertjb16 says, “I love how fine the powder is. It doesn't leave fallout all over me or the sink. Everything about it from the application to the packaging is refined. Love it.”
10. Best Multitasking Blush:
TOWER 28 BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Cream Blush in Power Hour
If you’re sitting there thinking that there’s no way this shade will work for you, let us assure you: This ultra-radiant, super-buildable cream blush shade looks gorgeous on all complexions, from fair skin to deeper, richer skin tones. One quick scroll through the reviews on Sephora and you can see why everyone loves it. It’s natural yet pigmented, hydrating but not too dewy, and it even functions as a lip stain when you want to quickly pull your look together.
11. Best Drugstore Blush:
MILANI COSMETICS Baked Blush
No matter how many high-end blushes we try, there are some drugstore options that keep us coming back for more. MILANI COSMETICS’ cult-fave blush formulas do that for us. Made with super-fine and ultra-buildable terracotta pigments, this baked blush adds such a gorgeous dimension to the skin that we’ve even used it in place of bronzer when we’re in a pinch. It’s one of our favorites, and Ipster lasheyx0 agrees: “Absolutely love this brand and use it on the daily. This blush is simply beautiful.”
12. Best Realistic-Looking Blush:
ACE BEAUTÉ Blushed Up Liquid Blush in Berry Bust
Don’t be fooled by this punchy coral shade. This liquid blush is majorly pigmented but also incredibly blendable, so you’re in full control of the shade’s intensity. For a natural-looking wash of color, all you need is one or two dots blended out on your cheeks. Add more for a bolder look, or blend well with a sponge for a super-natural, second-skin finish.
13. Best Rosy-Brown Blush:
ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Stick Blush in Latte
ABH may be the queen of brows, but she definitely knows her way around blushes. Ipster ammepaluch says, “This has hands down become my favorite blush EVER. I will buy this forever and have it in my routine for the rest of time! :) It's that good!” Ipster arbuck_33 can’t get enough either. “Not super comfortable with creams but this one is great!” This rosy-brown shade is one of the best cream blushes that we’ve found, as it melts seamlessly into skin with a radiant-looking color. Bonus: It comes with a luxe attached brush for convenient on-the-go application.
14. Best Hydrating Cream Blush Stick:
HUDA BEAUTY Cheeky Tint Cream Blush Stick in Perky Peach
HUDA BEAUTY’s hydrating, smoothing, vitamin E-packed blush formula is a travel-friendly favorite here at IPSY HQ. This tinted cream stick glides like butter, melts in your skin, and leaves behind a juicy glow. It also moisturizes for up to nine hours, which basically makes this a skincare product in our books. Swipe it on your cheeks for a gorgeous flush sans shimmer that complements fair skin, medium skin, and darker skin tones. Tip: Layer up with another blusher you love to create your own custom shade. Ipster bechampaigne believes the hype. She said, “Love love the color and the smooth texture is amazing.”
Want the scoop on all the best blushes for your makeup routine? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with your own IPSY beauty subscription. Already an IPSY member? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and TikTok @IPSY.
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