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8 Best Blushes That No Makeup Routine Is Complete Without
Whether swept on top of a makeup look or brushed across bare skin, the best blushes play up a healthy glow—or stand in for one when the skin is looking rather dull. “When I’m choosing a blush, I go for shades that show up naturally when your skin is flushed,” says makeup artist Tonya Riner. “Just give your cheeks a little pinch and see what comes through,” she adds. Some editors prefer sheerer finishes, while others go all out (some may call it “blush blindness,” but who cares?) and sweep on their favorite blushes with abandon. In a quest to find the best blushes in all types of formulas—creams, liquids, and powders, oh my!—and color palettes, we’ve swatched, tapped, and swirled to bring you this edit of the absolute must-have blushes.
Our Favorite Blushes of All Time
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Cream Blush: Ilia Multi-Stick
Why we love it: Designed to complement the breeziest of beauty regimens, Ilia’s Multi-Stick is a cinch to use. The Readers’ Choice Award-winner blends like a dream with the tip of a finger, builds easily, and comes in 12 shades that all evoke some degree of natural flush, whether it’s the pinkness of a first-date blush or the ruddy remains of a summer spent wandering barefoot through the berry patch. What’s more, the formula—buttery, melty, and packed with moisturizing oils— pampers the skin.
“What I love about the Ilia Multi-Stick is that by using a brush, it gives me a ton of control with placement and allows me to adjust how strong the color is, which I love—it’s like having multiple shades in one. ‘A Fine Romance’ is the perfect berry to me because I can use it as a soft, delicate pink or go full just-ate-a-popsicle by applying it directly to my cheeks or lips.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
Tester feedback from former Allure associate special projects manager Talia Gutierrez
“This tiny but mighty twist-up Ilia Multi-Stick is called that for a reason. Acting as a three-in-one, I start my application with one swipe of product on my cheekbones before dabbing a tint of color onto my eyelids and lips for an illuminating, glow-from-within flush of color that can easily be thrown in my purse for on-the-go touch-ups when necessary,” says associate special projects manager Talia Gutierrez. “Lately, I’ve been using Dreamer, a warm nude that gives a post-vacation illusion while I’m here, sitting in the office.” —Talia Gutierrez, former associate special projects manager
- Key ingredients: shea butter, avocado oil, orange peel wax
- Finish: radiant
- Shades: 12
Best Liquid Blush: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Cheek Tint
Why we love it: It please, please, pleases Sabrina Carpenter to wear Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk Cheek Tint, and she’s not the only one who calls this her favorite blush. After much swiping and blending, the Allure team singled this out as the best overall liquid blush. Not only does the silky product blend out like a dream, but it also feels light as air on the skin. But don’t let its lightweight texture fool you: The blush stays put for up to 12 hours and leaves a dewy finish in one of 12 shades. The secret to the makeup product’s staying power is found in a unique water-in-oil emulsion that fuses a thin film of color onto the skin.
Tester feedback from Allure senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor
“This blush changed my mind about fiery tones. Yes, it’s pigmented (so applying it gradually is key), but it blends beautifully into a natural-looking ‘I just had a really great date’ kind of flush. It sets in place for hours, too—lasting through that date and whatever might follow.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editor
Tester feedback from Hoffmann
“I’m probably blush blind, but I don’t care, and you can’t stop me. Armani’s Liquid Silk Blush is one of my favorites—it’s not super sheer (which I love because when I’m wearing blush, I want people to know!) but blends easily, so I think it’s a great formula for beginners because it’s forgiving. I’m wearing Delicate Mauve, which is, to date, the most perfect dusty pink shade I’ve found for my particular skin tone. If I could wave a wand and naturally produce that shade on my cheeks, I would, but until then, I’ll stick to wearing this blush pretty much every day.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
- Key ingredients: dimethicone, isodecane, mica
- Finish: luminous
- Shades: 10
Best Powder Blush: Kosas Blush is Life
Why we love it: The undisputed champion of all powder blushes—at least, if you ask Allure editors—is Kosas’s Blush Is Life. Each shade reflects a combination of two subtly shimmery hues, and the result is a your-natural-flush-but-better glow. Plus, while the blush is baked, it doesn’t have the dryness of some other baked formulas. Whipped up with squalane and hyaluronic acid, the blush has a moisturizing feel—it certainly doesn’t reflect the dusty and dry formulas of years past. Bonus: Blush Is Life is dermatologist-tested and deemed safe for sensitive skin.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“Did Kosas read my mind when brainstorming names? My inclination is yes because blush has been my life for the past year or so, and it doesn’t seem to be leaving anytime soon. My preference has always been swayed towards cream blushes, but Kosas has me giving powders a second chance. Blush is Life is light, airy, and definitely doesn’t cake or settle into texture like other powder blushes tend to do. Hype (a warm poppy pink) brightens my face instantly.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
“Blush truly IS life when you have this in your makeup kit. These colors are simultaneously new and classic; Heartbeat is a juicy nectarine-style red, and Chills is an ultraviolet-style berry, for instance. These are pigments we’re familiar with, but with the kind of zest I like to think only the LA-based Kosas can bring. They’re truly weightless (as an eczema sufferer and a fine-line lady, I can feel and see when a product isn’t so seamless) and so smooth, which lends itself to an easy blend. Because the pigment payoff is high, though, it’s not as goofproof as some cream-based blushes, so make sure you have a good brush to diffuse the color for a more natural look.” —Shanna Shipin, shopping director
- Key ingredients: squalane, hyaluronic acid
- Finish: luminous
- Shades: 11
Best Lip and Cheek Tint: Chanel No. 1 De Chanel Lip and Cheek Balm
Why we love it: The texture of Chanel’s No. 1 De Chanel Lip and Cheek Balm is something of a legend amongst Allure editors. One of the best multitasking balms on the market, the French beauty salve is infused with red camellia oil that makes any area of skin it touches feel (and look) like satin. Whether used on bare skin or as part of a softly blurred makeup look, the balm peps up the cheeks with a natural-looking rush of color; it also doubles as a cute, plumping lip balm.
“I love a multipurpose product that can make my life easier, and lip and cheek tints are definitely at the top of that list. No. 1 de Chanel Lip and Cheek Balm has a buttery, red camellia oil-infused formula that easily transfers onto the pad of my (clean!) ring finger so I can dab away on my cheeks and lips. Even though it’s a tint, shades like Berry Boost don’t disappoint in the pigmentation category—I’m left with a pretty flush that I can apply and blend out with just my fingers, as shown in the clip.” —Angela Trakoshis, former shopping market editor
- Key ingredients: red camellia extract, candelilla wax, vitamin E
- Finish: dewy
- Shades: 9
Best Long-Wearing: Nyx Professional Makeup ButterMelt Pressed Powder Blush
Why we love it: Nyx Professional Makeup is the rare drugstore brand whose products tend to outperform those of more luxurious labels. In the case of its Makeup ButterMelt Blush, skin-care-grade ingredients like mango seed butter and sweet almond oil give the formula a moisturizing touch. Available in 12 shades that have matte finishes and glowy finishes, the irresistible shades don’t only deliver a lit-from-within flush that looks like the byproduct of a very expensive vacation; they also smell like candy. And to think, you get all that for just $10? A genius purchase, no doubt.
Tester feedback from Allure contributor Jailynn Taylor
“Being the queen of blush blindness, I stan Nyx’s Buttermelt Blush because it doesn’t cling to my dry spots and actually stays on all day. I also love that Butta Togetha, a lighter pink shade, actually shows up on my medium complexion without pulling ashy. The buttery texture blends in smoothly and layers beautifully over foundation without lifting or streaking. I wore it all day in DC’s newfound subtropical weather, and it held up shockingly well with minimal fading or transferring. Also, something I don’t usually consider with my blushes, it smells great!” —Jailynn Taylor, Allure contributor
- Key ingredients: mango seed butter, sunflower seed oil, sweet almond oil, shea butter
- Finish: matte or radiant (shade dependent)
- Shades: 12
Best for Dry Skin: Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm
Summer Fridays
Blush Butter Balm
Why we love it: Think about the butteriest blush you’ve ever swiped onto your cheekbones. If you don’t have Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm in mind, sorry, you’re wrong. This creamy formula is packed to the brim (err, compact?) with skin-care-forward ingredients, such as plumping peptides, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and moisture-sealing shea butter. What that translates to is a dewy finish that makes you look like you got the perfect amount of sun—at least, whatever perfect means to you, because this formula is ultra buildable, and sheer-able for that matter. As with many cream blushes, this darling looks stunning on the lips if you’re into a monochromatic moment.
Tester feedback from Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin
“It is so rare for me to hit the pan for a blush but I SCRAPE the beautiful bits of this blush when I get down to the end. I use this for everything and everywhere—of course as a subtle flush or wow-worthy pop of color on the cheeks, over the nose for a cute sunkissed look, and on the eyes for some pigment. One thing that may be underrated for this blush is that it is so, so great on the lips as well. I use a liner and the blush, and I’m set; it’s multipurpose in the best way. I have eczema-laden skin, and it hasn’t flared up over many months of use, it also doesn’t accentuate any dry spots, and instead leaves the skin with a healthy, bouncy-looking finish.
This formula melts into the fingers and onto the skin, so you don’t need to tug to get it to blend. It’s simultaneously buildable and forgivable if you add too much. The shade range is great (Terracotta is my all-time favorite for my medium skin), and while you can use your fingers, I highly recommend the corresponding dual-ended brush—it is so versatile and even blends skin tint foundations like a dream!” —Shanna Shipin, shopping director
- Key ingredients: ceramides, peptides, shea butter, mango seed seed butter, illipe butter, hyaluronic acid
- Finish: dewy, hydrating
- Shades: 6
Best for Mature Skin: Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
Why we love it: There’s a reason Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick has a nursery-evoking name. Though some blushes accentuate texture, fine lines, and wrinkles on mature skin, this satiny formula seems to rewind the effects of time (if only until the nightly makeup-removal routine.) Infused with jojoba seed oil and grape and raspberry-seed extracts, the cream blush hydrates the skin and lends it a youthful, lit-from-within glow. Pro tip: Add a touch of blush to your lips for the same, delightfully flushed color there.
Tester feedback from Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
“While I’m a powder blush stan, there’s nothing like this cream formula to give my skin the most natural-looking pop of color ever. The velvety texture melts into my skin and feels like nothing, and I love that I can dab a little on my nose and chin to make my skin look almost sunkissed—like I just got back from a long walk. Plus, a tiny bit goes a long way, so this stick will last me forever.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
- Key ingredients: jojoba seed oil, grape extract, raspberry seed extract
- Finish: satin
- Shades: 9
Best for Travel: Make Up For Ever HD Skin All-In-One Face Palette
Make Up For Ever
HD Skin All-In-One Face Palette
Why we love it: This Best of Beauty Award-winning palette has all the fixings for a top-of-the-line face base. Stocked with six shades that can be used as foundation, bronzer, or contour on a range of skin tones, the star of the palette may very well be the four cream blushes in buildable shades. Mix up a custom color by blending a few, and follow the brand’s suggested application method for a lifted effect: after dotting the blush onto the apples of the cheeks, use your fingers to blend it upwards. The blushes sweep on with a skin-like finish and offer long-lasting coverage.
Tester feedback from Allure content director Kara McGrath
“These cream palettes aren’t just blush, but they have plenty of blush shade options. I love how easily buildable they are: The first swipe of blush is super sheer, but you can layer it up for a more natural flush. Since there are 12 shades in each palette, they’re great for travel, too.” —Kara McGrath, content director
- Key ingredients: sunflower seed wax, carnauba wax
- Finish: natural
- Shades: 4 blushes, 2 highlighters, 6 skin-tone shades for foundation or contour; the palette comes in 2 shades
More blushes to consider:
- Those with oily skin will find a pore-refining flush of color in Danessa Myricks Beauty’s Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed. Powered by Upsalite technology—which smooths the look of pores and balances sebum production—the balmy powder has a soft-focus finish.
- Interested in a hybrid formula you can dab on with your fingers? Glossier Cloud Paint has been a staple of ours for years because the gel-cream formula is mess-free and beginner-friendly. The shade range is stacked, too, ranging from soft-girl hues such as Puff (light cool pink) to bold shades like Haze (fuchsia) and Eve (deep mulberry).
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to find a blush shade that works for me?
“People can find their best blush shades by leaning into colors that have the same undertone as their skin,” says makeup artist Melissa Murdick. “As an example, I have a cool pink undertone, so I tend to look best in pink shades that lean a bit mauve, which is itself a cool shade.” Murdick also recommends checking out blushes in-store and swatching several shades on your arm. “Sometimes, comparison is the easiest way for you to say I actually really like the way that looks instead of just guessing from the packaging,” Murdick explains.
What type of blush looks the most natural?
“Using a cream or liquid blush in a soft rosy or peachy tone can give you the most natural-looking flush,” says makeup artist Ish Bermudez Jr. “Apply it with a light hand and blend well for a flawless finish.” He adds that opting for a satin or luminous formula is a great way to enhance a healthy glow without making skin appear greasy or shiny.
What’s the best way to apply blush?
Whatever makes you feel the best! “There are plenty of different placements for blush that you can experiment with to see what suits you best—up high on the cheekbones, on the apples of the cheek, etc.—but the key to all placements is to make sure the edges are nicely blended,” says Murdick. “There should be a strongest point of color that gradually fades off into your skin so you don’t end up with an unnatural patch of blush.” If necessary, she recommends using a foundation sponge or a blush brush to tap along the edges of the blush and help it melt into the skin.
What blush stays on all day?
“For all-day wear, liquid blushes and stains are your go-to,” says makeup artist Karen Dupiche. “These formulas are long-lasting, lightweight, and smudge-proof, making them perfect for long days or humid environments.” Plus, these formulas layer well, offering buildable coverage that stays vibrant for hours, she says. For application techniques that can boost a blush’s longevity, Dupiche recommends taking the following steps:
- Start with a primer to help the blush adhere to the skin.
- Apply a cream or liquid blush first, then top it with a matching powder blush. “This sets the color and adds depth,” Dupiche says.
- Lock in the look with a long-wear setting spray.
- For extra staying power, apply a cream blush underneath your foundation, then layer more blush on top. “This gives a natural glow-from-within effect that lasts,” Dupiche says.
Meet the experts
- Melissa Murdick, a makeup artist with clients such as Selena Gomez
- Ish Bermudez Jr., a makeup artist and technician based in Las Vegas who is currently the makeup designer and technician for Awakening at the Wynn Las Vegas
- Karen Dupiche, a makeup artist with clients such as Whoopi Goldberg and Sherri Shepherd
- Tonya Riner, a makeup artist whose clients include Kate Upton
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best blushes, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
More Allure editor-approved picks for a flawless flush:
Done reading? Now watch Brittany Broski’s 10-minute routine for a 1930s look:
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