Blush is easy to overdo and surprisingly hard to get right. Our Senior Beauty Editor Josefin Forsberg has tested enough formulas to know which ones fade by midday, turn orange in daylight, or spiral into a flush of blush regret. From soft cream balms and foolproof liquids to precision powders, modern sticks and one unapologetically polished palette, these are the best blushes to avoid a makeup blunder
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What’s the difference between cream, liquid, powder, and stick blush?
Blush isn’t just blush. The way it’s formulated changes how it behaves on skin and how forgiving it is in real life. Cream and liquid formulas puts emphasis on blendability and luminosity. They melt into the skin and look less like a patch of pigment, which is why they’re often the default for drier or more textured complexions. Powder blush, on the other hand, does what it says on the tin: it sits on the surface, sets quickly, and lasts. It’s the format most people reach for when longevity or a matte finish matters.
Stick blushes sit somewhere in between the two. They combine speed with control, sliding straight from tube to face with minimal effort and, at most, a stippling brush to blend (I personally prefer my fingers, warming up the pigment on the skin). That can feel liberating or like a fast route to over-application, depending on the formula.
None of these formats are inherently better than the others. The difference is practical rather than hierarchical and comes down to personal preference. Knowing whether you want softness, glow, longevity or speed makes choosing the right format far less trial-and-error.
How to choose a blush shade that actually works with your skin tone
A simple starting point is depth. Lighter skin tones tend to suit shades that read softly on the skin: muted pinks and gentle peaches, depending on your undertone. Deeper skin tones can carry richer berries, plums and brick shades. But while the industry loves to talk about undertones and rules, in reality what matters more is how a shade shows up on your face. “Rules” are only useful up to a point. A colour you genuinely love can work across multiple skin tones if the formula blends well and builds evenly. Shade guidance narrows the field. Texture and finish are what decide whether it actually works on the skin.
The right way to apply blush (and why it matters)
Blush is additive, so it’s easier to build than it is to undo. Start with a light hand. Load your brush, sponge or fingers, tap off any excess, then apply where the face naturally warms, usually the apples of the cheeks and the high points of the cheekbones. Blend as you go. Most blush blunders happen when pigment is left sitting too long before it’s worked into the skin.
Cream and liquid formulas need to be blended before they set, so speed is of the essence. Powder blush, while impactful, is less forgiving than balms so a light hand and circular motions matter. One habit that always improves the result is stepping back from the mirror and checking the finish in natural light.
But it bears repeating: Makeup should be fun, expressive and somewhat experimental. Try applying your liquid blush with a wet sponge for a glowy finish, or why not brush your blush across the bridge of your nose rather than the apples of your cheek?
Best cream blush - Soft Melt Blush Balm by Caia Cosmetics
What it is: A cream blush balm designed to melt on contact with the skin, delivering sheer-to-buildable colour with a soft, skin-like finish. The formula is lightweight, emollient and designed to blend easily without slipping or breaking up base makeup underneath.
Why we love it: This is the kind of cream blush that quietly corrects a lot of common mistakes. It has enough slip to blend effortlessly, but not so much that it migrates or disappears. The colour payoff is controlled, forgiving and easy to build, which makes it particularly good when you’re in a rush or working without a mirror-perfect setup. It looks like skin, behaves like skin, and rarely gets out of hand.
Best liquid blush - Soft Pinch Liquid Blush by Rare Beauty
What it is: A lightweight liquid blush with concentrated pigment and a soft, blendable texture. Designed to deliver long-lasting colour in a single dot, it sets without feeling tight or sticky on the skin.
Why we love it: This blush has a reputation, and it’s deserved. The pigment is strong, but the formula blends so evenly that it never looks aggressive if you apply it with a little restraint. Once set, it stays put, which makes it ideal for long days when you don’t want to think about touch-ups. It’s one of the few liquid blushes that manages to be both impactful and controlled, a balance that’s harder to find than it sounds.
Best powder blush – Rosy Glow by Dior
What it is: A finely milled powder blush that reacts to the skin’s moisture levels to enhance the natural flush of the cheeks. The texture is lightweight, smooth and designed to sit seamlessly over foundation or bare skin.
Why we love it: This is a powder blush that understands subtlety. The pigment builds gradually and blends without clinging, which makes it far less risky than most traditional powders. It gives definition without heaviness and holds its shape throughout the day. If you’re wary of powder blushes looking flat or dated, this one proves that the format still has a place.
Best blush stick – Pocket Blush by Rhode
What it is: A compact blush stick with a creamy, balm-like texture designed for quick, on-the-go application. It delivers a soft wash of colour with a matte finish.
Why we love it: This is blush for people who don’t want to overthink it. The texture is sheer, forgiving and easy to blend with fingers, which makes it almost impossible to apply too much in one go. It’s particularly good for adding warmth back into the face when makeup has gone slightly flat and is always in my hand bag when I go away on holiday. Sleepy Girl is the perfect shade to recreate that sun-flushed blush.
Patrick Ta Beauty
Major headlines double-take crème and powder blush duo in 'thank me later'
Best blush palette – Crème & Powder Blush Duo by Patrick Ta
What it is: A dual-format blush palette combining a cream blush with a complementary powder shade. Designed to be used alone or layered for added depth and longevity.
Why we love it: This palette rewards a bit of makeup literacy. Used separately, both formulas perform beautifully. Used together, they create a finish that packs a serious pigment punch. Not for the novice, it’s ideal if you like having options or adjusting intensity depending on the occasion. One of the few palettes that feels genuinely useful rather than excessive.
Best blush for fair skin – Blush in Orgasm by Nars
What it is: A classic powder blush in a peachy-pink shade with a soft golden sheen. Designed to add warmth and luminosity without overwhelming lighter skin tones.
Why we love it: A 2016 OG, there’s a reason why this blush has endured when other formerly-cult products fell short. On fair skin, it adds colour without sharp contrast and brightness without obvious shimmer. It’s particularly good at mimicking a natural flush rather than announcing itself as makeup. Reliable, flattering and still relevant.
Best blush for deep skin tones – Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush by Fenty Beauty
What it is: A cream blush with rich pigment and a smooth, blendable texture designed to show up clearly on deeper skin tones without turning ashy or dull.
Why we love it: This formula is fabulous for deeper skin tone that may need a more pigmented approach. The colour reads true, blends evenly and keeps its vibrancy without needing multiple layers. It gives a healthy flush rather than a greyed-out cast, which is still an issue with far too many blushes. A dependable choice when you want colour that shows up and stays silky-soft.
Best blush for mature skin – Baby Cheeks Blush Stick by Westman Atelier
What it is: A cream blush stick with a silky texture designed to melt into the skin. The formula is free from obvious shimmer and designed to move with the complexion rather than sit on top of it.
Why we love it: This is blush blends easily, doesn’t catch on texture, and gives colour without emphasising fine lines. The finish is soft and natural rather than glossy, which makes it particularly flattering on more mature skin. It’s one of those products that provides a subtle healthy flush more-so than intense pigment payoff.
Best drugstore blush – Camo Liquid Blush by e.l.f.
What it is: A liquid blush with strong pigment and a lightweight, long-wearing formula, designed to deliver impact at an accessible price point.
Why we love it: This blush punches well above its price point. The colour payoff is impressive, but the texture blends easily if you apply it with a light hand. Once it sets, it lasts, making it a solid option for long days or warmer weather. Proof that you don’t need to spend a lot to avoid common blush mishaps.
Best luxury blush – Make Me Blush Bold Blurring Blush by Yves Saint Laurent
What it is: A finely milled powder blush with a blurring finish, designed to smooth the look of the skin while delivering rich, refined colour.
Why we love it: This is luxury blush that proves why you should really invest in certain makeup products. The texture is exceptionally smooth, the pigment sophisticated, and the finish subtly blurring. A splurge, yes, but one that earns its place.