Natural, healthy and glowing is all the rage at the moment evidenced by the recent influx of skin tints and cream products. Blush is one of the best ways to achieve a fresh youthful flush of colour as well as a natural way to enhance your cheekbones and lift your face. Pink blush is one of the most universally flattering shades for all skin tones and looks so fresh in the spring and summer months with lighter makeup.
Depending on the formula of blush you choose will decide how you apply it. If you are applying a cream or liquid blush I would advise you to apply the blush along with your other cream and liquid products ensuring that it is after foundation and concealer (you do not want to cover up your hard work!). Applying before any powder products ensures that your blush does not cling weirdly to any powder making it go patchy or cakey.
Experimenting with the blush in hand will determine which tool you prefer to apply. You can either use your fingers, a sponge, or a brush. Whilst using your fingers is quick and free it can be quite messy and unhygienic so I personally prefer to use a brush or sponge. I will either use my Real Technique Miracle Complexion Sponge for runny liquid blush or I will use my MAC 159s Duo Fibre Blush Brush for creamier formulas.
Powder blushes are very user friendly and can be applied whenever. Personally, I find it is best to have set your makeup with a finishing powder to ensure the powder blush does not grip unevenly to your wet base. I love to use the MAC 159S Duo Fibre Blush Brush or an affordable dupe the Morphe M427 Tapered Duo Fibre Brush if I am using a cream/liquid formula. I will also use Real Techniques Blush Brush for a sheer wash of colour or the Zoeva 126 Luxe Cheek Finish Brush if I want to build up the intensity.
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1. Patrick Ta Double-Take Cream + Powder Blush Duo in ‘She’s a Doll’
£30/$34
Finish: Dewy Cream + Matte Powder
Formula: Complementary Cream + Powder
Two complimentary blush formulas in one compact. A pigmented, weightless powder paired with a hydrating, dewy cream designed to layer together for a bold, dimensional finish. Apply powder with a fluffy complexion brush, then layer on cream to the apples of the cheeks with fingertips or a foundation brush for a dewy, life-like glow.
This bright pop of pink will surely liven up your complexion! It is not for the faint-hearted!
2. MAC Mineralise Blush in ‘Dainty’
£24/$31
Finish: Powder
Formula: Shimmer
A blush that builds lightly, layer after layer, without heavy coverage. This baked powder blusher delivers an exceptionally sheer wash of colour with a luminous, pearlised finish.
The lightweight, baked mineral formula effortlessly glides across the skin, offering a sheer, natural-looking hue that can be made more intense by adding extra layers. Additional applications allow the blush to build lightly, without offering heavy coverage.
This light yellow pink with gold pearl is a lovely wearable shade that isn’t too bright!
3. NARS Liquid Blush in ‘Orgasm’
£27/$30
Finish: Glowy
Formula: Liquid
Liquid blush effortlessly glides on skin for a lasting, natural-looking glow. A uniquely buildable and blendable formula allows you to create your perfect cheek colour by using anywhere from one drop to a full pump. Ideal for mixing textures: layer over powder blush for high-impact colour, or apply first for a diffused effect. Includes Monoi and Tamanu oils, known for extra moisture and resilience. The shade I recommend for pink lovers is the iconic ‘Orgasm’ shade that is notorious for the NARS brand.
4. Dior Backstage Rosy Glow Blush in ‘Pink’
£29.50/$39
Finish: Matte but looks slightly luminous
Formula: Powder
Rosy Glow universal blush is the Dior makeup artist’s secret weapon to create the appearance of naturally rosy cheeks for a fresh glowy effect.
This healthy glow booster brightens the cheeks with natural-looking colour, like a breath of fresh air. Infused with Color Reviver technology, it reacts to the skin’s moisture level upon application for a customized rosy effect.
5. Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic in ‘Love is the Drug’
£32/$40
Finish: Shimmer
Formula: Powder
Charlotte Tilbury’s Chic to Cheek duos star a deep core colour, encircled by a paler, complementary hue to create an array of finishes. Simply swirl a Blusher Brush around the outer colour and diffuse along the cheekbone, then ‘pop’ the brush into the core colour and apply to the apples of the cheeks for the most gorgeous, nuanced glow. Infused with special ‘light-flex’ technology to enhance luminosity.
6. Milani Baked Blush in ‘Dolce Pink’
£11/$9.99
Finish: Shimmer
Formula: Powder
Applied to the apples of the cheeks, Baked Blush gives a sheer wash of soft colour for a naturally flushed complexion. Baked on Italian terracotta, the powder is incredibly finely milled for a silky application. Housed in a gold mirrored compact with a travel size brush, on the go glow is at your fingertips.
7. Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Divine Blush in ‘Divine Rose’
£35/$39
Finish: Demi-Matte
Formula: Powder
While beautiful to look at, it’s the flawless application that makes Pat McGrath’s ‘Skin Fetish: Divine Blush’ the makeup artist’s most requested launch to date. Pressed from finely milled powder, the weightless pigment builds and blends seamlessly while imparting a satin glow.
8. Glossier Cloud Paint in ‘Puff’
£15/$18
Finish: Dewy
Formula: Gel-creamy
Just sheer enough upon initial application to make it easy to work with and layer without going overboard—simply dab it on cheeks and tap into the skin for a natural, flushed-from-within glow. Special Blurring Pigments give a soft-focus effect that doesn’t accentuate texture or pores—as if you just happen to be in golden hour lighting all the time. The lightweight gel-cream formula has a pillowy, bouncy feel that blends seamlessly and leaves cheeks dewy, not streaky or chalky.
9. Rose Inc. Blush Divine Radiant Lip & Cheek Colour in ‘Ophelia’
£23/$30
Finish: Dewy + Hydrating
Formula: Mousse/Cream
Create a rosy glow with Rose Inc Blush Divine Radiant Lip and Cheek Colour. This multipurpose, high pigmented cream melts into skin to create a youthful flush of colour on the lips and cheeks.
This long-wearing, ultra-hydrating cream features a pigment-rich formula. It melts into the skin to create a buildable, natural-looking colour to the lips and cheeks, helping to brighten and blur. The nourishing, non-comedogenic formula, which includes skincare ingredients, helps improve skin health over time. Hydrating squalene, antioxidant vitamin E and balancing marine ferment extract help reduce shine.
Refills are available for this luxurious lip and cheek tint, offering a sustainable option for repurchasing and helping to reduce the amount of unnecessary waste that goes to landfills.
10. Makeup Revolution Superdewy Liquid Blush ‘You Had Me at First Blush’
£5/$7
Finish: Dewy
Formula: Liquid
Add a hint of tint to your look with the Revolution Superdewy Liquid Blush. An easy to use, ultra-pigmented, buildable liquid blush. Go for a natural flushed finish or build it up for a more pigmented look. An excellent affordable option which is high quality at a great price! Some liquid blushes can be very messy and hard to work with but this is very user-friendly and blended out like a dream without losing its pigmentation.
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