Until recently, blusher was very much an afterthought in my makeup bag—I relied upon mascara to make me look awake and bronzer to add a glow to my skin. If I were doing a full face of makeup, I'd maybe add a few dabs of a muted blush to my cheeks, but more often than not, I'd skip the step altogether. To be quite honest, blusher always felt a bit scary—after all, it can be so easy to overdo application, and as someone with a lot of rosy tones within their skin, I was always concerned about looking overly flushed.
Then I discovered cream blush and liquid blushers, and everything changed. Not only are cream and liquid formulas significantly easier to apply than their powder counterparts, but they never look cakey. I've also found them to be longer lasting, and I love the fact that, unlike powders, they don't settle in or draw attention to my acne scarring, or to dry patches or fine lines.
It's this very perk, in fact, which makes cream and liquid formulas the best blushers for mature skin. "Focusing on creamy, hydrating textures and luminous finishes will help achieve a fresh, glowing look that complements mature skin beautifully," says makeup artist Lan Nguyen-Grealis. "This is because mature skin types benefit from blushers that are hydrating, blendable, and provide a youthful, natural glow."
The Best Blushers for Mature Skin
- Best liquid blush for mature skin: Nars Afterglow Liquid Blush (£33)
- Best cream blush for mature skin: Trinny London Flush Blush (£24)
- Best natural blush for mature skin: Merit Flush Balm (£26)
- Best powder blush for mature skin: Jones Road The Best Blush (£28)
- Best hydrating blush for mature skin: Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick (£44)
1. Nars Liquid Blush
Formula: Liquid
Number of shades: 9
Finish: Subtly shimmery
Just a few tiny dots of this pigmented liquid formula make light work of adding a rosy flush to cheeks—simply dab on with your fingertips for truly effortless application. The addition of sodium hyaluronate and collagen makes it a great option for dry skin or for those who seek a radiant and glowy finish. For a universally flattering result, opt for the shade Orgasm—a peachy-pink hue which has become something of a cult classic.
Pros
- Doe foot applicator allows for targeted application
- Easily blendable
Cons
- Won't be for those who like a matte finish
2. Beauty Pie Supercheek Cream Blush
Price shown is member price.
Formula: Cream
Number of shades: 8
Finish: Radiant matte
This blush is one of the best Beauty Pie products, hands down. The buttery texture melts into cheeks to bestow a sheer tint to the cheeks that isn't overly dewy nor matte—it's the perfect radiant middle ground.
Pros
- Sheer and buildable
- Great for dry skin
Cons
- May be too creamy for oily skin
3. Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand
Formula: Liquid
Number of shades: 7
Finish: High gloss, pearlescent
One of Nguyen-Grealis' top picks, this liquid blusher is perfect for mature skin that's looking dull and tired, since it delivers a healthy dose of glow as well as colour. What's more, the sheer solution and built-in sponge applicator make it impossible to overdo.
Pros
- Wand allows for targeted application
- Gives skin a delicate glow
Cons
- Sponge becomes dirty after multiple uses
4. Trinny London Flush Blush
Formula: Cream
Number of shades: 6
Finish: Luminous glow
Those who seek a natural-looking finish will love the muted shade range and subtle glowy finish offered by these easy-to-apply cream blushers from Trinny London. Expect a delicate hint of colour that lasts in place all day.
Pros
- Creamy and blendable
- Easy to use
Cons
- I'd like more varied shade options
5. Glossier Cloud Paint
Formula: Liquid
Number of shades: 11
Finish: Sheer glow
A staple in many a makeup artist's kit (including Nguyen-Grealis'), Glossier's iconic Cloud Paint blushers are one of the brand's most-loved and bestselling products. They're highly pigmented, so a little goes a long way, but the sheer, liquid formula blends seamlessly onto even the most textured skin. Plus, the tiny tubes will last you a surprisingly long time.
Pros
- Great shade range
- Blendable
Cons
- These do take some skill to apply
6. Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge
Formula: Cream
Number of shades: 9
Finish: Dewy tint
Another makeup artist staple and cult classic, Bobbi Brown's Pot Rouge does double duty as both cheek tint and lip tint. The sheer formula is well-suited to mature skin types, and is also impossible to overdo—simply dab on and blend out using your fingertips.
Pros
- Can be used on cheeks and lips
- Very compact
Cons
- Does take a few swipes to build up coverage
7. Merit Flush Balm
Formula: Cream
Number of shades: 13
Finish: Satin matte
One of my personal favourites, Merit Flush Balms are definitely amongst the more long-lasting formulas that I've tried, so if you want a blusher that looks as good at 8 PM as it did at 8 AM, look no further. The satin matte finish gives cheeks a truly natural-looking finish, and the shade range caters to all preferences and skin tones, from light and neutral to bright and deep hues.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Can be applied directly to skin
Cons
- Natural finish may not suit all tastes
8. Jones Road The Best Blush
Formula: Powder
Number of shades: 5
Finish: Subtle shimmer
If you do prefer a powder blush, this would be my top recommendation. The formula actually blends really smoothly across skin and doesn't cling to dry or textured areas—thanks to the addition of squalane—and a hint of shimmer adds a noticeable brightening effect to skin.
Pros
- A hydrating powder formula
Cons
- Powders can settle in fine lines
9. Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
Formula: Cream
Number of shades: 8
Finish: Natural flush
Hydrating berryflux vita, jojoba seed oil, and vitis vita grape extract help to make this formula nourishing for skin and easy to apply—it truly melts onto skin. While the price may seem steep, rest assured that a little goes a long way—this Westman Atelier blush will be a staple in your makeup bag all year long. Trust us, few formulas can compete with Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick.
Pros
- Packed wit hydrating ingredients
- Eay to apply
Cons
- Expensive
10. Rhode Pocket Blush
Formula: Cream
Number of shades: 6
Finish: Natural glow
Scroll through the reviews and you'll see that this blusher is loved by a wide range of skin types and ages—and for good reason. The formula isn't overly pigmented, so it is easy to apply, and can be built up if you do prefer a noticeably rosy finish. What's more, it lasts incredibly well—no midday top-ups required.
Pros
- Creamy + blendable
- Gorgeous shade range
Cons
- Wears off a little quicker than others
11. Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
Formula: Cream
Number of shades: 13
Finish: Soft flush
Rare's Soft Pinch Blush does require a little more skill to apply, so it is perhaps not the best option to go for if you're a total newbie to applying liquid blusher. It's super-pigmented, so you only need a tiny dot on each cheek, then a fluffy brush to blend out the colour. The result is a fresh, natural-looking flush that doesn't settle in or emphasise fine lines and wrinkles.
Pros
- Highly pigmented
- Blendable
Cons
- Easy to apply too much product
12. Refy Cream Blush
Formula: Cream
Number of shades: 5
Finish: Natural and dewy
This was the product that made me fall in love with cream blushers in the first place. The formula is sheer and dewy, so it never looks cakey nor does it draw attention to textural irregularities in my skin. Good work, Refy.
Pros
- Hydrating formula
Cons
- More shades needed
13. Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint
Formula: Jelly
Number of shades: 5
Finish: Sheer gloss
Combining the benefits of liquid and cream formulas in one, Milk's unique jelly-textured blusher is another brilliant option for mature skin types. The sheer, glossy finish adds a subtle tint of colour and a fresh, healthy sheen to skin.
Pros
- Hydrating formula
Cons
- Some may prefer more pigment
What Should You Avoid In Blushers for Mature Skin?
As we get older, skin naturally becomes drier and loses volume, resulting in it feeling thinner and looser. This means it creases much more easily, leading to fine lines and wrinkles appearing. "Avoid matte and overly powdery formulas which can emphasise dryness and fine lines, and also dull the face," advises Nguyen-Grealis. "Glitter-heavy blushes can settle into wrinkles, too." When it comes to choosing blusher colours, she recommends avoiding very dark or overly bright shades, which can sometimes look too harsh.
How Should You Apply Blusher to Mature Skin?
"Ensure the skin is well-moisturised and primed to create a smooth canvas," says Nguyen-Grealis. "Smile gently and apply blush to the highest point of the apples of your cheeks, blending upwards toward the temples. Avoid applying too close to the nose or too low, which can drag the face down."
As for the best tools to use to apply blusher to mature skin? "Use a damp makeup sponge, your fingers, or a soft brush to blend the product for a natural finish," says Nguyen-Grealis. "If needed, lightly set with translucent powder to avoid overemphasising texture while maintaining a luminous finish."
How We Tested
As I previously mentioned, my relationship with blush started rather rocky, and it took me much trial and error to discover the best formulas — those which blended seamlessly, didn't settle into my fine lines or amplify my rosy complexion. As many of these requirements also apply when it comes to discovering the best blushes for mature skin, I drew upon what I'd learnt to inform my choices.
Yet, you don't have to just take my word for it. In researching for this article, I also spoke to an expert, makeup artist Lan Nguyen-Grealis. Over the years, she has worked with a huge variety of women of all ages, and so her expertise was priceless in helping choose the best blushes for mature skin. In light of this, alongside my top picks, you'll also find her recommendations, as well as her top tips on how to apply and choose a blusher for mature skin.
Why Trust Us
AtBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
-
I Saw This $19 Blush BTS During NYFW—Now It's My Favorite for Dreamy, Dewy MakeupThe glow is real.
-
From Chocolate to Royal Blue to Burgundy—8 Unexpected Eye Shadows That Make Brown Eyes PopAbsolutely breathtaking.
-
Grab Your Coffee Mugs and Cable Knits—These Cozy Fragrances Are Practically Gilmore Girls ApprovedA scent for every preference.
-
My Friends Always Ask Me How I Get My Hair So Glossy—This Shine Treatment Is the KeyPlus, more glass-hair givers from $10.
-
Pinterest, IG, and TikTok Agree: "Toasted Blush" Will Be a Huge Makeup Trend This FallSorry, "sunburn" blush.
-
Leighton Meester Just Took On a New Role, Then Spilled All the Juicy Beauty DetailsThere's a lot of history here.
-
My 53-Year-Old Mom Can't Stop Texting Me About This Firming Serum: "My Skin Looks Good Without Makeup Now"Plus, how it fared on my 25-year-old complexion.
-
I'm Calling It: Collegiate-Girl Fall Is Happening, and These Products Epitomize the TrendIt's time to hit the books.
