Grace Day
Even if you're not necessarily a makeup enthusiast, I can bet you're aware of the hype for liquid blush that's taken over the beauty world in the past couple of years. In fact, blusher in general is big news in beauty right now—it's the perfect product for creating a healthy glow, adding some natural-looking colour to a no-makeup-makeup look, and for perking up a lacklustre complexion.
Cream blushers and liquid varieties, in particular, are proving especially popular, which makes sense given that they deliver the fresh, dewy, radiant finish that we all seem to want this season. They're a welcome alternative to powders, which can sometimes look cakey, emphasise texture and lines, and look patchy or fade as the day progresses.
Until a few years ago, I'd always been a powder blush girl. Then, I tried my first liquid blush, and everything changed. This product is now a staple in my makeup bag. I love the fact that I can swipe it onto my cheeks, blend with my fingers or a brush and have a glowy blush look in ten seconds flat. Plus, the long-lasting colour never fails to earn me compliments.
Thanks to the glowy skin trend, there are lots of great liquid blush formulas available right now. As a beauty editor, I've tried hundreds over the past year or so, and have narrowed my collection down to seven formulas that I could never be without. Below, I've gone into detail about each one and included some tips on application from makeup artist Lucy Hart. You are welcome.
How to Apply Liquid Blusher
"What I love about liquid blush is that there are multiple ways you can apply it," says Hart. "You can do so straight from the applicator to the cheeks, and then stipple it with a dense brush, or dab it with a damp sponge to blend it out across the skin. Alternatively, you can apply and blend it with your fingers if you don't have tools to hand, or apply it directly to the brush or sponge and then apply it to cheeks."
When it comes to tools, Hart recommends using either a firm stippling brush, a damp sponge, or a small powder brush. "Focus on tapping, not rubbing, or you'll lift off all the product underneath," she advises.
I've been busy testing the best liquid blushers out there.
Where to Apply Liquid Blusher
"Recently I've started applying liquid blush lower down on the face, which makes you look more naturally flushed," explains Hart. "This look is trending at the moment—it's referred to as boyfriend blush. But generally I would recommend applying it higher up on the cheeks, which is more flattering as it lifts the face."
Liquid Blush vs. Powder Blush
Although powder blushers have many pros, liquid blushers are ideal for getting that dewy finish. "I prefer using a liquid blush as it applies so well on top of already set skin," says Hart. "It's so easy to apply once you've mastered the tapping application technique. Plus, it looks more natural and gives a really gorgeous glow to the skin."
What to Look for in a Liquid Blush
According to Hart, it totally depends on what you want from your blusher. "Some people prefer more pigment whereas others favour a sheer formula so they feel more in control when it comes to application," she adds. "But whichever you go for, it may take a bit of practice to get used to application if you're used to using a powder blush."
The Best Liquid Blushers, Tried and Tested
- Best liquid blusher overall: Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand, £30
- Best long-lasting liquid blusher: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, £24
- Best dewy liquid blusher: Saie Dew Blush, £22
- Best buildable liquid blusher: Vieve Sunset Blush Balm, £24
- Best pigmented liquid blusher: Benefit Benetint, £23
1. Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand
Number of shades: 7
This is, hands down, the best liquid blush for a glowy finish. If you prefer a more naturally dewy look, then this might not be for you, but if you want your skin to look incredibly radiant, then I highly suggest giving this a go. Forget highlighter, as this product delivers a flush of colour and a pearl-like sheen all in one.
What I love about this product is that it comes with a sponge applicator, which makes it so easy to apply straight onto the skin. It has a gel-like formula that makes it easy to blend, and you can easily build up the colour depending on your desired result. My go-to shade is Pillow Talk, a soft pink, but there are seven hues to choose from, including golden shimmers and bright pops of coral.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Adds an amazing glow to the skin
Cons
- Packaging can be a bit messy
2. Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
Number of shades: 13
The Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush is a bestseller for a reason. This formula is incredibly pigmented, adding a beautiful flush of colour to the cheeks. There are different finishes available, but if you like a luminous look, I recommend opting for one of the dewy shades.
The blush has a lightweight texture and is infused with lotus, gardenia and white water lily, so you can imagine just how good this feels on the skin. The long-lasting pigments mean that your blush stays in place all day long, and as mentioned above, this formula is very pigmented, so a little goes a long way.
Pros
- Pigmented colour
- Easy to apply
- Chic packaging
Cons
- Have to be careful not to apply too much
3. Saie Dew Blush
Number of shades: 11
Saie is the makeup brand to know about if you like a glowy finish. This product couldn't be further from the cakey powder blush formulas you may have used in the past. It has an incredibly hydrating formula and is even safe for sensitive skin. It practically melts into the complexion, adding a natural-looking dewy flush to the cheeks.
Because it is slightly more natural-looking, it doesn't last as well as other products in this roundup, but the chunky doe-foot applicator means you can easily top up your blush on the go.
Pros
- Hydrating formula
- Naturally dewy finish
Cons
- Can wear off quite quickly
4. Armani Luminous Silk Cheek Tint
Best luxury liquid blush
Number of shades: 6
If you're after a luxury formula, you can't go wrong with Armani's liquid blush. I've long been obsessed with the brand's Luminous Silk Foundation, and this blush is just as impressive. The lightweight formula glides onto the skin and can easily be blended with both your fingers or a brush.
Although the colour looks very pigmented in the packaging, it actually adds more of a subtle flush to the cheeks that I can't get enough of. In fact, the colour pigments are blended into a water-in-oil emulsion, which helps to create that sought-after glow.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Buildable colour
- Adds a natural glow
- Chic packaging
Cons
- A little more expensive
5. Vieve Sunset Blush Balm
Number of shades: 5
You probably know by now that I'm a big fan of Vieve makeup, and this liquid blush is my favourite product from the brand. It gives you that really juicy, dewy finish that can be so hard to create. This summer I've alternated between Cherub, a pretty pink hue, and Rosa, a soft peach shade.
It doesn't come with a doe-foot applicator like other blush products, but the slim nib makes the liquid formula easy to apply. I would say that each shade adds a more natural flush to the cheeks, but you can build the colour up depending on your desired result.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Glowing finish
Cons
- Colour is not as pigmented
6. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush
Number of shades: 2
Korean skincare brand, Glow Recipe, has created the glowy blush of all liquid blushers. Infused with skin-loving ingredients such as niacinamide, jojoba oil and watermelon extract, the lightweight, serum-like formula adds a plump, radiant finish to the skin.
There are only two shades available at the moment, but both work hard to add a natural flush to the cheeks. I wore this to work the other day and everyone commented on how luminous my makeup looked.
Pros
- Packed with skin-loving ingredients
- Adds a glowy finish
Cons
- Would love to see more shades
7. Benefit Benetint
Best pigmented liquid blush
Number of shades: 3
This liquid blush is somewhat of an icon in the makeup world. It acts as a tint for both your lips and cheeks, and provides both amazing colour and staying power. It can take a little while to get used to, as it has a very liquid formula and you do have to blend it quite quickly, but the results are seriously worth it.
I have the shade dark cherry, which adds such a vibrant flush of colour to the cheeks and gives me this wonderfully radiant finish that manages to last all day long.
Pros
- Pigmented colour
- Impressive staying power
Cons
- Liquid formula can take a little while to get used to
How We Tested
I am a big fan of liquid blushers, and have been putting lots of products through their paces over the last few months. I've worn each blush on some of the hottest days of the years whilst running around the city, and have taken everything into account from how pigmented each shade is, the staying power of each blush and even how easy each product is to apply.
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, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up 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.
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