The Best Mauve Blushes, Tested by Picky Editors |Best Knockoff Luxury Clothing

Jump to category:

What Is Mauve Blush?
Why Choose a Mauve Blush?
The Best Mauve Blushers, Tried and Tested
Shop More Mauve Blushes We Love:

published 26 February 2025

Makeup trends come and go, and I'd be lying if I said I didn’t indulge in them now and again. However, there’s something about a simple and refined makeup routine that leaves me feeling pretty, polished and put-together. A fresh, glowing look is one I’ll always return to.

I think most of us would agree that one of the trickiest products to get right in our routines is blush, especially when it comes to the shade. Whilst cream blushers definitely make application easier, I’ve tested almost every shade of blusher under the sun, and none have ever been quite right. Red tones appear too harsh against my skin, and many of the brighter pinks that are more suited to my skin tone are too bold for my minimalist taste. I've tried several deep-plum shades I initially had high hopes for, but rather than delivering the healthy glow I crave, they make my skin look dull and bruised.

Eternally on a quest to find my perfect blush colour, when I saw that mauve blush was having a resurgence, I was intrigued. It's a shade many of us might be a bit scared of through fear of clown-like results, but I've seen several mauve blush looks on my social feeds recently that seem to deliver the sort of lived-in, natural-looking flush I'm after. So, in a quest to see if mauve blush could in fact be the versatile, easy-to-use product my spring makeup routine is missing, I rounded up my fellowBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK editors to help me put it to the test.

What Is Mauve Blush?

Mauve is a shade that strikes the perfect balance between pink and purple. It’s a sophisticated hue that blends both warm and cool tones, making it incredibly versatile for a wide number of skin tones and undertones. This shade can be a subtle but effective way to add warmth and dimension to your complexion.

Why Choose a Mauve Blush?

There are countless reasons why mauve blush is quickly becoming a go-to for beauty lovers. It gives the skin a soft and natural flush of colour without being as full-on as traditional red tones. It’s also extremely versatile, working well for a casual, everyday makeup look, whilst it can also be built up on the face for a bolder evening look. Mauve blush will also complement a wide range of skin tones, from fair to deep complexions.

So, if you're currently on the hunt for a new blush to get the look you're after, a mauve shade might be the answer. And to help you whittle down the options, we just put a whole bunch of them to the test across different skin types and tones, to name the best mauve blushers around. Read on for our findings.

The Best Mauve Blushers, Tried and Tested

1. Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush in RiRi, £22
2. Rhode Pocket Blush in Sleepy Girl, £24
3. Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Blush Duo in She Goes to the Gym, £34
4. Merit Beauty Flush Balm in Archival, £26
5. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Cheek Tint Liquid Blush in 62 Delicate Mauve, £37
6. Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in Garçonne, £44
7. Mac Cosmetics Sheertone Blush in Blush Baby, £28
8. Haus Labs Colour Fuse Glassy Lip + Cheek Stick in Glassy Hibiscus, £30
9. Dior Rouge Blush in Lady Dior, £43
10. Makeup by Mario Soft Pop Powder Blush in Mellow Mauve, £30
11. Nars Powder Blush in Behave, £34
12. Milk Makeup - Lip + Cheek Stick in Enigma, £22

1. Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush in RiRi

Fenty Beauty

Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush in RiRi

Shade Description: Soft rose-mauve

Formula: Cream

Finish: Skin-like

Editor Review: "Ever since I discovered mauve blushes, I've been on the hunt for the best formulas for deeper skin tones. My favourite, by far, is Fenty's Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush in RiRi, which is a lovely deep-mauve shade that will work on a wide range of skin tones. I love how it gives me a soft flush of colour without being too bold or overpowering. I only had a tinted moisturiser on when I tried it, but it's definitely a shade that would fit perfectly into my heavier evening makeup routines as well.

"I used a fluffy brush to apply it, but I know from using other shades in this formula that it applies just as well with fingers. I love how this cream formula blends with the other products on my face without disturbing them, and it makes my cheeks look fresh and glowy, unlike other blush formulas that often look cakey or separate on my dry skin," says editorial assistant Brittany Davy.

2. Rhode Pocket Blush in Sleepy Girl

rhode

Pocket Blush in Sleepy Girl

Shade Description: Soft mauve

Formula: Cream

Finish: Dewy

Editor review: "There are only three makeup products I apply to my face every single day without fail: concealer, brow gel and blusher. Rhode's is, hands down, my favourite blush in existence—and that means a lot coming from someone who isn’t actually hot on celebrity beauty brands. Rhode Pocket Blush in Sleepy Girl is a lazy girl’s dream. The formula is next-level creamy, and it drapes over the skin like silk. When patted in with my fingers, it diffuses into the most beautifully lived-in flush of colour. Described as a "soft mauve", it delivers just the right amount of pigment, giving the complexion that slept-in sort of glow. If you're like me and adore a low-fuss, minimal-makeup look, I urge you to try it," says beauty director Shannon Lawlor.

3. Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Blush Duo in She Goes to the Gym

Patrick Ta

Major Headlines Double-Take Blush Duo in She Goes to the Gym

Shade Description: Cool-mauve rose

Formula: Cream and powder

Finish: Satin

Editor review: "Celebrity MUA Patrick Ta is renowned for his blusher technique, so I was intrigued to try his blush compacts that contain both a cream and powder formula in a satiny finish. I tried the shade She Goes to The Gym, a pretty pinky-mauve which doesn't scrimp on pigment—even a touch packs a punch, which is ideal if you covet a bold blush moment. Contrary to others, Ta's technique involves applying the powder first and then the cream on top. I was initially apprehensive about this, but it works really well, and I'm totally converted. The powder creates a 'grip' whilst the cream on top ensures your blusher has a naturally dewy finish. That being said, they're equally beautiful when worn on their own if you just want to go for the powder or the cream.

"I found it worked best to apply the powder with a brush and then use my fingertips to tap the cream formula onto the skin. You can apply just a touch for a natural look or layer up for more intensity. Unlike other blushers, I found it stayed put all day long, and I only needed the tiniest amount for a pretty flush, so this palette will last a long time. As for the shade itself, I find that the cream blush is more mauve-toned whilst the powder is pinker in this colourway," says beauty editor Eleanor Vousden.

4. Merit Beauty Flush Balm in Archival

Merit Beauty

Flush Balm in Archival

Shade Description: Cool mauve

Formula: Cream

Finish: Dewy

Editor review: "Merit’s Flush Balm in Archival is the perfect shade for a soft yet impactful winter flush. I usually reach for Terracotta—a bronzier, sunlit hue—but for my first clean-girl makeup look of the year, I wanted something with more depth. Archival delivers just that: a rich berry-plum that melts seamlessly into the skin. The formula is buttery and sheer but buildable, so a little goes a long way.

"I swiped it onto my cheeks straight from the pot and blended it with my fingers—no brushes needed. It gave me that natural, just-in-from-the-cold colour without looking heavy. The finish is dewy but not greasy, which keeps the skin looking fresh and healthy. If you love a deeper blush moment but still want that effortless, barely-there feel, Archival is a perfect pick. It’s a shade I’ll be reaching for whenever I want a little more drama without overdoing it," says junior branded content editor Humaa Hussain.

5. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Cheek Tint Liquid Blush in 62 Delicate Mauve

Giorgio Armani

Luminous Silk Cheek Tint Liquid Blush in 62 Delicate Mauve

Shade Description: Mauve

Formula: Liquid

Finish: Matte

Editor review: "When choosing a blush, I’ve always veered towards lighter baby pink hues, but this mauve shade truly intrigued me. Naturally, the packaging is beautiful, with an easy doe-foot applicator that I used to apply the blush directly onto my cheeks. Initially, I was worried by the vivid shade, but just like the rest of Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk collection, it easily blended out into the ideal shade for me. This is the kind of blush you could definitely top up for a deeper pigment as needed, with a silky texture that suits application with a brush or your fingers. I was also impressed with how long-lasting the hue was and how seamlessly it blended with the rest of my makeup. Here, I’m simply wearing a tinted SPF moisturiser underneath," says shopping editor Florrie Alexander.

6. Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in Garçonne

Westman Atelier

Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in Garçonne

Shade Description: Just-pinched mauve

Formula: Cream

Finish: Dewy

Editor review: "I am a blush girl (and probably prone to a little blush blindness at times!), but I’d normally go for something brighter than a mauve shade, so I was sceptical from the start. However, I liked this one a lot. Westman Atelier knows what it's doing on all counts; the packaging is slick (extra points for the magnetic closure), the formula is super creamy and the shade is a super-natural flush of colour for my skin tone. I like that it's nice and pigmented but also buildable, and the product blends really easily (I used a mix of my fingers and a dense brush). There’s a reason the Westman Atelier blushes are hyped, and after trying them, I’m jumping straight on that bandwagon," says social media editor Megan Storey.

7. MAC Cosmetics Sheertone Blush in Blush Baby

MAC

Sheertone Blush in Blush Baby

Shade Description: Beige-pink mauve

Formula: Powder

Finish: Skin-like

Editor review: "I love blusher but normally go for a coral hue in the form of a cream or liquid product, so I was really stepping out of my comfort zone with this! Because I’m a stick-with-what-I-know kind of girl, I didn’t have hugely high expectations, but I was actually pleasantly surprised. Firstly, this powder blush is lovely to apply—it sweeps across my cheeks easily and smoothly with a standard blusher brush. Secondly, the colour is gorgeous. It’s not as purple as I thought it might be and instead feels like a very rosy, deep pink. It looks natural but still gives me a nice boost of colour, which is what I’m after when it comes to my blush. I don’t think I'm going to be swapping this for my go-to coral cream every day, but I'll certainly keep it in my makeup bag for when I want a slightly different look," says managing editor Poppy Nash.

8. Haus Labs Colour Fuse Glassy Lip + Cheek Stick in Glassy Hibiscus

HAUS Labs by Lady Gaga

Colour Fuse Glassy Lip + Cheek Stick in Glassy Hibiscus

Shade Description: Deep mauve

Formula: Cream

Finish: Glossy

Editor review: "Mauve is a blush shade I’d never usually reach for, so I was intrigued to try something new and see if it would be suited to my skin tone. I tried Haus Labs' Color Fuse Glassy Flush Balm Stick in Glassy Hibiscus, which is described as a deep mauve. My skin has been lacking hydration lately (particularly around my cheeks), so my latest obsession has been finding the best skincare-based makeup. I love that this product contains ingredients like fermented arnica and a goji berry complex, which aim to reduce inflammation and keep the skin looking fresh.

"The stick applicator made it easy to apply, and it blended easily using both my fingers or a brush. Whilst Haus Labs mentions that this blush balm is highly pigmented, I’d say it’s much more on the buildable side, and I did have to reapply a few times to notice the colour. That said, I loved the natural glossy look I was left with and would recommend it to anyone who prefers an understated yet glossy finish," says client success and affiliates manager Jerrylyn Saguiped.

9. Dior Beauty Rouge Blush in Lady Dior

Dior

Rouge Blush in Lady Dior

Shade Description: Warm mauve

Formula: Powder

Finish: Shimmer

Editor review: "Despite my best attempts to quell redness, I always find that my face looks flushed, which I desperately try to correct with skincare and foundation. So, when it comes to the products I use on my cheeks, I always like to look for something that can cover up my uneven tone. I was intrigued by mauve blushes, as this shade isn't something I typically find suits my complexion, so I was curious when Dior's Rouge Blush in Lady Dior slid across my desk. At first glance, the shade looked more pink than the typical purple I expected, and the shimmer effect made me slightly apprehensive, as I don’t typically wear highlighter on the apples of my cheeks.

"As soon as I brushed the product across my cheekbones, however, it instantly melted into this warm hue that softly enhanced my features. The blush is gorgeously pigmented and has a great colour payoff. Whilst this meant it was easily buildable, I did feel like the brush picked up quite a lot of product in just one swipe. I needn’t have been worried about the shimmer finish, as I felt this just magnified the natural high points of my face rather than making me look like a walking mirror ball. The gentle rosiness was a welcome change from the classic brown nudes I typically wear," says SEO writer Ava Gilchrist.

10. Makeup by Mario Soft Pop Powder Blush in Mellow Mauve

Makeup by Mario

Mario Soft Pop Powder Blush in Mellow Mauve

Shade Description: Mauve

Formula: Powder

Finish: Skin-like

Editor review: "Makeup By Mario Soft Pop Powder Blush in Mellow Mauve is much pinker than I expected, and it suits my fair skin much better than a more purple-toned mauve would. Although it’s a powder, the formula is creamy and blends really nicely with no powdery fallout or harsh lines. It applies easily with a classic blush brush, and I love the healthy brightness it brings to my complexion (which is probably down to the micronised clay in the formula) without being at all stark. I’m also really surprised at how well it lasts throughout the day. I’ve been using liquid blush formulas for a while now, but this has converted me back to powder. My only beef with Makeup By Mario products is the white packaging—it looks super chic but gets dirty in an instant in a well-used makeup bag," says copy editor Georgia Seago.

11. Nars Powder Blush in Behave

Nars Cosmetics

Powder Blush in Behave

Shade Description: Pink-mauve

Formula: Powder

Finish: Matte

Editor review: "Overall, I really liked this blush. I generally prefer a powder blush over the trending blush sticks or balms as they tend to sit lighter on my skin, and I find them much easier to blend than heavier, creamy formulas. I knew I would love the texture of this blush as I had heard so many good things from otherBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK editors who had tried this cult favourite. However, I wasn't expecting to love the shade as much as I did, as I usually go for pinkier hues that complement my skin tone. Behave is a more muted tone than I'm used to, but I loved how it gave a natural flush of colour to my cheeks. This is a blush I'll be adding to my everyday makeup routine for sure," says graphic designer Emily Post.

12. Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek Stick in Enigma

Milk Makeup

Lip + Cheek Stick in Enigma

Shade Description: Rosy beige-mauve

Formula: Cream

Finish: Skin-like

Editor review: "It’s well known in theBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK team that I am a victim of blush blindness. I wear it every day and probably sometimes a little too much! But this also means I’ve tried many and have high standards when it comes to what’s wearable.

"Well, Milk Makeup's Lip + Cheek tint is now a favourite. I love how easy it is to apply with my finger, and it felt very blendable—something I think is so important, especially if you’re using a darker shade. I usually go for pink and berry tones, so the shade Enigma was new for me, but I loved the subtle colour payoff, which you can build up for a more intense colour. One of my favourite things about this product is how compact it is. It’s the perfect size to fit into a small going-out bag, and it works double time when you’re out and about, acting as a lip tint and a blush. I would definitely reach for this again and can’t wait to get more shades to add to my collection," says assistant social media editor Annie Wheatland-Clinch.