The Secret Drugstore Blushes That Rival 10 High-End Favorites

Affordable and stunning.

Alyssa Brascia wearing and applying blush.
(Image credit: @alyssabrascia)
Jump to category:
By
last updated
Contributions from
in Buying Guides

Blush is a beauty product that is looked over far too often. It's an essential step in a makeup routine that is subtle with promising results. Of course, bronzers and contour powders are great for an instantaneous Saint-Tropez moment, but what if you want to look a little more effortless? There's nothing like a quick hit of blush to liven up our complexion in a time of need or when we're aiming for a natural beauty look.

Blush's transformative powers make it easy to understand why it's one of the most important beauty staples among celebrities, makeup artists, and beauty editors. The best part? You don’t have to splurge to get a product that leaves you with a rosy flush. “A great drugstore blush should blend easily, have just the right amount of pigment, and last all day without turning patchy,” says celebrity makeup artist Christian Briceno. “Texture matters; if it feels silky and builds up instead of going chalky, you've got a winner.”

Since this staple can get pretty pricey, we did you and your bank account a favor by sharing 10 standout drugstore blushes that remind us of pricier, ultra-popular picks.

The Best Drugstore Blushes, at a Glance

Best Overall: Nyx Professional Makeup Buttermelt Pressed Powder Blush

Alyssa Brascia wearing bright pink blush.

(Image credit: @alyssabrascia)

Best Powder: Milani Baked Blush

Alyssa Brascia wearing pink blush.

(Image credit: @alyssabrascia)

Best Liquid: Morphe Hot Shot Blush Drops

Alyssa Brascia wearing pale pink blush.

(Image credit: @alyssabrascia)

Best Stick: Sheglam Buttery Bliss Blush Stick

SheGlam Buttery Bliss Blush Stick.

(Image credit: @alyssabrascia)

Best Cream: Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Blush

Alyssa Brascia wearing pink blush.

(Image credit: @alyssabrascia)

Best Multipurpose: Mineral Fusion 3-in-1 Color Stick

Best Luminous: Essence Pure Nude Baked Blush

Best Matte: L'Oréal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear Soft Matte Blush

Best Hydrating: e.l.f. Cosmetics Putty Blush

Best Value: Essence The Blush

What to Look for in a Drugstore Blush

  • Texture: When it comes to any good blush, texture is paramount. The best blushes, whether available at the drugstore or in the luxury aisle, are smooth and silky to the touch. Each should blend beautifully, whether against bare skin or on top of varying foundation formulas, and they should have some staying power.
  • Formula: To best decide which formula you should use, first assess your skin type and the kind of base you start out with. If you lean oily and prefer powder foundation to balance your skin, perhaps try a cream blush to bring a bit of luminosity back to your complexion (or you can double down on powder, if you wish). On the other hand, dry skin might benefit from hydrating liquid blushes, like e.l.f Cosmetics Putty Blush.
  • Shades: This one is entirely personal, but it’s something worth considering when picking your next favorite blush. If you prefer rosy reds, peachy pinks, or maybe even an eclectic lavender, you’ll want to make sure that your blush of choice has an option that works with your skin tone and fits your makeup routine.

Where should you apply blush on different face shapes?

There’s certainly not a one-size-fits-all application technique for blush, but if there were one universal tactic, Briceno recommends this: “Apply blush high on the cheekbones and slightly toward the temples. It lifts the face without dragging it down,” he says. But if you want to really enhance your features with specific placement, Briceno has a few tips for different face shapes:

  • Round: “If you have a round face, placing blush a little higher helps elongate and slim the look. Starting at the outer cheek and blending up toward the temples.”
  • Oval: “Oval is the most balanced shape, so you don’t need to ‘correct’ much. The key is to keep blush placement natural and not too low. Start at the apples of the cheeks and blend slightly upward and outward toward the temples. This enhances your natural bone structure, giving a lifted, polished look without overdoing it.”
  • Heart: “With heart-shaped faces, the forehead is usually broader and the chin narrower, so blush helps to balance everything. Apply blush just below the apples of the cheeks and blend outward, but keep it soft; you don’t want it too high or too close to the nose. Adding a little warmth along the outer edges of the face (near the temples) can also soften the width at the top and bring harmony. Just keep it diffused and avoid harsh edges.”

Which type of blush is best for a natural look?

Your application technique will determine whether or not your blush looks the most natural (i.e., a light hand for a watercolor wash of color, brushing powder foundation over the edges of your blush if you have harsh lines, etc.), but there are certain products that will give you a more realistic flush than others with less technique.

“Cream blush is the easiest way to get a natural, skin-like flush,” says Briceno. “Something that blends seamlessly into your foundation or bare skin, giving you a healthy glow without appearing powdery or dry.” We personally suggest the Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Blush as our favorite drugstore cream blush, which offers a healthy pop of color while looking effortlessly natural.

How We Tested

We found the best drugstore blushes by testing various budget-friendly options until we came across tubes and compacts that reminded us of our pricey, higher-end favorites. Then, we consulted with celebrity makeup artists to see which products they prefer, and why. From there, we garnered information on the best application techniques, things to look for in blush texture, and the down-low on different types of formulas, before making our final list of winners (and comparing them to their high-end counterparts).

Why Trust Us

AtBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.

Explore More:
Erin Jahns
Beauty Director

Erin has been writing a mix of beauty and wellness content forBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing for over five years. Prior to that, she spent two and half years writing for Byrdie. She now calls Santa Monica home but grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and studied writing, rhetoric, and communication at University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. She studied abroad in Galway, Ireland, and spent a summer in L.A. interning with the Byrdie andBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing family. After graduating from UW, she spent one year in San Francisco, where she worked as a writer for Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen before moving down to L.A. to begin her career as a beauty editor.

With contributions from
Latest
  • Wednesday
    The Wednesday Hair-and-Makeup Team Shares Their Go-To Products

    They're scary good.

  • A model wears reformation earrings.
    Reformation Just Launched Jewelry—Here's What I'm Betting Will Sell Out First

    Take my word for it.

You might also like
View More ▸