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12 Of The Best Blushes For All Skin Types And Tones
Here's how to wear cheek colour now.
It’s likely you’ve lightened up on the base make-up recently, with those full-coverage formulas being replaced by radiant tints and a selective swipe of concealer. Some blame the pandemic for the demise of the full beat: we blame the fact that 10 extra minutes in bed is important these days. But if there’s one make-up product that’ll really make your new ‘low-key’ face pop, it’s a swipe of a really good blush.
Blush has endured a bad reputation in the past, but now is the time to forget everything you think you know about cheek colour. A far cry from the fuchsia flushes of the 1980s, today’s best blushers offer translucent tone and brightening pigments that truly bring skin to life – whether you’re perfecting a 10-step beauty look or simply swiping on a tinted moisturiser before dashing out the door (or logging onto Zoom).
If you’ve had a run-in with a bad blush before, it’s likely down to your shade selection. According to Warren Dowdall, Senior Pro Artist at Bobbi Brown, a rogue hue is what trips most people up when it comes to cheek products. ‘Blush should be a subtle enhancement to your makeup,’ he says. ‘When choosing colour, pinch your cheek and look at colour that already exists in your skin. That will give you a great guide as to what colours to choose for a really polished blush look.'
Once you’ve worked out which blush tones will work for you, you’ll need to consider texture. Today, there are watery blushers and dewy liquids that’ll hydrate and highlight while imparting a veil of colour. Powders have upgraded too, with pearlescent particles and ultra-fine textures offering day-long wear without the chalky finish. For the truly blush-averse, a swipe-on stick affords total control and practicality.
As for placement? Well, you have options. The girlies on Tiktok are swiping blush just about anywhere, from high up on the temples to right across the nose. Trends may abound, but if you're a nervous newcomer, stick to the old classic: a light wash of colour on the high points of your cheeks.
Here, see the 12 blushes the ELLE beauty team are using this spring.
The Best Cream, Powder and Liquid Blush To Try Now
Rose Inc Blush Divine Radiant Lip & Cheek Colour
Rose Inc Blush Divine Radiant Lip & Cheek Colour
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley really did her research before moving her beauty universe, Rose Inc, into the product space. Her stand-out product, Blush Divine, was tested and re-tested on members of the supermodel’s beauty community, ensuring the texture, shade range and performance were exactly right. The result is a winning blush that Space NK can hardly keep in stock.
Expect a creamy yet pigmented cream blush that looks spectacular on both cheeks and lips, imparting cool-toned colour that awakens skin without looking overly ‘done’. Believe the hype.
Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Blush
Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Blush
For those looking to dip a toe into blush for the first time, Chanel's sublime Les Beiges launch will fit the bill perfectly. Boasting the same encapsulation technology as the acclaimed skin tint, these humectant-rich formulas melt on contact with skin to release the lightest, most translucent wash of colour. This being Chanel, the colours are all cool, flattering and completely chic.
We know you know Glossier Cloud Paint. This creamy cheek colour – now available in a spectrum of eight shades – remains unbeaten when it comes to flattering hues and a soft, diffused finish. We’re crowning it the perfect gateway blush.
Trinny London Flush Blush
Trinny London Flush Blush
Trinny London's loyal fans love these blush pots for their practicality as well as their perfectly natural hues. Simply swipe and dab over the high points of your cheeks for a flush that says 'walk in the park' not 'extreme spinning'.
Saie's liquid blush is the perfect product for creating a super-dewy look. Blend lightly but generously: these illuminating shades look beautiful when swept right across your cheeks and the bridge of your nose. If you're especially fair-skinned and struggle to find a shade right for you, head straight to Peachy and thank us later.
Milk Makeup Bionic Blush
Milk Makeup Bionic Blush
Liquid blush can be tricky to perfect: too watery and you’ve got an application nightmare on your hands.
From Milk Makeup's skin-kind Bionic collection, this one strikes the perfect balance, delivering translucent colour with true staying power. It can be simply tapped on with fingers and doesn’t dry instantly, so you’ve got time to perfect your placement and really blur out those edges.
This one is more heavily pigmented than most, so go lightly: a tiny drop on each cheek will be ample. You can always add more, but correcting heavy application is a harder task.
Rituel de Fille Colour Nectar Pigment Balm
Rituel de Fille Colour Nectar Pigment Balm
Rituel de Fille is a brand known for creating otherwordly colours that feel different yet entirely flattering. A real hidden gem, these multi-use pigment balms are designed to light up your eyes, cheeks and lips with a translucent but impactful glow. Dab and blend with your ring finger for creamy colour that doesn't smear or smudge.
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
Selena Gomez' liquid blush is one of the most in-demand beauty products of the year – and the popularity is absolutely warranted. These creamy formulas are pigmented, but not frighteningly so, and manage to remain dewy all day without shifting or fading. There are neutrals to lure in the minimalists, but we find the peachy, pinky shades perfect for bright spring days.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush
Hourglass’ Ambient Lighting Blush is perhaps the most popular of them all – and for good reason. The now-iconic powder brought blush back from the brink of extinction, offering skin-brightening, pore-masking benefits with a hint of colour.
The shade range runs from cool-toned mauves to perky peaches and some sublime deeper pinks, so there’s bound to be one that suits. It's a bridal make-up artist favourite for a reason.
You likely know the NARS line-up for its inexplicably horny product names, but the likes of Aroused and Deep Throat are also some of the best blushes around.
The finely milled powders are ultra-light and a cinch to blend, carving out cheekbones without ever looking muddy or heavy.
Looking for a place to start? Everyone from Emma Stone to Meghan Markle loves the classic shimmering-peach Orgasm, while Naomi Campbell has reportedly worn Taj Mahal for years.
Vieve Sunset Blush Balm
Vieve Sunset Blush Balm
Vieve's balmy creams come in a small edit of burnished hues that sit somewhere in-between a blush and a bronzer – perfect if you want to awaken skin in one fell swoop. They're denser than most, so use a stipple brush and a light hand to blend without shifting your foundation beneath. As for the staying power? It's up there with the best.
NUDESTIX Nudies All Over Face Colour
Nudestix’s blush sticks impart completely matte colour without a trace of shimmer, but that’s not to say they can't brighten a tired complexion beautifully. Bondi Bae is the famous just–been-on-holiday shade, while Teracotta Tan looks spectacular on deeper skin tones. They’re multi-use, so try swiping over lids and lips as an easy way to master the monochrome trend. There’s even a handy built-in brush for seamless blending.
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