The best liquid blushes are, in my opinion, one of the easiest ways to make your skin look fresher, glowier and instantly more healthy. NGL, blush has been my beauty constant since high school - through every phase, every bad brow era, every makeup clear-out - and it’s still the one product I never really leave the house without.
As a dry-skin girlie, I’ll take a liquid blush over a powder every single time. I want something that melts into the skin, not just sits on top of it, and liquid blush always gives me that dewy finish I’m after. It’s usually more pigmented, blends more seamlessly and lasts longer, too.
So many formulas now come packed with skin-loving ingredients like hydrating hyaluronic acid, conditioning shea butter and antioxidant-rich aloe, so they give you glow while helping your skin look and feel better. I also love that some double as lip and eye tints - so you’re essentially getting three products in one compact tube. Whether you’re a liquid blush newbie, or you're after a new liquid blush for the summer months, I've worked with my fellow Glamour editors to try and test the best launches on the market.
How I tested liquid blushes:
At Glamour, I take testing seriously. Nope, that doesn’t mean swiping something on once and calling it a day. Before putting together any guide, we do our research, speak to experts, and ask makeup artists which formulas they actually rate.
Once the products are called in, they’re split across the wider Glamour team, because testing on different skin tones, skin types and ages is really important to me. When it came to liquid blushes, we each wore our chosen formulas for around two weeks, swapping them in for our usual blush of choice to see how they really compared.
Testing meant wearing them everywhere: to the office, for after-work plans, on busy days out, and even the odd gym session, to see how they wore throughout the day and how well they actually held up. We also made notes on the texture of each blush, how it felt on the skin, how easily it blended, how it layered with other products like cream bronzer, and whether it felt drying or more hydrating.
Why you can trust me:
I've been a beauty writer for six years now - five at The Mirror and the past year at Glamour - but I’ve been a blusher fan for much longer than that. I’ve loved blush since my high school days, although back then liquid blush wasn’t really a thing. The closest I got was Benefit’s Benetint, which, NGL, dried down so quickly and was almost impossible to blend - especially on my dry skin.
Now there are so many more options, from liquid and cream to powder and even jelly formulas, but liquid blush is still the one I always come back to. Over the years, I’ve tested loads, from Rare Beauty’s wildly pigmented Soft Pinch Liquid Blush to Glossier’s Cloud Paint, so I know exactly what I want from a formula - and what I really don’t.
For this piece, I also spoke to celebrity makeup artist Sasha Keene, who shared her tips on how to apply liquid blush properly, her go-to recommendations, and whether liquid or powder blush is actually better.
Read on to discover my top rated liquid blushes.
1.Best Overall: Armani Luminous Silk Cheek Tint
Why we love it: “As someone who’s already very obsessed with Armani Beauty, I had a feeling I was going to love this liquid blush. Oh, and did I mention it’s also one of Sabrina Carpenter’s favourites, according to the star’s makeup artist? That only made me want to try it more, especially seeing as she’s the queen of blush. Before trying it for myself, I already read it was pretty pigmented when doing my research, so I went in carefully with three small dots on each cheek, and honestly, that was more than enough.
It blended out so easily, felt super lightweight on my skin and sat really nicely with the rest of my makeup without going patchy or lifting anything underneath. It also stayed put all day long, which I was hoping for, seeing as Armani says it lasts up to 12 hours. My only real issue was that I definitely picked the wrong shade for my skin tone. I went for Bold Pink, which on me pulled more like an icy pale pink and felt much better suited to lighter skin tones than olive tones like mine. I usually go for deeper reds or darker pinks, so if I bought this again, I’d 100% go for Delicate Mauve 62 instead, which feels much more me. Shade choice aside though, I really liked the formula - a little goes a long way, which I always appreciate, especially as it['s not cheap, and it gives that silky, soft-matte finish rather than anything too dewy. It also pairs really nicely with the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation and Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk Glow Blush if you do want to add a bit more glow. Plus, it’s made with vitamin E and dimethicone, which help give it that smooth, glide-y feel on skin.”
- Tested by: Shani Cohen, Glamour's beauty commerce writer.
- Pros: Pigmented, easy to blend, buildable.
- Cons: May be too matte for some.
- Shades: 6.
- Key ingredients: Vitamin E, dimethicone.
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2. Best Light-Reflecting: Sculpted by Aimee Liquid Lights Blush
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Why we love it: “I’m always here for a blush that gives glow as well as colour, so I was really excited to try Sculpted by Aimee’s Liquid Lights Blush. I tried the shade Real Rosy, which is a really pretty pink and gave my cheeks such a lovely, fresh pop of colour. What I liked straight away is that it’s not just a blush - it also doubles as a highlighter, thanks to soft pearl pigments, so it gives skin that soft, lit-from-within sheen at the same time.
The formula itself feels really lightweight and hydrating on the skin, which makes sense as it’s infused with squalane. I will say, it’s not the most pigmented blush I’ve tried, so when I first applied three small dots, it looked pretty subtle and I probably could’ve gone in with a bit more. It also dried quite quickly, so although I started off blending it with my fingers, I think a brush or damp beauty blender would’ve worked better for a smoother finish. Still, if you like your blush more natural, glowy and easy to wear, this is a really lovely one to have in your makeup bag.”
- Tested by: Katie Leirey, senior SEO manager.
- Pros: Doubles as a highlighter thanks to reflective pigments.
- Cons: Not the most pigmented - so needs more product than others.
- Shades: 3.
- Key ingredients: Squalane.
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3. Best Colour Payoff: Rhode Pocket Blush
Why we love it: “I’m a huge Rhode fan, but if we’re talking standout products, it would have to be the Pocket Blush. It’s my go-to everyday blush and genuinely one of the creamiest, most blendable formulas I own. I switch between the two popular shades Tan Line and Toasted Teddy depending on the look I want - Tan Line is that gorgeous pinky-tan shade that gives such a fresh, healthy flush, while Toasted Teddy is slightly deeper and gives more of that ‘blonzer’ effect.
I usually swipe it straight onto my cheeks and nose, then blend it out with my REFY brush, although my fingers work just as well when I’m in a rush. The texture is so creamy and lightweight, melts into the skin really easily and never goes patchy. Honestly, it’s one of those products that just makes you look a bit more sunkissed, healthy and pulled together in seconds.”
- Tested by: Shani Cohen, Glamour's beauty commerce writer.
- Pros: Easy to blend, hydrates, and is super long-lasting.
- Cons: None to note.
- Shades: 13.
- Key ingredients: Peptides and tamanu oil.
4. Best for Glow: Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Blush Stick
Why we love it: “At this point, Charlotte Tilbury has basically built an empire around glowy skin, so a blush stick that promises a healthy-looking glow was always going to be on my radar. And while this is definitely more of a cream blush than a liquid, it blends out beautifully and gives skin that fresh, juicy look Charlotte Tilbury does so well. It’s not the most pigmented blush on this list, but it is really buildable, which I actually quite liked - especially with the easy stick applicator, which makes topping it up very straightforward.
I did find that when I used a brush to blend it out, quite a lot of the product seemed to disappear, so I’d definitely recommend using your fingers instead. What I love most about Charlotte Tilbury, though, is that the brand always seems to think about what’s actually going on your skin too. This one is infused with Barrier Defence Matrix - the same ingredient found in the Unreal Foundation - alongside Collageneer™ and hyaluronic acid, which is a big green flag for someone with dry skin like me. I went for the shade Pretty Glow, which gave my skin the prettiest pop of pink and feels especially perfect for spring/summer.”
- Tested by: Shani Cohen, Glamour's beauty commerce writer.
- Pros: Easy to blend, hydrating and buildable.
- Cons: Not very pigmented and may be too glowy for oily skin types.
- Shades: 6.
- Key ingredients: Barrier Defence Matrix, Collageneer™ & hyaluronic acid.
5. Best For Mature Skin: No7 Pro Artist Luxe Liquid Blush
Why we love it: "No7 beauty products have been a staple in my makeup bag for the past 10 years and the formulas have yet to let me down. That said, I've never tried one of the brand's blushes before, so I was intrigued to see how the No7 Pro Artist Luxe Liquid Blush would perform.
Recent powder blushes have left me with a cakey final result when worn on top of my non-negotiable daily bronzer, so where I can I'll always opt for a liquid blush. First impressions: I loved the simple yet sleek design of the bottle itself and soft rounded brush, which made for easy application.
The pigment is impressive, so I really appreciated the soft, buttery texture, which made blending out any excess a breeze. A few small dots went a long way and the colour itself came out as a beautiful, soft, pinky flush with a part dewy, part matte final effect. It's safe to say that this blush will definitely be making its way into my regular rotation!"
- Tested by: Lian Brooks, Audience Development Manager.
- Pros: Soft, buttery texture which blends super easily.
- Cons: Part matte - may not be one for dry skin types.
- Shades: 3.
- Key ingredients: Dimethicone.
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More liquid blushes I'm in the process of testing:
Vieve Sunset Blush Balm
Why we love it: This has no-makeup makeup days written all over it. It works perfectly over bare skin for off-duty days or blended on top of makeup. Don't be put off by the colours on the tube, blended into skin they're stunning and although there's only four shades, they work beautifully across a range of skin tones. It gives a glossier, more luminous finish than other liquid blushes but it doesn't feel sticky and slide around.
- Pros: Glowy, luminous finish that doesn't feel sticky.
- Cons: Not the most long-lasting, some say it fades by the end of the day.
- Shades: 4.
- Key ingredients: Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Chamomile Flower Water.
- Customers are saying: Stunning colours, goes on smoothly, the staying power isn't as strong as other liquid blushes.
Your Liquid Blush FAQ's, Answered:
| Meet the expert: | Sasha Keene, Celebrity Makeup Artist |
What's the best way to apply liquid blush?
“My personal favourite way to apply Liquid Blush is warming the product up on my hands first and then apply softly to the cheeks. This way you can control the pigment and the blend and add as much as you like. I always apply using the same brush as my foundation, this will help get a more seamlessly blended blush look.”
What liquid blush is the best?
“Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Cheek Tints, specifically shades 53 Bold Pink and 50.5 Rosy Peach are most used liquid blushes in my kit. They are so easy to apply and super blendable and give a perfect pop of colour to the cheeks. If I want a more highlighted effect I always reach for the Charlotte Tilbury Pinkgasm Beauty Light Wand. It’s the perfect shade of pink and is super glowy and pigmented on the skin! For the most natural flush of colour and for an everyday on the go product my new favourite is the Bobbi Brown Skin Enhancer Multi Stick! It instantly brings the skin back to life! Also the Rhode Pocket Blushes are a personal favourite to use on myself!”
What is better, liquid blush or powder blush?
“I don’t necessarily think either ‘Liquid or Powder’ is better than the other. I always layer the makeup finely starting with liquid and cream and then set with a powder blush later on to lock in the makeup. If I was creating the most natural fresh and dewy look for a ‘no make up makeup’ look I would use liquid over powder. For a Red Carpet Look and Bridal I would always set the liquid/cream blusher with a powder to ensure longevity and a stronger pigment to the look!”
