9 best blushes I've tested – from creams to liquids & powders
Whether you like a soft natural tint, a dewy cream finish, or a long-wearing powder, choosing one of the best blushes is guaranteed to elevate your makeup in the most effortless way possible. “Blush should give your face a healthy touch, like you've got a lot of oxygen in your skin,” says professional MUA Gucci Westman, whose client list includes Anne Hathaway, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lawrence and Cameron Diaz.
From liquid blushes to powder blushes and cream blushes, there's something to suit everybody's preference. And each of those iterations have their own benefits, too. Take liquid blush, for example. It melts seamlessly into the skin without looking matte and cakey – but it is easy to over-do it. Elsewhere, a cream blush can be more versatile and great for adding colour to your lips and eyelids as well as your cheeks – but the pigment may not be so strong.
Enter, Glamour's exhaustive guide to the best blushes of 2026, including our tried-and-true faves. TBH, a quick scroll through #BeautyTok (and our edit) will tell you that brands like Charlotte Tilbury, Rare Beauty, Rhode and Merit are still the ones dominating the burgeoning world of blusher – but there are some fun new players to get excited about, too.
Here's everything you need to know.
How I tested
As a shopping writer who’s been testing makeup for over five years, I’ve tried more than 25 blushes – from sheer liquid tints to highly pigmented powder formulas. Every product in this edit has been worn, layered, blended, and tested in real-life conditions, either by myself or other members of the Glamour team.
When a new blush lands on my desk, I put it through a minimum two-week trial across different settings – long office days, busy commutes, after work drinks, and everything in between. I also rotate application methods to see how each formula performs with fingers, brushes, and sponges, and how it sits over different bases like tinted moisturiser, foundation, or bare skin.
Because no single tester can represent everyone, I involve other editors with different skin types and preferences – from oily to dry, and from mature skin concerns to minimal-makeup wearers. Together, we assess everything from pigment payoff to how the blush wears down throughout the day, as well as how it layers with bronzer and highlighter. Other notable factors? Whether the formula was cruelty-free or vegan, whether the packaging was recyclable, and how easy they were to travel with. The results are in.
Why you can trust me
I’m an experienced shopping writer and product tester who has written for publications including Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle, covering everything from the best setting sprays to the best primers. My role has taken me inside industry events, brand launches, makeup masterclasses, and panel discussions, where I’ve been able to learn directly from makeup artists, founders, and skincare experts shaping the products we use every day. When it comes to blushes, I’ve personally tested more than 25 (!) products over the years, giving me a strong understanding of how different formulas perform in practice and which skin types, preferences, and makeup looks they’re best suited to.
Shop the edit of the best blush formulas below to find which one is right for you…
Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand
- Size: 12ml.
- Available shades: 4 blush shades; 6 highlighter shades.
- Longevity: 5/5.
- Pigment: 4/5.
- Tester: Sophie Cockett, Senior Commerce Editor.
Why we love it: “I've long been a fan of Charlotte Tilbury's Beauty Light Wand highlighter, so when the team offered me the chance to try the Beauty Light Wand Blush, obviously I said yes. I love a shimmery blusher. If you don't like a glitter-y finish to your blush then this won't be for you – but, if you do, the Light Wand serves glow in abundance.
"I loved how easy it was to build gradually, and how the small, soft applicator meant I could be targeted with my application. I'll probably go for a softer, peachy shade next time – Pinkgasm Sunset was perhaps a little too dark for my skin tone – but otherwise, I adored it. I just hope it doesn't explode in my bag like the highlight wand did.”
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Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
- Size: 7.5ml.
- Available shades: 11.
- Longevity: 5/5.
- Pigment: 5/5.
- Tester: Denise Primbet, Beauty Contributor.
Why we love it: “This product went viral immediately after it launched, and it's easily won over every beauty enthusiast's heart (including mine). Not only does it have a very lightweight yet long-lasting formula, but it's also super pigmented, buildable and extremely easy to blend.
“It lasts far longer than other liquid blushes I’ve tried and gives a natural yet noticeable flush to the skin. The formula is highly pigmented, so only a small amount is needed, which is a great bonus because I know the product will last a long time. Oh, and did I mention that it also includes a botanical blend of white waterlily, gardenia and lotus to help soothe and nourish your skin too?”
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- Size: Unspecified.
- Available shades: 3.
- Longevity: 5/5.
- Pigment: 5/5.
- Tester: Sophie Cockett, Senior Commerce Editor.
Why we love it: "This is the most unusual (but coolest!) blush I've ever used - a formula which quite clearly takes inspiration from the Korean cushion foundation trend. I'm not sure whether I felt it a little gimmick-y, but regardless, the highly pigmented product really impressed me.
"The colour pay-off was amazing, and although I found the shade a bit too dark for my skin tone (very much a me problem), I found it to blend really beautifully. I monitored how it wore over the course of the day – I wore it on a day where I was going to the office during the day and a gig in the evening – and was so impressed with its staying power. I only topped it up because I was topping-up the foundation I was wearing underneath it."
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Sephora Collection Colorful Blush Powder Blush
- Size: 3.5g.
- Available shades: 11.
- Longevity: 4/5.
- Pigment: 5/5.
- Tester: Sophie Donovan, Senior Commerce Writer.
Why we love it: "Powder blush isn’t a product I tend to call on day-to-day; I rely on liquid blush to add a flush of colour and powder bronzer to keep it in place. However, for those moments where I need an extra flush of colour, this powder will now be my go-to.
“It's worth noting that it’s very pigmented, so go in light with your brush (I found angled work best for precise application) and build it up. And while I tend to favour berry-coloured blushes, this pinky coral is perfect for summer and worked to instantly warm up my cheeks. It’s perhaps a touch more sparkly than I’d like, but it performed well in terms of its staying power, and so a touch of sparkle is a small compromise.”
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- Size: 12ml.
- Available shades: 8.
- Longevity: 4/5.
- Pigment: 4/5.
- Tester: Georgia Trodd, Senior Commerce Writer.
Why we love it: "I am by no means a cream blush/liquid blush girlie usually, but when they come as pigmented as SAIE's do, consider me a convert. My experience with this sort of formula in the past has led to my foundation going patchy underneath and the blush itself disappearing (sinking into my skin) throughout the day, hence being loyal to powder formats. This one? Still in tact after a 12 hour day at the London office and a 2 hour commute. Colour me impressed.
“I applied it to the back of my hand - rather than going directly to my cheek after seeing a few videos on how a little goes a long way - which helped to blend it all in even further. I think that's the way to go with these if you want to avoid looking too clown-esque. The liquid formula also packs a few skin-loving ingredients too, thanks to a cocktail of mulberry extract, elderberry and evening primrose that helps moisturise and soothe your complexion.”
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Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush
- Size: 4g.
- Available shades: 6.
- Longevity: 4/5.
- Pigment: 3/5.
- Tester: Robyn Eugene, Social Media Manager.
Why we love it: "Yes, this shimmery blush from Hourglass will look just as good on your skin as it does in the packaging. This hybrid formula is handmade and features marbled pans that create the perfect balance between pigment and powder, enhanced with Photoluminescent Technology for extra vibrancy, depth and dimension.
“I really rated the shade At Night, which is a cherry-like red with a splash of champagne shimmer that offers a radiant finish – a must or every season. An easy 10/10 from me.”
Haus Labs Color Fuse Powder Blush
- Size: 5g.
- Available shades: 6.
- Longevity: 3/5.
- Pigment: 5/5.
- Tester: Neamh Randall, Commerce Photo Editor.
Why we love it: "After a matte blush that packs some serious pigment? This cheek colour from Haus Labs could be just the thing. Available in five wearable shades, this formula makes for an effortless blend and diffuses into a soft-blurred finish that's sure to elevate any look.
“I tried the Pomelo Peach shade, which is a stunning peachy hue that delivers a natural flush of colour. The formula blends effortlessly into the skin and gives a fresh, healthy-looking glow without feeling heavy or patchy. It’s buildable too, so you can keep it soft for everyday wear or layer it for a more vibrant finish.”
- Size: 5.3g.
- Available shades: 9.
- Longevity: 4/5.
- Pigment: 5/5.
- Tester: Fiona Embleton, Associate Beauty Director.
Why we love it: "The Rhode Pocket Blush is easily one of the best cream blushes on the market. Available in 13 gorgeous shades (including my personal favourite Sprinkle), this buttery formula melts into the skin and is extremely blendable – regardless of whether you're team makeup sponge, brush or fingers.
“I loved the buildable pigment and the versatile range of shades to pick from, which includes everything from muted pinks to corals and darker mauvy browns. The formula feels lightweight on the skin and makes it easy to customise the intensity depending on the look you’re going for.”
- Size: 10ml.
- Available shades: 8.
- Longevity: 4/5.
- Pigment: 3/5.
- Tester: Elle Turner, Senior Beauty Editor.
Why we love it: "We can always count on Glossier to deliver some serious goodness when it come to makeup. This sheer gel-cream blush has a lightweight yet buildable formula that gives your cheeks a dewy look and blends seamlessly into your skin.
“Its main selling point is that it's incredibly easy to layer and very difficult to overdo, making it the most failsafe option for any preference. Even after applying a few extra swipes during testing, it still blended seamlessly into the skin without looking patchy or overly intense.”
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Your blusher FAQs, answered:
How to apply a blush:
Traditional wisdom led us to believe that blush should never stray from just the apples of the cheeks. That said, a more modern way to wear blush is higher on the cheeks with a horizontal sweep of the brush “for a lifting effect,” says Gucci.
“If you have a bit of darkness under your eye it's also helpful to bring your blush a little higher,” she adds, as it can help to cancel out the grey blue tones. Or to create a sun-kissed look, you can even take your blush down the bridge of your nose, Gucci notes.
What you use in order to apply your beauty product often depends on the type of blush you're using as well as your personal preference. For example, powder blushes are best paired with makeup brushes, while you can apply most cream blushes by dabbing the product with just your fingers or a makeup sponge.
However, Gucci also notes that the size matters when applying any type of blush with a makeup brush. “You lose control with a giant fluffy brush, whereas a small brush allows you to be more targeted and to buff and blend."
How are powder, cream, and liquid blushes different?
Cream, powder, and liquid blushes are different in both how they're applied, and how they look on the skin. Super pigmented and punchy, liquid blushes are lovely and long-wearing — making them ideal if you're keen to achieve the kind of impactful flush that lasts all day. Meanwhile, a powder blush has more of a soft-focus matte finish, whereas a cream blush is more dewy and glowy — but both are natural-looking, and really buildable.
When it comes to picking the right format, your skin type should also definitely come into play. If your skin tends to skew dry, you might want to opt for a gel or cream blush that includes some hydrating, skin-loving ingredients such as vitamin E and shea butter. On the flip side, people with oily skin are better suited to matte powder blush formulas.
How do I find the right blush shade for my skin tone?
We know that figuring out your perfect shade of blush can be a challenge on its own. But as soon as you take into account your skin tone, personal makeup style and all the latest trends, everything else is completely up to you: do you want something more subtle? Bold? Shimmery? Or bronze?
One good tip is to gently pinch your cheeks between your fingers for a few seconds in order to reveal your natural flush and match a suitable blush shade to accentuate it. A blush with golden and coral undertones works well with olive skin, while cooler rose and mauves are good blush choices for those with fair skin.
Melanin rich skin looks especially luminous with berry, plum and hot pinks. “The reason a lot of blushes look ashy on black skin is that they are formulated with white pigment as a base,” says Ateh Jewel, founder of Ateh Beauty.
Meet the experts:
- Celebrity makeup artist Gucci Westman.
- Ateh Jewel, founder of Ateh Beauty
Feeling inspired to upgrade your makeup routine with more beauty products? Check out our guides on the best eyeshadow palettes, best bronzers, and best foundations.
