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The Best Blushes for a Healthy and Radiant Glow
Learn how to choose the best blush formula and color for you with celebrity makeup artist–approved tips.
If you're a fellow blush enthusiast, then welcome to our fan club. Our love for a good blush is unmatched. But what warrants a "good" blush? It has to blend seamlessly, it has to be easy to apply, and it has to work with our skin type and skin tone. Of course, we're all unique, and one person's holy grail is another person's total fail. Choosing the one for you does come down to personal preference, says Keri Blair, the senior national makeup artist for MAC Cosmetics. But to help guide you to your perfect pick, we asked celebrity makeup artists to share their best advice ahead.
How to find a blush for your skin type and tone
Blushes come in many mediums, including powder, liquid, and cream textures. You can absolutely choose the formula you like to apply, but know that your skin type can influence how long a blush lasts through the day. "Powder blushes mattify the skin, so they provide long-lasting color on oily skin," says J Guerra, a celebrity makeup artist. When you apply with a fluffy brush, you can create a really seamless, natural finish. "Cream or liquid blush is more hydrating, which is ideal for dry skin," he says. The latter options create a more dewy look and can be applied with a damp sponge, a synthetic brush, or your fingers.
To choose your shade, consider your skin tone and undertone, says Guerra. Of course, anyone can pick whatever hue their heart desires, but you'll find certain colors are better for achieving a natural look or adding subtle warmth. "Someone with a cool undertone might find rosy pinks more flattering, while someone with a warm undertone might prefer corals or warm browns," he says. We break it down further here:
Fair to light skin tones
"Soft baby pinks, light peach, and rosy pinks can look very natural on fair skin," says Guerra. "A subtle lavender is eye-catching and looks lovely on very fair skin," If you're feeling bold and adventurous, you could opt for a brighter hue, but remember to blend so there aren't any harsh lines, advises Guerra.
Medium skin tones
The blush world is your oyster. Medium skin tones are a "versatile canvas," says Guerra. Peachy pinks, mauve, sun-kissed bronze, and coral are all great options for medium skin. "Try to avoid shades that are too ashy or pale; they might make the skin look washed-out," he says.
Deeper skin tones
Guerra says rich berry tones offer a more natural look, while bright pink or fuchsia adds a vibrant pop of color. "Warm earthy tones like terracotta can add a natural warmth to the skin, while tangerine looks vibrant and fresh," he says. Deeper skin may want to avoid light or pastel hues, which can look ashy or chalky.
Now that you know what works best, keep scrolling for artist-approved picks, including our go-to formulas. You're bound to love these options as much as we do.
Treslúce Beauty Ready to Bounce Cream Blush
Pros
- Affordable
- Pigmented
- Great for all skin types
Cons
- No notes!
Between its rich pigmentation and long-lasting wear, you would never guess this formula is only $8. The unique jelly-meets-cream texture and velvety powder finish makes it versatile enough for all skin types.
Maybelline New York Cheek Heat Gel-Cream
Maybelline New York Cheek Heat Gel-Cream
Pros
- Glowing finish
- Affordable
Cons
- If you don't like sheer coverage, you may not like this option
For an affordable drugstore pick that doesn't disappoint, go with this gel-cream formula. Its sheer dewy coverage makes your skin look like you're glowing from within.
Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush
Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush
Pros
- Comes with a cream and powder blush
- Good shade range
- Long-lasting
Cons
- More expensive than other options on this list
What's better than one blush? Two! This palette comes with a powder and cream blush that layer beautifully on top of each other—and makes for longer-lasting coverage. It comes in 11 shades, ranging from rich plum to dusty rose and Barbie pink.
Mac Glow Play Blush
Pros
- Great for beginners
- Unique texture
Cons
- If you don't like sheer coverage, you may not like this option
The cushiony texture makes this fun to apply and creates a sheer-to-medium coverage, Blair says. It comes in five winning shades: "My go-to colors are Cheeky Devil (light pink), Cheer Up (peachy pink), and So Natural (golden beige). When I work on darker skin tones, I love Heat Index (bright pink) and Rosy Does It (violet)," she says.
Pros
- Highlighter and blush in one
- Subtle glow
Cons
- To get product on your brush or sponge, it's better to dab than swipe
Consider this a 2-in-1 product because it not only gives a flush of color but also creates a luminosity that isn't sparkly or too shimmery. Even though it's a powder, it isn't chalky, thanks to hydrating hyaluronic acid and kukui oil.
Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick
Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick
Pros
- Creamy formula
- Easy application
- Dewy finish
Cons
- There could be a larger shade range for deeper skin tones
Jojoba seed oil makes this formula creamy, hydrating, and easy to blend. Guerra loves it because it "melts into the skin and gives a buildable pop of color on the cheeks or lips."
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
Pros
- Pigmented
- Easy to blend
- Available in matte and dewy finishes
Cons
- Working with a pigmented liquid formula can be tricky
The smallest dot of this highly pigmented formula will leave your cheeks rosy and vibrant. Don't worry; it's easy to blend, so you won't accidentally apply too much. It's available in matte and dewy finishes and colors from neutral pinks to bright red.
Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Divine Powder Blush
Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Divine Powder Blush
Pros
- Blendable
- Forgiving
- Comes in matte and shimmer finishes
Cons
- More expensive than other options on this list
"These gorgeous satin-finish shades are weightless and long-wearing," says Guerra. He loves the ultra-fine powder pigment because it's "soft and blendable." It's also very buildable, so you can easily achieve barely-there coverage or bold washes of color.
Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush
Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush
Pros
- Offers a natural look
- Travel-friendly
- Comes with a brush
Cons
- More expensive than other options on this list
Guerra likes this compact blush for touch-ups because it has a brush and layers beautifully. "The ultra-fine powder glides on smoothly and delivers buildable coverage and natural radiance," he says.
Ere Perez Carrot Colour Pot
Ere Perez Carrot Colour Pot
Pros
- Multipurpose
- Dewy finish
Cons
- If you have oily skin, you may find it too moisturizing
The carrot oil in this formula makes this creamy and smooth. It glides onto the skin, moisturizes, and gives a dewy and hydrated glow. You can use it on your cheeks, lips, and eyes as a multipurpose product.
Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Color Fuse Talc-Free Powder Blush
Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Color Fuse Talc-Free Powder Blush
Pros
- Great pigmentation
- Offers skincare benefits
Cons
- More expensive than other options on this list
If you want a blush that makes a statement, you'll love this option. It's available in vibrant shades like red, a blue-toned pink, purple, and coral; the pigmentation packs a powerful punch. The formula contains fermented arnica to reduce redness and vitamins C and E to protect the skin.
Clé de Peau Beauté Cream Blush
Clé de Peau Beauté Cream Blush
Pros
- Moisturizing
- Glowing finish
Cons
- It's a splurge
You won't regret splurging on this luxuriously creamy formula. It contains argan oil, so it's moisturizing and leaves your skin looking hydrated and glowing.
Giorgio Armani A-Line Blush
Giorgio Armani A-Line Blush
Pros
- Sheer coverage
- Blendable
Cons
- More expensive than other options on this list
This formula is the perfect introduction to a liquid blush. It's water-based, so it has sheer (but beautiful) coverage that's very easy to blend. It's nearly impossible to apply too much or make mistakes.
Nudestix Nudies Matte Blush & Bronze
Pros
- Multipurpose
- Travel-friendly
Cons
- Built-in brush isn't great for blending
This all-in-one stick is perfect for when you're on the go. A few swipes offer a fresh pop of color you can apply on your cheeks, lips, or eyes.
Genesis Rivas is the Beauty Editor at Oprah Daily, where she covers hair, makeup, skin, nails, and more. Before joining the Oprah Daily team, she wrote for several publications, including InStyle, Real Simple, and Shape. When she’s not testing, researching, and writing fun and educational beauty content, you can find her dancing and eating her way through New York City. Follow her on Instagram or TikTok
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