Best blush of 2024: ‘I'm a beauty editor and these are the ones worth buying’ (2024)

Want more tried and tested recommendations from the Editors of Women’s Health? Sign up to our new weekly newsletter The Edit. Click here to subscribe.

A make-up staple that holds the power to instantly breathe life into our skin, many of us wouldn't be without our beloved blusher.

If searching for the best blusher to suit your skin type and tone can feel like a tall order, rest assured it's worth the effort. Blusher is one of the few makeup products that can give your complexion a healthy looking glow. It's not just a matter of opinion either, studies show that a little flush of colour on your cheeks gives off a sign of your wellbeing to others.

It's said the ancient Egyptians used ground ochre on their cheeks while the Greeks preferred the juice of mulberries. Today, we're fortunate to have an abundance of blush options to choose from that don't require a DIY approach. In fact, the best blushers of 2o24 not only add a vibrant flush but also infuse the skin with nourishing and protective ingredients.

With insights from celebrity makeup artist Bobbi Brown, we explore how to find the perfect blush. Plus, we test 16 of the most popular formulas to determine which ones truly stand out.

Which type of blush is best?

Jones Road founder Bobbi Brown tells WH: 'When choosing what blush formula works, it comes down to preference, your ability, and skin type. If your skin is dry, there's nothing better than a cream blush. If you're someone who likes to grab and go, a lip and cheek stick is great because it’s multipurpose. For a blush newbie, it might be easier to blend a powder blush.'

'If you're going to an event like a wedding and you want to keep the blush on longer, I recommend even using both a cream and powder blush. I would start with the powder blush, blend it into the apples of your cheeks up into the hairline, blend it down to soften the edges, then take our Lip and Cheek Stick or your cream blush and apply it right on the apples of the cheek. As a final step, add a bit of a shimmery highlight on the high points of the cheek.' she adds.

What type of blush looks the most natural?

'For a natural blush, you should choose a colour that is most similar to the colour of your cheeks when you exercise or pinch them, it's usually a softer sandy pink. On me, it would be a tawny pink and then you can put a pop of something brighter on top if you’d like. The best way to apply is to start with the apples of the cheek and go up to the hairline then blend,' Brown schools.

Which type of blush is best for mature skin?

'For a natural blush, you should choose a colour that is most similar to the colour of your cheeks when you exercise or pinch them, it's usually a softer sandy pink. On me, it would be a tawny pink and then you can put a pop of something brighter on top if you’d like. The best way to apply is to start with the apples of the cheek and go up to the hairline then blend,' says Brown.

The best blush to try now...

This balmy formula takes the top spot for me. It’s ultra-lightweight, foolproof to use, and looks incredibly natural. It imparts a subtle wash of colour that cleverly catches the light, and you can build it up to increase the intensity. It also blends easily with fingers or a brush (I prefer the latter). Finally, it feels cooling on the skin and has impressive staying power. Proof that Pat McGrath knows her craft, this stick truly is blusher magic.

This has an almost matte finish, making it a great choice for oilier skin types. The formula is long-lasting, thanks to film-forming technology that ensures 12 hours of wear. I'm a big fan of the lavender hue—it's perfect for those with fair complexions and cool undertones, but it also works well to create a unique look if you're after something a bit different.

If you like a dewy blush, then Saie’s liquid blush is perfect. It’s incredibly lightweight and, once on the skin, has an almost glass-like sheen. It’s also one of the most eco-conscious brands around, so if that’s on your checklist, consider it covered. I love that it’s packed with skin-nourishing antioxidants like evening primrose, elderberry, and mulberry.

A hero of a blush if ever there was one. This soft, finely milled powder blusher delivers a vibrant pop of colour and can be used alone or layered over a cream blush for a show-stopping flush. The silky finish feels lightweight, and the colour choices are almost endless. It’s the perfect product to start with if you find blush a bit intimidating.

This palette is perfect for those always on the go. The buildable formula means you can reapply throughout the day or night, and the added illuminator gives you the option to add a touch of shimmer. It’s also an excellent choice for mature skin, as the product doesn’t settle into lines or creases.

Nearly 25 years after its launch, the original Orgasm powder blush still attracts an army of new, adoring fans. With 16 hours of wear, it’s a bestseller thanks to its shimmery, multi-dimensional finish. Its coral-leaning peach hue flatters almost every skin tone with a rosy glow. It’s the perfect powder blush to start with if you’re unsure about which colour to choose.

These liquid blushers have over 5k five star reviews on Space NK alone. Not only is the colour range extensive, but the botanical blend of white waterlily, gardenia and lotus helps to nourish your skin while you wear. Blends best with a brush, and works best over make-up rather than bare skin. One dot is also plenty, meaning the overall product lasts you ages.

I'm a big fan of Vieve—their Nova Skin Primer is unbelievable, giving your skin a natural yet next-level glow, so much so that you barely need concealer. However, I do struggle with the packaging, as the liquid isn’t always easy to dispense. Thankfully, this product doesn’t have the same pump and, just like the primer, it absolutely delivers a long-lasting, second-skin finish. The shade range feels well thought out, too.

Merit cream blushes are one of the few without comedogenic ingredients, making it a great choice if you have acne or blemish prone skin. It's also infused with vitamin E to nourish and protect your skin, and it melts in seamlessly for radiant pop of colour. Plus if you like to switch up your blush hue, this trio pack allows you to do just that. They blend beautifully with your fingers, too.

This is one of the blushers that had the most depth after just one application. Key ingredients include silky mica, which gives it a velvety-smooth finish while micronised powders make it super blendable. Works well on dry skin thanks to Raspberry Leaf Stem Cell Extract.

This has a gorgeous velvety texture that feels luxurious when it's on the skin. It can be blended in with both fingers and /or a brush and it hits the sweet spot between cream and powder. It builds up well too, so you can create both subtle or strong looks. A winner for the colder months when pale skin needs more of colour hit.

With four different shades, this silky soft powder allows you to customise your finish depending on your mood or look. The matte finish is perfect for oily skin types and gives a natural looking finish that also helps give skin a slight blurring effect. The powder puff allows for touch ups on the go.

This melts into skin instantly and works well on bare skin so is perfect for those who don't like to wear a lot of make up. The swipe and go formula means it's an excellent one to keep in your handbag at all times and creates a healthy, dewy flush.

Not only does this infuse skin with long lasting moisture but its perfect for those with super sensitive skin. Packed with arnica and goji berry, its works to dial down redness and irritation in the skin, leaving skin with a glossy sheen.

This is brilliant because its not matte or shimmery. Super creamy and very blendable, they have an extensive shade range with lots of hues that are suitable for very pale or very dark skintones.

This is perhaps the creamiest of the all the blushes I tried and it really packs a hydrating punch thanks to camellia oil and shea oil. If find your blush tends to go patchy by midday thanks to dry skin, then this is the antidote. There's also a subtle hint of shimmer for added radiance.