Best Drugstore Blush According to Makeup Artists (2024)

e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo Liquid Blush ($7)

“Attention all my pigment-lovers: This liquid blush has the ultimate pigment payoff and comes in eight shades for only $7 each!” says makeup artist Nicole Faulkner. “These are great for the ‘under-blushing’ technique, or anyone who wants a bold wash of color with a dewy finish. Use over or under any other complexion products!”

NYX Professional Makeup Buttermelt Blush ($10)

“The shades ‘For The Butta’ and ‘Sooner The Butta’ are amazing universal blush shades,” says makeup artist Christian Carter. “They’re both equally vibrant in color and work for a variety of skin tones. Start by applying the blush on the high points of the cheeks and blend upwards toward the temples for an easy, everyday flush of color.”

“This is my favorite matte, lightweight powder blush with a ton of versatility,” says makeup artist Tomy Rivero. “Use a large fluffy brush if you want a wash of color, or build up the pigment with a sponge. It’s best used over cream foundations for oily/combination skin.”

Revlon Illuminance Gel Serum Blush ($15)

“This is my go-to product for creating a naturally flushed blush look,” says makeup artist Tomy Rivero. “It’s a very light, buildable gel formula that works well over foundation. It’s great for anyone who wants to stay away from powder or uses a liquid foundation as their base.”

Maybelline New York Sunkisser Multi-Use Liquid Blush and Bronzer ($10)

“I love, love, love these blushes,” says makeup artist Jenna Kristina. “They are extremely versatile. You can use them on your bare face or whatever level of foundation you are wearing. I honestly love using these to add some shimmer and glow to a look. I even like to add Sunkisser on my eyelids for some extra glow. It’s perfect for the natural, no makeup-makeup girl who wants a wash of color. I also love its doe-foot applicator, which makes it so easy to use.”

Milani Baked Blush ($9)

“I was raised as a makeup artist on NARS Orgasm Blush,” says makeup artist Alexis Androulakis. “I was an OG NARS counter girl for almost eight years in the 2000s, and pigment and dimensional color with pearls was not something that you found at the drugstore. Milani’s Baked Blushes have changed this in every way. My personal faves are Luminoso and Dolce Pink in terms of shade, they are extremely user-friendly, they don’t get patchy, and you can layer them to manipulate the impact of the tone. But, the best part is how the gentle pearls catch light on and off camera to give cheeks a subtle glow.”

L’Oréal Paris Lumi Le Liquid Blush ($12)

“This blush has a doe-foot applicator that makes it easy to apply on the go, and it gives you a beautiful, dewy, lit-from-within glow,” saysmakeup artist Ash K. Holm. “It’s also buildable, so it’s very easy to customize intensity on the cheeks! You can wear it as medium coverage or build it up quickly, as it’s extremely pigmented.”

Makeup artist Allan Avendaño is also a fan. “This is one of my favorite products L’Oréal Paris has ever released! I love how easy they are to blend, how buildable they are and how they last all day long. I use them on eyes, cheeks and lips. They come in a range of six gorgeous shades to complement a gamut of skin tones. My personal favorite shades are 601 Dewy Worth It, 625 Glowy Gold Pink and 635 Glowy Worth It Medium.”

e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Beauty Wand ($9)

“Glow and color unite! These foolproof wands are great for adding a colorful glow wherever you want with an easy-to-apply sponge-tip applicator,” says makeup artist Nicole Faulkner. “Use alone or over foundation as a last step to add a hint of color with a glowy finish.”

Maybelline New York Cheek Heat Blush ($8)

“These gel blushes are vibrant washes of color, almost like watercolor!” says makeup artist Jenna Kristina. “They can be used on bare skin, over tinted moisturizer or foundation, and even over SPF. They are amazingly versatile. You can layer them for a more intense color or just stick to a light wash of color. I even like to put a tiny bit of the blush onto my lips for a subtle tint.”

Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Blush ($10)

“This is a pigment-packed cream blush that glides onto the skin and doesn’t add any texture to dry and/or mature skin,” says makeup artist Tomy Rivero. “It also has amazing color range for tan to very deep skin tones.”

e.l.f. Cosmetics Primer-Infused Blush ($7)

“Not a liquid blush lover? No problem,” says makeup artist Nicole Faulkner. “These sleek, circular compacts come in a variety of colors and provide lightweight, buildable color that lasts. The primer infusion helps the blush to grip and stay for a longer wear through the day.”

Maybelline New York Fit Me Powder Blush ($7.50)

“This blush is amazing because it’s so finely milled,” says makeup artist Jenna Kristina. “It’s a product that I definitely use when a client or myself has foundation and makeup on. It goes on like a cream, even though it’s a powder!”