Liquid blush is hot right now. Demand for it keeps rising, according to sales reports, and the formulas keep getting better, too. The best liquid blushes perfectly emulate the flush you get from a brisk walk in the cold, slightly pink and high on the cheeks, but the color doesn't disappear after your heart rate settles.
"Liquid blush has the most staying power because of the nature of the formula," explains Kelli Anne Sewell, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Makeup By Kelli Anne. "It’s a sheer liquid and then typically dries down."
Shop the Best Liquid Blushes
Best Demi-Matte Blush
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Cheek TintRead more
Choosing your next bottle can be tricky, with so many great liquid blush formulas on the market. Here, Sewell breaks down the best formulas for every skin tone, price point, and aesthetic (matte, dewy, or super, super sheer). Find your new favorite liquid blush ahead.
Pros
- Affordable price point
- Lightweight formula
Cons
- Some reviewers wish it came in a larger tube
Sewell describes Glossier Cloud Paint as "subdued" and "super user friendly," adding that "all the shades are soft."
What reviewers are saying: "So far, I have purchased Storm, Dusk, and Coast. Great color and build on medium-deep skin. The best part is it blends seamlessly and builds without stickiness. I compared this to the Miracle Balms and prefer the Cloud Paints. No breakout on sensitive skin. Feels and looks dreamy, very natural." —Trishana
Best Demi-Matte Blush
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Cheek Tint
Pros
- Buildable color
- Longwearing
Cons
- Higher price point
"I love these," says Sewell of the Armani Cheek Tint. "They are the perfect balance of pigment and softness." Also, they're "super blurring," she adds, making them a great pick for those with acne-prone skin or texture concerns.
What reviewers are saying: "I have the bold pink and the dusty mauve. These are my first-ever liquid blushes and I am in love. They blend so seamlessly and it looks so natural. You can build the pigment. They are not shimmering. This is a staple! Must try!" —Karly
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Best Water-Based Blush
Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Blush
Pros
- Ultra-lightweight formula
- Composed of 75% water, the blush hydrates the skin
Cons
- Higher price point
For a natural blush that "feels like nothing," Sewell uses Chanel's popular Les Beiges formula. "It gives a youthful glow but with a light consistency," she adds.
What reviewers are saying: "The color is beautiful, it's long-lasting, feels light. I love it." —Maria
Pros
- Impressive color payoff
- Comes in multiple finishes: radiant and matte
- Wide shade range
Cons
- Dries quite quickly, so blend fast
A viral favorite, this Rare Beauty liquid blush lives up to its hype. According to Sewell, it's "super pigmented" and "a little goes a long way."
What reviewers are saying: "Love love love — buy it!!! I only use powder blush and I have converted to liquid but ONLY with this product because it blends like a powder." —Cass
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Pros
- Easy to blend with fingers or brush
- Wears well with other makeup
Cons
- Some reviewers note that adding a powder on top helps with longevity
"This might be more of a cream, but I like the formula a lot," says Sewell. "It's very glowy and dewy—great for dry skin."
What reviewers are saying: "I don’t know why this doesn’t get enough attention… this is one of the best cream blushes I’ve ever used and the color is gorgeous!" —Jay
Best Satin Blush
Nars Afterglow Liquid Blush
Pros
- Buildable formula
- Lasting hydration and color
Cons
This Nars blush has a lightweight feel, a hydrating formula, and impressive staying power. It keeps your cheeks flushed and radiant all day and night.
What reviewers are saying: "I have very oily skin and was not sure if I would love this product but boy do I love it! It's perfect for the no-makeup look. It gives a nice subtle pink glow and does not make me oily." —Jess
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Best Cheek Stain
Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Liquid Lip Blush & Cheek Tint
Pros
- Formulated for cheeks & lips
- Longwearing
- Natural finish
Cons
- Due to the texture, the color sets quickly
More of a cheek and lip stain (it's super watery), the Benetint formula sinks into the skin quickly and is a foolproof choice for long-lasting color.
What reviewers are saying: "I use Benetint every single day and have back-ups for my back-ups!! I never want to be without it. After applying moisturizer and foundation, I put a few drops on my cheeks and sometimes on my lips. I'll always use a clear or light-colored lip gloss over it. It seems to make all lip glosses into the perfect color, and it just brightens up my cheeks so quickly." —JJ
Pros
- SPF 50
- Developed by a makeup artist
- Acne-safe
Cons
This blush—created by celebrity makeup artist Nikki DeRoest—has a gorgeous, natural formula and SPF 50.
What reviewers are saying: "As a tan-skin girly, I'm genuinely shocked how beautifully these tones show up on my skin. It's super easy to blend — and no learning curve needed — just enough pigment to look vibrant and effortless. I've picked up every one of them and will be grabbing extras." –Jodie
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Pros
- Formulated for cheeks & lips
- Made with squalane for moisture and glow
- Affordable price point
Cons
- Some reviewers wish it came in a larger tube
Another multipurpose cheek color, this one by Gen See offers a slightly creamier texture that blends and layers well. The colors are also nice and vibrant.
What reviewers are saying: "Goes on like silk, looks incredibly natural, no stickiness. Most multi-purpose products don’t truly sit well on all areas, but this goes on beautifully on both lips and cheeks." —Claire
Pros
- Lightweight, natural finish
- Can be mixed with foundation
Cons
- High price point
This blush-highlighter hybrid is the definition of no-makeup-makeup. The rose tint has just enough color to wash over your cheeks, eyelids, and forehead for a slightly sunburnt look that reads glowy and natural.
What reviewers are saying: "Love this product. Have [it] in Peau de Rosé — light, buildable, perfect color, perfect amount of shine, flattering, and always gets compliments!" —Marion
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Meet the experts
• Kelli Anne Sewell is a celebrity makeup artist and the founder of Makeup By Kelli Anne.
Is liquid blush better than powder blush?
Liquid blush is a great base wash of color that's perfect to wear alone with just tinted sunscreen and mascara. Although, a powder blush can enhance its longevity. "To maximize wear, the key is to layer a cream or liquid blush with a powder on top," says Sewell, explaining that the key to long-lasting makeup is a ton of light layers. "Similar to how we set concealer and base products with face powders, you should set your cream blush with powder blush," she adds. (For a good powder blush, we recommend Nars Orgasm.)
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What's the best way to apply liquid blush?
There's no right or wrong way to wear blush (despite all the internet trends). "It’s all about preference and what you want to get out of it," explains Sewell. "My favorite technique for beginners is to put a drop or dot of [liquid blush] on the back of your hand, work it into the brush, and slowly and lightly blend it out the cheek. This avoids you stamping or laying down potentially too much product on the face." Pro tip: For a lift, use your brush to blend the blush up to the outer corners of your eyes and into your hairline.
Looking for more editor-approved makeup favorites?
- 24 Beauty Products Our Editors Loved in November
- The Best Concealer Brushes Your Makeup Routine Deserves
- The Best Neutral Eyeshadow Palettes You'll Actually Use Up
- The Best Drugstore Makeup Primers for Every Skin Type and Concern
- The Best Lip Liners to Shop Now
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For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.
Megan Decker
Megan Decker is a beauty and lifestyle writer and editor, and the former beauty editor at Refinery29, where she oversaw the site’s beauty trend coverage. In addition to regularly contributing to Harper's Bazaar, she also writes for Refinery29, Byrdie, PS, various newsletters, and other publications. She lives on the Upper East Side and you can often find her reading, picnicking, or strolling in Central Park.
