I Exclusively Wear Liquid Blush—Here Are the 13 Best for "Just Pinched" Cheeks in Seconds
This is how I achieve a natural flush.
While I don't consider myself to be a liquid blush pro when it comes to coming up with new and unexpected ways to create makeup looks for my everyday lifestyle, I've started to notice an uptick in compliments from strangers on the blush I wear. I stick to two basic components when selecting a liquid blush at the start of my day: 1) it must add a good amount of vibrancy and life to my deep complexion, and 2) its liquid formula must withstand everything from post-pilates sweat to New York City's wild weather.
In my three years of experience as a beauty editor, I've been able to test and review hundreds of blush products offering big promises but not as much follow-through. Through the same process, I've also discovered countless standout liquid blush products that keep me coming back. Since I've sworn off gatekeeping for the year, I'm sharing a few of my favorite finds below that have beaten all my lofty expectations (plus helpful information about what each of them offers). You can thank me later!
The Best Liquid Blush, Listed
- Best Overall: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Cheek Tint Blush
- Best Lit-From-Within Glow: Nars Afterglow Liquid Blush
- Best Long-Lasting Finish: Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush
- Best for Enhancing Rosiness: Perricone MD No Makeup Blush
- Best Shade Availability: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
Best Overall: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Cheek Tint Blush
When I'm scanning the shelves of my neighborhood beauty supplier or my online bookmarked products to return to, vibrancy and pigment are at the top of my list. Since I have a deep skin tone, I'm drawn to products that not only stand out against my complexion but also stay on all day without any touch-ups. Armani Beauty's Luminous Silk Cheek Tint Blush is one of the go-tos because it accomplishes both in six eye-catching shades.
Size: 0.4-ounce tube with doe-foot applicator
Finish: Natural
Shades: Vivid Coral, Rosy Peach, Intense Berry, Bold Pink, and more
Customer Review: "Absolutely worth the hype! Colors are nice, the texture is comfortable, and blush is very blendable. Can’t wait to purchase another color to try."
Who What Wear Associate Beauty Editor Maya Thomas wears the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Cheek Tint Blush in Vivid Coral.
Best Lit-from-Within Glow: Nars Afterglow Liquid Blush
For as long as I can remember, I've been a fan of simple makeup looks that can effortlessly create a glow-from-within finish. This luminous liquid blush by Nars has been behind so many of the beauty inspiration pics I've pinned to my Pinterest board (and for good reason). It's lightweight, buildable, and provides long-lasting radiance with up to 8 hours of wear. In other words, it's the easiest way to achieve flawless makeup in seconds.
Size: 0.2-ounce tube with doe-foot applicator
Finish: Natural
Shades: Behave, Dolce Vita, Wanderlust, Brazen, and more
Best for a Barely There Look: Rodial Blush Drops
If you're wondering how Who What Wear beauty editors achieve an instant glow for all our testing shots, we're probably wearing a liquid blush. When I want to create an "I woke up like this" look, I reach for Radial's Blush Drops. In addition to enhancing your skin's natural luminosity, they provide a flush of buildable, blendable color to the cheeks. They also have an eye-catching, soft-focus, pearlescent finish.
Size: 1.0-ounce bottle with dropper
Finish: Natural
Shades: Sunset Kiss, Apricot, Frosted Pink
Best Skincare-Infused Formula: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Blush
Have you ever tried a tinted moisturizer blush? This one by Laura Mercier stands out to me because it's formulated with nourishing ingredients for hydration, like raspberry seed and prickly pear. It also comes in fourteen versatile shades and two finishes, offering a "just-pinched" glow for all skin tones. My favorite shades are Sun Drenched and Provence.
Size: 0.5-ounce tube
Finish: Shimmer and crème
Shades: Sun Drenched, Provence, Coastline, Parasol, and more
Best Long-Lasting Finish: Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush
This aptly named liquid blush is a must for anyone looking for a blush that provides skincare benefits while also reviving the complexion with a bright and lively flush of color. Hourglass' Unreal Liquid Blush delivers unreal color with 12 hours of wear time. It also works overtime to plump and hydrate the skin with a serum-like formula powered by its Unreal Lifting Complex, White Lupin Seed Extract, and hyaluronic acid.
Size: 0.3-ounce tube
Finish: Natural
Shades: Imagine, Vision, Craft, Future, and more
Thomas wearing the Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush in Imagine.
Best Flawless Application: e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo Liquid Blush
I'm not picky with my blush shades, but e.l.f Cosmetic's Camo Liquid Blush in Bold-Faced Lilac is one of my favorite options for adding a hint of purple to makeup. Its pigment-packed formula is lightweight, creates a stunning, soft, dewy finish, and works for all skin types. I'm also obsessed with the grooved, doe-foot applicator it comes with since for flawless application.
Size: 0.13 tube with grooved, doe-foot applicator
Finish: Natural
Shades: Bold-Faced Lilac, Cheeky Lychee, Berry Well, Coral Crush, and more
Best Universal Shade: Trish McEvoy Liquid Face Color
Of all the liquid blushes I've tested to create the "just pinched" cheek look of my dreams, Trish McEvoy's Liquid Face Color takes the cake. Its formulated to be a universal gel face color that glides onto the cheeks for smooth, even coverage and a lit-from-within glow. I've enjoyed wearing this one alone to give my complexion a quick pick-me-up, or for a brighter, bolder look when I want some added drama.
Size: 0.1-ounce twist-up tube with brush applicator
Finish: Radiant
Shades: Coral Pink
Best for On-the-Go Makeup: Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Beauty Blush Wand
There's nothing better than an easy-to-use blush that can be tucked away in your bag for quick makeup looks. Charlotte Tilbury's Pillow Talk Beauty Blush Wand has been a necessity in my makeup bag since my teen years, thanks to its quick-drying formula and long-wear matte finish. Perfect for someone constantly on the go like me, this is one liquid blush you won't want to miss.
Size: 0.4-ounce tube
Finish: Matte
Shades: Dream Pop, Peach Pop, Pink Pop, Pillow Talk
Thomas wearing the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Beauty Blush Wand in Pillow Talk.
Best for Enhancing Rosiness: Perricone MD No Makeup Blush
If you've been hunting for the perfect liquid blush to pull off the TikTok viral "clean girl" or "no makeup" makeup look, look no further than the Perricone MD No Makeup Blush. It has a unique gel-cream formula that adds a burst of natural rosiness to your complexion while working to improve dullness and discoloration over time. Simply shake, apply one to three dots to the skin, and blend to your heart's content.
Size: 0.3-ounce bottle with doe-foot applicator
Finish: Natural
Shades: One
Best Texture-Blurring Finish: Anastasia Beverly Hills Blurring Serum Liquid Blush
Another serum-based liquid blush that has caught my eye in my makeup bag time and time again is Anastasia Beverly Hills' Blurring Serum Liquid Blush. It delivers a burst of hydration to the skin using a formula powered by skin-loving ingredients like niacinamide and pomegranate peels extract for buildable, vibrant color. While it's described by the brand as delivering a soft-matte finish, I would argue that it looks more natural on my skin.
Size: 0.3-ounce tube with applicator
Finish: Matte
Shades: Baby Pink, Hibiscus, Plum, Guava, Peach
Best for Multipurpose Benefits: Drunk Elephant O-Bloos Rosi Drops
Okay, I'll admit it—this one is more of a tinted serum than a blush, but I'm here to argue the case that it should also be considered as the latter. The omega-rich serum adds an all-over rosy flush to the face while supporting a healthy barrier function. Its formula also has vitamin F to visibly improve texture and suppleness, and virgin marula oil to create a healthy-looking glow by moisturizing and nourishing the skin. I especially like how it can be mixed with other Drunk Elephant products for even more nourishment.
Size: 1.0-ounce bottle
Finish: Natural
Shades: One
Best Shade Availability: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
One of the first liquid blushes I fell in love with is the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, which delivers high-impact color with lightweight wear and a long-lasting finish (up to 12 hours of wear). Not only can this one be blended and built to perfection, but it also comes in 13 pretty shades, two finishes, and two sizes. So, trust me when I say that if you don't have this blush in your makeup routine, you're majorly missing out.
Size: 0.3-ounce tube with doe-foot applicator
Finish: Radiant and matte
Shades: Believe, Hope, Love, Joy, Virtue, and more
Best Affordable Option: SheGlam Color Bloom Liquid Blush
If you've been looking for the perfect budget-friendly liquid blush option, you're in luck. SheGlam's Color Bloom Liquid Blush is not only easy on the wallet, but it comes in 14 shades and versatile finishes to help you create stunning makeup looks in seconds. It really is that simple!
Size: N/A
Finish: Natural and matte
Shades: Night Drive, On Point, Birthday Suit, Orange Peel, and more
What to Look For
When shopping for a liquid blush to add to your makeup routine, keep in mind what your personal goals are for your desired looks. Would you like a liquid blush for bold looks that are more editorial? Or is it best to go with a product that can add a natural, "just pinched" flush to your complexion? Next, consider how you'd like the product to be applied (with warm fingers, a beauty blender, or a brush). If you're testing a product in store, take note of how quickly its formula blends into the skin, as well as if it can be layered with other products without creating any pilling or separating.
Finally, compare and contrast the ingredients of your formulas. While some blush formulas may be uniquely infused with skin-loving ingredients that work to not only enhance but nourish your complexion and offer a sheer finish, others may possess multitasking formulas that can be used on the cheeks, lips, and wherever else you'd like to add color.
How We Chose
In all honesty, I believed all the liquid blushes performed as expected when it came to ease of application and longevity. This time around, the biggest deciding factors for me were the amount of pigment each formula could provide and how they looked against my deep skin tone. For example, I usually don't use light pink shades (those with a white base), because they tend to read gray against my complexion. Instead, I gravitate towards pink shades that are orange or red-based since they bring out my undertones and add dimension to my otherwise round face.
I also paid special attention to how well the formulas could be layered and blended with other products. While I would describe myself as a makeup minimalist, I do like to play with layering products through underpainting for a natural-looking finish. The liquid blushes shared in the the top five list are the ones that look good against my skin tone as well as layer and blend well with highlighter, concealer, and foundation.
Why Trust Us
Since its official launch in 2006, Who What Wear has defined itself as a leading digital fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication. Through out first-person testing, reviews, and expert input, the goal is to provide our readers with products to help define and evolve their personal style and to shop smart. Think of Who What Wear as your number one source for inspiration across beauty and fashion.
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
