It’s likely you’ve lightened up on the base make-up recently, with those full-coverage formulas being replaced by radiant tints and a selective swipe of concealer. Some blame the pandemic for the demise of the full beat: we blame the fact that 10 extra minutes in bed is important these days. (And, of course, the fact that skin should be celebrated, not concealed.) But if there’s one make-up product that’ll really make your new ‘low-key’ face pop, it’s a swipe of a really good blush.
Blush has endured a bad reputation in the past, but those 1980s associations are well behind us now: in fact, we're in a midst of a blusher boom, and you only need to take a casual glance at Tiktok to find the proof. Blush trends are everywhere, and thankfully, a raft of new formulas is racing in to make them an achievable feat. A far cry from the fuchsia flushes of decades past, today’s best blushers offer translucent tone and brightening pigments that truly bring skin to life – whether you’re perfecting a 10-step beauty look or simply swiping on a tinted moisturiser before dashing out the door (or logging onto Zoom).
The Very Best Blushes
- Best powder blush: Nars Blush
- Best cream blush: Rhode Pocket Blush
- Best dewy blush: Saie Dew Blush
- Best matte blush: Nudies Matte All-Over Colour
- Best sheer blush: Dior Backstage Rosy Glow
If you’ve had a run-in with a bad blush before (as I certainly have) it’s likely down to your shade selection. According to Warren Dowdall, Senior Pro Artist at Bobbi Brown, a rogue hue is what trips most people up when it comes to cheek products. ‘Blush should be a subtle enhancement to your makeup,’ he says. ‘When choosing colour, pinch your cheek and look at colour that already exists in your skin. That will give you a great guide as to what colours to choose for a really polished blush look.'
Once you’ve worked out which blush tones will work for you, you’ll need to consider texture. Today, there are watery blushers and dewy liquids that’ll hydrate and highlight while imparting a veil of colour. Powders have upgraded too, with pearlescent particles and ultra-fine textures offering day-long wear without the chalky finish (or chunks of dodgy glitter). For the truly blush-averse, a swipe-on stick affords total control and practicality.
As for placement? Well, you have options. The girlies on Tiktok are swiping blush just about anywhere, from high up on the temples to right across the nose. Trends may abound, but if you're a nervous newcomer, stick to the old classic: a light wash of colour on the high points of your cheeks, as if you've been frolicking in a field (not running for the train).
Here, see the 12 blushes the ELLE beauty team are using this summer.
The Best Cream, Powder and Liquid Blushers To Try Now
You likely know the Nars line-up for its inexplicably horny product names, but the likes of Aroused and Deep Throat are also some of the best blushes around.
The finely milled powders are ultra-light and a cinch to blend, carving out cheekbones without ever looking muddy or heavy. Looking for a place to start? Everyone from Emma Stone to Meghan Markle loves the classic shimmering-peach org*sm, while Naomi Campbell has reportedly been wearing Taj Mahal for years.
You've likely heard all the fuss around Hailey Bieber's viral Rhode Pocket Blush – and turns out, the hype is really warranted for this one (something that isn't always true in the case of Tiktok's biggest products). These stubby little twist-up sticks are made for those who like their make-up dewy and light: each one – even the Pepto Bismol hot pink shade – melds seamlessly with your skin to deliver a hint of balmy, translucent colour.
Saie's liquid blush is the perfect product for creating a super-dewy look. Blend lightly but generously: these illuminating shades look beautiful when swept right across your cheeks and the bridge of your nose. If you're especially fair-skinned and struggle to find a shade right for you, head straight to Rosy and thank me later.
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Since make-up artist Pati Dubroff used this skin-brightening blusher stick as part of Sofia Richie's bridal look, it's been pretty-much impossible to get hold of.
But now, this fiery, blendable cheek enhancer is back – and the smartest among us will know to snap it straight up. For best results, do as Dubroff did, blending the spicy coral Picante over a base of the shimmer-free Sunkissed bronzing shade. There's a built-in brush, but I find it's a little dense and can shift any foundation you've applied beneath, so approach with a light hand or simply blend with fingers.
Here's a blush that defies expectations: Dior's Backstage powders look worryingly vivid in their compacts, but once they're applied it's a wholly different story. The sweet pastel shades are so fine and sheer, they're unbelievably flattering – it's as if the colour is coming from within.
With its blue undertones, the sugared-almond Pink Lilac looks striking on cool and fair complexions, while Cherry is a modern twist on the classic deep red, which looks beautiful on richer tones.
Hermès' Silky Blush is simply one of those products that screams (or rather, whispers) quiet luxury. Of course, the refillable, Pierre Hardy-designed compact is prestige enough to bring a little joy to your everyday, but what you're really investing for is the formula.
Inspired by the texture of the house's iconic scarves, these, fine powders make skin look expensive: think, a satiny finish that glows without the use of glitter, and somehow skims over pores to make you look airbrushed at the same time.
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For those looking to dip a toe into blush for the first time, Chanel's sublime Les Beiges launch will fit the bill perfectly. Boasting the same encapsulation technology as the acclaimed skin tint, these humectant-rich formulas melt on contact with skin to release the lightest, most translucent wash of colour. This being Chanel, the colours are all cool, flattering and completely chic.
We know you know Glossier Cloud Paint. This creamy cheek colour – now available in a spectrum of 10 shades, plus some bronzing relatives – remains unbeaten when it comes to flattering hues and a soft, diffused finish. We’re crowning it the perfect gateway blusher.
Trinny London's loyal fans love these blush pots for their practicality as well as their perfectly natural hues. Simply swipe and dab over the high points of your cheeks for a flush that says 'walk in the park' not 'extreme spinning'.
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Rituel de Fille is a brand known for creating otherwordly colours that feel different yet entirely flattering. A real hidden gem, these multi-use pigment balms are designed to light up your eyes, cheeks and lips with a translucent but impactful glow. Dab and blend with your ring finger for creamy colour that doesn't smear or smudge.
This Soft Pinch Liquid Blush from Selena Gomez's phenomenally popular Rare Beauty is one of the most in-demand beauty products of the year – and the popularity is absolutely warranted. These creamy formulas are pigmented, but not frighteningly so, and manage to remain looking fresh all day without shifting or fading. There are neutrals to lure in the minimalists, but we find the peachy, pinky shades perfect for hot summer days.
Hourglass’ Ambient Lighting Blush is perhaps the most popular of them all – and for good reason. The now-iconic powder brought blush back from the brink of extinction, offering skin-brightening, pore-masking benefits with a hint of colour.
The shade range runs from cool-toned mauves to perky peaches and some sublime deeper pinks, so there’s bound to be one that suits. It's a bridal make-up artist favourite for a reason.
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Gucci Westman's eponymous make-up line is full of beautiful muted tones that work with the natural hues in your skin. A fan favourite, these chubby blush sticks come in a host of pinks and taupes, and can be simply scribbled over cheeks and patted to blend. Expect gentle warmth that looks flattering under any lighting.
Vieve's balmy creams come in a small edit of burnished hues that sit somewhere in-between a blush and a bronzer – perfect if you want to awaken skin in one fell swoop. They're denser than most, so use a stipple brush and a light hand to blend without shifting your foundation beneath. As for the staying power? It's up there with the best.
Roberta Schroeder
Senior Ecommerce Editor, Luxury
Roberta Schroeder is the Senior Ecommerce Editor at Harper's Bazaar, ELLE and Esquire, overseeing shopping strategy and content across fashion, beauty, and travel. Roberta has reported on everything from market-leading skincare brands to the world’s most iconic fashion pieces, while also regularly updating a range of shopping guides, including LED masks, heritage cashmere brands and niche new dress brands to know.
Roberta has over fifteen years' experience in the luxury sector, spanning editorial consultancy, trend forecasting and journalism. Over the years, she has worked for global brands including Farfetch, Chanel, and Vogue.
When not testing beauty products, trialling trends and curating content that spotlights the very best in fashion and beauty, Roberta can usually be found trawling resale sites and vintage stores for a long-coveted designer find.
Follow Roberta on Instagram at @roberta__schroeder
