Liquid blush is every dewy girl’s secret weapon

We've rounded up our faves.

There's a reason liquid blush is trending. We've seen makeup trends shift: instead of products that cover our skin, more of us are looking for formulas that play up our complexion and make it look as phenomenal as possible. Cue: glowy highlighters, glossy lip oils, dewy skin tints and yep, liquid blush. All serve to provide us with a healthy, luminous finish, in place of the heavy mattes that dominated the 2010s.

In fact, in GLAMOUR's 2024 makeup report, some of our favourite makeup artists flagged “glazed blush” as the one to watch this year. “I think we will see the texture of blushers get more glossy and balmy, to give a more hydrated appearance,” said pro celebrity makeup artist, Diane Buzzetta, who has created looks for Hailey Bieber, Camila Morrone, Kendall Jenner and Sofia Richie. One of the best ways to get there? A liquid blush. Not only can they offer up the same colour-pay off as a powder blush, but they play nicely with dewier textures and they layer beautifully. And, even if glazed blush isn't your thing, a liquid blush can give you a more natural finish.

GLAMOUR tested: the best liquid blushes at a glance

1. Best liquid blush overall: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, £22, SpaceNK
2. Best liquid blush for a natural finish: Glossier Cloud Paint, £22, Sephora
3. Best dewy liquid blush: Saie Dew Blush, £20, Cult Beauty
4. Best glowy liquid blush: Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand, £30, Charlotte Tilbury

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush£22 at SpaceNK£22.33 at Amazon

Glossier Cloud Paint£22 at Sephora

Saie Dew Blush£20 at Cult Beauty

Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand£30 at Charlotte Tilbury£30 at Cult Beauty

Why would you choose to wear liquid blush over powder blush?

We definitely still have space for powder blush, but liquid blush can offer us a little something different. “I love all blush and could never choose one of the other. It more depends on the look you want that day,” insists pro celebrity makeup artist, Shelby Smith – whose clients include Dua Lipa, Maddie Ziegler, Addison Rae and The Kardashians. “When I want a glam that is effortless, dewy, and feels the most like you spent the day in the sun I love a liquid blush,” she says.

Meanwhile global celebrity makeup artist Harold James, (and the man behind some of the most beautiful makeup looks for Laura Harrier, Rosie Huntington Whiteley and Whitney Peak) told us: "one of the main advantages of liquid blush over powder blush is its ability to provide a natural and dewy finish to the skin. Liquid blush blends seamlessly into the skin, giving a more radiant and youthful appearance."

What’s the best way to apply liquid blush?

One thing about liquid blush is often, a little goes a long way. “The best way to apply liquid blush is to start with a small amount and build up the colour gradually.” says Harold. “You can use your fingers, a makeup sponge, or a stippling brush to blend the liquid blush onto the apples of your cheeks. Just remember to blend quickly as liquid blush tends to dry down fast,” he says.

If you find yourself applying too much, apply it to the back of your hand first. “I put the liquid blush on the back of my hand and warm it up with a brush. I find this gives more control over placement and intensity during application,” says Shelby. Meanwhile, Bobbi Brown, founder of Jones Road Beauty, recommends popping any left-over product "across the nose.” As for layering, “I like to apply liquid blush before powder, using my fingers to tap onto the cheeks,” recommends Diane.

It’s worth noting that placement can transform your face shape. If you want to achieve a lifted look, you might want to apply the product on the top of your cheekbones, whereas if you’re after a classic look, feel free to apply it right on the apples of your cheeks. We also tested out the Douyin blush method, which involves applying a pigmented liquid blush in small arrows on different areas across your face to create a doll-like flushed look.

Feeling inspired to upgrade your makeup routine? Check out our guides on the best bronzers, best foundations and best concealers. We can also help you pick the best lipstick, best highlighter, best eyebrow product and more.

Read on to discover our full edit of the best liquid blushes to fit every budget and desired finish

Best liquid blush overall (our top pick)

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush£22 at SpaceNK£22.33 at Amazon

Why we love it: Let's face it, we simply had to give this blusher a top spot, and you're probably not surprised either. Shortly after its launch, the product quickly went viral and won over every beauty enthusiast's heart (including ours), and for a good reason too. Not only does it feature a lightweight yet long-lasting formula, but it's also super pigmented, buildable and extremely easy to blend. Plus, it's infused with a botanical blend of white waterlily, gardenia and lotus to help soothe and nourish your skin while you're all blushed up.

GLAMOUR-approved: As soon as Rare Beauty hit the e-shelves on SpaceNK, the GLAMOUR office was busy testing out the products to see if they actually live up to the hype. We were obsessed with the liquid blusher the moment we tried it – our Social Media Manager Luca Wetherby Matthews gave it a 10/10 rating after trying the shade “Believe”. We love the pigment and how it seamlessly melts into skin. A little really goes a long way, but that also means that the product will last you a looong time.

Pros: Pigmented, easy to blend, buildable, versatile in use.

Cons: Can be easily over-applied due to the really strong pigment. But then again, is there such a thing as “too much blush”?

Customers are saying: Worth the hype and the price, smooth application, feels comfortable and lightweight. Many customers noted that applying with fingertips achieves a more natural finish.

Enjoy up to 40% off when you shop for the best liquid blushes with these SpaceNK discount codes.

Best liquid blush for a natural finish

Glossier Cloud Paint£22 at Sephora

Why we love it: The shade range, the pigment and the longevity and pure #goals.

GLAMOUR-approved: Our senior beauty editor, Elle, uses this stuff every day. "I love the range of colours. I personally flush very pink, so I find apricot and peach shades are more flattering and Dawn is perfect. But there's plenty of shades whatever your preference. This lasts forever because you only need a pin-prick amount. It's a little less slippy than other liquid blushes I've tried so it's best to apply it when your foundation is still a little dewy and it dries to a really natural skin-like finish.

Pros: A tiny amount goes a very long way.

Cons: It can be hard to blend with a beauty blender. Fingers or brushes are best.

Customers are saying: Very flattering across many skin tones, it can be patchy and hard to blend if you don't act quick.

Best liquid blush for a glowy finish

Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand£30 at Charlotte Tilbury£30 at Cult Beauty

Why we love it: Incredibly easy to apply, this shimmery blush is the answer to your glowy prayers. It's no secret that Charlotte Tilbury products are known to give a gorgeous glow that's not too overwhelming, and this blusher is no exception. This cream blush features a formula that is fast drying yet dewy and lasts throughout the whole day (and even doubles as a highlighter). Plus, the cushion applicator dispenses the product evenly, making it that much easier to blend. We highly recommend the bestseller shade Pinkgasm that's been crowned a fave on TikTok.

GLAMOUR-approved: My everyday makeup is not complete without this product in the shade “Pinkgasm”. I loved the glowy finish and how seamlessly it blends into my contour and other face makeup. To achieve a maximum glow moment, I suggest pairing it with the Hollywood Flawless Filter.

Pros: Radiant finish that looks like skin, it easily blends with other cream and liquid makeup products on your face, plus it's pigmented and stays on all day.

Cons: Can leak inside the cap so make sure to turn the applicator to off to prevent the product from spilling.

Customers are saying: Blends like a dream, easy to use, leaves the face glowing, isn't sticky, lasts all day. However some customers have complained that there's not enough product inside the tube, considering the high price point.

Best dewy liquid blush

Saie Dew Blush£20 at Cult Beauty

Why we love it: Luminous and dewy finish? Check. Creamy and smooth consistency? Check. Flexible and buildable pigment? Check. Saie's Dew Blush ticks every box in our book. Whether you're after a natural flushed look, or an intense pop of colour, this product will satisfy all preferences. Plus, it also features a cocktail of mulberry extract, elderberry and evening primrose, which will help brighten, moisturise and soothe your complexion.

Pros: Highly pigmented, weightless formula, non-patchy.

Cons: Can be a bit hard to blend.

Customers are saying: Stunning finish, interesting texture, lightweight formula.

Save big when you shop for the best liquid blushes with these Cult Beauty discount codes.

Best liquid blush for radiance

NARS Afterglow Liquid Blush£33 at NARS

Why we love it: Yet another viral product, this liquid blush from NARS easily hits our top-5 favourite picks, thanks to its impressive pigmented formula, its natural-looking radiant finish and its incredibly easy application. It offers up nine stunning shades from the iconic coral “Orgasm” to cutesy lilac “Wanderlust” expensive plum “Insatiable” and more. Depending on your preference, you can use just one drop per cheek for a more natural look or dab a larger amount into your skin for a bolder pigment.

Pros: Silky-smooth feel, creates a healthy-looking glow, buildable formula.

Cons: It's a little pricy.

Customers are saying: Long-lasting, seamlessly blends into the skin, not greasy or sticky. Many noted that it's better to start with just a few drops and layer the product if needed.

Save big when shopping for the best liquid blushes with these Selfridges discount codes.

Best high street liquid blush

Elf Halo Glow Blush Beauty Wand£9 at Elf

Why we love it: This offers up glow and a pretty flush in one hit for under a tenner.

GLAMOUR-approved: This fills two spots: blusher and highlighter and comes in six pretty shades to work across a range of skin tones. If you like more of a glazed, luminous finish this adds some sheeny shimmer that makes cheeks glow in the prettiest way.

Pros: One of the most affordable blushers we've tried.

Cons: It has some shimmer so avoid if you want a flat finish.

Customers are saying: This acts as a blush and highlighter and looks really pretty on cheeks. It dries quickly and won't budge so you have to work fast.

Best liquid blush for a fresh finish

Vieve Sunset Blush Balm£21 at Space NK

Why we love it: The four shades work beautifully across a range of skin tones and give a pretty fresh effect.

GLAMOUR-approved: This has no-makeup makeup days written all over it. It works perfectly over bare skin for off-duty days or blended on top of makeup. Don't be put off by the colours on the tube, blended into skin they're stunning and although there's only four shades, they work beautifully across a range of skin tones. It gives a glossier, more luminous finish than other liquid blushes but it doesn't feel sticky and slide around.

Pros: The shades are beautiful.

Cons: It fades a little by the end of the day.

Customers are saying: Pretty colours, goes on smoothly, the staying power isn't as strong as other liquid blushes.

Best sheer liquid blush

Iconic London Sheer Blush£21 at Iconic London

Why we love it: This gives glazed cheeks in one hit.

GLAMOUR-approved: This is definitely the most subtle of all the blushes we tried. It has more of a watery consistency, which sheers the shades out, but also gives a super dewy glossy-glazed finish. The six shades have stretch and can work across a range of skin tones. There's an ultra natural-looking brown-toned nude, peppy pink and stunning berry and depending on the finish you want, you can build the colour up.

Pros: It's buildable.

Cons: The pigment is not as strong as other liquid blushes (but that's sort of the point).

Customers are saying: Gives a very natural finish, goes on smoothly, feels lightweight and doesn't look “overdone”.

Best liquid-gel blush

Milk Makeup Bionic Blush£22 at Milk Makeup

Why we love it: The shade selection is small but curated and the pigment allows you to tailor the finish to you.

GLAMOUR-approved: This blends seamlessly with skin to give a buildable hint or hit of colour that looks fresh, natural and pretty. The gel-like consistency glides on beautifully, while the hydrating hyaluronic acid infused in the formula sheers the colour out and gives a gorgeous dewy finish. You can even pat it into my lips. There’s four shades to choose from and while some of them (like ruby red, Fly) look a little intimidating from the packaging, they're so flattering on.

Pros: The pigment is impressive but you can sheer it out or build it up for a subtle or statement glow.

Cons: The product can separate a little, so give it a shake before squeezing it out.

Customers are saying: Lovely texture, good pigment and the colour can be built-up depending on your preferred finish.

Best liquid blush for a luminous (but realistic) finish

Tarte Blush Tape Liquid Blush£32 at Sephora

Why we love it: This came highly recommended by celebrity makeup artist Diane Buzzetta who's a master at creating fresh, dewy makeup looks.

GLAMOUR-approved: This gives the most beautiful glowy flush for a blusher/highlighter hybrid (which means you can skip one extra step in your makeup routine) and it blends into skin seamlessly.

Pros: The pigment is buildable and glides onto skin.

Cons: The applicator can be messy and it's on the pricy side.

Customers are saying: It gives skin a gorgeous glow but the applicator divided people with some slating how messy it is and others loving the ease it provides. Some liked that it gave a natural pigment, others found it wasn't pigmented enough, so it's best if you like a softer finish.

Best liquid blush with a matte finish

Made by Mitchell Blursh Liquid Blusher£9.99 at Amazon£14 at Beauty Bay

Why we love it: Have you ever thought about getting a liquid-to-powder blush that would dry matte seconds after applying? This product is designed to help you apply blush both under and over your makeup without ruining your base. Offering a total of 15 shades on BeautyBay, this blusher is bound to fit every skin tone. The best part? It can even be used as a liquid lip! Need we say more?

Pros: Can be easily layered, beautiful matte finish, offers a wide range of shades.

Cons: Requires a bit more effort to blend.

Customers are saying: Very pigmented, perfect finish, but can be patchy.

Best affordable liquid blush

SHEGLAM Color Bloom Liquid Blush£4.49 at SHEIN

Why we love it: This cream blush needs no introduction. If you’re following beauty TikTok trends, chances are this blush is already on your radar. In fact, many beauty influencers and makeup artists alike are so fond of this blusher that it's an irreplaceable staple in their daily routine. This product will give your cheeks a gorgeous highlighter-like glow and an impressive pigmented finish. Throw in some Vitamin C, a cute design, a handy sponge tip and we're absolutely sold. And all for just £4.49? Count. Us. In.

Pros: Extremely affordable, pigmented, easy to apply and blend.

Cons: May not last over a prolonged period of time.

Customers are saying: Blends really well, radiant finish, amazing consistency.

Best premium liquid blush

Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Blush£44 at Boots£44 at Chanel

Why we love it: This is one of Chanel's latest additions to its beauty lineup, and we're already obsessed. Featuring an ultra-lightweight formula that's composed of 75% water, this product is infused with micro-droplets of blush pigment – perfect for that natural and fresh finish. You'll get to pick between four beautiful shades, including intense tones and subtle ones. This blusher also claims to be long-lasting, meaning it should be perfect for a sunny day out!

Pros: Subtle, natural finish, fresh feel upon application.

Cons: Not for those who desire a bold look, pricey.

Customers are saying: Beautiful skin-like finish, perfect for summer, nice texture, flattering shades.

Enjoy up to 50% off when shopping for the best liquid blushes with these Boots discount codes.

Best liquid blush with a natural finish

Armani A-Blush£33 at LookFantastic

Why we love it: This versatile cream blush will give you a natural-looking tint that can be applied on both cheeks and lips. And its weightless formula offers a radiant, healthy glow – great if you're after that “no makeup makeup" look. Plus, this product's precise applicator is perfect when you want to use it one your lips to give them a cute rosey glow. This blusher simply screams “radiance” and could easily become a staple in your everyday makeup routine.

Pros: Radiant finish, weightless formula and versatile in use.

Cons: Pigment isn't as intense.

Customers are saying: Perfect for a natural look, nice consistency, feels light on the skin.

Best dual-purpose liquid blush

benefit Benetint Rose Tinted Lip & Cheek Stain£21.50 at LookFantastic£21.50 at Cult Beauty

Why we love it: This product has been around for what seems like ages now, but the beauty community simply cannot get enough of it – and neither can we. Originally a tint for nipples (yes, you read that right), this product is now a versatile lip and cheek stain that makes for a perfect blush all year round. Its lightweight and fast-absorbing formula delivers adds a natural-looking flush to your complexion without looking greasy. Simply dab a small amount onto your cheeks (and lips) with your fingertips and you're all set!

Pros: Tint stays on all day, trendy shades, natural finish.

Cons: Dries quickly and therefore is harder to blend.

Customers are saying: Great on both cheeks and lips, non-sticky, doesn't move throughout the day.

Best liquid blush with a boost of Vitamin C

Perricone MD No Makeup Blush with Vitamin C Ester£33 at LookFantastic

Why we love it: This gel-cream blusher is unlike any other option on the market. Why? Well, apart from giving you a natural-looking finish and a healthy glow, this innovative 2-in-1 product also has skincare benefits that will look after your skin throughout the day. That's because it's enriched with Vitamin C Ester, which is known for its brightening properties. So if you're after a blusher that doubles as a skincare product, then it really doesn't get any better than this.

Pros: Has skincare benefits, lightweight gel-cream formula, fragrance free.

Cons: Lacks more shades.

Customers are saying: Perfect natural finish, easy to use, smooth application.

Enjoy up to 50% off when shopping for the best liquid blushes with these LookFantastic discount codes.

For more shoppable beauty content from Glamour UK Senior Beauty Editor, Elle Turner, follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk. For more from Commerce Writer, Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.