You asked, and here’s a roundup of the liquid blushes I’ve tried. Blush trends and new products are coming in fast and fast, with no signs of slowing down. I generally tend to gravitate towards powder blush formulas for staying power and pigment control, but liquid blushes seem to be super popular right now, so I’ve rounded up the blushes I’ve tried across all price ranges. Scroll to the end to see my top three favorites.
Armani and YSL
Armani Luminous Silk Cheek Tint ($39, Sephora, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus) are the best formulas for me in terms of staying power, blendability and look. They have a soft, matte drydown that doesn’t cake up quickly so you can blend without feeling rushed. The colors are easy to build without looking or feeling heavy. I wish there were more options as I think the color range is limited but the four I have are lovely. Shade 53, the lightest baby pink, may be hit or miss for some but I was really surprised at how easy it was to use and brighten my medium tan skin. See the 50.3 demo here.
YSL Make Me Blush Liquid Blush ($39, Sephora) is the newest formula I have tried. This product has an angled sponge tip applicator that is more like a flat angled sponge, which I don’t really like, but it’s not bad. The colors are limited and look a lot like the Armani and Charlotte Tilbury ranges. On my skin, the shades tend to darken or oxidize a little, but I’m not sure if that’s the case for everyone. I thought the peach shade wouldn’t come out at all, but after a few seconds of blending, it looks like a darker (but still light) peach. I think the staying power and drying speed are both excellent. But for some reason, it takes a little effort to blend to get an even application that isn’t too strong. Even after blending, I would recommend brushing the edges with a clean brush to get a smoother look. The colours I tried here.
Chanel
Chanel Les Beiges Water Fresh Blush ($52, chanel.com) is the most sheer of the liquid blushes. It’s perfect for people who don’t want to wear a lot of makeup and want something super lightweight. The finish is natural and fresh. The lighter shade was very sheer on my skin (barely visible), while the three darker shades have the right pigment for medium to dark skin. I really liked the formula, but to be honest, I don’t use it much because it takes a little while to blend. Full review and samples here.
Charlotte Tilbury
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Beauty Blush Wand ($42, Charlotte Tilbury, Sephora, Nordstrom) has a great soft matte formula that makes it easy to blend and doesn’t look overdone even when layered. It also has very good staying power. The only downside is that the color range is limited. See the demo here.
hourglass
Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush ($36, Sephora and Nordstrom) won the best color range. I think the colors released by this brand are the best for a fresh look. They stay fresh on the skin, and although the staying power is not as good as other brands, that’s to be expected for a fresh blush. Full review and samples here.
L’Oreal
L’Oreal Lumi Le Liquid Blush ($11.99, target) is a formula with great pigment, color, and staying power. If you’re looking for a long-lasting formula, this is it. I had to scrub the formula off my arm, although I think it would have been easier to remove with a cleansing oil. It comes in three cream finishes and three glow finishes. I think the colors are really beautiful and easy to blend. You can find them in a variety of places, target They usually have the cheapest price. The only downside is that the packaging is not as luxurious as other brands.
Nars
NARS Afterglow Liquid Blush ($32, Nordstrom) is also a favorite of mine, but to be honest, it’s a formula I don’t use often. If you like a natural look, this is outstanding. The formula is slightly translucent and looks natural on the skin. It feels almost like a creamy gel. It doesn’t dry down to a matte finish, so it leaves a slightly dewy look, but it lasts longer on me. Full Review here and here.
Rare beauty
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush ($14 to $23, Sephora) seems to be the most popular liquid blush. I like the color range, but I don’t recommend it for a natural look because it’s too pigmented. A small dot is enough to cover your cheek. It’s easy to blend, but it’s also very easy to overdo it. For blush beginners, I recommend applying a dab to the back of your hand first, then dipping your brush into the product. Holiday Mini Blush and Luminize Trio ($35) I think it’s the perfect shade for fall. More swatches and looks In this blog post.
Ciel and Saie Beauty
Ciel Blush and Protect SPF 50 Liquid Blush ($34, Sephora) is a formula that everyone recommended I try. I picked up three colors to try and I loved the formula, applicator, and staying power. They’re not too watery or emollient and dry down to a soft, pleasant finish. They’re easy to blend and a little goes a long way. The pigment isn’t as intense as the Rare Beauty ones, so the Ciele blushes are easier to use and look more natural.
Saie Dew Blush Liquid ($25, Sephora) is also a popular product, but unfortunately I don’t like it. It’s also loved by many. The formula feels thick and watery, but I know that’s how it’s supposed to be. I’ve tried a few and the packaging just doesn’t look or feel right. All of the ones I have have a slightly wobbly applicator attachment to the cap.
tart
Tarte has two formulas of liquid blush. Maneater Blush & Glow Cheek Plump ($29, Tarte Cosmetics and Ulta Beauty) and new Maneater Satin Blush Cheek Plump ($29, Tarte Cosmetics and Ulta Beauty) is also nice, but I prefer the glow version. I love the formula, color range, finish and staying power. It comes with a sponge tip applicator, which makes it super easy to blend.
The Glow formula is more natural looking but not too shimmery. I would say that I always get the most compliments on this blush out of all the blushes I’ve used. The Satin formula is more pigmented but not as dark as the Rare Beauty one. I’m not sure if it has a plumping effect on the skin but the Liquid formula is really nice and makes my cheeks look healthy.
Among the many formulas available, here are some that I particularly chose:
- Best Overall: Tarte Maneater Blush and Glow in terms of color range and formula (Tarte has lots of bundle sets, like this duo and this 4-piece set)
- Best Formula: Armani Luminous Silk Cheek Tint
- Best color range: Hourglass
tool
One final tool tip: You can use any blush brush you own to blend. I’ve used some powder blush brushes with liquid blushes. I also often use foundation brushes with cream and liquid blushes. If you’re looking for a new blush, here are some of my favorite brushes:
Hourglass No.15 Blush Brush is my current favorite. It’s not very dense, so the ends are a little fluffy. Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation Brush It’s also great as a blush.
really like Laura Mercier Blush Brush As it’s synthetic, it’s great for blending powders and liquids and is my most used blush brush.
The cosmetic tools are also very good. Heavenly Luxe Cream Blush Brush #3 I tried to buy it together with the Cream Sun Blush earlier this year, QVC setBrush #7 is meant for foundation but can also be used with liquid blush.
A budget-friendly option Real Technique It’s the best. I love their 449 Tapered Cheek Brush ($7.99).
This wraps up my liquid blush roundup. There are dozens I haven’t tried yet, and I haven’t even covered the cream finishes. If you like liquid blushes, let me know your favorites!
Source: The Beauty Look Book – thebeautylookbook.com
