The 11 Best Liquid Blushes of 2024, Tested By Byrdie Editors


TL;DR

Our favorite liquid blush is the Saie Dew Blush thanks to its lightweight, easy-to-blend formula and beautiful radiant finish. If you’re looking for something with impressive color payoff and lasting power, we recommend the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush.

Blush isn’t just a timeless makeup staple—it’s all the rage right now. Everyone loves a gorgeous flush, but today’s formulas make it easier than ever to achieve. From matte powder formulas to dewy cream blushes, the options are abundant. And, there’s a new-ish kid on the block: liquid blush. “Liquid blush tends to mimic the texture of your foundation, which can create a variety of finishes,” says pro makeup artist Alexx Mayo. Liquid blushes tend to have very lightweight textures and layer beautifully with other products, so, of course, we love them.

Byrdie editors tested 20 options for two weeks to bring you the best of what’s out there today. We evaluated each based on blendability, pigmentation, texture, finish, wear, and shade range. Here are the ones that impressed us the most for every skin type and makeup preference.

PHOTO:

Sephora


Finish: Radiant | Shades: 9 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This blush earned our top spot thanks to the lightweight, super-workable formula, stunning glowy finish, and buildable pigmentation. Just a few dots are all you need to awaken your complexion with a healthy-looking wash of color. It’s offered in nine shades, ranging from baby doll pink to a rich cinnamon hue. While some liquid blushes lose a lot of their color payoff as you blend them out, that wasn’t the case with this one. 

We found it to be pretty long-wearing for a dewy product—it hung around with minimal fading or migrating. We also didn’t find it too greasy, though people with oily skin might want to set it with a light layer of setting powder to prevent it from contributing to excess oil throughout the day.

Byrdie / Lauren Pardee


Lauren Pardee, senior commerce editor with dry skin: “This blush melted into the skin really nicely creating a dewy finish that didn’t cling to any patches, pores, or breakouts. Since it was wet, but still a bit thick, it was really easy to blend out without losing too much pigment, and it didn’t dry down too fast, making it that much easier to spread out and move around.”

Ulta e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo Liquid Blush

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Ulta


Finish: Natural | Shades: 9 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This fantastic formula from e.l.f. is truly on par with the more expensive options we tested. It’s available in nine shades that cater to a wide range of complexions, each incredibly pigmented. We’re talking one-dot-is-more-than-enough way type of pigment. While the bold color payoff could be a bit intimidating for those who prefer subtle blush looks, you can actually apply it underneath your foundation for a subtler, glowing-from-within effect. 

It has a natural finish that suits all skin types and didn’t dry too fast—we had enough time to move it around and thoroughly blend it out. Once applied, it set in place and lasted all day.

Byrdie / Jasmine Phillips


Jasmine Philips, social media editor with combination/dry skin: “This blush was very pigmented—in a good way. As someone with a deep complexion, not all blushes cater to my skin tone or are pigmented enough, but this blush was perfect. It is buildable, so you can use as little or as much as you want. A little goes a long way for sure.”

cloud paint

PHOTO:

Glossier


Finish: Natural | Shades: 8 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Chances are you’re familiar with this popular liquid blush from Glossier that cultivated a fan base many years ago. It remains one of the best options on the market today, thanks to the sheer but buildable formula that feels truly weightless on the skin. Just one light dot lends to a subtle flush while adding a second or third layer can help to intensify the color. 

We love how blendable it is—the liquid consistency melts into the skin seamlessly. We never had an issue with it clinging to dry patches emphasizing texture, though we did find that it moved around a bit throughout the day. If you have oily skin, we recommend setting it in place with a long-wearing setting spray.

Byrdie / Ally Hirschlag


Ally Hirschlag, senior commerce editor with combination/sensitive skin: “I was actually nervous about using it at first because it came out super orange-looking, but once I blended it into the skin, it immediately turned to a natural-looking peachy flush that worked well for my skin tone. Its liquid consistency melted into the skin and never clung to dry patches or accentuated pores.”

Sephora Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush

PHOTO:

Sephora


Finish: Radiant, matte | Shades: 13 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Does this blush even need an introduction? This Rare Beauty blush has a massive following, and for good reason. Just one dot of this stuff is enough to give your cheeks an intense wash of color. While that might be a bit intimidating at first, once you get used to the level of pigmentation you’ll appreciate that a little bit goes a long way. It comes in radiant and matte finishes that are both gorgeous, though we found the radiant finish easier to blend. Once set down, this liquid gold lasts all day long without creasing or fading. 

Byrdie / Emily Cieslak


Emily Cieslak, associate commerce editor with combination skin: “It’s very pigmented, and every time I applied it, I felt like I put on too much. I would only dab what was on the brush on each cheek.”

Sephora Nars Afterglow Liquid Blush

PHOTO:

Sephora


What We Like

  • Dewy, serum-like texture and finish

  • Lightweight and non-sticky

  • Wears nicely throughout the day

Finish: Dewy | Shades: 8 | Cruelty-Free: No

Those who want to achieve dewy, plump-looking cheeks should check out this lightweight liquid blush from Nars. It has a serum-like texture that feels moisturizing and light on the face, and just a few dots create a radiant, wet-looking (in a good way) finish. 

The formula is semi-sheer and only offers a bit of buildability, so it’s not ideal for those looking for a punchy blush. But on days when we wanted a more subtle, natural look, we absolutely loved this one. We were also pleasantly surprised that despite the dewy formula, it lasted perfectly through an entire workday.

Byrdie / Caitlyn Martyn


Caitlyn Martyn, commerce writer with oily skin: “It’s lighter in opacity than other formulas I’ve tried, but it’s great for every day or for moments when I don’t want a ton of blush but rather a wash of color.”

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Beauty Blush Wand

PHOTO:

Sephora


What We Like

  • Blurring matte finish

  • Buildable pigmentation

  • Long-wearing

Finish: Matte | Shades: 4 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you like the matte finish of a powder blush but want the ease of applying and blending a liquid formula, this is the one for you. It has a light texture that melts into the skin and dries down relatively quickly, leaving behind a flush of color with a blurred finish. It’s rich in pigment without being overpowering, and we loved how buildable it was as we added a second layer. 

While we wish the range offered more shades (there are currently just four), we think it’s a fantastic choice for those wanting a matte liquid blush with impressive blendability and staying power.

Byrdie / Ally Hirschlag


Ally Hirschlag, senior commerce editor with combination/sensitive skin: “The soft matte texture worked perfectly with my skin type—my cheeks are typically dryer than my T-zone, but I never experienced a dried-out look or feel. It melted into the skin and played seamlessly with my other face makeup (I use tinted moisturizer and concealer).”

Danessa Myricks Beauty Vision Flush Blush, Eyeshadow and Lip Color

PHOTO:

Danessa Myricks Beauty


Finish: Semi-matte | Shades: 11 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Danessa Myricks is the queen of creating innovative but easy-to-use products that can make anyone feel like an artist. You can use this pigmented multipurpose blush on your eyes, lips, and cheeks, so go ahead, get creative! It’s just as great for minimal makeup days as it is for more glam, Danessa-style looks. 

During testing, we loved how thin and liquid-y the texture felt. It offered an impressive color payoff that could be amped up or sheered out, and it dried down to a semi-matte finish with an airbrushed quality. It can be a bit tricky to blend out on dry skin because it doesn’t have a creamy or emollient texture, but ensuring our skin was thoroughly hydrated before application (hello, facial moisturizer) made all the difference.

Byrdie / Shannon Stubbs


Shannon Stubbs, commerce writer with combination skin: “I love how this blush looks on me. It was easy to apply, blended perfectly, and the color lasted all day. The packaging helped me apply the perfect amount of product.”

NYX Cosmetics Sweet Cheeks Soft Cheek Tint Blush

PHOTO:

NYX


Finish: Natural | Shades: 6 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re looking for a high-quality liquid blush at your local drugstore, try this one from Nyx. It has a creamy but lightweight liquid texture that blends seamlessly into the skin. Its pigmentation packs a punch too (say that five times fast), and could be a bit too intense for those who prefer subtle looks. But we loved that just a few dots were all we needed to get a vibrant flush. 

Once blended in, it creates a natural, glowy finish that doesn’t emphasize skin texture or pores. We were also impressed by the longevity—it wore beautifully all day sans any moving around or fading. 

Byrdie / Abby Dupes


Abby Dupes, associate editor with combination skin: “It was long-lasting, even on the hottest of days. The doe foot wand packaging led to an easy, controlled application that allowed me to choose how intense I wanted the shade to look.”

Flower Beauty Blush Bomb Color Drops for Cheeks

PHOTO:

Flower-beauty


What We Like

  • Semi-sheer, natural-looking finish

  • Gel-like texture is super blendable

  • Easy to apply with your fingertips

Finish: Radiant | Shades: 6 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We recommend trying this liquid blush from Flower Beauty if you’re all about the fresh, natural makeup looks. It has a gel-like texture that’s easy to tap on and blend in with your fingertips. The pigmentation is medium and buildable, but there’s a sheerness to it that lets your natural skin peek through, which we loved. We also adored the finish—it’s radiant in a lit-from-within way, making it a great option for a variety of skin types. It’s not the most long-wearing option on this list, but the beautiful texture and finish on the skin make it totally worth checking out.

Byrdie / Hallie Gould


Hallie Gould, Byrdie’s editor in chief with combination skin: “It’s very natural-looking and sheer. It’s possible to layer and build up color, but this blush works especially well for a skin-like finish and everyday wear.”

Sephora Yves Saint Laurent NU LIP & CHEEK BALMY TINT with Hyaluronic Acid

PHOTO:

Sephora


Finish: Natural | Shades: 3 | Cruelty-Free: No

We love liquid blushes for dry skin since they’re typically more emollient and impart a dewy sheen. This one also happens to have truly hydrating ingredients. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid and shea butter to boost your skin’s moisture and has a balmy consistency that thins out as you warm it up with your fingers. It offers a medium color payoff and a naturally glowing finish that gives your complexion a healthy-looking vibrancy. We were thrilled with how hydrating it felt, and how it applied and looked on our skin throughout the day. However, we do wish it came in more shades.

Byrdie / Lauren Pardee


Lauren Pardee, senior commerce editor with dry skin: “This formula left my dry skin feeling nourished and hydrated, which I loved. It didn’t grab onto any blemishes, fine lines, or pores. The finish is luminous in a natural way, sort of like a balmy glow.”

Nudestix Nudescreen Blush + Lip Tint SPF 30

PHOTO:

Sephora


Finish: Radiant | Shades: 5 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

While we recommend applying a separate sunscreen underneath makeup for proper protection, wearing makeup products that contain SPF can help. This lightweight formula has SPF 30 in addition to impressive pigmentation and wear. Just a small dot can be blended out for a visible wash of color, while a second layer creates a more vivid look. We loved that the finish is natural with a tiny hint of radiance, and it wore all day without creasing or fading. We wish the shade range offered deeper colors to suit more skin tones, but if you find a shade you love, we think you’ll be pleased with this one.

Byrdie / Emily Cieslak


Emily Cieslak, associate commerce editor with combination skin: “Not a lot of blushes come with SPF, so it’s nice to have this one in my arsenal for days where I’m going to be outside for a while and need all the sun protection I can get. I also like using it on my lips when I want some color with SPF and it doesn’t taste bad.”

What to Look for When Buying a Liquid Blush

  • Shade Range: As is the case with other blush formulas, you’ll want to find one with a range of shades that work for your skin tone (and that you also love) to ensure you get your money’s worth. 
  • Finish: Liquid blushes come in several finishes, like matte, natural, and dewy. The right finish for you depends on your makeup preferences, although it’s wise to keep your skin type in mind, too. Those with oily skin might prefer a matte formula so their skin doesn’t get too greasy throughout the day, while people with dry skin might appreciate the faux glow that a dewy option provides. 
  • Buildability: A buildable blush can help you customize your look. A blush that goes on fairly sheer at first but can be layered for more impact will be valuable in your makeup collection because you’ll be able to wear it with various looks. Don’t get us wrong, we love a more pigmented shade sometimes, but it is less versatile in the long run.

FAQ

  • Your blush (and makeup in general) will look best when you start with proper prep. “I always feel like your makeup will mimic the skin underneath it, so make sure your skin is always well-prepped by exfoliating and moisturizing before application to prevent patchiness,” says Mayo. “I love applying liquid blush to the desired area with the applicator and then using a small dense brush to buff into the skin.” New York-based makeup artist Glenn Brownell recommends using a stippling motion rather than a swiping motion as you apply it to ensure you’re not disrupting or wiping away the makeup underneath. He also says you’ll want to use liquid blush before you powder your skin so you get the most seamless finish.

  • The nice thing about liquid blushes is most of them work for a variety of skin types since they’re typically not overly matte or emollient. Mayo says that in addition to being great for all skin types, liquid blush is ideal for creating a natural, second-skin look. 

Why Trust Byrdie

Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She has tested nearly 75 blushes in various formulas during her journey to find the best ones that give her complexion a glow without making her oily skin look greasy. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry as well as fashion business marketing. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty. 

Alyssa also consulted with multiple experts to learn more about what to keep in mind when shopping for liquid blush. Those experts include:

  • Alexx Mayo, a pro makeup artist who works with Lizzo and has done the makeup for a range of editorial pieces. 
  • Glenn Brownell, a New York-based makeup artist who has worked on a variety of editorial campaigns.





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