Liquid and balm blushers have been booming lately, with more new releases than we can count and an insatiable appetite from beauty lovers for more. Myself included. But with so many out there to choose from, it can be hard to find the formulas that you know will work for you. This is where I come in. I’ve tried a lot, and I mean a lot, of liquid and balm blushes on my combination, often dry, rosacea-prone and sensitive skin and I can say with confidence that these are some of the best.
Whether you like a stick blush, liquid formula, or prefer applying a balm from a pan, there’s sure to be a formula in my selection of favorites that’ll suit your skin and makeup routine. From NARS and Rare Beauty to e.l.f. and Lumene, I’ve compiled my top liquid and balm blushers that you’re going to want on your radar, as well as swatches to give you an idea of how my favorite shades look on the skin. And while my pale skin means that I’m a fan of mauves, corals, and pinks, all of these blushes can be bought in a range of shades, so you’re sure to find a hue to suit you. Explore my top picks below and find a new favorite today.
The liquid blushers
These liquid blushes all feature a doe foot applicator and a thick liquid formula, making them quick and easy to apply. Be warned though: their formulas are highly pigmented, so be sure to use sparingly lest you end up with a full face of blush…
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Huda Beauty Blush Filter 4.5ml in Peach Sorbet
This new release from Huda Beauty is silky smooth, highly-pigmented, and incredibly easy to blend – hence why it’s a firm favorite. Boasting a demi-matte finish, it leaves an effortless, sun-kissed glow, while the Peach Sorbet hue delivers a sweet, coral-toned finish that’s perfect for the summer months.*
e.l.f. Camo Liquid Blush 4ml in Dusty Rose
An utterly affordable choice, but by no means lacking in wow-factor, this e.l.f. Camo Liquid Blush is a viral must-have for good reason. Lightweight and long-lasting, it leaves a dewy, buildable finish on the skin – and we can’t get enough of the sweet mauvy-pink kiss this shade gives the cheeks.*
NARS Afterglow Liquid Blush 7ml in Orgasm
If you’re a fan of the original NARS Orgasm powder blush, then you’re going to love this Afterglow Liquid Blush in Orgasm. It features a lightweight, ultra-creamy texture that blends seamlessly into the skin, and there’s something so special about that peachy pink, golden glow it gives. Chef’s kiss.*
RARE BEAUTY Soft Pinch Liquid Blush 7.5ml
A classic for a reason, the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blushes was one of the products that kickstarted the liquid blush trend, and with its highly pigmented and lightweight formula, it’s clear to see why. While the pinky/mauve shades have always been my go-to, I’ve recently been loving the deep, brick red finish of Love, truly a gorgeous shade for those colder months.The stick blushers
Stick blushes are excellent for a quick and easy flush, especially when you’re on the go. You can be more liberal applying these thanks to their thick consistencies, and they can be blended out using fingers, brushes, or sponges thanks to their denser finish that doesn’t soak up into tools as easily.
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HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Color Fuse Longwear Glassy Lip + Cheek Stick 5g in Glassy Hibiscus
This new Haus Labs Cheek Stick truly changed the blush stick game for me – with a 70% skincare formula that not only delivers gorgeous pigment, but a skin-loving kiss of hydration and glow, too. My current favorite is the Glassy Hibiscus, which delivers a glowing mauve sheen that leaves me looking like I’ve caught the perfect amount of sun. Simply gorgeous.*
ICONIC London Blurring Blush Stick 6g in Cosmo
This Iconic stick blush is a new find for me, but no less a great one. Boasting a buttery, velvet-matte finish, the buttery soft stick glides onto the skin, leaving an easy-to-blend, natural-looking flush. Cosmo boasts a similar undertone to the Haus Labs Glassy Hibiscus, with slightly pinkier tones and a more natural finish.*
Flush Cheek By Lashify Labs
Lashify blew me away with their first makeup release earlier this year – the Flush Cheek pH blush, and if that no-makeup-makeup look is your thing, then this is a product you’ll want to invest in. The clever blush easily glides onto the skin, instantly beginning to intensify when in contact with the skin and developing into your perfect, natural, rosy-hued blush shade that’s all your own.The other blushers
These formulas are slightly different to sticks and doe foot liquids, but are no less special. The Lumene blush boats a pipette applicator which we’d suggest dropping onto a mixing plate or the back of your hand first for a more controlled application.
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Lumene Invisible Illumination Liquid Blush 15ml in Pink Blossom
Delivering a soft-focus flush, this radiant and featherlight blush from Lumene is easy to build up and effortless to blend, giving you a stunning flush that’s utterly unique to any other formula I’ve tried. Pro tip: Pop some onto the back of your hand, tap your brush in, and then apply to your cheeks. This will give you more control and allow you to build it up easier.*
Mii Colour Wonder Lip And Cheek Balm in Coral Fusion
This Mii Cheek Balm is an excellent choice for an effortless flush on the go. Easy to apply using either a brush or your fingers straight from the pan, its hydrating formula nourishes and smooths the skin, leaving a gorgeous, pigmented flush. I adore the Coral Fusion shade, which gives a just-pinched finish and leaves a sweet hue on the lips, too.*
