I tested over 100 blushes in every formula and finish imaginable, and lived to tell the tale. (Yahoo/Marie Lodi)
Like brow pencils, blush is one of those beauty products that’s lowkey transformative. It’s not as showy as lipstick, nor as instantly youth-giving as a faux freckle pen, but the best blush can make your whole face look more alive. However, a caveat: Once you’re past 40, blush becomes a tad trickier. Powder formulas that once melted into your skin may now sit on fine lines. Cream blushes that promise dewiness can sometimes veer into greaseball territory. And don’t even get me started on shades — what looked fresh at 25 can look absolutely garish at 55. (Have you seen the movie Weapons? There’s a fine line between glam and Aunt Gladys.)
Still, the right blush can feel like straight-up sorcery. It can trick the eye into seeing health, vibrancy and even a touch of pretty-girl romance. “Blush is one of those products that really enhances your beauty look,” celebrity makeup artist Molly R. Stern, who has worked with Nicole Kidman, Maya Rudolph and Reese Witherspoon, tells Yahoo. “To me, it’s the most youthful tool in makeup artistry. … If you think about life — when you blush, it’s because something turns you on or makes you feel alive. Someone’s complimented you, you’ve just made out with someone or you’ve just exercised. All the things that make you naturally blush are life-affirming. If you can manufacture that through a cosmetic, it just kind of brightens your day.”
The right blush formula, finish and shade can truly light you up. To find the best of the best, I tested over a hundred blushes in all forms, from powders to creams, color sticks, pots, palettes and everything in between. Keep reading to find your own blush soulmate(s), no clown cheeks necessary.
The best blush of 2025
Amazon
Key ingredients: Shea butter, avocado oil, orange peel wax | Formulation: Cream stick | Finish: Natural, shimmer | Shades: 12 | Size: .15 oz
If I had to pick one blush to throw in my bag, it’s Ilia’s Multi-Stick. It’s the definition of low-maintenance makeup — creamy, blendable and designed to be used on cheeks, lips and even eyes. Unlike some sticks that feel waxy, this one glides easily and blends with fingers, which is always a blessing when you don’t have a brush handy. The finish is dewy but not greasy, giving just enough radiance to revive tired skin without making it look shiny.
It’s also made with nourishing shea butter, antioxidant-rich avocado oil and orange peel wax, an emollient that helps soften the skin. This is skin care-meets-makeup, which is what mature skin needs from everyday staples. On the (rare) occasion I don’t want to fuss with a million different makeup products, I just dab it onto my cheeks and lips and instantly look more put-together.
While it might not be a long-wear blush compared to more heavy-duty powder formulas (especially if you’re on the oilier side), the way it melts into skin makes that easy to overlook. There are no obvious blush edges, no sticky residue, just a seamless, healthy-looking flush. What more could you want?
- Multi-use; 3-in-1 makeup stick
- Melts into skin seamlessly, blends with fingers
- Dewy finish that brightens without excessive shine
- Includes nourishing, skin-softening ingredients
- May not last as long on oilier skin
- Stick format can get a little soft in very warm weather
- Pricier than other options
Other blushes we recommend
Amazon
Key ingredients: Argan oil, vitamin E | Formulation: Cream-to-powder | Finish: Semi-matte (also comes in Luminous) | Shades: 8 | Size: .35 oz
Now this is the $8 wonder that proves you don’t need to spend a fortune for a flattering flush. The E.l.f. Putty Blush comes in my favorite type of formula: a unique cream-to-powder that dries down to a natural, soft-matte finish. For mature skin, this is ideal. You get the blendability of a cream without the tacky residue that sometimes makes blush migrate. It’s also buildable and layers beautifully over foundation with nary a patch, even when my skin is drier. It’s the ideal non‑cakey blush formula.
The hydration comes from the inclusion of argan oil and vitamin E, two good old reliables for added skin nourishment. Pro tip: While you can simply apply the blush with your fingers, it goes on nicely with the E.l.f. Putty Blush Brush. And if you happen to want something more shimmery, there’s also the Luminous Putty Blush.
“This putty blush is super smooth and blends like a dream,” wrote a five-star reviewer on Amazon. “It gives a natural, dewy finish that lasts all day. A little goes a long way, and it looks so fresh on the skin. Perfect for everyday makeup or that no-makeup look!”
- Extremely affordable
- Buildable pigment that lasts
- Great for those who don’t love a very dewy finish
- Includes argan oil and vitamin E
- Pot packaging is more susceptible to dirt/contamination
Sephora
Key ingredients: Upsalite, hyaluronic acid, vegan squalane | Formulation: Balm-to-powder | Finish: Matte | Shades: 11 | Size: .21 oz
Confession: If I could pick two winners for best overall blush, I’d have this Danessa Myricks beauty in the spot next to Ilia. First of all, this buildable, blendable formula is genius. At first, it looks like a cream balm, but once applied, it sets down almost like a powder, smoothing pores and giving skin a blurred, soft-focus effect. For mature skin, that’s gold. It doesn’t highlight texture; it actually seems to minimize it. My skin looks smoother and more even every time I wear this.
It also uses a Swedish technology called Upsalite (also in the brand’s Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder, our winner for best foundation balm), which is built to blur and absorb excess oil and sweat. However, even if you are on the drier side, you won’t have to worry about it emphasizing dryness. There’s also hyaluronic acid and vegan squalane to support skin hydration.
Finally, it has a solid amount of shade options to flatter a variety of skin tones, from deep to fair and every one in between. The pigment payoff is strong, so you need the lightest touch (Myricks herself says to apply with your fingers for more control or dab once with a brush) but the wear time is incredible — this stuff stays put.
- Long-wearing with a blurred finish
- Doesn’t emphasize pores or lines
- Easily blendable on skin
- Rich pigment (a little goes a long way)
- Can be too matte for those who love a dewy glow
- Pot packaging might be more prone to contamination than a stick
Sephora
Key ingredients: Cacao, pomegranate and papaya seed, rosehip oil | Formulation: Cream | Finish: Blurred matte | Shades: 7 | Size: .22 oz
Like I mentioned with our E.l.f. pick, I believe cream-to-powder blushes are especially great for mature skin. Well, Selena Gomez nailed it with this incredible non-cakey formula. It’s bouncy and cushiony in the pan but blends into skin like a soft powder. The matte finish is surprisingly flattering, where it’s not flat or dry-looking, just a smooth veil of color. If you want something that’s built to last all day long, this is it, since it’s sweat, water and humidity-resistant. It also feels hydrating but without the slip that dewier finishes have. Simply fabulous.
Full disclosure: The Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush is another favorite and would have been on our list, but I ended up choosing this formula instead. Still, consider that liquid version another co-sign from me, since it’s also hydrating and delivers great color. (P.S. Gomez wore the shade “Smitten” on her wedding day, included in their Something Rosy Lip & Cheek Set.)
- Hydrating matte finish
- Unique cushiony texture is fun to use and feels nice
- Great staying power
- Cute packaging
- Not for those who love glow
- Pricier than other options
Sephora
Key ingredients: Fermented arnica, hydraberry, plant squalane | Formulation: Pressed Powder | Finish: Natural | Shades: 6 | Size: .18 oz
When I tell you this is one of the smoothest powder blushes I’ve ever tried, I’m being serious. Like its Triclone Skin Tech Foundation (which won our vote for best foundation), Haus Labs infused this formula with fermented arnica, which helps calm the skin and reduce redness. As for the powder itself, it’s buttery-soft and blends like silk. Aside from the arnica, you have hydraberry, which is exactly what it sounds like: an ingredient extracted from berries (red raspberries, to be exact) that was created to deeply hydrate the skin. You won’t find chalkiness, streaks or clinging to dry patches ’round these parts.
The finish is a natural-looking matte that is very buildable, so you control how bold you want to go. I love the shade Dragon Fruit Daze for a luminous, youthful pink without any shimmer. For mature skin, that balance is chef’s kiss.
Although it’s pricier than similar options, it’s worth it according to both me and happy Sephora customers, and a little goes a long way. “Loving this blush,” read one five-star review. “Been wearing it daily all spring and summer and haven’t made a dent in it! It gives the perfect flush and seems to minimize pores too. Really stunning formula and color.”
- Incredibly smooth, blendable formula
- Talc-free for those who have issues with it
- Radiant, natural finish
- Infused with skin care ingredients
- Skin-calming and redness reducing
- Pricier than other options
- Smaller sized-compact can feel like you don’t get enough product
Sephora
Charlotte Tilbury makes some great blushes, but this long-wear liquid blush is a standout, specifically because it’s as much about experience as it is about the color. The cute cushion-tip applicator makes it easy to dot the blush exactly where you want it, and the liquid itself blends like a dream. At only four options, the shade range is limited, but Pillow Talk, aka the cult-favorite rosy nude, is universally flattering.
Aside from the blendability of this luxe liquid blush, what I love most is the luminous, soft-focus finish. It gives me a gorgeous glow without emphasizing texture. (Very important for my over-40 skin.)
“I love this liquid blush,” wrote a satisfied Sephora shopper who uses it regularly. “It blends so easily and gives the perfect natural flush. The formula is lightweight, buildable and lasts all day without looking patchy. It’s now a must-have in my makeup routine — I use it almost every day!”
- Gorgeous, lit-from-within glow
- Easy applicator for precise placement
- Doesn’t cling to fine lines
- Expensive for the amount of product
- Limited shade range
- No notable skin care ingredients
Sephora
Key ingredients: Biomimetic and micronized pigments, emollients | Formulation: Cream and pressed powder | Finish: Matte, satin | Shades: 18 | Size: .35 oz total
Makeup artist Patrick Ta is known for his blush looks and for good reason. (There are so many on his Instagram that have been living rent-free in my mind.) To put it simply, he really delivered with Double-Take. If you’re indecisive like me (Libra), you’ll love this versatile blush duo. You get a coordinating cream and powder in one compact, so you can use either alone or layer them. The cream is luminous and melts beautifully into skin, while the powder sets everything in place without looking chalky.
During testing, I used the cream side for a fresh daytime look, then layered the powder before going out at night to give it more staying power. It’s literally like having two long-wear blushes in one, which makes the $38 price feel justified, IMO.
I love this Sephora five-star review: “Y’all, I fear the price is worth it. This is a really great blush. I have a neutral/warm complexion and finding a blush has been so hard for me. She’s Blushing is going to be the end of my search —finally! It looks very natural, which is my goal. No other makeup on.”
- Two finishes in one compat
- Great shade range
- Long-lasting when layered
- Pricey (but not when you consider it’s two blushes)
- Compact is slightly bulky
- Pan can get a little messy with brush use
How we tested
I pored over hundreds of blushes like a makeup detective, analyzing texture, wearability, color payoff and more. (Marie Lodi/Yahoo)
I’ve been writing about beauty for more than a decade, but wearing blush far longer than that. I tried over 100 blushes (seriously, this is the one makeup product spilling from my vanity drawers, purses and Caboodles) and took my testing very, very seriously. I wore these blushes from morning to night, grading them on pigment payoff, wear time, texture and how well they played on mature, menopausal skin with fine lines, dryness and big pores. I also looked at packaging, price and value, and if they contained any interesting ingredients, especially ones that specifically helped with mature skin issues.
Other blushes we tested
Out of the 100-plus blushes I tested over the past year, I can confidently say that more were good than I expected, but a few missed the mark for my over-40 skin or daily habits. Granted, they were still solid products that’ll work for some people but they just weren’t my top picks. A few came close, though.
Essence Baby Got Blush Cream Blush Stick: The texture read a bit chalky on me and clung to dryness around the tops of my cheeks. It might be better for oily skin types.
Glossier Cloud Paint: This beloved blush is pretty and pigmented, but I find the squeezy tubes a tad messy and easy to overdo.
Goop Beauty Colorblur Tinted Glow Balm: Loved the initially emollient feel, but the pan strangely dried out too quickly, turning stiff and patchy. Once it lost slip, it was hard to apply, emphasizing pores instead of smoothing over them.
About-Face Cheek Freak Blush Balm: Honestly, this one almost won best balm blush. Ultimately, I liked the texture of our Danessa Myricks winner slightly more for drier skin. But consider this a recommendation!
Nars Orgasm: Icon status aside, my skin sadly isn’t as welcoming to the powder formula anymore. I still love her, though, so the Afterglow Liquid Blush is a better option.
What to look for in a blush
Formula: Cream, powder or liquid?
Not all blushes are created equal. If you prefer a long-wear look, try a cream-to-powder, like our Rare Beauty pick, or double up with our Patrick Ta palette winner. Liquids are usually lightweight, blend beautifully and often give a fresh-looking flush. Even better, you don’t have to pick just one. “I tend to be a combination girl. I love a cream blush as a base, and then I like to top it off with a powder,” says Stern.
Finish: Flat vs. glow
The finish is where a blush can really help or hurt. Shimmer-heavy formulas tend to highlight fine lines or texture, which is why I skip anything glittery. Instead, I reach for soft mattes, natural or luminous finishes that give skin dimension without spotlighting pores. We want “healthy glow,” not disco ball!
Pigment payoff
A bold swipe of blush can be fun… on younger skin. But mature skin looks its best with formulas that are buildable, not overly pigmented from the get-go. A sheer wash that you can layer gives more control and looks much more natural, like our top-winning blush from Ilia.
Choosing shades: does skin tone and undertone matter?
There’s no hard and fast rule about what color blushes go with what skin tones, though most guides out there will tell you that if you’re on the fair and light side, go for lighter hues (corals, light pinks), while deeper skin tones should go for darker ones (berries). But it can also depend on the blush itself, and its color payoff. For example, Danessa Myricks formulated the Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed so that every shade was universally flattering and buildable (see a great visual chart here). “I generally always advise people to go brighter than they think,” says Stern. “Foundation matching is really important, but blush can be more forgiving. It’s more like lipstick or a handbag — it’s an accessory, not a necessity that has to perfectly match your undertone.”
There’s also the topic of undertone. Some experts will tell you that cool-toned complexions should opt for rose, cool pinks and berries, while warm undertones should go for coral, peach and warmer pinks. (Neutrals are, of course, more versatile.) I have a light-to-medium, neutral skin tone and personally tend to gravitate towards the hot pinks! My rule of thumb for everyone else with more sensible blush tastes: if it looks like a natural flush, it will probably look good on you.
“Most people go for neutral berry tones, but I’m always encouraging people to go for brighter pops — reds, magentas, orange undertones — so it really gives that pop of life. When it comes to color, the question is: Does it make you feel happy? Does it make you feel alive? Then, it’s great,” says Stern. “If you’re really worried about undertone, look at your natural flush — chances are it’s warm, so mimic that. You can always tone it down with a sheer blush on top.”
Longevity and setting
No one wants to reapply blush three times a day. Powders tend to have better staying power, but creams and liquids can last if they set down well or are layered under a powder. If you’re going out all day, try Stern’s trick (which you can easily use with our Patrick Ta winner): cream first, then powder on top, to lock it in.
Skin type compatibility
If your skin leans drier (as many of ours does past 40), creams and balms might be the way to go. “For mature skin, avoiding a full face of powder is the right move, but sometimes topping off with a fluffy brush and a sheer wash of pastel powder helps set the cream blush and gives it more longevity,” says Stern. “Even mature skin can handle that because we’re not talking about eliminating any dew.” You can also look for blushes with skin-friendly extras, like emollients, vitamin E and even a touch of squalane, like the ones we love from Haus Labs and Danessa Myricks. These will help keep from catching on dry patches.
Again, there’s that versatile cream blush-and-powder combination to keep in mind. “I haven’t really met any complexion where that combination isn’t successful. People with oilier skin might be a little shy about a cream blush, which I get, but I’m a big fan,” says Stern.
Packaging and practicality
It doesn’t sound like a big deal, but packaging matters. Sticks are fantastic for travel and touch-ups. Tubes and wands are fun but can get messy real fast (especially if you have hand dexterity issues). Compacts feel classic, but big, bulky ones aren’t purse-friendly. And pots are perfect for easy finger application, but are at risk for contamination/grossness getting in. At the end of the day, the best blush is up to you. It’s going to be the one you’ll use time and time again, not the one that feels annoying to use.
Best blush FAQs
Which formula is best? Powder, cream or liquid?
It depends on your skin. Creams and balms tend to melt into drier, over-40 skin beautifully and look the most natural up close. Powders, when finely milled, last the longest and are great for those who get a little shiny. Liquids are somewhere in the middle — they blend easily, give that “lit-from-within” glow, and work especially well on fresh, minimal makeup days.
Where should I apply blush on my face?
When it comes to blush placement, you don’t have to make it complicated, according to Stern. “I’m traditional — I like the apples of the cheek. Smile, and where you get those little apple nuggets, that’s where I’ll put the pop of color,” she says. “I love to layer, sometimes I’ll start with something that has a little more shade to it, to give the cheek some shape, then add the pop of color on the apples. Nobody blushes on the top of their cheekbones or in their hairline unless you’re going for a disco or ’80s vibe. For natural looks, the safest bet is always the apples of the cheeks.”
What do I use to apply blush?
Clean fingers are great for creams and balms (the warmth helps melt the product), but a damp makeup sponge, like a BeautyBlender, can give it the most seamless blend. You can also use a fluffy brush that isn’t too dense so it will disperse pigment evenly without streaks. Also, a good primer always helps things go on more smoothly!
How do I make my blush last all day?
Like Stern says, layering is the way. Apply a cream or liquid first, then set it with a coordinating powder blush. It’s the same idea as layering fragrance or skin care: double-duty for double wear. If that feels like too much effort, choose a long-wear formula that sets itself.
How much blush is too much?
Have you heard of blush blindness? Hopefully, you won’t experience that. The beauty of modern blushes is that most are buildable, so you can layer until it feels right. My rule: apply in good lighting, then step back. If blush is the first thing you instantly notice, it’s probably too much. If your face just looks healthier and brighter, you nailed it.
Should I put blush on before or after powder/foundation?
If you’re using cream or liquid blush, apply it after foundation and before setting powder so it blends seamlessly. Powder blushes, of course, go on after.
Meet our expert
Molly R. Stern, celebrity makeup artist
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