13 Best Liquid Blushes That Blend Out Like a Glowy Dream

Sure, there's lots to love about powder and cream blushes, but don't sleep on liquid blushes, which boast pigmented formulas that are both buildable and blendable. Moreover, the best liquid blushes make it easy to achieve a vacation-like glow any time of year (yes, even in the dead of winter). Compared to powders and creams, liquid blushes have the thinnest and lightest consistency, explains Florida-based makeup artist Allison Kaye. Thanks to how buildable they are, it's safe to say that liquid blushes are easiest to blend —  though, fair warning: a little goes a very long way. 

In terms of application, New York City-based makeup artist Tobi Henney recommends starting with the apples of your cheeks and blending in an upward motion. Conversely, "if you want a more sunkissed effect, you can lightly apply across the bridge of the nose where the sun would naturally hit the face," she says. There are also several other blush techniques, including the TikTok-famous "W" application trick in which you apply blush in the shape of a "W" where the sun would naturally hit. 

Regardless of which application technique you opt for, Kaye recommends applying the liquid blush directly from the applicator onto the cheeks before blending with a foundation brush or makeup sponge. Alternatively, dab the product into your skin with your fingers for a more natural finish. 

Additionally, keep in mind that the best liquid blushes are often infused with skin-care ingredients like moisturizing glycerin, conditioning shea butter, and antioxidant-loaded aloe. As a bonus, some even double as lip and/or eye tints. 

Finally — and best of all — the best liquid blushes are available across all price points, so there's no need to blow your budget. From a handful of newly debuted picks from beloved brands such as Tarte and Charlotte Tilbury to timeless staples from Nars and Benefit Cosmetics, we've rounded up 13 of the best liquid blushes to create a glowy, natural flush that’ll compliment any look.

Best "Clean" Formula: Saie Dew Blush

According to Kaye, Saie's Dew Blush "blends out like a dream," and a little bit of product truly goes a long way. Its water-based, gel-cream formula  — which is also cruelty-free and vegan — offers a creamy yet buildable texture for the perfect flush of color. Ingredient highlights include nourishing glycerin and antioxidant-loaded staples like licorice and elderberry extracts. The TikTok-viral blush also comes in six gorgeous shades, the most popular being Chilly (a cool-toned mauve pictured above). 

Best Color Payoff: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush

Selena Gomez really brought her A-game with Rare Beauty's Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, which has racked up several Readers' Choice and Best of Beauty Awards, is not only an Allure-editor favorite but an Internet sensation as well, thanks to, its highly pigmented formula. Available in both matte and radiant finishes, the liquid blush is designed with an easy-to-use doe-foot applicator, which New Jersey-based makeup artist Sara Talias is a fan of. Take your pick between 11 hues, including Grateful (a candy-colored red pictured above), Faith (a matte dark purple), and Lucky (hot pink), to name a few. 

Best for No-Makeup Makeup: Giorgio Armani Neo Nude A-Blush

Henney loves Giorgio Armani's Neo Nude A Blush for its beautiful color payoff. "You can easily apply the blush directly to the cheeks with the applicator and blend in with the warmth of your fingertips," she notes. Choose from four beautiful shades — 30 (coral pictured above), 31 (light brown), 32 (brown), and 50 (bubblegum pink). 

Best for Buildable Color: Daniel Sandler Watercolour Liquid Cheek Colour

Per Talias, Daniel Sandler's Watercolour Liquid Cheek Colour is "so unique because it is so sheer but has such great color payoff." Apply a few drops of the weightless, water-resistant formula to the back of your hands and blend one of two ways: with a brush or your fingers. Best of all, it comes in 19 shades to suit all skin tones, from Acid (hot pink) to Hot Toddy (dark brown shown above), and more. 

Best Dewy Finish: Em Cosmetics Color Drop Serum Blush

Michelle Phan debuted Em Cosmetics back in 2013, and fast-forward a decade later, and the brand is still churning out makeup must-haves. One of our favorites? The Color Drop Serum Blush. Available in eight shades (including Forbidden Fruit, a toasted pomegranate pictured above), this hydrating, ceramide-infused liquid blush offers a gorgeous, glowy finish — and the dropper applicator is especially fun to use. Oh, and did we mention it's vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated without parabens and fragrances? 

Best "Your Skin But Better:" Youthforia BYO Blush

Youthforia is an Asian-owned makeup brand that took TikTok by storm with the debut of BYO Blush, which boasts a unique color-changing formula. While it looks green in the bottle, it actually adjusts to your skin's natural pH to reveal the perfect pop of bubblegum pink. It's also spiked with a slew of plant-based oils like jojoba, olive, macadamia, and moringa, as well as soothing aloe. Shoppers can take their pick of three non-color-changing shades, like Turn Up the Sunshine (orange marigold pictured above).

Best Applicator: Charlotte Tilbury Matte Beauty Blush Wand

The Charlotte Tilbury Matte Beauty Blush Wand has already won over almost everyone and their mothers — including Allure editors — for its stunning matte finish. Like the brand's best-selling Beauty Light Wands, the Beauty Blush Wands have a circular-shaped sponge applicator: simply dot, blend, et voila. Choose from three shades: Pink Pop (a classic pink pictured above), Peach Pop (a peachy-nude), and Dream Pop (a cherry-pink cross).  

Best New Classic: Nars Afterglow Liquid Blush

While Nars' fan-favorite Orgasm powder blush dates back decades, the Liquid Blush didn't come out until 2017. Since then, it's become a beloved staple for makeup pros everywhere, thanks to its iconic, peachy-pink hue with a hint of gold shimmer. Now the classic has been reinvented to include five shades beyond Orgasm (pictured above) like Insatiable, a deep plum. Plus, each tube includes a dose of skin-loving ingredients such as sodium hyaluronate and vitamin E for a radiant finish.

Best Drugstore Pick: Milani Cheek Kiss Liquid Blush 

With its wallet-friendly price tag, lightweight liquid formula, and sheer finish, Milani Cheek Kiss Blush is an excellent drugstore pick. Bonus: it can even be used on the lips for a monochromatic look. Since each of the six shades clocks in at $11, you need not feel guilty about stocking up on more than one. Might we suggest Cheeky Coral (pictured above) and Berry Smooch? A versatile duo, to say the least.

Best Unique Shades: Danessa Myricks Beauty Vision Flush Blush

Danessa Myricks is amongst our favorite Black-owned, Best of Beauty Award-winning makeup brands. The Vision Flush Blush actually pulls triple duty as a liquid blush, eye shadow, and lip color, making it the perfect pick for those looking to try out the monochromatic makeup trend. Its long-wearing, cruelty-free formula — which comes in ten shades total like Sugar Plum (a gorgeous plum orchid pictured above) — can be built up or blended out depending on the level of intensity you're going for. 

Best Two-in-One: Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Rose Lip & Cheek Tint

Benefit Cosmetics's Benetint Rose Lip & Cheek Tint has a fascinating history that dates back over 40 years (fun fact: it was initially created as a nipple tint). Today, the multi-use cheek stain is famous for its sheer, natural-looking, and non-drying formula. Its signature rosy hue can easily be applied to both the lips and cheeks via a user-friendly doe-foot applicator. 

Best for Brightening: Tarte Blush Tape Liquid Blush

Tarte's Blush Tape Liquid Blush is the brand's latest — and arguably most-anticipated — launch. Its radiant finish is perfect for those seeking a lit-from-within glow and the sponge-tip applicator (similar to the one you'll see on Sculpt Tape Contour) is incredibly easy to use. We'd also be remiss not to mention its skin-care-infused formula that features moisturizing glycerin, as well as mango and shea butters, and brightening licorice root extract. Choose from shades Pink, Beach, and Berry for a buildable pop of glowy color. 

Best Hybrid Formula: Glossier Cloud Paint

For a "very sheer wash of color," Talias reaches for the Glossier Cloud Paint. Available in eight shades (we love Storm, a warm rose shown here), this no-makeup makeup staple features a glycerin-infused formula and unique texture — which falls somewhere between a gel, cream, and liquid — that blends seamlessly onto the skin. The result? A perfectly dewy finish. 

More makeup recommendations just for you:

• 14 Best Face Primers That Ensure Makeup Lasts All Day
• TikTok Wins Again: Tarte's Sculpt Tape Contour Is That Girl
• The Makeup By Mario SurrealSkin Foundation Is Unlike Any Base Makeup We Have Ever Tried

Now, watch K-pop superstars TWICE break down their most iconic music videos:

Don't forget to follow Allure on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things beauty