The 18 Best Liquid Blushes of 2023

Hear me out: This product is your blush and your highlighter. I’m deeply, deeply obsessed with this product and shout its praises from the rooftops. The liquid formula is finger friendly, works across skin tones (there’s three intensities to choose from), and quite literally reflects the light at every turn. Because of the opalescent finish and non-tacky texture, this blush ends up looking like an extension of your skin—you won’t see any harsh lines or blotchy patches. 

Pros: Multi-purpose; Foolproof application; Editor favorite 

Cons: Packaging can be messy

Customer Review: "I’ve repurchased this item multiple times and it’s a staple in my makeup routine! I love the easy applicator and looks so great on! The only downside is that due to the packaging, it’s not filled with a ton of product and runs out faster than some other highlighters I’ve tried."

Watercolor is the best way to describe this baby. It has a tinted, super sheer finish that leaves a little pinch of color wherever you want. In my experience, the magic recipe is three, itty-bitty dots placed along the cheekbone, in an upwards motion towards the temple. It gives a lifted, slightly tinted look without being too intense. A quick swipe on the lips and you’re good to go. That in mind, you can easily build intensity with more product.

Pros: Lightweight; Multi-purpose; Buildable 

Cons: Can lift up certain foundations 

Customer Review: "I have been looking for the perfect sheer, dewy cream blush, and this is it. It is effortless to apply as it has a light and slick consistency that gives it good movability. Also, because it is sheer, it is buildable and forgiving if misplaced. A lot goes a long way, however. It gives my cheeks a natural and beautiful glow I haven't been able to achieve with other products. Love it!" — Sephora 

It’s relatively impossible to talk about the best blushes of all time without giving a shout out to NARS’ Orgasm Blush. While that powder gets a lot of hype, the liquid counterpart is just as good. It gives the same unmistakable pink hue, but with a dewier, more shimmery finish. Make sure to shake it up before you pump and start out slow—it’s super pigmented and a little goes a long way. 

Pros: Color works on all skin tones; Very pigmented 

Cons: Pump gets clogged easily

Customer Review: "Love it! Some people don’t seem to realize you have to PULL the cap off to reveal the pump, not twist it off and pull out the entire tube! It's a lovely color that blends beautifully and dries down to a nice semi matte finish. A little goes a long way! I use this when I want a little glow." — Sephora 

If you have dry skin, a hydrating product is non-negotiable. This Chantecaille liquid cream-gel fits the bill. It’s packed with moisturizing ingredients like glycerin to keep your cheeks looking dewy as opposed to rough and patchy. The formula is reminiscent of a stain, so the pigment is going to last all day. While that is a *huge* plus, I urge you to work fast. This guy dries down and locks in color on the quicker side, so pat-pat-pat as soon as it touches your skin. 

Pros: Skincare ingredients; Hydrating 

Cons: Need to work fast 

Customer Review: "I love this product. Very easy to apply with fingers. I use more per application than other, more pigmented cream blushers, but there is a lot in the tube. I have no issue blending it in (one reviewer said it went on patchy on her, but we are all so different). I like that the brand does not test on animals an donates to charitable causes too." — Nordstrom

If in the back of taxi or in a major rush, this product is my holy grail. The pigment is relatively sheer so you quite literally can't mess up your application. Plus, it's as multi-purpose as multi-purpose can be. Not only can you swipe it on your cheeks, but it also doubles as a tinted lip treatment. Ingredients like shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and orange blossom create a nourishing, hydrating texture that you can apply on repeat. 

Pros: Multi-purpose; Skincare ingredients

Cons: Not as pigmented as others 

Customer Review: "I think I've found my favorite tinted balm. This is such an amazing, hydrating, easy application and super pigmented balm. I'm in love. The most beautiful color is soft plum. Don't go for the peach nude one unless you have very fair skin and are into almost invisible makeup. You also have to use a lot of product to get some color out of that one, and it doesn't really work on the lips." — Sephora 

Magic. That’s what this blush is. Apply a small amount to cheeks and watch as the green liquid adheres to skin’s pH to turn into a customized flattering pink shade. If you’re struggling to pull a look together, subtle pink cheeks via this personalized blush is always a good choice.

Pros: Customized shade match; Glassy finish

Cons: Might be too oily for some 

Customer Review: "It says to use two dots but for me personally I did six. That said, it looked amazing and lasted all day. I didn't go outside much and didn't sweat but it lasted a while and kept it's color. I've been looking for skincare based makeup and I'd definitely buy again."

There are two shades in this lineup—and I highly recommend buying both. In my experience, mixing the copper hue with the rosy pink is the secret to a bronzed, slightly sunburnt-looking glow. Each gives a radiant, healthy glow that shimmers in the light. You'll be so dewy, you won't even need a highlighter. While they go on relatively sheer at first, the liquid formulas are very easy to build up. 

Pros: Multi-purpose; Hydrating 

Cons: Expensive

Customer Review: "I love the ease and color of this blush, it's a lovely bright color that is very lifting and flattering. So easy to apply as well." — Bluemercury 

These liquid blush drops are going to be your best friend if you want to recreate the sunburnt blush trend. The pinky hue gives a perfect flush and the finish is silky without looking too sparkly. Use as much product as your heart desires (I suggest one full dropper full) and spread the product from your temples to the bridge of your nose. You can even layer the product on before foundation if you want a more low-key flush. 

Pros: Silk finish; Buildable 

Cons: Pigment fades throughout the day

Customer Review: "Fantastic blush. I love the color, the smoothness of it on my skin and how it’s long lasting. Also perfect to add color to your lips and can also be used as a highlighter. Highly recommend it. Gives a beautiful glow and as it’s drops it’s so easy to use." — Rodial 

For mess-free application, a sponge-tip applicator is the way to go. Just dot, blend, and you’re good to go. Plus, the Surratt shade range is absolutely stunning. Parfait and Barbe a Papa are ideal for cool undertones (think: pink or red) and Classique and Cantaloupe are a dream for warm tones (think: golden or yellow). 

Pros: Great shade selection; Easy to apply

Cons: Expensive 

Customer Review: "I was finding that my powder blushes looked dull on my skin rather than giving some healthy color. It was love at first try with this product, which I got in "Barbe A Papa."  I have fair skin so I thought this was the safest choice. I found it to be lightweight and smooth formula. It is very pigmented and I was able to build the color from sheer to the intensity that I desired." — Bluemercury 

If it were possible to get an Oscar for creating a blush, Selena Gomez and her development team would win it. A quick search on literally any social media site will result in thousands of reviews singing the praises of this blush, and for good reason. The formula packs a punch and blends subtly without losing pigment, working wonders for all complexions and tones.

Pros: Pigmented; Long lasting 

Cons: Difficult to apply at first (a little goes a long way)

Customer Review: "STUNNING!!! I put 2 dots on the back of my hand and used a round fluffy blush brush to apply it. A little goes a long ways, and it is super pigmented! The finish is so smooth! I swear it will last a lifetime. I am currently using this as my summer shade since I am super tanned right now. I will definitely be buying more shades!" — Sephora 

Milani has been a staple in beauty routines since the brand’s inception in 2001. They’re always one to keep up with the trends while creating affordable products that stand on their own. Don’t believe me, try this drugstore blush for yourself—pick up a few shades, actually, you’ll thank me later.

Pros: Affordable; Pigmented 

Cons: Dries down quickly—act fast 

Customer Review: "It is very blendable and you can get a nice flush to your cheeks. I bought the Berry Smooch and I am fair-skinned. To apply, I put several little pin dots along my cheek line and blend upward. Having never used liquid or cream blush, my learning curve was about two days." — Ulta 

This is the luxury car of liquid blushes. From the color variety to the large doe-foot applicator, Saie really outdid themselves with this pigment and formulation. A little goes a long way—directly apply the blush onto the apples of the cheeks and use your finger to gently blot it along your cheekbones. 

Pros: Blendable; Multi-purpose; Pigmented 

Cons: Colors are slightly different than the appear online

Customer Review: "Beautiful, blendable formula that gives the skin a creamy, healthy glow. Surprisingly good longevity on my normal/combination skin. I have a medium golden complexion and Spicy gives me that sunkissed, post-exercise kind of flush." — Sephora 

As a good rule of thumb, swatch any product you’re about to try on your hand to test the pigment, especially if you’re on the last step of your makeup look. I say this because the Freck Beauty Cheekslime is that girl when it comes to saturated pigment. One drop of this gel-like formula and you’re set for both cheeks, lightly blot out the shade and watch as it thins to evenly cover without patches.

Pros: Very pigmented; Long-wearing 

Cons: Dries fast 

Customer Review: "I like this stuff! Once you get the hang of it, it’s kinda magical (tricks: make sure you start w/well-hydrated skin, a little goes a long way, and work fast). It totally mimics a natural day-at-the-beach flush, and it has staying power." — Sephora 

The Swiss army knife of makeup brands: Danessa Myricks Beauty. Every product from this cosmetic line is known for its versatile use and that doesn’t stop with this blush, eyeshadow, and lip color trio. Go ahead, match your lips, eyes, and cheeks with this all-in-one product—you know you want to. 

Pros: Multi-purpose; Pigmented; Great shade selection 

Cons: Fragrant

Customer Review: "This product has become a must-have staple in my bag and makeup collection. I love how versatile and long lasting it is. I have this in Nutcracker, Toasted Almond, and Bread n Butter. The shades are perfect for almost anything, everything from contouring to blush to eye shadow and even lip use." — Sephora

Michelle Phan’s cosmetic brand Em Cosmetics boasts innovative packaging that makes beauty more convenient. Case in point: The brand’s serum blush is applied via dropper. The concentrated formula is another example of little product for maximum payoff. Red blush might seem scary, but if you have yellow undertones or darker skin tones, this shade is made for you. 

Pros: Glowy; Pigmented; Long lasting

Cons: Not good for travel—dropper can leak

Customer Review: "The bottle is beautiful, a welcome addition to any vanity. The blush color is radiant and really brings a glow to my cheeks! I'm just learning how to incorporate blush in to my makeup, but this makes it super easy to apply and blend. The color complements my skin nicely." — Em Cosmetics 

The best of both worlds: The skincare base that we love and expect from Drunk Elephant, paired with the subtle addition of pigment. The result: Glow drops that you’ll want to cover your entire body in. Not saying that I have done this, but if I did, their Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser does the removal job right. 

Pros: Skincare ingredients; Glowy; Subtle 

Cons: One shade 

Customer Review: "I will say you’ll have to be a bit on the fair side BUT this gives a glow that can’t compare it is GORG on the skin and honestly didn’t break me out at all my skin seemed to better!"

If you’re looking for a truly light formula that doesn’t make you fear looking like a clown, this water-based formula from Armani Beauty is here for you. Sheer colors heighten the natural skin base and work best on clean skin. The ultimate “no-makeup-makeup” blush.

Pros: Lightweight; Great colors; Looks natural 

Cons: Expensive 

Customer Review: "I love this product!!! It works so well on my fair skin that needs a lot of blush to look healthy. It is very natural, glowy, and looks like my real skin. It wears very well, layers easily over my base products, and doesn't make me break out. Amazing!!!!" — Bloomingdales 

"Don't be alarmed by the dark color of this lip and cheek tint! Once on the skin, it turns into a beautiful rose shade that I think would flatter just about every skin tone. Plus, the formula is super light and buildable so you can have as dramatic or as subtle of a blush look as you want." — Brooke Knappenberger, Editorial Fellow 

Pros: Works for all skin tones; Buildable 

Cons: Better for cheeks than lips 

Customer Review: "I rarely have the time for a full face of makeup anymore, pairing this with a tinted sunscreen has brought so much life and glow back into my skin." — Sephora