The 11 Best Liquid Blushes We Love for Dewy, Flushed Cheeks in a Flash

Best Overall

Saie Dew Blush

$25 at Sephora $25 at Kohls.com $25 at Goop.com

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.

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.”

Best Budget

e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo Liquid Blush

View on Ulta $7 at Target View on Elfcosmetics.com

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.

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.”

Best Sheer

Glossier Cloud Paint

$22 at Sephora $22 at Glossier.com

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.

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."

Best Pigment

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush

$14 at Sephora View on Kohls.com View on Kohls.com

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. 

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."

Best Dewy

Nars Afterglow Liquid Blush

$32 at Sephora $32 at Ulta $30 at Walmart

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.

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.”

Best Matte

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Beauty Blush Wand

$42 at Sephora $42 at Ulta $42 at Ulta

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.

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).”

Best Multipurpose

Danessa Myricks Beauty Blush, Eyeshadow and Lip Color

$20 at Sephora View on Danessamyricksbeauty.com

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.

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."

Best Drugstore

NYX Professional Makeup Sweet Cheeks Soft Cheek Tint

$8 at Amazon $10 at Ulta $10 at Walmart

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. 

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.”

Best for a Natural Look

Flower Beauty Color Drops for Cheeks

$12 at Amazon $12 at Ulta

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.

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."

Best for Dry Skin

Yves Saint Laurent NU LIP & CHEEK BALMY TINT

$29 at Sephora $29 at Nordstrom $29 at Nordstrom

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.

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.”

Best With SPF

Nudestix Nudescreen Blush + Lip Tint SPF 30

$30 at Sephora $30 at Ulta $30 at Ulta

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.

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."