I tried 15 liquid blushes, and these 10 are worth the money

Like the organs in the human body, each makeup product plays a different role in our beauty routines.Blush, for instance, brightens the complexion—some formulas offer a bold punch of color, while others provide an under-the-radar hint of something extra. Liquid blushes specifically seem to have a never-ending selection of options, but I decided to try 15 of the most popular to see which ones were worth the hype. I perused best-seller lists and online reviews to determine the blushes to test and evaluated them based on longevity, ease of application, and shade range.

When applying liquid blush, I have a particular "method to my madness." I always use the larger end of the F1 Makeup Brush from Makeup by Mario, then blend it from the corner of my eye down to the center of my cheek for a contoured effect. Depending on the formula, I’ll apply one to three layers of the product, then add a spritz of the Prep + Prime Fix+ Primer and Setting Spray from M.A.C. Cosmetics after each coat of blush. To get an accurate look of these blushes in action as possible, I did not set these formulas with a powder blush like I typically do. Keep scrolling to get a look at 10 of the best liquid blushes.

1. Best overall: Glossier Cloud Paint

I’ve tested the beloved Glossier Cloud Paint in the shades "Beam" (soft peach) and "Wisp" (soft lilac) once before on their own, and I was blown away by how they barely faded over the course of an eight-hour wear period.

When pitting it against several other best-selling liquid formulas, it continued to prove to be the crème de la crème of liquid blushes, not only for its longevity but also because it’s buildable (I put three light layers of Cloud Paint on the apples of my cheeks during testing) and blends into the skin without a fuss. But, the pros don’t end there. Its permanent collection boasts an impressive roster of eight shades, giving pretty much all skin tones an option to brighten up their cheeks. Whether you’re a blush-wearing novice or a makeup application aficionado, you’ll find putting on this gel-cream blush to be a breeze. This product has officially earned a spot in my makeup bag and should be added to yours, too.

2. Best drugstore pick: NYX Sweet Cheeks Soft Cheek Tint Blush

The NYX Sweet Cheeks Soft Cheek Tint Blush is truly a drugstore makeup gem. For starters, it delivers on all fronts. The formula is easy to blend, it’s buildable—I successfully applied three layers of the shade "Nude 'Tude" (pale taupe)— and it lasts for eight hours.

3. Best color payoff: Milk Makeup Bionic Liquid Blush

When I tell you a little goes a long way when applying the Milk Makeup Bionic Liquid Blush, you better believe it. Unlike Cloud Paint, I didn’t need three layers to attain a bold finish—one dot smaller than a pea did the trick. That said, this formula may not be the best for beginners, as too much can instantly give you the bright, rosy cheeks of a circus clown (unless that’s the look you’re going for).

The shade "Fly" (ruby red) left my cheeks with a vivid touch of color all day long—impressive for a pea-size amount of product. Blending the blush with my brush was also a piece of cake; not a single streak was left in the process. While the formula was chef’s kiss, I would have liked to see more diversity in the shade range, given that there are only four options: "Fly" (ruby red), "Infinity" (dusty rose), "Beyond" (plumberry), and "Teleport" (coral).

4. Best luxury option: Giorgio Armani Neo Nude A-Blush

If you’re looking to treat yourself, then try the Neo Nude A-Blush from luxury beauty brand Giorgio Armani. Three layers of the color "50" (bubblegum pink) were enough to last for eight hours, and the application process was a breeze thanks to the accompanying doe-foot applicator.

Contrary to other liquid blushes on this list, this one produces a natural flush on the cheeks, perfect for those after a soft, subtle makeup look. And there’s no need to worry about finding a color, as there are a total of seven shades, ranging from "30" (coral) to "51" (fuschia).

5. Best shade range: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush

The Soft Pinch Liquid Blush from Rare Beauty, Selena Gomez’s makeup brand, is arguably the star of the entire line. (For proof of its popularity, (check out the millions of views of videos on TikTok where creators put the blush to the test). I’m definitely not the first one to admit that wielding this product takes a bit of a learning curve—its pigment packs quite the punch. After some experimentation, three sheer lines and a total of three coats of the shade "Believe" (true mauve) under the corner of my eyes proved to be just the right amount of color sans streaks.

It may be bold, but unfortunately, it fell short in longevity, lasting for about five hours. But if longevity isn’t of importance to you and shade range is, just know that this blush has the largest color portfolio on this list. It comes in seven shades in a radiant finish and four distinct hues in a matte finish.

Other liquid blushes we tested

6. Saie Dew Blush

Saie’s Dew Blush is quite similar to Rare Beauty’s in that less really is more, and blending it into the skin is hassle-free. But here’s where they differ: you’ll have your pick at six shades instead of 11.

7. Milani Cheek Liquid Kiss Blush

If the Armani Neo Nude A-Blush had a "twin," it would be the Milani Cheek Liquid Kiss Blush. I tried the shade "Pink Flirt" (light pink). Just like its luxury counterpart, it imparts a soft, under-the-radar hint of color that’s perfect for makeup minimalists.

Unlike Armani’s version, though, Milani’s blush is not equipped with a doe-foot applicator (It comes out of a tube), which may make it harder for makeup newbies to apply. Your pick of shades is also smaller, with five choices instead of Armani’s seven.

8. Maybelline Cheek Heat

It turns out that Maybelline Cheek Heat also has a more prestigious blush “twin” as well: Glossier Cloud Paint. Both are buildable and are easy to blend, but where they diverge is in longevity, shade range, and price. When trying my hand at the color “Pink Scorch” (pink-purple), I noticed that any trace of the color on the top of my cheek was gone by day’s end.

And its shade range isn’t as extensive as Cloud Paint’s eight—Maybelline offers a total of six colors. But where they really differ is in price: Cloud Paint goes for $20 while Cheek heat retails for $6.

9. Charlotte Tilbury Matte Beauty Blush Wand

A makeup roundup wouldn’t be complete without a product from Charlotte Tilbury, but whether or not the brand’s Matte Beauty Blush Wand is worth it is a whole other story. On the bright side (literally), you don’t need to use a lot of product to get a bright wash of color. I’m also happy to report that the shade "Dream Pop" (matte cherry-pink) didn’t really fade after eight hours of wear.

But here’s where I ran into problems: the blush dries down within a matter of seconds, making it difficult to blend. Its shade range also isn’t really diverse, with only four shades on its roster.

10. Makeup Revolution Superdewy Liquid Blush

For a blush starting at $4, the Makeup Revolution Superdewy Liquid Blush isn’t too bad. While it was easy to blend. However, it fell short when it came to color payoff.

"Blushing in love" (pastel pink) had a soft finish to it, so as it faded throughout the day, it virtually disappeared. Because blushes serve the purpose of adding a touch of color to your complexion, I’d say you’re better off choosing another one of the options on this list—albeit they are more expensive.