I Tested Every Shade of Armani’s New Dolci Blush Balm—Here’s What to Know

I’m convinced there’s only one makeup product you need this summer: a trusty blush stick. It’s the easiest way to fake the sun-kissed flush and make your cheeks look glowy and hydrated, all in one quick product. Just swipe it on, and go!

In fact, blushed cheeks are the trendiest look of the season. There’s Olandria’s iconic fairy blush, the “watercolor blush” we saw on Beyoncé and Gigi Hadid at the 2026 Met Gala, Sabrina Carpenter’s flushed festival glow, the “goddess glow” on Zendaya’s The Odyssey press run—blush doesn’t stop. And while you could dust on a powder or stipple a liquid across your cheeks to get a similar wash of color, a blush stick just makes it immensely easier. Who has time to fuss with a product in summer? Not me.

There are a zillion on the market now, but I got the inside scoop and got to start testing Armani Beauty’s Dolci Blush Balm early—and it’s quickly become my go-to summer blush.

Armani Beauty Dolci Blush Smoothing Cream-to-Powder Soft-Matte Balm

Now 15% Off

$39 $33 at Macy's

$39 at Sephora$39 at Bloomingdale's

Armani Beauty Dolci Blush Smoothing Cream-to-Powder Soft-Matte Balm

Now 15% Off

$39 $33 at Macy's

$39 at Sephora$39 at Bloomingdale's

Armani Beauty Dolci Blush Smoothing Cream-to-Powder Soft-Matte Balm

Now 15% Off

$39 $33 at Macy's

$39 at Sephora$39 at Bloomingdale's

Armani Beauty Dolci Blush Smoothing Cream-to-Powder Soft-Matte Balm

Now 15% Off

$39 $33 at Macy's

$39 at Sephora$39 at Bloomingdale's

Armani Beauty Dolci Blush Smoothing Cream-to-Powder Soft-Matte Balm

Now 15% Off

$39 $33 at Macy's

$39 at Sephora$39 at Bloomingdale's

These adorable macaroon-shaped blush sticks have a balmy texture as you apply, but immediately set down to a long-lasting, matte powder finish once you blend out. You can swipe it directly onto your cheeks (I do this when I’m lazy), but keep in mind these are very pigmented, even from one swipe, so it might require a bit more elbow grease to diffuse the color. Typically, I’ll swipe the top of the stick with my brush, remove the excess on the back of my hand, then swirl onto my cheeks and bridge of my nose for a sun-kissed effect.

The balmy texture makes for a seamless, creamy application, but it effortlessly sets like a powder with a soft, velvety finish on my skin. It’s not powdery or too matte—there’s still a hint of glow on my cheeks—but the cloud-like haze blurs my pores and majorly increases longevity. I can get a full eight hours from this blush.

Wearing a mix of Caramel Blush and Cinnamon Blush.

Available in five shades from light pink and tan to vivid red-orange and deep brown, the Armani Dolci Blush makes getting a soft, radiant cheek so easy. Makeup artist Carolina Gonzalez recommends “stamping the product onto the peak of your cheeks” using a beauty sponge. “From there, I work it outward, tapping in circular motions and spiraling it out into nothingness,” she says. The product builds up in color slowly this way, so you have control over how intense you want the flushed look to be. “On the edges, I like to take a seasoned brush with leftover Luminous Silk Foundation and gently buff the blush out to create a seamless, blended effect,” she adds.

I’ve used every single shade a handful of times already. Not sure which to choose? Here’s my review (and swatches) of each.

Rose Blush

I worried this would be too cool-toned, but it works quite well, even on my olive complexion. Possibly because it has such strong pigment, this really lifts my cheekbones for a doll-like, fresh look. It’s that classic fairy pink loved by Olandria and Sabrina.

Caramel Blush

This is already my most-used shade. It’s a soft tan that makes my cheeks look more alive without adding bold color. Rather, it gives my cheeks warmth, similar to a bronzer. There’s a slight peachy undertone, too, that pairs well with warm and neutral skin tones. FWIW, Gonzalez called this her favorite shade of the bunch. “It gives you the perfect sunburn effect that’s not too pink,” she told Cosmo.

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Apricot Blush

This would work on a variety of skin tones, depending on how strong you build up the color. The fiery, orangey red is reminiscent of a vibrant, persimmon hue. I love how it picks up the green in my eyes and even makes my copper hair look brighter.

Cinnamon Blush

For fans of Rhode “Toasted Teddy” and TK, Cinnamon Blush is a reddened brown with warm undertones. It works like a blonzer when I put it all over my cheeks and nose to mimic a faux sunburn (all the while wearing loads of sunscreen).

Mauve Blush

If you like the cool tones but Rose Blush is too vivid for your tastes, try Mauve Blush. It’d be gorgeous for deep skin (it won’t pull ashy, even though it has a cool undertone, because there isn’t a strong white base), but I love it on my medium skin blended out for a soft rosy look.

Why trust Cosmopolitan?

Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair, makeup, nail, and fragrance stories. She’s extremely well-versed in makeup trends, having spent four years going backstage at runway shows, interviewing makeup artists, and scanning her social feeds for looks. She also tests hundreds of makeup products per year ahead of Cosmopolitan’s beauty awards.

Beth Gillette

Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.