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9 best blush for every skin type – tried and tested 2025
Whether you've got dry, oily or combination skin, there's a blusher formula for everyone
Ahhhh, blush. It’s hard to remember a time when we weren’t this obsessed with its flush-y charm. But ask any MUA or beauty industry expert, our love for the best blushers is here to stay.
Once the sidekick to the best bronzer for most people, now more is more when it comes to pinks, reds, berries and oranges, with blush often being one of the focal points of a make-up look. (I don’t subscribe to blush blindness or think there’s one superior blush placement; you do you when it comes to make-up!)
A sneak peek at some of our faves
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Need to add to your blush stash or simply want an upgrade from one that’s not cutting it? I’ve covered off liquids, sticks, creams, powders and balms, so there’s something for every preference – and when you’re done here, check out Cosmo’s guide to choosing the perfect blush for your skin tone. Let’s get into it.
Pros
- Excellent pigment
- Only requires a tiny bit at a time
- Lasts well
Cons
- Tube gets kinda messy
Whatever Selena and her team are putting in Rare Beauty’s blushers must be some kind of magic, because they get tens across the board. My two faves are, no question, the Soft Pinch Liquid Blush and Bouncy Blush. Liquid just takes the crown because a tube lasts forever and works well even on my oily skin, which is not the norm for a dewy liquid, let me tell you.
HAUS LABS Color Fuse Longwear Glassy Lip + Cheek Stick 5g
Pros
- Great shade range covering neutrals and brights
- Lasting colour
Cons
- Perhaps not as dewy as the name would suggest
I only tried these after the second drop of ‘blonzing’ shades but, like Rare, they are now up there in my personal elite tier. They diffuse across the skin like a dream, leaving a lasting wash of colour (that slight staining effect makes them great on the lips too, FYI). Don’t be put off by the name if you don’t like super dewy blush; it’s a hint rather than the defining trait of these blushers. Just another reason why I am a Gaga stan, TBH.
Pros
- Nice range of shades
- Builds well
Cons
- A lil pricey for the size
This is one of the best cream blush options, no question. Housed in the signature REFY packaging – clean lines, minimalist font, neutral palette – these little squares pack in serious pigment. There’s the sliiiiightest hint of a dewy finish but the colours both build easily and last pretty well through the day.
Pros
- Super cute packaging
- Blends like a dream
- Great pigment
Cons
- Has quite a dewy sheen, if you prefer completely matte
Without a doubt one of Hailey Biebs’ most famous products, the Rhode Pocket Blushes don’t just look cute, they perform brilliantly. They’re easy to diffuse across the cheeks for that coveted wash of healthy-looking colour and come in a decent range of neutrals and brights.
Pros
- Lightweight feel
- Buildable
- Slightly glowy
Cons
- Not one solid shade, if that’s what you’re after
First of all, this packaging? The contrast between the opaque violet and the marbled blush inside is gorge. The powder itself is silky, sheer-yet-buildable and lightweight, creating a glowy “backlit” kind of finish; it’s not quite a highlighter-blush hybrid, but there’s a bit of a highlighter vibe there, and we’re into it.
Pros
- Seriously luminous glowy finish
- Buildable colour
Cons
- Prone to hardpan
We can always count on MAC to deliver. Glow is correct here, because this blush seems to glow with the kind of luminosity that makes you look like you slept great, even when you didn’t. We do find it’s a bit prone to building up hardpan – that sheeny layer or “film” that tends to accumulate on powder products – but this doesn’t take away from its greatness too much.
Pros
- Great pigment
- Ultra easy to blend
Cons
- Very dewy finish won’t be everyone’s lewk of choice
- May not suit the oiliest skin
For those not yet in the know, the signature Saie finish is ultra dewy, and these liquid blushes are no exception. The blending experience is seamless, while the formula packs in the pigment. Definitely get this if you have dry and dehydrated skin and/or you love a dewy blush moment. We are fans!
Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed
Pros
- Applies like a dream
- Excellent colour payoff
Cons
- Less ideal for those who want something glowy/dewy
You’d be forgiven for assuming that balms always have this. Not this genius formula from Danessa Myricks – Yummy Skin Flushed Blurring blusher goes on as a creamy balm that then sets down like a matte powder, giving you a lasting flush. And that colour payoff? Exquisite.
Victoria Beckham Beauty Cheeky Posh blush stick
Pros
- Easy to apply and blend
- Good for on the go
Cons
- Expensive
It’s really no surprise that VB has an excellent blush in her beauty range – it just makes sense – and cheeky posh delivers. Mostly muted shades with a couple of brights thrown in, these convenient sticks are great for quick blush refreshes while out ‘n’ about, with the dense cream formula also working well with most foundations.
Lucy Abbersteen (she/her) is a freelance beauty writer for Cosmopolitan UK. Having started her career at Marie Claire UK, she's since also written for titles including Stylist, Refinery29, woman&home and Glamour. Over the years she's done everything from report on the beauty trends at fashion week to grill some of the world's leading hairstylists and derms. Her writing covers everything from buzzy nail trends to haircare know-how and industry deep dives. She even has her own website: lucyabbersteen.com
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