This time last year, I possessed a single powder blush. Instead of bringing a flush to my cheeks, I preferred to pack on bronzer and dust a touch of highlighter across the high points of my face for a post-vacation-esque glow. As of June 2024, however, I now have more blushes than my makeup bag can contain.
What happened? All of my favorite beauty brands started making blushes I simply couldn’t resist. Saie Beauty, Danessa Myricks, and Makeup by Mario are behind my three current favorites. Kosas Beauty, Haus Labs, and Huda Beauty all have new formulas, too. So do Morphe and Lawless Beauty. And if your algorithm is anything like mine, you have probably seen a few thousand mentions of Rhode’s new blush on your social feeds recently. The list goes on (and on!) as do the types of formulations: powders and creams still dominate the landscape, but there are also balms and stains. Plus a few liquids. And have you seen the “jelly” blushes? As for which blush formula you should reach for, makeup artist Marie Bruce previously told Allure it’s ultimately a matter of preference. And don’t feel limited to just one: Bruce likes to layer a cream under a powder for an extra-pigmented look but warns: “Skip the cream base if you want a more subtle look.”
When it comes to the rainbow of shade options, we like celebrity makeup artist Daniel Martin‘s simple guidance for finding an everyday hue: “Test a shade on the apples of your cheeks to see if it ‘clashes’ with either your natural lip color or lipstick.”
That said, we are getting bold this season, wearing the brightest oranges, splashiest berries, and most vivid pinks—and we are applying it well beyond the apples of our cheeks to mimic sunsets and stained glass.
Ahead, the newest blushes that have made a lasting impression—both figuratively and literally—on 11 Allure editors.
Kara McGrath, deputy digital director
I was initially drawn to Morphe’s Huephoric Rush Blush because of the mesmerizing swirl pattern in the palette, but the formula is what has kept me hooked. I’m partial to the shade Energized, a pretty pink lavender that adds a pop of color to my complexion for summer with a buttery-smooth application. It easily blends out to a natural-looking flush of color.
Shanna Shipin, shopping director
I almost can’t express how much this Kosas Blush Is Life surprised me–in the best way possible. As someone with ultra-dry skin, I typically steer clear of powder-anything—but these blushes have convinced me to reconsider. Similar to a liquid blush for its weightless, non-texture-enhancing formula, this blush blends beautifully and feels good on my skin. Dreamland, a rosy-bronze, is my shade of choice, and the finish is so luminous.
Talia Gutierrez, associate special projects manager
With Huda Beauty’s Blush Filter‘s creamy, pigmented formula, a little goes a long way, so I start with no more than one dot on each cheek. It requires a few swirls with a dense makeup brush to blend it completely but the smooth, matte finish is worth the extra time. I can’t get enough of the shade Peachy Kiss, which complements my olive-toned skin, giving me a natural-looking flush. Any extra gets applied to my eyes and lips.