Get dewy skin & a natural flush with our top picks of some of the best blushers in the biz…
Blusher is having a moment. Specifically, blushers that provide a radiant pop of colour. Great news for those of us with dry skin, as fluid and cream formulas tend to be laced with moisturising oils that lend skin a natural-looking flush without clinging to dry patches.
Check out some of the very best blushers for dry skin below, and discover top application tips from the pros to help yours work that much harder for you.
What type of blush is best for dry skin?
“Liquid and cream products are more hydrating for dry skin,” confirms Zara Findlay, Bobbi Brown senior pro artist. “They blend in well without highlighting textured areas, making them incredibly easy to apply.”
And while traditional powder formulas boast impressive staying power, liquid and cream blushers are your best bet for achieving that highly coveted lit-from-within glow in a quick and easy way.
Cream or liquid blush – what’s the difference?
In our experience, cream blush is great if you have super dry skin, thanks to its more flexible texture and richer formula, which make it easier to blend. Liquid blush, on the other hand, while still hydrating, tends to be thinner and as a result, may sit into fine lines more easily. However, it tends to set quicker, is generally more pigmented and is longer-wearing, too.
How to apply blusher on dry skin
“For a quick and easy application, warm a little cream blusher between your fingertips before tapping it onto the apples of the cheeks, blending out towards the temples,” says Zara.
“If you want a more airbrushed finish, pick up a little cream or liquid blusher on a synthetic brush and apply it the same way you would a powder blush,” she continues.
Thanks to their hydrating formulas, many products can also be used on the cheeks, lips and eyes for a one product wonder. See below for how make-up artist, Jesse Walker, turns her cheek stick into the ultimate make-up multitasker.
10 of the best cream & liquid blush for dry skin
From budget to blowout, matte to radiant finish, here are 10 of our favourite blushers, to suit all budgets and skin tones, that seriously deliver for dry skin types.
Best for glow
Try: e.l.f. Halo Glow Blush Beauty Wand
• Size: 10ml
• Available in four shades
• Vegan-friendly*
• Cruelty-free
Want the type of luminosity that looks as though you’ve just stepped off a beach? (Raises hand). This wand from e.l.f. is pure magic, thanks to its radiant finish and formula enriched with moisturising squalane. Simply dot on with its cushion-tip applicator and blend in with fingers or a brush to add dimension and dewiness in an instant.
Best blush stick
Try: Huda Beauty Cheeky Tint Blush Stick
• Size: 5g
• Available in five shades
• Buildable
• Water, transfer, sweat and humidity-proof
The perfect pick for dry skin, this nourishing blusher is blended with vitamin E and lychee extract to soothe and hydrate the skin while imparting a juicy, radiant glow. Just swipe onto cheeks and blend in with the fingertips for a sheer hint of tint. For more flush, apply directly to a brush and buff onto cheeks.
Best long-lasting blusher
Try: Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush
• Size: 3g
• Available in eight shades
• Sweat and water-resistant
This is the perfect blusher for hot, humid climates. A summer staple, the luxurious formula melts into skin to give a sheer wash of colour that’s sweat and water-resistant. Choose between eight shades (varying from a peachy coral to a deep berry) and pat on using fingertips or a brush to instantly perk up any complexion.
Best liquid blusher
Try: Revolution Super Dewy Liquid Blush
• Size: 15ml
• Available in six shades
• Liquid formula
• Vegan-friendly*
• Cruelty-free
This liquid blush packs a high-impact pigment punch. With every swipe, expect an impressive colour payoff that blends effortlessly and can be built up from laid-back to going-out glam (note that a little goes a long way).
Best blusher for dry, ageing skin
Try: Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks
• Size: 3.8g
• Available in nine shades
• Cream texture
• Mirrored compact
• Easy to blend
As we age, skin can become drier and our make-up may sit differently than it did before. Cue Bobbi Brown’s best-selling Pot Rouge; one of our favourite make-up multitaskers that will convert even the most devoted powder fans to a cream formula. Seriously easy to use, it can be pressed onto cheeks for a ‘just-pinched’ look and tapped onto lips for a soft, stained finish. Oh, and it has a mirrored compact making it great for on-the-move.
Best for a natural finish
Try: ICONIC London Sheer Blush
• Size: 12.5ml
• Available in five shades
• Gel-to-liquid formula
• Lightweight
This is the best blusher for a natural make-up look. The ‘gel-to-watercolour’ formula has a barely-there consistency that leaves a veil of subtle colour on the cheeks for a fresh-faced, outdoorsy finish. Blended with plant extracts, it gives skin a gorgeous soft-focus glow.
Best blusher for a powder finish
Try: e.l.f. Putty Blush
• Size: 10g
• Available in four shades
• Semi-matte finish
• Cream-to-powder
• Vegan-friendly*
• Cruelty-free
Brimming with moisturising argan oil and soothing vitamin E, this must-try blusher feels so comfortable on dry skin. The finish is semi-matte, which plays well with powder products, and the texture is a putty cream that’s super easy to work with. No wonder it’s a make-up artist favourite for achieving a natural, rosy glow.
Best pigment-rich blusher
Try: Max Factor Miracle Pure Moisturising Cream Blush
• Size: 15g
• Available in four shades
• Vegan-friendly*
• Highly pigmented
Creamy, non-sticky and blending effortlessly, it’s no surprise this highly pigmented blush is a total hit with beauty lovers. So, what’s the secret? The blush contains a moisturising complex that not only gives an intense flush of colour but also plumps and hydrates the skin, resulting in an all-day glow. We’ll take all four shades!
Best value blusher
Try: Collection Gorgeous Glow Stick
• Size: 4.5g
• Available in three shades
• Stick applicator
If you’re a fan of fuss-free, foolproof formulas, let us introduce you to Collection’s Gorgeous Glow Stick. Available in blush, highlight or contour, the handy stick can be swiped across skin to deliver a glow that will instantly lift and sculpt the cheekbones.
Best cult blusher
Try: Benefit Crystah Strawberry Pink Blush
• Sweat-proof, humidity-proof and smudge-proof
• Non-comedogenic
• Light citrus-floral scent
Dazzle in this gorgeous strawberry pink blush for a vivid, eye-catching glow. Ultra-fine, weightless and creamy on the skin, this powder blush, formulated with freshwater pearl and synthetic sapphire, blends into skin to deliver a luminous, light-reflecting finish that flatters all skin tones. Sweep effortlessly onto cheeks and build and blend as desired for a soft, airbrushed effect – there's a reason why this pick’s adored by make-up artists and influencers alike.
