Just call it a blush with fame.
With so many cheek color trends going viral right now — from “sunset blush” to “boyfriend blush” — it’s hard to keep up.
But while it seems everything’s coming up roses (or should we say, rosy?) online in recent months, the below formulas have been Hollywood favorites for far longer.
Read on for the best blushes stars swear by — from Hailey Bieber’s favorite flushed-cheek hack to Meghan Markle’s pink powder pick.
- Best overall: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
- Best powder: Nars Powder Blush
- Best stick: Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
- Best cream: Merit Flush Balm
Best overall: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
Pros:
- Long-lasting, highly pigmented formula
- Easily blendable
- Comes in 30 colors, including both dewy and matte shades
Cons:
- Easy to go overboard if you apply more than one dot
It’s not rare to see celebs and beauty editors reaching for Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty blush.
Bella Hadid keeps a mini vial in her beauty drawer, while Mindy Kaling layered two different shades in a Vogue “Beauty Secrets” video, saying, “I think it looks so pretty, even if it’s the only makeup that I’m wearing.”
Page Six Style’s review: “This is the blush that changed my mind about blush,” says Page Six Style Editor Elana Fishman. “It’s so pigmented that I only need one dot on each cheek, so a single tube will last you ages; it’s a great value. It also blends beautifully, lasts hours and hours and looks really natural.”
“I wasn’t a huge blush fan prior to trying Rare Beauty’s liquid formula, but the formula converted me,” adds Page Six Commerce Reporter Hannah Southwick. “It’s a lot easier to apply than it looks — not to mention it’s super blendable, even if you over-apply at first.”
Best stick: Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
Pros:
- Can be used on both cheeks and lips
- Formulated with skincare ingredients for added hydration
- Stick form makes for easy on-the-go application
Cons:
- Comes in eight shades — fewer than some of the other options on this list
Celebrity makeup artist Gucci Westman’s worked with famous faces like Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow over the years, so it’s no surprise her blush sticks are just as celeb-coveted. (Case in point: She even used the pink-peachy shade Minette on Aniston for an Allure cover shoot in 2022.)
Westman’s blush stick also has a place in Martha Stewart’s beauty bag, while Storm Reid, Camilla Cabello, Brie Larson and Michelle Yeoh have all name-dropped it in interviews.
Best powder: Nars Powder Blush
Pros:
- Designed to last up to 16 hours
- Silky, blendable vegan formula
- Comes in 20 shades
Cons:
- Powder formula might be more challenging to apply for blush newbies
Nars’ powder blush — in the blush-inducing shade Orgasm, to be specific — is a longtime Hollywood staple. Kim Kardashian reportedly called it her “all-time favorite blush,” while Margot Robbie told Harper’s Bazaar it plays a role in her everyday makeup routine.
Meghan Markle, meanwhile, raved about the peachy-pink shade in her “Suits” days, telling Allure, “I use it on and off camera because it gives you a nice glow from within.”
Beauty pros are also on board; Patti Dubroff, who works with the likes of Sofia Richie and Kirsten Dunst, included it in a list of “products that are forever perfect” in a Teen Vogue interview.
Page Six Style’s review: “I have a few favorite blushes that I like to rotate, but I keep coming back to Nars Orgasm because it just looks so gorgeous on,” says Fishman, while Page Six Style Writer Kristin Contino adds, “The pinky-coral shade flatters absolutely everyone.”
Style Senior Writer/Editor Melissa Minton loves the brand’s Afterglow Liquid Blush ($32) in the same cheeky shade, which she combines with the Dolce Vita hue “for a slightly dimensional look — with Orgasm on the apples of my cheeks and Dolce Vita on the outer brown bone and temple.”
Adds Minton, “The formula blends like a dream and has a very subtle ‘glass skin’ effect that gives a lit-from-within glow.”
Best luxury: Dior Backstage Rosy Glow Blush
Pros:
- Provides a more subtle glow
- The 0001 pink shade is particularly popular among stars and TikTokers
Cons:
- Some Sephora reviewers wished the formula was longer lasting
- Pricier than several other options on this list
Plenty of stars’ backstage routines include Dior blush. Rita Ora and Ariana Grande both used the viral powder product in their respective Vogue “Beauty Secrets” videos, with the “7 Rings” singer even brushing some into her eyebrows after dusting it across her cheeks.
Hailey Bieber also praised the high-end hue in her “Beauty Secrets” segment, saying, “This one is super beautiful and gives this baby pink glow.”
Best two-in-one: Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo
Pros:
- Offers both powder and cream formulas, perfect for layering for a longer-lasting look
- Extensive shade range
Cons:
- Some Sephora reviewers found it can be easy to overdo it with the powder pigment
Talk about gold medal-worthy makeup. Suni Lee told Page Six Style she swears by this two-in-one beauty buy, which features both cream and powder shades.
“I love all Patrick Ta’s makeup but this is one of my favorites,” the gold medalist explained. “[She’s Blushing is] the perfect pink and something I always wear on and off the mat.”
She’s not the only one flipping over the cute compact, as Emily Ratajkowski and Brooke Shields have both worn the product, too.
Best cream: Merit Flush Balm
Pros:
- Offers a natural flush
- Contains skincare ingredients like vitamin E
- Creamy and blendable
Cons:
- Some reviewers suggested layering with powder blush for longer-lasting wear, particularly on hot days
This portable blush has merited plenty of celebrity hype. Hailey Bieber name-checked the formula before launching her own Rhode blushes, while “The Summer I Turned Pretty” star Lola Tung uses it for her sun-kissed looks.
“I love it,” she raved in a Vogue video, matching the Raspberry Beret shade to bold berry-hued lipstick.
Page Six Style’s Review: “If I had to pick one blush that has it all — compact size, easy to apply and perfect color for my complexion — I’d choose the Merit Flush Balm in Beverly Hills,” says Minton.
“I use it nearly every day in the fall and winter months to add a little peachiness to my face when I’m lacking a tan. No bronzer needed on light makeup days, either!”
Best multitasker: Ilia Multi-Stick
Pros:
- Can be used on both lips and cheeks
- Contains hydrating ingredients like shea butter and avocado oil
- Comes in 12 shades ranging from matte to shimmery
Cons:
- Some consumer reviewers found the glow too understated for their taste
Stars are swiping right, so to speak, on this swipe-and-go formula. Mindy Kaling included it in an Instagram roundup of holiday gift picks — “I legitimately love and use all these things,” she assured viewers — while Brooke Shields, Haley Lu Richardson and Camila Mendes have all shouted it out in Vogue videos.
“It’s really creamy and light,” the latter “Riverdale” star said. “So the more I blend it in, the more it kind of disappears, which I like.”
Best buildable: Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Divine Blush
Pros:
- Super lightweight
- Buildable color
Cons:
- Steeper price tag than some of the other options
Leave it to makeup master Pat McGrath to create one of celebrities’ favorite cheek tints. Tyla’s a major fan, as she swiped some on in a Vogue video. Meanwhile, Serena Wiliams proved the powder works just as well on the go when she applied hers in a moving car for a TikTok.
For those who prefer a blush stick, the brand’s Divine Cream Blush: Legendary Glow Color Balm ($29) has earned rave reviews, too.
Best sheer: Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Blush
Pros:
- Designed to provide a sheer, natural-looking glow
- Blendable
Cons:
- The priciest option on this list
- Doesn’t come with an applicator
Emma Roberts sang Chanel’s praises in a Vogue video, tapping this featherweight formula onto her cheekbones. “Emily in Paris” makeup artist Aurélie Payen is also a fan of the brand’s blush offerings, and uses its No. 1 de Chanel Lip and Cheek Balm ($48) on set.
“If you want to have the French-girl look, working with a lot of blush [will] give glow,” she told us in 2023.
Best drugstore: Revlon Illuminance Gel Serum Blush
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Amazon reviewers praised the “natural flush” look
Cons:
- No shimmer, so not the best bet for a more glowy look
Erin Lichy’s favorite blush costs far less than a Tribeca condo. The real estate mogul-turned-“RHONY” star shouted out this Revlon formula in an interview with Page Six Style, saying, “I’ve been obsessed with this blush serum lately … [Striking Rose is] the perfect rosy color that makes me look like I laid out in the sun for 10 minutes too long.”
She’s not the only one stocking up; Ashley Graham wore the Beaming Coral shade to the 2024 Met Gala.
Best highlighter combo: Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand
Pros:
- Provides a glowy look
- Buildable pigmentation
- Wand allows for easy, targeted application
Cons:
- Not the best pick for those who don’t like shimmer
Another highlight of stars’ beauty bags? Charlotte Tilbury’s blush wands, a red carpet mainstay packed with both pigment and subtle shimmer.
Plenty of stars are enamored; Nicola Coughlan included the Pinkgasm shade in her Vogue “Beauty Secrets” segment, raving, “It just makes you look really fresh and glowy.”
And beauty influencer Meredith Duxbury shouted out the same shade in a chat with Page Six Style, noting it “blends really nicely on top of other products.”
Best for beginners: Milk Beauty Lip + Cheek Color
Pros:
- More budget-friendly than most other picks on this list
- Stick allows for easy, controlled application
Cons:
- Not as blendable as some of the liquid formulas we’ve tried
“Brat summer” is here. And what better way to get into the spirit than with Charli XCX’s favorite blush?
“I’m kind of into this whole E-girl thing where it’s this vibe,” the “360” singer told Vogue while swiping a straight line of blush across her nose and cheeks. “I don’t want to speak out of turn here, but I think it’s an evolution of Tumblr-girl style.”
Page Six Style’s review: “Milk Makeup’s blush sticks were the first blushes I ever tried — and considering they’re so easy to apply (and blend in like a dream) I’d recommend them to fellow blush newbies or anyone who prefers a stick-style formula over liquid and powder options,” says Southwick.
Best eyeshadow combo: Danessa Myricks Vision Flush Blush
Pros:
- Can be used on eyes, lips and cheeks
Cons:
- Only comes in three shades
Leave it to a “Barbie” star to find the perfect pink blush. Issa Rae whipped out this blush-eyeshadow combo while detailing her dry skin routine for Vogue. And Myricks, the brains behind the formula, is a professional makeup artist beloved by fellow industry pros, including Gayle King’s go-to glam artist Rae Dawn.
FAQ
How to find the right shade and formula
While the the perfect blush boils down to personal preference, celebrity makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell — who works with stars like Alex Cooper, Paige DeSorbo and Brooks Nader — recommends a cream formula for the easiest application.
“I love the hydration that it gives to the skin, and I find they’re the most user friendly,” she tells Page Six Style, explaining that you can also layer cream and powder formulas for longer wear, given “blush is always the first thing to fade.”
“My favorite blush toppers [are] typically baked formulas and mineralized powder, which means they are a bit more sheer …. [they] layer beautifully over cream formulas,” explains the Makeup by Kelli Anne founder, who likes using Kylie Cosmetics Pressed Powder Blush in Winter Kissed on Alex Cooper.
How to apply blush
While there’s no one correct way to apply blush — and fresh trends are constantly emerging — Sewell recommends a technique called “shadow blush,” which entails picking two shades: an “earthier, muted-tone” and a “more bright vibrant color, such as a baby doll or poppy pink.”
She starts by blending the muted shade across the outer realms of the face, and then concentrating the more vibrant color on the apples of the cheeks.
“You want the highest point of the cheek to be accentuated by the vibrant color, but blended seamlessly with the rest of the face with the muted color,” she instructs.
Why Trust Page Six Style Shopping
This article was written by Hannah Southwick, Commerce Writer/Reporter for Page Six Style. Hannah spies deals on actually affordable celebrity-worn styles, puts Hollywood’s favorite labels to the test and finds the beauty products that keep stars red carpet-ready. She consults stylists and industry pros — including celebs themselves — for firsthand product recommendations, trend predictions and more. In addition to writing for Page Six since 2020, her work has been featured in USA Today and Parade.