Fuelled by our love of dewy, fresh skin, liquid blush has seen something of a renaissance in recent years. If the thought of applying one leaves you a little nervous, though, we get it: liquid blushes can look intimidating in the bottle, but on skin, they’re surprisingly easy to work with. Plus, compared with powder blush and some cream formulas, liquid blush tends to have the most impressive staying power, making it a great way to keep that rosy flush going throughout the day.
If you’ve previously shied away from it, the good news is that applying liquid blush is much easier than it looks. It’s really all about the placement, the amount and, crucially, the blending. Anyone can wear liquid blush, FYI, and adding a little natural flush back into your cheeks after foundation is a great way to keep the skin looking natural. Even those who suffer with redness and rosacea can wear liquid blush; it just takes a little thought about shades, application and placement.
Ahead, we’re breaking down exactly how to apply liquid blush – and, more importantly, the common misconceptions that can make it seem far trickier than it really is. From how much product you actually need to where to place it for the most natural-looking finish, here are all the tricks worth knowing.
In this article:
What is liquid blush?
“Liquid blush is a fluid, gel or cream blusher designed to melt into the skin, giving you a natural, healthy flush,” says Mira. “Liquid formulas tend to blend with your base and complexion in a way that feels more like a second skin – which is perfect for that inner glow look.”
Unlike a cheek stain, liquid blush tends to have movability and play time, and is generally considered to be easy to blend into the skin and mix with other products like highlighters. “Liquid blush is wonderful if you like makeup that looks fresh and skin-like, as it tends to melt into your base rather than sitting on top, so the result is a flush that looks as though it’s coming from within the skin,” adds Lisa.