Blush, blush, baby

We’ve been saying this for ages now, but the big beauty note takeaway from this year’s Met Gala was lovely proof that more blush is always the answer! Whether your vibe is akin to Nicole Kidman’s luminous rose quartz glow or Cynthia Erivo’s deep fuchsia flush, enhancing your cheeks with colour is the ultimate spring power play. And right now there are SO many ways to dab and dust your complexion with fresh shades and radiant textures that will make you look, and feel, instantly rejuvenated. With a blush for every skin tone, skin type, texture preference and skill level, we’ve rounded up our 5 latest faves that you need to know about now. Bring on the blush, baby!

If, on first glance, your first thought is ‘hmm, that’s too much for me’ then please hear us out! In addition to offering a collection of 6 shades designed to flatter the full spectrum of skin tones, the magic in this cream blush formula is that it delivers more buildability than meets the eye. One dab will impart a beautiful sheer veil of colour, a second layer leads to a healthy-looking flush and any subsequent layers create striking depth for a bolder beauty effect. The buttery hues are also infused with skincare-worthy ingredients, including Vitamin E, aloe vera and apricot oil, that nourish skin and leave a naturally radiant finish of caring colour.

It’s no surprise this viral 2-in-1 cheek and lip tint was ~the~ product on TikTok not too long ago as it’s a true beauty innovation. Available in 4 shades, it has a stain-like finish and is packed with pigment. We previously described it as the Jell-O version of makeup as it’s sheer, but still has colour, and it really does have that true jelly texture. When applied to the skin, it instantly feels cooling, making it an absolute must for summer to provide long-wearing colour that beats the heat.

A foolproof blush that adds just the right amount of sheer, buildable colour to cheeks, this creamy tint offers up a shade for every mood. Perfect for those who get nervous about accidentally applying a super flushed look 🤡, it works just as well when used with a brush or fingers to serve up natural-looking cheeks with a hydrated, dewy finish. Another easy hack? Because this formula provides such a soft wash of colour, it also looks gorgeous swiped onto eye lids for a subtle, monochromatic look.

Rare Beauty has another five-star blush launch on their hands. Though we normally steer clear of anything that looks this shimmery for our cheeks, this not-quite-powder-not-quite-cream blush has us putting on the glitz. While it may look disco ball-esque in its packaging, when buffed onto skin it gives next-level radiance without looking glittery. Plus, the formula blends like a dream, and the 6 shade lineup has flattering and versatile options for all skin tones. Some of the shades in the range are the powder versions of the brand’s viral Soft Pinch Liquid Blush that exploded on social media and to this day still regularly sells out. Joy and Happy are two our go-to colours.

While creamy blushes are certainly having a major moment, a hard-working powder blush – or 2!– remains a must-have. Designed by Lady Gaga to perform on every level, the colour payoff of this ultra-pigmented formula is pretty spectacular and once dusted onto cheeks it has serious staying power. The talc-free powder is also blended with fermented arnica that helps reduce redness, plus hydraberry and squalane that hydrates and softens skin. Each of the juicy shades in the range are easily blendable and highly layerable. How? Try this tip from Sarah Tanno, Gaga’s go-to MUA: apply a lighter shade to the apples of the cheeks and a deeper one towards the cheekbone and temple for added dimension.

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