Blush, Baby, Blush: The Glow-Up Guide You Didn’t Know You Needed

Blush is something that I feel is strangely powerful. More than bronzer, more than highlighter, blush is the product that says "Yes I am that girl who's had my 8 hours of sleep. Yes, I've had my 3 litres of water. No, I'm not spiralling". It's rather similar to that one friend who, despite looking more put together than the girl who spends hours in front of a mirror, swears they magically did their whole face on the train. Effortless, nonchalant, possibly magic?

Frankly, I am embarrassed to admit it, but I've tried copious amounts of blushes- cream, liquid, powder, hybrid- you name it. And yet, a mere few have risen to the top, taking the spotlight.

The Favourites That Have Never Let Me Down

1. Saie Dew Blush- Baby

   
   

   Baby is a soft blush. Like, 'I drink oat milk lattes and do 7 am pilates' soft. It's a no make-up makeup girl's holy grail- a delicate, dewy flush that screams luxury. It's the kind of blush you can wear that gives you the 'glow from within', the one people look at on your cheeks and beg for your wellness secrets. It's buildable, hydrating and gives that soft, silky finish.

   
   

2. Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush- Faith

   
   

   Let's not pretend this blush isn't terrifying at first. One dab looks like it could stain that best white shirt of yours. But trust the process. Faith is an intense and deep berry shade that gives you that 'just got caught in a scandal in Bridgeton glow', and honestly, I think we all deserve to be standing by a window with tragic news and excellent cheekbones. The formula is liquid magic in a pot: weightless, super pigmented and blends like it was sent from the blush gods.

   
   

3. e.l.f Putty Cream Blush- Tahiti

   
   

   If you though I'd be banging on about high-end makeup, you were wrong. As an avid fan of Elf, this blush is glamour in a pot. Tahiti is a warm coral pink that flatters literally anyone- even me when I've had 3 hours of sleep and enough caffeine to fuel a Duracell bunny on a mission. It's a cream to powder finish which sounds complicated, but ultimately means it goes on like a dream and stays put, like that one determined ex. The colour is vibrant but not clownish and frankly, makes you look and feel more put together than you actually are. What else could you possibly want? At under £10 this product is a miracle.

   
   

4. e.l.f Camo Liquid Blush- Cheeky Lychee

   
   

   Okay, so we first need to address the name: Cheeky Lychee? Iconic. It sounds like an exotic cocktail, which, may I add, I am completely in favour of. Bold, matte, and not here to play games—this blush wants attention, and it deserves it. The pigment packs a punch, and it’s basically a Rare Beauty dupe—without the price tag or the post-purchase guilt spiral. Despite the risk of flakiness with matte blush, this product is durable. Through weather, stress, and questionable life choices, it stays put—commitment at its finest. Huda Beauty Blush Filter Liquid Blush

   
   
   
   

   

   1. £20 RPR 2. £24 RPR 3. £7 RPR 4. £7 RPR

   
   

Placement= power

So, we've covered the it girl blushes and their loyalty to keeping those cheeks rosy, but they're not magic enough to miraculously appear on your skin. So, let's talk application. Here's Miss Charlotte Tilbury's guide to the perfect placement.

Round face

If this is you- joy! You are naturally blessed with a balanced and sweet-looking face, so put your blush slightly above the apples of your cheeks and blend up and out ( use the outer corners of your eyes as a guide). This way, you're adding a gentle lift without sacrificing your softness, creating a little definition.

Square face

As someone with naturally angular features, a squared shaped face girl shines with a stroke of blush on the apples of the cheeks. Using soft, circular motions, sweep outward towards your ears to give a subtle, fresh glow that complements your natural structure.

Diamond face

We get it, you're naturally blessed with high cheekbones, and so, a diamond-faced doll like yourself looks gorgeous with blush right on top of them. Blend outward toward the ears to accentuate your bone structure and achieve a softly lifted yet dramatic effect, similar to what you'd see on the red carpet.

Heart-shaped face

Heart-shaped faces are super expressive, and blush helps to round out your look. Start on the apples of the cheeks and sweep in a curved, U-shaped motion up toward the temples, and there you have it, a lovely soft-focus glow.

Oval face

Oval faces are slightly longer with more space around the forehead, so blush is all about balance. Focus on the apples of your cheeks and blend upwards along the cheekbones to bring a natural-looking warmth. Think effortless, everyday radiance.

So, what do you say?

Whether you're aiming for “effortlessly glowing” or “I may or may not have just cried in a chic way,” there’s a blush out there for you. And once you crack the code of where to plonk it on your face? Game. Changer.

So go ahead—play around, get rosy, and remember: it’s not just makeup, it’s a lifestyle. A very flushed, very fabulous one.