Breaking Beauty News: We're in Our Blush Era!

Back in the spring, we started to notice something unusual happening in our beauty closet. The makeup section was overflowing with blush. And as the weather got warmer, the category only continued to heat up, with dozens of new formulas coming out every day. By the time fall hits, blush is going to be everywhere.

So each of us grabbed a few and started testing them out to find our favorites.

Whether you love a powder, a liquid or a cream, prefer a matte, a shimmer or something in between, keep it subtle or go super bold, the options below from Anastasia Beverly Hills to Haus Labs by Lady Gaga, Makeup by Mario to Morphe and more, have got you covered from cheek to cheek.

Morphe

Andrea Lavinthal; Beauty & Style Director: For the last few years, everyone's been so busy bronzing, contouring, sculpting and highlighting that they forgot about the powers of blush. No other product rivals its ability to perk up a blah complexion. It even forces you to smile when you apply it! Right now, I'm loving all of the new cream and liquid formulas since they're so user friendly. This Morphe version starts off subtle so you can layer your way to your desired look. And since it contains hydrating glycerin, it leaves you with a dewy finish, no extra products required. My favorite shade — Power Drip — has warm peach undertones and makes me look like I'm facing a sunset.

Buy It! Morphe Hot Shot Blush Drops, $14; ulta.com

Anastasia Beverly Hills

Alex Apatoff, Executive Editor: I’ve been watching all those heavy-blush TikToks with the horror of one of those moms putting bags of chips into her kid’s lunchbox while simultaneously watching elaborate bento box creations: Good for her, not for me. But apparently, it’s seeped into my subconscious, because I now feel “underdone” with just my usual swipe of rose-pink powder. This electric-pink shade (“Hibiscus,” which the brand recommends for a “sunburnt effect”) dispenses the tiniest bit at a time thanks to the narrow applicator tip, meaning you can easily build a vivid, dewy glow that ranges from “summer flush” to “okay, those TikToks finally wore me down, I did my whole face.” (And the grippy, gel-like formula lasts much longer than my regular blush – another big plus in the heat.)

Buy It! Anastasia Beverly Hills Blurring Serum Liquid Blush, $25; sephora.com

LYS Beauty

Jackie Fields, Deputy Beauty Director: For the most part, makeup and I are foes because my face welcomes any opportunity to sweat. (Save for a matte lip, which never buckles in humidity.) But the mountain of new blushes in our beauty closet piqued my interest. Knowing LYS Beauty's cream bronzer sticks have well over one billion views on TikTok, I reached for this blush stick (its new sister product) in the shade Curvy, and it did not disappoint. I achieved this draped look (that's when you apply blush on the higher points of your cheekbones and blend toward the temples) with one swipe on each cheek, plus a brush to blend out. The formula created a look so striking, I'm taking a break from my signature bold lip while I play with the rest of the shades.

Buy It! Lys Beauty Higher Standard Cream Glow Blush Sticks; $20; sephora.com

Makeup by Mario

Brittany Talarico, Deputy Style Director: I’m a Jersey girl, of course I have multiple open blushes in my makeup bag at all times. But this vibrant Makeup By Mario option is currently at the top of my rotation — and the new hero product in my daily mom-on-the-go routine. The weightless cream formula contains hyaluronic acid to help give skin a plump look. This “Paradise Pink” hue might appear a bit intimidating in the packaging, but it creates the perfect rosy pink glow that instantly makes me look more awake.

Buy It! Makeup by Mario Soft Pop Plumping Blush Veil, $30; sephora.com

Haus Labs by Lady Gaga

Hedy Phillips, Style Editor: I’ve loved everything Haus Labs has created, and that includes the new blush stick from Lady Gaga’s brand. It's super easy to apply (use your fingers or a brush) and it’s super hydrating (because it’s loaded with skincare ingredients to increase moisture), which is an added plus for my dry skin. And because it’s also multi-purpose—you can use it on your lips, too—I use two shades on my face for a seamless look. In my photo here, I'm wearing Glassy Pitaya (shown) on the apples of my cheeks and my lips, and Glassy Pomelo on my cheeks as well for added dimension. If you want proof that Gaga's formula goes the distance, here it is: the multi-hyphenate wore the formula during her 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony performance, according to her makeup artist, Haus Labs Global Artistry Director Sarah Tanno.

Buy It! Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Color Fuse Longwear Hydrating Glassy Lip + Cheek Blush Balm Stick, $34; sephora.com

Polite Society

Catherine Santino, Writer-Reporter: I've been enjoying the recent resurgence of blush, particularly the shift toward a bright pink flush à la Sabrina Carpenter: I think a pop of pink on the cheeks looks so fresh and youthful. As someone who is constantly on a mission to find the best creamy—not sticky—formula, I was intrigued by Polite Society's cream-to-powder stick. The light, airy texture feels like nothing on the skin and it blends beautifully — without ever appearing powdery or dry. And while I don’t apply blush as liberally as Carpenter, the packaging for this is so portable I can throw it in my bag to layer on more throughout the day. An all-around win!

Buy It! Polite Society Polite Pops Powder Blush Stick, $28; ulta.com

Hourglass

Michelle Lee, Editorial Assistant: I’ve been a blush girl for forever, so I’m thriving now that rosy cheeks are having a moment again. My new obsession is this formula by Hourglass, the brand behind the Ambient Lighting powder that went viral in the heyday of YouTube beauty tutorials. With that in mind, I wasn’t surprised that its new liquid delivered on everything I want in a blush: it's a hydrating, serum-like tint that only takes seconds to blend onto your skin. (All you need is a couple of drops because the pigment is that good.) And about that effortlessly natural-looking flush it creates? It stays on your cheeks all day without caking. I was able to test out all seven shades, but I kept grabbing Moment, a warm peach beige that complemented my skin tone and is perfect for everyday wear.

Buy It! Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush, $36; sephora,com