Until fairly recently, I was terrified of blush. You see, growing up, blush was my first entry point into makeup. To my tween self, powdering your cheeks while looking into a compact mirror was the pinnacle of chicness. You have to admit that still holds up. But when you’re a 12-year-old experimenting with pink powders, it’s easy to go full clown mode. All it took was one “tomato face” comment to put me off blush for years and assume it would never be found in my makeup bag again.
That is, until I tried blush sticks. My makeup skills have only marginally improved since those middle-school mishaps, but luckily for me, the playing field has officially leveled; even I can swipe the pigmented equivalent of a glue stick on my cheeks. Especially for my fellow skin-care freaks, a cream-based blush stick is the way to go, since it offers a lot more benefits than the average powder (hello, vitamin C) and creates more of a dewy glow. Plus — and I cannot stress this enough — no mess! The only thing worse than a powdery mess on your face is a powdery mess in your bag. With a blush stick, I don’t worry about that.
Since my blush-stick revelation, I’ve become a full-blown blush addict (apologies to my bank account). Below, I give you the best blush sticks I’ve found on my quest for perfectly rosy cheekbones, sans powder.
The one that stays on all day (and that makes me feel like Posh)
I was told not to sleep on Victoria Beckham Beauty, and for good reason. This blush feels luxe — it’s very lightweight on your face, while still delivering a soft, smooth pigment that seriously lasts me hours on end (even during the sweatiest of NYC days). If you’re looking for an all-day pick, this is your girl.
The one I use for hydration
If I’m feeling like my skin could use some extra TLC but I still want to look glowier than average, this Multi-Stick from Ilia is what I’ll use. Maybe I’m imagining it, but I really think I can feel the hydration happening when I roll this one on, which I’ll credit to the shea butter and avocado oil in its formula. I consider this an extension of my skin-care routine but with a little more color.
The one I’d wear for a date
I’m typically a skeptic when it comes to celebrity-backed brands, but Rhode is the real deal, as proven by its Lip Peptide Treatment. I was curious to see if their new Pocket Blush could live up to the reputation of the Lip Peptide Treatment, and I’m happy to report it absolutely does. The Pocket Blush promises “a little bit of flush,” and, well, it does exactly that. It’s lightweight, smooth, swipable, and finger-blendable, and it doesn’t hurt that the applicator is adorable. Even though this is a recent addition to their product line, the shade range is pretty varied, too. If I ever did a GRWM video for a dinner with friends, a date, or really any event that starts past 5 p.m., Rhode’s “Sleepy Girl” shade would be front and center, every single time.
The one I wear for a no-blush blush look
This is a great choice if you’re going for a natural, “no-makeup-makeup” situation, which checks out with Gucci Westman’s personal aversion to the overly contoured “Instagram makeup” look. I tend to opt for this one during the daytime when I’m looking for a gentle touch of rosiness, since the coverage is more sheer than others on the market. I will say this blush stick is definitely expensive, but (a) the packaging is chic, and (b) it also functions as a lipstick, so you can justify it as a two-in-one purchase.
The one I carry on the go
If you’re looking for a blush-brush duo, I’d recommend giving one of Nudestix’s Nudies a whirl. This one is a cult classic for a reason: it’s reliable, easy to use, and the color options are seemingly endless. I won’t lie and say the brush is an all-star on its own (I prefer a softer bristle on my cheeks). However, it’s the perfect partner to the blush, and it makes on-the-go reapplication a breeze, especially if you’re looking for a more precise makeup blend than your fingers will give you. Or if you don’t want to touch your face with subway hands, which … fair.
The one that goes on especially smooth
I never thought I’d say this, but I’m obsessed with how this feels. The texture is perfectly creamy without feeling heavy or thick on my face. Even though my skin is not melanin rich, as is the kind of skin Ami Colé’s products are intended for, I love how its newest shade, Pink Sel, gives my fair-skinned cheeks a dramatic pop.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
