10 Best Red Blushes to Rival Your Usual Pinks

03.07.2025, 20:48 allure.com

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There’s something oddly aspirational about that flushed, sun-drenched glow you’d get as a kid, cheeks tinged and nose kissed red. The best red blushes aim to recreate that exact effect: warm, radiant, and effortless, but without the sting of a sunburn or the unpredictability of a full-face flush. Long viewed as intimidating, red blush has made a serious comeback as a surprisingly wearable essential that mimics the way skin naturally warms up. It’s less about trend and more about tone: The right red brings life to the skin in a way that pinks and peaches just don’t. But choosing the right formula (and knowing how to apply it) is everything.

If you’re looking for guidance on how to nail that perfectly sunburnt flush, you’re in the right place. We tapped makeup artists to share their insights on everything from undertone-matching to strategic placement based on face shape. Paired with editor-tested favorites—across powders, creams, stains, and sticks. This curation of red blushes has something for every finish, formula, and flush intensity.

Armani Beauty

Nordstrom

Sephora

Allure senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor applying Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Cheek Tint in Flaming Red

Why we love it: We’re all looking to achieve that radiant sunburnt flush without the actual sunburn, and Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk Cheek Tint Blush in Flaming Red does just that. This liquid formula glides on like a serum, delivering a sheer wash of color that blends seamlessly with either your fingers or a brush. The doe-foot applicator makes placement intuitive: one dot for a soft, flush look, two for a lifted, sculpted look, and three for a full-glam finish. Infused with Armani’s Micro–fil technology, it blends into the skin without streaks or patches and lasts all day without fading.

Calaor before applying Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Cheek Tint in Flaming Red

Calaor after applying Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Cheek Tint in Flaming Red

Tester feedback from senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor

“I’ve always shied away from red blush, as it can quickly look intense. (There’s a fine line between a sexy, demure flush and looking like you’re performing at a kid’s party with a squeaky red nose.) But this blush changed my mind about fiery tones. Yes, it’s pigmented (so applying it gradually is key), but it blends beautifully into a natural-looking ‘I just had a really great date’ kind of flush. It sets in place for hours, too—lasting through that date and whatever might follow.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editor

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Haus Labs

Sephora

Haus Labs

Allure social media manager Bianca Richards applying the Haus Labs Color Fuse Blush Powder in Watermelon Bliss

Why we love it: If you’re looking to commit to a serious punch of red, opt for Haus Labs’ Color Fuse Blush in Watermelon Bliss. The vivid, pigmented powder glides on smoothly without clinging to texture or requiring multiple applications, while the fruit-inspired shade strikes the perfect balance as a true red with subtle warmth. The soft, natural finish makes the formula easy for everyday wear, but it's also buildable enough to push into bolder, editorial territory.

Beyond its impressive color performance, the ingredient list elevates this blush into skincare territory. Fermented arnica works to calm redness and irritation, while hydraberry extract from red raspberries provides hydration and strengthens the skin barrier. Squalane and shea butter help keep your cheeks conditioned throughout the day.

Richards before applying the Haus Labs Color Fuse Blush Powder in Watermelon Bliss

Bianca Richards after applying the Haus Labs Color Fuse Blush Powder in Watermelon Bliss

Tester feedback from social media manager Bianca Richards

“My friends say I suffer from blush blindness, and honestly, they might be right. I can't get enough of the Haus Labs Powder Blushes, especially the Watermelon Bliss shade. As a certified dewy gal, I try to avoid looking too glowy in the heat since it can be mistaken for oily. So I opt for a powder blush, which helps balance my radiant routine, giving my look a more natural finish—neither ultra dewy nor overly matte. With just one swipe, I'm able to add that bright pop of color that ties my look together. It's velvety and incredibly pigmented, which speaks to how rich and high-quality the formula is.” —Bianca Richards, senior media manager

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Milk Makeup

Amazon

Ulta Beauty

Allure contributor Jailynn Taylor applying the Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint in Spritz

Why we love it: While the jelly texture—cool to the touch and bouncy on swipe—is what gets your attention at first, Milk Makeup’s Cooling Water Jelly Tint is a game-changer for blushes in other ways. With the uptick in all things stain, you can get buildable color payoff—from barely-there to in-your-face—and all-day wear in this pocket-size tube. The finish is natural and dries down fast enough to avoid transfer, while allowing you time to blend. “Spritz” is a vibrant coral-red that instantly wakes up the face, especially when tapped across cheeks and lips for that cohesive, sun-flushed effect. It’s also infused with aloe, seawater, and vegan collagen, ingredients that feel especially right for warm-weather wear.

Taylor after applying the Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint in Spritz

Taylor before applying the Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint in Spritz

Tester feedback from contributor Jailynn Taylor

“A blush stain can be quite intimidating, and this one from Milk Makeup, if not applied correctly, can be a recipe for disaster (I know from experience). However, with much trial and error, I found that using a blush brush instead of applying the blush stick directly to my face allowed for a more naturally diffused look that I can build up. It stays all day and is great for layering under foundation for a natural flush.” —Jailynn Taylor, contributor

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Danessa Myricks Beauty

Sephora

Why we love it: Many cream blushes stay dewy, but this one from Danessa Myricks sets like a powder. The Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder melts in like a balm, then sets to a blurred matte finish that diffuses texture and grips like nothing else. The transformation is instant: buttery on application, with an airbrushed finish once blended. “Red Velvet” is a vivid, deep red that builds from a sheer flush to full-impact glam depending on your application.

On the cheeks, it sculpts, and on the lips, it stains, so you can achieve a monochromatic look with just one product. The formula’s upsalite technology controls oil and sweat for serious staying power, while hyaluronic acid and olive-derived squalane ensure the matte finish stays smooth, not cakey or dry. Making this an ideal red blush for those with oily or combination skin types who usually avoid creams.

Tester feedback from editor in chief Jessica Cruel

“If I can’t see a blush shade on my skin at first swipe, then it doesn’t pass my brown girl test. Not only does this blush appear, it pops after one quick dab! I always recommend it to my friends with darker skin tones who want a blush with powerful pigment that lasts. It’s got a cream-to-powder formula that blends and builds easily, so you can go subtle flushed belle or full on ’80s disco diva.”—Jessica Cruel, editor in chief

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Fenty Beauty

Ulta Beauty

Sephora

Why we love it: If there’s one red blush that can stand up to heat, humidity, and a night of dancing, it’s Fenty Beauty’s Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush. The formula is light-as-air and melts into skin on contact, creating a smooth, natural-looking flush that resists sweat and won’t feel greasy or heavy. Daiquiri Dip, a vibrant coral-red shade, may look intense in the compact, but it blends down into a sheer, buildable wash of color. The formula is effortless to apply with just your fingers or a brush and won’t disturb your foundation.

Tester feedback from Taylor

"For me, it’s second nature to reach for a cream blush, and when summer rolls around, it’s Fenty Beauty Cheeks Suede Powder Blush in Daiquiri Dip or Big Melons. It glides on my skin like butter, and if I mess up, it’s easy to adjust. It offers a buildable flush of color and lasts all day, despite sweating or touching my face." —Jailynn Taylor, contributor

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Rare Beauty

Sephora

Why we love it: A single dot of Rare Beauty’s Soft Pinch Liquid Blush goes a long way. It's one of the most pigmented formulas on the market, but still manages to blend like a second skin. “Love” is a terracotta-leaning red with an ultra-light, almost watery texture, so it sinks in fast and sets without caking or clinging to the texture. The formula is infused with a calming botanical blend of lotus, gardenia, and white water lily to soothe the skin throughout the day. The doe-foot applicator lets you control exactly how much you use (again, start small), and the finish dries down to a blurred matte that lasts up to 12 hours. This is the blush you reach for when you need it to last all day—no touch-ups, no surprises.

Expert feedback from Brooklyn-based makeup artist Jada Marie

“Rare Beauty’s Soft Pinch Liquid Blush has won me over—it’s smooth, creamy, and blends like a dream, especially when applied before concealer. I reach for it during full-glam looks because it holds its pigment all day, which is a must for clients who have a special event. I appreciate the range of shades, which caters to different skin tones and undertones. Since it’s a liquid, I like to tap it in gently to keep that punch of color without over-blending into the base. I also apply it with my finger over fully set and dry powders since it’s silicone-based and has little trouble blending nicely with other products already on the face.” —Jada Marie, makeup artist

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Pat McGrath Labs

Revolve

Nordstrom

Ulta Beauty

Why we love it: The Pat McGrath L