Makeup

Hands Down, These Are the 11 Best Blushes for a Healthy Winter Glow

Maybe she’s born with it.

By Hannah Zahner

Those close to me know that I’m a bronzer girl through and through, but as my summer tan inevitably fades, I really love the look of a rosy blush come winter. And I’m not alone.

A touch of blush is one of the easiest ways to take your complexion from dull to invigorated, bright, and flushed in the best way.

But finding the right blush in a sea of beauty brands can be a little overwhelming, so I reached out to the Camille Styles editorial team and asked them to share the best blush brand that delivers everything from a gentle post-walk-in-the snow-kind-of-flush to duos that will sculpt your cheekbones with a hint of color. From powders to gels and creams in poppy shades of pink, red, and coral, there’s something for everyone on this list.

And when it comes to application, check out this post for some simple tips that will have you looking less like a clown and more like you just finished an amazing workout that got your blood pumping.

featured image: flammedepigalle

Nars Orgasm and Dior’s Rosy Glow Blush in Pink

The best blush brands for me are Nars Orgasm forever (the rich pigment and peachy-pink shade are hard to beat for my complexion), but I also must have Dior’s Rosy Glow Blush in Pink on hand at all times. It’s formulated to react to the skin upon contact and creates a customized naturally rosy glow that makes me look like I just took a chilly jog around the block. I swirl the tiniest bit on the apples of my cheeks as the final step to routine.

Glossier’s Cloud Paint

I’ve never used anything other than Glossier’s cloud paint. I rarely wear much makeup and love that it’s lightweight, buildable, and seamless. It is just simply color. I like dabbing it on my lips too for a laid-back, natural look. Haze and Beam are my favorite shades.

 

Kosas 8th Muse Blush and Highlighter Duo

I love this blush with its smooth creamy texture that gives a beautiful dewy, glowy finish—the color is just the right pop of pink. it also comes with a highlighter to really ramp up the shine. And it’s made from clean ingredients—what more could you want? It really is the best blush brand.

 

Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain

Believe it or not, I’ve been using the Benetint cheek & lip stain since high school, and it’s still one of my ride-or-die makeup products—it’s just the best blush brand! While I love experimenting with new blushes, I always go back to this one for that no-makeup look. I just dot a few drops of the liquid on my cheeks and lips and blend, and it immediately gives me life. Plus, I’m always down for any small-yet-mighty product that will give me a natural, healthy glow without looking and feeling like I’m wearing any makeup. A little bit goes a long way and this stuff lasts all day, through swimming, exercise, you name it.

BeautyCounter Satin Powder Blush in Nectar

I’m newly obsessed with this BeautyCounter blush in the shade Nectar. It is the perfect peachy pink with just the right amount of highlighter in it to give my cheeks that sunkissed look I’ve been missing. I’ve used Nars Orgasm Blush since I first started wearing makeup and this is the first blush to make me change up my routine. Added bonus: it’s all-natural and clean ingredients.

Ilia Color Haze Multi-Matte Pigment

I can’t get enough of cream blushes and this one is a fave. Its formula is comparable to the magical Glossier Cloud Paint, but with totally clean ingredients. It works well buffed in with a brush or applied with your fingertips. I love swiping a touch on my lips cheeks and eyes for an all-over glow-from-within—my current favorite color is Before Today.

 

RMS Lost Angel

I’m a coral peachy blush gal. This has lasting power and a smooth finish. I love their highlighter too.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette

I’ve parsed my makeup routine down quite a bit and use this Hourglass palette for eyes, highlighter, and cheeks. It makes the price tag totally worth it knowing I get so much universal use out of it.

LiveTinted Huestick

I love everything that Deepica Mutyala has created with her brand LiveTinted. What started as a digital community that focused on inclusive and diverse beauty, has now grown into a global platform that is focused on underrepresented people in beauty, and their journeys with culture and identity. With the help of this incredible community, Deepica created a line of Huesticks, 4-1 multi-sticks that can be used as color correctors, eye shadow, lipstick, and blush.
My makeup routine has basically become non-existent this year, so I love that this one product can work overtime for me. I use the Huestick in True for both a blush in the most beautiful subtle dusty rose shade and as a neutral lipstick. When I want something a bit warmer and rosy, I love the Huestick in Found. The texture is super blendable and the colors are beautiful. It’s just a bonus that the Huesticks are vegan and cruelty-free, but they are also packed with hyaluronic acid, squalane, and vitamins C + E for the ultimate skincare bonus.

Benefit Dallas Rosy Bronze Blush

I’ve tried so many shades of pink and coral blush but I have pretty yellow undertones in my skin so blush can tend to make me look like a raggedy Anne doll! I also prefer a pretty natural look so I always come back to this bronze blush—it’s a classic for me (like years!) and honestly, it works year-round. I use a little more in the winter and just change up the amount of highlighter I use depending on the season and how much I want to “glow”—this blush also has a pretty shimmer in it to highlight those cheekbones It’s called Dallas from Benefit Cosmetics which, gut instinct knowing Texas would perhaps seem less natural (I can say so I’m from Dallas!) but it’s actually really natural and doesn’t look overdone at all.

RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek

The RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek is my go-to for a rosy cheek and a perfect pink pucker.  I have a few stashed around—one in my car, another in my purse, and yet another one in my makeup bag. It’s clean, hydrating, and makes for a flawless buildable hue.