What it is
Liquid blush delivers many of the same benefits as cream formulas, like being buildable and luminous, but often with even lighter textures and more concentrated color. “One or two dots are often enough,” says Koshurba, who notes that liquid blushes are surprisingly pigmented despite their weightless feel, so don’t go swiping a big ol’ stripe across your cheek.
Many users find that liquid blushes are not as foolproof as cream blushes. “They require a careful hand,” Longo says. “They can become streaky or blotchy if they’re not blended quickly.”
If you’re feeling confident with the format, though, “Liquid blush creates fresh, glowing, healthy-looking skin and works beautifully for both natural everyday makeup and radiant bridal looks,” Koshurba says.
Pro tips
If the pros were to give only one tip, it would be to blend immediately. Don’t even think of dotting the other cheek before you’ve blended the first, whether it’s with your fingers, a sponge, or a brush.
“Well-moisturized skin helps liquid blush blend much more evenly,” Longo says, and that’s true whether you’re going right in on bare skin with your color or applying atop liquid foundation.
Every makeup artist we spoke to recoiled when asked about applying liquid blush over powder, but if you absolutely must, “use a tapping motion with a sponge or brush to avoid disturbing the makeup underneath,” Hurkman says.
If you’re unsure about the pigmentation and want to beat the going-overboard allegations, Koshurba recommends placing the product on the back of your hand before putting it on your face to get a sense of how much you’ll need.
