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Swiping on one of the best blush sticks is our favorite shortcut to glowiness any time of the year. We’re talking about the portable, twist-up, cream-based formulas that often contain skin-nourishing ingredients like shea butter or squalane and can be used on the go in a multitude of ways. If you constantly find yourself with only 10 minutes to get ready (as we so often do), blush sticks can be real lifesavers. These multipurpose sticks can also be used as eye shadow, blush, and lip tint. Fortunately, you can shop a wide range of blush sticks at various price points, making it possible to find "the one" without breaking the bank. We chatted with editors to determine the best of the best, save you time while shopping, and help you achieve your sweetest flush yet.
Our Top Blush Sticks
- Versatility for Days: Make Up For Ever Artist Color Crayon, $33
- Best Blush-Lighter: Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick, $48
- Best for "No-Makeup Makeup:" Violette_FR Bisou Blush, $36
- Your Purse’s Best Friend: Rhode Pocket Blush, $24
- The Stain Game: Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly, $26
Versatility for Days: Make Up For Ever Artist Color Crayon
Why we love it: You're in the driver's seat when it comes to maxxing out Make Up For Ever’s Artist Color Crayon—and trust us, there’s plenty to maxx. With a whopping 27 shades, these sticks do far more than blush: Depending on your pick, you've got concealer, contour, or highlighter options, though the pink and pink-adjacent hues excel in creating a spectacular flush. The creamy, lightweight, and long-lasting formulas make mixing, matching, and building unconventional looks effortless. Plus, the pencils double as lip and eye color, opening the door to monochrome moments or intentional clashes—and their compact shape makes it easy to grow your collection without overcrowding your makeup bag.
Tester feedback from content director Kara McGrath
“As a big fan of an ultra-dewy look, I typically shy away from stick formulas of any type since I find a lot of them to be a bit too drying. This multiuse stick (which I primarily use for blush) gives me that glowy finish I'm perpetually seeking, with a creamy formula that's easy to blend in but doesn't melt away after an hour.” —Kara McGrath, content director
More to know
- Key ingredients: N/A
- Shade options: 27
Best Blush-Lighter: Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick
Why we love it: The Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlighter Stick beautifully bridges the gap between blush and highlighter, enhancing the texture of the skin (thanks to hydrating jojoba seed oil and firming vitus vita fruit extract). The result is a skillful balance between dewy and glossy, blushy and gleamy. It offers a diverse range of shades, including Petal, pictured above, which is a glassy nude rose that complements any makeup look.
For an added touch of "Yeah, I go outside, so what?” energy, a small amount can be applied to the forehead and nose. For a more traditional blusher, grab the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick, which is equally as beautiful.
Tester feedback from senior director of audience development Lexi Herrick
“This product is a blush/highlighter hybrid which is perfect for me. I constantly reach for this multitasking stick to add just the right amount of rouge and brightening to my cheeks. It's incredibly smooth and blends beautifully.” —Lexi Herrick, senior director of audience development
More to know
- Key ingredients: jojoba seed oil, raspberry leaf, stem cell extract, kaolin clay
- Shade options: 5
Best for "No-Makeup Makeup:" Violette_FR Bisou Blush
Why we love it: There's no greater flex than pulling a Violette_FR Bisou Blush out of your makeup bag—even if you’re the only one who sees it. First, it means that you're in the know, as French girl beauty is the crème de la crème. Second, the matte cream blush melts into the skin to create an aura of effortlessness and a natural-looking flush. There are three marbled shades to choose from that not only look beautiful in the tube but also on your face: soft pink Inès, neutral beige Louise (pictured here), and Aïssa, a pink for darker skin tones.
You’ll also dig the soft-but-sturdy, detachable brush at the bottom for easy on-the-go blending. "You can tell a makeup artist made these," says bicoastal (NYC and LA) makeup artist Kirin Bhatty. "The shades are thoughtfully chosen and are perfect for those who love a 'no-makeup-makeup' look."
Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann
“When it comes to shade curation, very few brands can touch Violette_FR IMO. You're not going to find a one-note bubblegum pink blush here—instead, you're going to find a nuanced, perfectly dusty pink that makes you feel like the most effortless-yet-put-together version of yourself. Louise is my personal favorite of these blushes, but you truly can't go wrong. The finish is glowy but not glossy and it builds up beautifully, so it pairs perfectly with a full face of makeup or barely-there concealer and mascara.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
More to know
- Key ingredients: ginger root extract
- Shade options: 6
Your Purse’s Best Friend: Rhode Pocket Blush
Why we love it: A proud member of the Rhode family, Hailey Bieber’s Pocket Blush became an instant Allure-editor favorite—and for good reason. The petite, pocket-size profile makes it easy to tote around and allows for targeted application, depositing a silky-smooth flush of pigment every time. Lightweight and hydrating, it comes in 11 sweet shades you can effortlessly coordinate by applying directly onto your lips, cheeks, or gently blending with a finger or brush. For added dewiness on your lips, top it off with the brand’s Peptide Lip Treatment.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“Beyond how uber cute these blushes are, they're so buttery and easy to blend out. I actually like to use my fingers to dab the product in before using a brush to diffuse any harsh lines—but, in a pinch, just fingers also do the trick. If I want to build up the pigment (which I usually do), I'll go in with a second layer by picking up some product directly with my brush and lightly tapping it in. Extra buildable? Heck yeah. They also come in the prettiest colors. I'd normally never reach for a bronze terracotta (I lean heavily into pinks) but Toasted Teddy just has that ‘je ne sais’ quoi factor.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
- Key ingredients: peptides, tamanu oil
- Shade options: 11
The Stain Game: Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly
Why we love it: Milk’s Cooling Water Jelly looks good enough to eat—but please don’t. The yummy vibes are only outvibed by the sheer, long-lasting flush delivered by this bouncy jelly’s instant cooling effect. “The cooling is from the release of water upon pressing,” says cosmetic chemist Ginger King. “Also, the inclusion of aloe vera with humectants like glycerin, sorbitol, and polysaccharides with polymers can enhance that effect.” Makeup artist Sara Wren suggests using a brush “ [because it] allows you to build up the watercolor-like pigment and gives a more precise application.” Since it's technically a stain and sets quickly, work fast to make the most of this jelly’s goodness.
Tester feedback from managing editor Alessandra Foresto
“Call me skeptical! I don't normally trust jelly blushes to be longlasting and opt for cream blushes instead, but this bouncy gelatinous blush (saying that as a compliment, not a criticism) gives my cheeks a sheer and dewy color that actually stays put all day (I like the shade Berry). I also had my doubts on the cooling claims on this stick's name, and was once again proven wrong. At application, you do get a cooling and refreshing feel that I actually wish lasted longer than a few seconds.” —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor
More to know
- Key ingredients: vegan collagen, aloe, seawater
- Shade options: 7
More blush sticks to consider
- For a blusher with a ton of color payoff, Makeup By Mario’s Pop Blush Stick is your girl. "It has really good payoff," notes Bhatty. "The formula is buildable and pigmented, allowing you to mix different shades together to create your own unique color. The travel-friendly packaging also conveniently comes with a brush at the bottom, so that you're never without the option of a quick refresh.
- For a breathable, lightweight finish, Ilia’s Multi-Stick is an excellent choice. Bhatty calls it "clean beauty at its finest, offering a wide range of shades to choose from" and “compact enough to carry around in your bag for easy touch-ups." No, seriously, you can fit it in your pocket.
- A drugstore pick for the ages, grab E.L.F's Monochromatic Multi Stick. At $5, you'd worry that they'd skimp on pigment, but that’s definitely not the case here. This cheek tint blends seamlessly and even features a hint of sparkle for those who want a bit of extra oomph. It's long-wearing and nongreasy, thanks to a lightweight formula that contains moisturizing shea butter and vitamin E.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are blush sticks best for?
Blush sticks are perfect for the "no-makeup-makeup" crowd, as they provide a natural-looking radiance without appearing cakey or obvious like powder sometimes does. Compared to powder blushes, "blush sticks work with the natural oils of your skin instead of sitting on top of it," explains New York-based makeup artist Nam Vo. Bhatty loves the dewy texture they provide, as they "really lend themselves to creating a glowy complexion and truly look like skin," describing them as "the perfect summertime product."
"Blush sticks are multi-use products, so you can also tap them onto your lids and lips for a monochromatic flushed look," Bhatty adds. Whether you're getting ready in a car, subway, train, or plane, a blush stick is all you need to quickly enhance your look.
How do you apply stick blush?
While you have the option to use a makeup brush or Beautyblender, using your fingers works just as well, especially when you're on the go. In terms of application, Bhatty suggests, "I like to apply the product with my fingertips and then blend out and upward with a cream blush brush toward the hairline for perfectly dewy cheeks every time." Conversely, if you desire a more intense pop of color, you can build the color by using blush sticks as an initial layer and then layering powder blush on top.
Meet the experts
- Kirin Bhatty, a bicoastal makeup artist based in Los Angeles and NYC
- Ginger King, a cosmetic chemist
- Nam Vo, a makeup artist based in New York City
- Sara Wren, a makeup artist and senior director of artistry at Milk Makeup
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best blush sticks, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Check out more of our summer beauty must-haves:
- 9 Best Bronzers for Easy, All-Over Warmth
- 9 Best Skin Tints for Lightweight, Glowy Coverage
- 11 Lip Balms With SPF to Protect Your Pout
Done reading? Now watch Madelyn Cline get her monthly facial:
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