Makeup Artists Are Loving These 16 Cream, Powder, And Liquid Blushes

Whether you're into powder, cream, or liquid formulas, blushes are kind of the perfect way to finish off any makeup look. But there are a lot of options out there, and it can be hard to figure out which kind of blush is the best one for your cheeks. (Plus, some of them are so darn expensive.) No worries though! That's why Women's Health rounded up the best pro-makeup artist-recommended blushes you can buy online and IRL right now.

But first, here's what you need to know before your make your next blush purchase. "When shopping for a good quality blush you should be looking for a smooth and microfine texture for both powder and cream blushes," explains professional makeup artist Renee Loiz. "Swipe the texture onto the back of your hand to make sure there is a good color payoff, that it is blendable, and has good staying power. If the powder blush is too powdery, chances are it won’t stay on your cheeks for long," Loiz says. And yep, if the color looks bright in its container but is super dull when you apply it, that means it doesn’t have a good color payoff and it might fade away once it's on your face for a bit, Loiz explains.

And if you're wondering how you should properly apply your new-found blush, we've got you covered. Each face shape has its own technique. "On a round face, apply high on the cheekbones and extend the color out to the temples for a lifting effect," explains Cong Liang, YSL Beauty’s National Makeup Artist. "On a heart or diamond-shaped face, apply below the apples of the cheeks and blend out to the hairline. On long face, apply blush just under the apples," Liang says. And a quick PSA: If you're someone with a darker skin tone, you'll want to pick out a blush that's bright, explains Molly R. Stern, professional makeup artist. "It will show up better on darker complexion and really offer some heat to the skin."

Alright, now that you're basically a blush pro, let's get a little more specific with the shopping. Keep reading for the 16 best blushes to buy this year, according to makeup artists.