Rare Beauty's viral Liquid Blush flatters every skin tone – and we've got the proof
More and more celebrity beauty brands are cropping up these days, but Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty seems to have struck a particular chord with makeup lovers, thanks in part to the brand's commitment to social impact (a portion of sales are donated to mental health initiatives) coupled with its inclusive approach (the line features an expansive range of shades that cater to a wide range of skin tones).
One product – the Soft Pinch Liquid Blush – has become a viral sensation, winning praise on TikTok and regularly selling out. With one-word reviews like “beautiful” and “stunning” from fans, the popular product is lauded as a lightweight, foolproof liquid blush that delivers glowing, cherub-like cheeks with just a couple of dabs. When we tested the leading blushers at the Good Housekeeping Institute, Rare Beauty's Liquid Blush took the crown, scoring an impressive 94/100 for its pigment pay-off and lasting power.
Available in 13 shades ranging from soft pink to dark berry, even professional makeup artists count themselves as fans. “Rare Beauty blush is a beautiful, blendable formula that flatters both fair and deep skin tones,” says celebrity makeup artist Judi Gabbay Braha, adding that while it's touted as liquid, it's actually more of a silky cream — which means it doesn't dry tacky or wet, making it a great option to buff under or over powder.
Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
To see if Rare Beauty's Soft Pinch Liquid Blush is truly one of the best you can buy, five GH editors with a range of skin types and tones tried it out and gave their honest verdict. We also spoke to the experts about how to find your perfect shade and get their top application tips.
How to choose the best shade for your skin
Gomez says she formulates her products to look beautiful across all skin tones, and this highly pigmented product spans a variety of shades from berry to pink to peach to red, in two unique finishes: matte and radiant. We asked Gabbay Braha and celebrity makeup artist Grace Pae to share which of the 13 colours they think pairs best with different skin tones. Here are their recommendations:
Fair: Hope, Encourage, Bliss, Believe
Medium: Happy, Worth, Virtue, Joy, Grace
Dark: Grateful, Love, Lucky, Faith
Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in "Happy"
Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in "Joy"
Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in "Grace"
Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in "Hope"
Our honest reviews
"Hope" on combination skin
Consistency and coverage: “This is one of the most pigmented blushes on the market and I find it lasts all day. The creamy texture is a joy to blend and glides over pores and blemishes; it simply melts in. I'd only use a couple of small dots and build it up if you want a more dramatic look, but if you get the shade right (not too seasonal), this is the only blush you'll need to buy this year – the tiniest dot goes a long way.”
Compatibility with skin tone and type: “My skin is oily on the T-zone and chin but can get dry and flaky around the sides of the nose and cheek (are you glad you asked?!). I opt for the more coral-y colours as they make me look healthy in winter and look great with a tan come June, so my go-tos are Hope and Happy.”
The bottom line: “If you want to move away from powder blush, which can sometimes accentuate skin texture, and want genuine value for money, this is a great buy. It provides creamy coverage and powerful pigment, and it's become a staple in my handbag.” – Florence Reeves-White, senior beauty writer
"Happy" on dry, sensitive skin
Consistency and coverage: “Creamy and thick, this blush has a nice consistency that blends with ease. When I wanted a more pigmented flush, I used my fingers, and for a natural effect, I opted for a beauty sponge. Either way, it only took a dot of product to achieve a gorgeous flush of colour.”
Compatibility with skin tone and type: “One of the brand's most popular shades, this added a vibrant tinge of colour to my cheeks — think a healthy post-gym glow. I expected some slight colour variation from what I'd seen on social media, but the results were just as impressive.”
The bottom line: “The only tricky part was figuring out the right amount of pigment. I can't emphasise enough how powerful just one dot is! That said, it means using less product — one of my year-old tubes has barely depleted.” – Jacqueline Saguin, commerce editor
"Joy" on combination skin
Consistency and coverage: "I really liked that the liquid blush formula was easy to build and blend out. It's also very pigmented, so a little product goes a long way."
Compatibility with skin tone and type: "I thought this colour was super flattering on my skin tone, and it didn't pick up my foundation or go on blotchy. I have acne-prone skin, and so I especially loved that this blush didn't emphasise any texture on my face."
The bottom line: "I really loved how the applicator holds enough of the product, meaning you don't have to continuously dip." – Cameron Jenkins, staff writer
"Hope" on dry, sensitive skin
Consistency and coverage: “I applied two dots on each cheekbone and a small dot on my nose [then] blended with a brush. It felt like it had priming skincare ingredients, blurring my skin texture and pores. I found it to be perfectly pigmented. If I ever applied too much, I could just buff it out with a few dabs of a damp sponge. It's really easy to sheer out for just a wash of colour.”
Compatibility with skin tone and type: “I was really in love with its warm, mauve-y rose hue. At first, I thought it may be too light but I was obsessed with how it complemented my light-medium skin with olive undertones. It really does give that fresh, just-pinched effect.”
The bottom line: “I am so impressed with this blush! I love that the packaging is not only elegant but that consumers with dexterity challenges have found it so easy to use. It’s not the longest-lasting blush I’ve tried, though. By the end of the day, I could tell it faded a lot.” – Jessica Teich, deputy editor
"Grace" on combination skin
Consistency and coverage: “The application was so easy. After using a little of my Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick, I used my fingertips to pat the blush onto my cheeks, gently. The bold colour payoff made me feel uneasy at first, but as I blended it into my skin, it started to look more and more natural.”
Compatibility with skin tone and type: “It sinks into skin beautifully. After a few hours, the colour was still very visible — and matte! This is major for me, as my T-zone gets pretty oily throughout the day.”
The bottom line: “I was a bit skeptical of this blush since I typically lean towards deep red or coral tones. But, I was pleasantly surprised. I would re-apply it if I was going from the office to an after-work event, but it's not necessary if you're just looking for a hint of colour. I think I've found a new beauty staple!” –Monique Valeris, senior editor
Is Rare Beauty blush worth it?
Each and every one of our testers agreed that Rare Beauty's liquid blush delivers a high-quality pigment that results in a pretty, natural glow. And while it takes a bit of practice to figure out the right amount to apply, because you'll only need a little bit for each application, one tube should last you for months.
The only caveats we found that you'll want to keep in mind: The matte versions of the blush tend to dry faster, making them tougher to blend; you'll also want to be careful when scraping excess product off the applicator as it can tend to get inside the rim of the handle and become messy.
SHOP THE RARE BEAUTY LIQUID BLUSH COLLECTION
How to apply Rare Beauty blush
Rare Beauty's liquid blush is super pigmented, which means a little goes a very long way — you'll only need to use one to two dots on each cheek for maximum impact. To apply, Braha recommends first removing any excess product from the doe-foot applicator, then dabbing the wand on the apples of your cheeks and up towards your cheekbones.
Then, Pae recommends buffing the colour using a “bouncing" method with a damp beauty blender sponge. Or, for a more concentrated flush of colour, you can use your fingertips to gently pat the blush into skin. You'll know it's completely blended when it melts in and you can't tell where the product starts and ends, says Braha. Keep layering as needed to achieve your ideal colour, whether that's a light wash or a deep flush.
How long does Rare Beauty blush last?
Soft Pinch Liquid Blush is designed to be long-lasting, thanks to its extreme pigment pay off. That said, no blush is completely fade-proof. “To extend the wear, I always ‘set’ a cream or liquid blush with a powder blush, [like] setting liquid or cream foundation with a setting powder,” says Pae. Or, you can try spritzing on a makeup setting spray for extra protection.
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