Makeup trends come and go, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t indulge in them now and again. However, there’s something about a simple and refined makeup routine that leaves me feeling fresh, polished and put-together. A fresh, glowing look is one I’ll always return to.
One of the hardest steps in curating any polished makeup routine is no doubt choosing the right blush. While cream blushers definitely make application easier, I’ve tested almost every shade of blusher under the sun, and none have ever been quite right. Red tones appear too harsh against my skin, and many of the brighter pinks that are more suited to my skin tone are too bold for my minimalist taste. I have tried several deep-plum shades that I initially had high hopes for, but rather than delivering the healthy glow I crave, they make my skin look dull and bruised.
So, when I saw that mauve blush was having a resurgence, I was intrigued. While it's a shade many of us have grown scared of in recent years through fear of clown-like results, I've seen a number of mauve blush looks on my social feeds recently that seem to deliver the sort of lived-in, natural-looking glow I'm after. So, in a quest to see if mauve blush could, in fact, be the versatile, easy-to-use product my spring makeup routine craves, I rounded up the Who What Wear UK editors to help me put it to the test.
What Is Mauve Blush?
Mauve is a shade that strikes the perfect balance between pink and purple. It’s a sophisticated hue that blends both warm and cool tones, making it incredibly versatile for a wide number of skin tones and undertones. This shade can be a subtle, but effective way to add warmth and dimension to your complexion.
Why Choose a Mauve Blush?
There are countless reasons why mauve blush is quickly becoming a go-to for beauty lovers everywhere. It gives the skin a soft and natural flush of colour without feeling as bold as traditional reds. It’s also extremely versatile, working well for a casual, everyday routine, as well as being able to be built up for a more glam evening makeup look. Mauve blush will also complement a wide range of skin tones, from fair to deep complexions.
So, if you're currently on the hunt for a new blush to add to your staple makeup collection, a mauve shade might be the answer you've been looking for. Not sure where to start? We just put a whole bunch of them to the test, across different skin types and tones, to name the best mauve blushers around—this is the result.
The Best Mauve Blushers, Tried and Tested
1. Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush in RiRi, £22
2. Rhode Pocket Blush in Sleepy Girl, £24
3. Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Blush Duo in She Goes to the Gym, £34
4. Merit Beauty Flush Balm in Archival, £26
5. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Cheek Tint Liquid Blush in 62 Delicate Mauve, £37
6. Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in Garçonne, £44
7. Mac Cosmetics Sheertone Blush in Blush Baby, £28
8. Haus Labs Colour Fuse Glassy Lip + Cheek Stick in Glassy Hibiscus, £30
9. Dior Rouge Blush in Lady Dior, £43
10. Makeup by Mario Soft Pop Powder Blush in Mellow Mauve, £30
11. Nars Powder Blush in Behave, £34
12. Milk Makeup - Lip + Cheek Stick in Enigma, £22
1. Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush in RiRi
Shade Description: Soft Rose Mauve
Formula: Cream
Finish: Skin-like
Editor Review: "Ever since I discovered mauve blushes, I've been on the hunt for the best formulas for deeper skin tones. My favourite, by far, is Fenty's Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush in RiRi, which is a lovely deep mauve shade that will work on a wide number of skin tones. I love how it gives me a soft flush of colour without being too bold or overpowering. I only had a tinted moisturiser on when I tried it, but it's definitely a shade that would fit perfectly into my heavier evening makeup routines as well.
"I used a fluffy brush to apply it, but I know from using other shades in this formula that it will also apply just as well with fingers. I love how this cream formula blends into my existing makeup without disturbing the other products on my face, but also keeps my cheeks looking fresh and glowy, unlike other blush formulas that often look cakey or separate on my dry skin," says editorial assistant, Brittany Davy.
2. Rhode Pocket Blush in Sleepy Girl
Shade Description: Soft Mauve
Formula: Cream
Finish: Dewy
Editor review: "There are only three makeup products I apply to my face every single day without fail: concealer, brow gel and blusher. This is, hands down, my favourite blusher in existence—and that means a lot coming from someone who isn’t actually hot on celebrity beauty brands. Rhode Pocket Blush in Sleepy Girl is a lazy girl’s dream. The formula is next-level creamy, and it drapes over the skin like silk. When patted in with my fingers, it diffuses into the most beautifully lived-in flush of colour. Described as a 'soft mauve’, it delivers just the right amount of pigment, giving the complexion that slept-in sort of glow. For those who, like me, adore a low-fuss, minimal-makeup look, I urge you to try it," says beauty director, Shannon Lawlor.
3. Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Blush Duo in She Goes to the Gym
Shade Description: Cool Mauve Rose
Formula: Cream and Powder
Finish: Satin
Editor review: "Celebrity MUA Patrick Ta is renowned for his blusher technique, so I was intrigued to try his blushers that contain both a cream and powder formula in a satiny finish. I tried the shade She Goes To The Gym, a pretty pinky mauve which doesn't scrimp on pigment—even a touch packs a punch, which is ideal if you covet a bold blush moment. Contrary to others, Ta's technique involves applying the powder first and then the cream on top. I was initially apprehensive about this, but it works really well and I'm totally converted. The powder creates a 'grip' while the cream on top ensures your blusher has a naturally dewy finish. That being said, they're equally beautiful and worn on their own if you just want to go for the powder or the cream.
"I found it worked best by applying the powder with a brush and then using my fingertips to tap the cream blush onto the skin. You can apply just a touch for a natural look or layer up for more intensity. Unlike other blushers, I found it stayed put all day long and I only needed the tiniest amount for a pretty flush, so this palette will last a long time. As for the shade itself, I find that the cream blush is more mauve toned while the powder is more pink in this colourway," says beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden.
4. Merit Beauty Flush Balm in Archival
Shade Description: Cool Mauve
Formula: Cream
Finish: Dewy
Editor review: "Merit’s Flush Balm in Archival is the perfect shade for a soft yet impactful winter flush. I usually reach for Terracotta—a bronzier, sunlit hue—but for my first clean-girl makeup look of the year, I wanted something with more depth. Archival delivers just that: a rich berry-plum that melts seamlessly into the skin. The formula is buttery and sheer but buildable, so a little goes a long way.
"I swiped it onto my cheeks straight from the pot and blended it with my fingers—no brushes needed. It gave me that natural, just-in-from-the-cold flush without looking heavy. The finish is dewy but not greasy, which keeps the skin looking fresh and healthy. If you love a deeper blush moment but still want that effortless, barely-there feel, Archival is a perfect pick. It’s a shade I’ll be reaching for whenever I want a little more drama without overdoing it," says junior branded content editor, Humaa Hussain.
5. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Cheek Tint Liquid Blush in 62 Delicate Mauve
Shade Description: Mauve
Formula: Liquid
Finish: Matte
Editor review: "When choosing a blush, I’ve always veered towards lighter baby pink hues but this mauve shade truly intrigued me. Naturally, the packaging is beautiful, with an easy stick applicator that I used to apply directly onto my cheeks. Immediately, I was worried at the vivid shade but just like the rest of Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk collection, the blush easily blended out into the ideal shade for me. This is the kind of blush you could definitely top up for a deeper pigment as needed, with a silky texture that suits application by brush or with fingers. I was also impressed with how long-lasting the hue was and how seamlessly it blended with the rest of my makeup. Here, I’m simply wearing a tinted SPF moisturiser underneath," says shopping editor, Florrie Alexander.
6. Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in Garçonne
Shade Description: Just Pinched Mauve
Formula: Cream
Finish: Dewy
Editor review: "I am a blush girl (and probably prone to a little blush blindness at times!) but normally I’d go for something brighter than a mauve shade so I was sceptical from the start. However, I liked it a LOT. Westman Atelier just knows what it's doing on all accounts; the packaging is slick (extra points for the magnetic closure), the formula is super-creamy and the shade felt like a really natural flush of colour for my skin tone. I like that it was nice and pigmented, but also felt buildable and the product blends really easily (I used a mix of my fingers and a dense brush). There’s a reason the Westman Atelier blushers are hyped, and after trying them I’m jumping straight on that bandwagon," says social media editor, Megan Storey.
7. MAC Cosmetics Sheertone Blush in Blush Baby
Shade Description: Beige-Pink Mauve
Formula: Powder
Finish: Skin-like
Editor review: "I love blusher but normally go for a coral hue in the form of a cream or liquid product, so I was really stepping out of my comfort zone with this! Because I’m a stick-with-what-I-know kind of girl I didn’t have hugely high expectations, but I was actually pleasantly surprised. Firstly, this powder blush is lovely to apply—it sweeps across my cheeks easily and smoothly with just a standard blusher brush. Secondly, the colour is gorgeous. It’s not as purple as I thought it might be and instead feels like a very rosy, deep pink. It looks natural but still gives me a nice boost of colour, which is what I’m after when it comes to my blush of choice! I don’t think I am going to be swapping this for my go-to coral cream every day, but I certainly will be keeping it in my makeup bag for when I want a slightly different look," says managing editor, Poppy Nash.
8. Haus Labs Colour Fuse Glassy Lip + Cheek Stick in Glassy Hibiscus
Shade Description: Deep Mauve
Formula: Cream
Finish: Glossy
Editor review: "Mauve is a blush shade I’d never usually reach for, so I was intrigued to try something new and see if it would be suited to my skin tone. I tried Haus Labs’ Color Fuse Glassy Flush Balm Stick in ‘Glassy Hibiscus’ which is described as a deep mauve. My skin has been lacking hydration lately (particularly around my cheeks), so my latest obsession has been finding the best skincare-based makeup —I love that this product includes ingredients like fermented arnica and a goji berry complex—aimed to reduce inflammation and keep the skin looking fresh.
"The stick applicator made it easy to apply, and it blended easily with using my fingers/a brush. While Haus Labs mentions that the blush balm is highly pigmented, I’d say it’s much more on the buildable side, and I had to keep re-applying to notice the colour. That said, I loved the natural glossy look I was left with and would recommend it to anyone who prefers an understated, satiny finish," says client success and affiliates manager, Jerrylyn Saguiped.
9. Dior Beauty Rouge Blush in Lady Dior
Shade Description: Warm Mauve
Formula: Powder
Finish: Shimmered
Editor review: "Despite my best attempts to quell redness, I always find my face has that 'always flushed' effect that I desperately try to correct with skincare and foundation. So, when it comes to the products I use on my cheek, I always like to look for something that can cover up my uneven tone. I was intrigued by mauve blushes, as this isn’t something I typically find suits my complexion, so you can imagine my surprise when Dior Blush’s Rouge Blush in Lady Dior slid across my desk. At first glance, the shade looked more pink than a typical purple shade, and the shimmering effect made me slightly apprehensive to try as I don’t typically wear highlighter on the apples of my cheeks.
"As soon as I brushed the product across my cheekbones, however, it instantly melted into this warming hue that softly enhanced my features. The blush was gorgeously pigmented and had a great colour pay-off. While this meant it was easily buildable, I did feel like the brush picked up quite a lot of product in just one swipe. I needn’t have been worried about the built-in shimmering effect, as I felt this just magnified the natural high points of my face, rather than making me look like a walking mirror ball. The gentle rosiness was a welcome change from the classic brown nudes I typically wear," says SEO writer, Ava Gilchrist.
10. Makeup by Mario Soft Pop Powder Blush in Mellow Mauve
Shade Description: Mauve
Formula: Powder
Finish: Skin-like
Editor review: "Makeup By Mario Soft Pop Powder Blush in Mellow Mauve is much pinker than I expected, and it suits my fair skin much better than a more purple-toned mauve would. Although it’s a powder, the formula is creamy and blends really nicely with no powdery fallout or harsh lines. It applies easily with a classic blush brush, and I love the healthy brightness it brings to my complexion (which is probably down to the micronised clay in the formula) without being at all stark. I’m also really surprised at how well it lasts throughout the day. I’ve been using liquid blush formulas for a while now, but this has converted me back to powder. My only beef with Makeup By Mario products is the white packaging—looks super chic but gets dirty in an instant in a well-used makeup bag," says copy editor, Georgia Seago.
11. Nars Powder Blush in Behave
Shade Description: Pink Mauve
Formula: Powder
Finish: Matte
Editor review: "Overall, I really liked this blush! I generally prefer a powder blush over the trending blush sticks/balms as they tend to sit lighter on my skin, and I find them much easier to blend than heavier creamy formulas. I knew I would love the formula of this blush as I had heard so many good things from other Who What Wear UK editors who had tried this cult favourite. However, I wasn't expecting to love the shade as much as I did, as I usually go for pinkier hues that complement my skin tone. 'Behave' is a more muted tone than I'm used to, but I loved how it applied a natural flush of colour to my cheeks. This is a blush I'll be adding to my everyday makeup routine for sure," says graphic designer, Emily Post.
12. Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek Stick in Enigma
Shade Description: Rosy Beige-Mauve
Formula: Cream
Finish: Skin-like
Editor review: "It’s well known to the members of the Who What Wear UK team that I am a victim of blush blindness, I wear it every day and probably sometimes a little too much! But this also means I’ve tried many and have high standards when it comes to what’s wearable.
"The Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek tint is now a favourite of mine, I loved how easy it is to apply the formula to the skin, I applied this with my finger and it felt very blendable—something I think is so important, especially if you’re going to be using a darker shade. I usually go for pink and berry tones, so the shade Enigma was new for me but I loved the subtle colour payoff. I could build it up for a more intense colour. One of my favourite things about this product is how compact it is. It’s the perfect size to fit into a small going-out bag, and it works double time when you’re out and about, acting as a lip tint and a blush. I would definitely reach for this again and can’t wait to get more shades to add to my collection," says assistant social media editor, Annie Wheatland-Clinch.
Shop More Mauve Blushes We Love:
Shade Description: Mauve
Formula: Liquid
Finish: Glowy
Shade Description: True Mauve
Formula: Liquid
Finish: Dewy
Shade Description: Mauve
Formula: Powder
Finish: Shimmered
Shade Description: Soft Mauve with Shimmer
Formula: Cream
Finish: Skin-like finish
Shade Description: Mauve
Formula: Liquid
Finish: Dewy
Shade Description: Warm-Toned Mauve
Formula: Powder
Finish: Matte
Shade Description: True Mauve
Formula: Cream
Finish: Dewy
Shade Description: Soft Mauve
Formula: Powder
Finish: Skin-like finish
Shade Description: Soft Plum Mauve
Formula: Powder
Finish: Skin-like
Shade Description: Mauve
Formula: Gel-cream
Finish: Dewy and luminous
Shade Description: Dusky Rose Mauve
Formula: Cream
Finish: Dewy
Opening image: @aidabadji_
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