9 Editors Tried the TikTok-Approved Rare Beauty Blush, and We All Agreed It Lives Up to the Hype

• Average Score: 18/20
• Overall Takeaways: creamy, lightweight, blendible, but somewhat drying on some skin

It’s not quite a cream, not a quite a liquid—somewhere in the middle that blends out to almost powder. PureWow Beauty and Cultures Editor Chelsea Candelario says, “The formula is so creamy and blends well with my brush (or finger).” VaynerX Mailroom Coordinator Samantha Melendez concurred, also noting that the consistency wasn’t too runny, and was easy to blend, calling it “very lightweight but super pigmented.” Some testers with more mature skin mentioned it feeling a bit dry towards the end of the day, while a couple with oiler skin found it initially greasy. Though the experiences varied, overall we agree that it was comfortable to wear and no one rated the formula lower than 15/20.

• Average Score: 18/20
• Overall Takeaways: a little goes a long way, buildable, can apply with fingers or brush/sponge

I found the blush easy to apply, and testers reported success with both fingers and brushes. Those that ran into hiccups didn’t heed Candelario’s caution that “a little goes a long way”. Those who had the most success started by applying half a dot to both cheeks, and some also did their eyelids and other high points of their faces. (You can then incrementally build the color from there—PureWow Associate Sales and Deals Editor Destinee Scott says: “It's buildable, so you can start with one dab and work your way up until you get the look you want.”)

Personally, my tactic was to wipe the applicator off on the rim of the tube, press the applicator onto my finger, then use that finger to dab the blush onto each cheekbone and my eyelids. It might sound crazy, PureWow Editor-in-Chief Jillian Quint will tell you otherwise. “I applied too much at first and found it hard to control with the wand and my finger how much I was applying.” PureWow Audience Development Strategist Nicole Frazzini adds: “Imagine the tiniest amount you could possibly use, and use that. Otherwise, you'll find yourself blending for ten minutes and wiping off the excess with a cotton pad like me.”

• Average Score: 20/20
• Overall Takeaways: long-lasting, doesn't fade

No notes. Everyone wore the blush for at least eight hours, with Melendez reporting that it was still in place after 12 hours. Scott says, “I've tried almost the full line of Rare Beauty blushes, and all of them last all day. So, no need to worry about reapplying it throughout the day. Once you put it on, you're good to go for at least eight hours, and then you can consider reapplying if you want a fresher look.”

• Average Score: 19/20
• Overall Takeaways: good value for the money, will last a long time

Taking into consideration the qualities above, we rated the blush 19/20 on value, with editors estimating it would take them a minimum of six months to a year to use it down to the last drop. Candelario says, “At first, I was like ‘$25 for a small blush bottle like that?!’ But then I came to realize it's very pigmented, so this blush can last me quite a while, [making] it a great investment. Like I mentioned, the colors I've chosen worked well with my skin tone and the fact that Rare Beauty offers 13 is amazing. I do have options cheaper than this one, but it's still an amazing blush, so I guess I'll be OK with the price.”

Yes, the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush is worth the money. Yes, it’s inclusive of all skin tones. Yes, the color payoff is insane. I had first seriously put the blush on my radar after a consultation with esthetician Emme Diane, who recommended it to me as a non-comedogenic option. Once I had cleared my vanity of all potentially acne-causing products, I found that I had no blush and was ready to buy Rare Beauty before testing it out! Now that I have, I will definitely replace mine once it’s gone. This is a great buy for anyone looking for an easy product to add to their makeup routine that won’t cause breakouts, has great color payoff, a wide shade range and will last a while. The only thing to keep in mind is that literally, just a dot will do unless you want a heavily flushed look. Otherwise, you may end up like some of our editors who had to blot their faces with tissues to remove the excess. But overall, it was a solid performer. Ms. Gomez, you did not disappoint.