Gone are the days when 'blush' meant a light dusting of your favourite pink powder across the apples of your cheeks. No, in 2024 blush is a multi-hyphenate beauty staple boasting an eclectic array of textures and finishes – there are balms, liquids, creams, watery tints and even oils (powder, who?) – and a kaleidoscope of shades to suit every skin tone and mood. Blush is clearly serious business – just look to the plentiful blush trends on TikTok, which routinely make us rethink our blush techniques – from boyfriend blush to sunset blush and even the sunburnt blush look. Blush is booming and a big part of that is down to the new generation of blushers that can seriously elevate your make-up game. Case in point: Hourglass' new Unreal Liquid Blush, £38.
The luxury, cruelty-free brand has a penchant for offering up quality products that are quick to go viral. No wonder it has earned the seal of approval from a slew of A-listers, from Hailey Bieber to Sofia Richie. So, we'd be lying if we said we didn't have high expectations for Hourglass's first foray in to the liquid blush category, which is already a bustling marketplace. And this is no ordinary blush.
With a texture that mimics the feel of a silky serum, this weightless blush melts on to skin to lift your complexion with colour while leaving it plump, hydrated, and smooth. Blending skincare and make-up into one, it boasts moisturising hyaluronic acid and firming white lupin to lend skin a natural, skin-like finish.
There are seven beautiful summer-ready shades on offer that are guaranteed to suit all and provide a long-lasting (12 hours, in fact) soft wash of colour that can be built up for a bolder look. Its innovative precision dropper, which you press from the base, dispenses just the amount of product to get you blending and also saves the product from leaking if you're carrying it on-the-go, we know we were. Safe to say, you can consider this your new summer essential.
Shop: Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush
Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer, says, 'I am a liquid blush addict. Since graduating from powder formulas, I haven't looked back – and this is a great example of exactly why. This blush blends over skin seamlessly and the skin-first formula ensures that my complexion is tended to whilst providing the right foundations for the blush to sit atop - firm, smooth, supple skin. It means the blush glides on effortlessly, leaving behind a lasting colour and believable glow. And this terracotta hue on my medium brown skin? I'm hooked.'
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Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush in Whim
Renee Washington, digital fashion & beauty assistant, says, 'I love the look of blushing, even to the point of over-blushing, and this product lets me achieve just that. My favourite shade is Whim, a soft pink that's perfect for the trendy pink under-eye look that's dominating Instagram right now. The formula is richly pigmented, but if that's not your vibe, it can easily be blended and applied sparingly. I recommend applying it like a makeup artist: put some on the back of your hand and use a brush to apply it to your cheeks and nose, as the syringe applicator can be a bit unpredictable.'
Rachael Martin, beauty editor, says, 'This has fast become my summer staple. If you’re after a beautiful, sun-flushed pink-meets-red look to “Future” as the perfect shade. I’ll apply it across my cheeks and over the bridge of my nose, blending through gently with the warmth of my fingertips. The texture is silky, and the finish is natural - no base disruption in sight. While the packaging looks and feels luxe, I do have a gripe with the applicator. It’s syringe like and feels clunky, making it tricky to control the dosage. A gorgeous product - but do proceed with caution.'
Verity Clark, acting beauty director, says, 'Confession time. I am a bit scared of blusher. I’ve never mastered the art of using it to look healthy, not horrifying. However, I am well aware of the restorative powers that blusher holds. No other makeup item lifts complexions in quite the same way. It’s little wonder it’s known in beauty circles as ‘fuel for the face’. f there was a brand that could tempt me to experiment with blush it’s Hourglass. Their highlighters, bronzers, and concealers all achieve that rare thing of enhancing your skin without covering it. So, I had high hopes for the new Unreal Liquid Blush. The first liquid blush from Hourglass, it's packed with skincare ingredients (think hyaluronic acid and lupin seed extract) so it has an almost serum like texture which is lovely to use and also evens out skin texture. So far so good. The best part is that it’s buildable. Perfect for blushphobes like me who prefer to have a sheer wash of colour but it also works for those who are brave enough to try some of TikTok’s more out there blusher trends. Looking at you sunburn blush.'
Sameeha Shaikh is Grazia's beauty writer, working across all categories to bring you insights on the latest trends, industry news and the products you need to know about, viral or not (most probably viral).
