Bella Hadid, Gracie Abrams and Zendaya Are All Co-Signing These Summer Blush Trends for 2026
From blurred blush to watercolour flushes, these are the blusher trends we'll all be wearing on our cheeks for summer 2026.
When it comes to makeup trends, nothing says summer more than a pop of blush, IMO. Whether you opt for a cream blush, a blush stick or a liquid blush, they can all breathe life into your complexion, making your skin look healthy and flushed from a day in the sun. It's also one of the most versatile products to have in your makeup bag, working effortlessly to add dimension and glow to a full face of glam, or as an enhancing tint to bare skin, making it ideal for a "no makeup" makeup look.
In recent years, blush has cemented its status as the MVP of our makeup bags, and it's impossible to ignore its prominence on red carpets and in the feeds of celebrity makeup artists, too. As a beauty editor, I see new blushers launching every single week (not to mention there's another TikTok-viral blush almost every day), each with innovative formulas and textures that will undoubtedly shape the summer blusher trends we'll see over the coming months. Ahead, I've rounded up the coolest blush looks you'll want to wear on your cheeks this summer, as well as the best blushers to get the look.
1. Blurred Blush
We've had blurred lips and blurred skin as defining makeup trends in 2026, so it was only a matter of time before we saw a smattering of blurred blushers enter the space, too. From Prada's cream-to-powder blush to the soft putty texture of Glossier's Cloud Paint Flush Blush, these soft-matte formulas deliver a soft-focus haze of colour to the cheeks, which blurs seamlessly into the skin. Unlike their dewy counterparts that disappear into thin air, blurring blushers often have a matte texture that holds far better, making them long-lasting formulas that stay put day and night—no disappearing acts with these hardworking blushers.
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2. Watercolour Flush
It's impossible to ignore the prominent yet barely there flushes all over the feeds of celebrity MUAs of late, which come alongside a flurry of watercolour blush formulas that deliver a sheer wash of colour to the cheeks. These watery tints bestow a healthy glow on your cheeks with a stained-glass-like finish that looks healthy and luminous. Plus, a sheerer pigment is ideal if you prefer a more natural and less saturated blush. Victoria Beckham Beauty's Colour Wash is one of our favourites for a water-like tint and a glassy glow that lasts all day.
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3. Dewy Glow
The beauty industry has been no stranger to a dewy moment over the past couple of years, and it isn't going anywhere for summer 2026. Honestly, a dewy blush transcends trends altogether. It never fails to make the skin look luminous and radiant, making it the perfect summer blusher trend. And it's perfect if you love a glowy blush moment. Look for balmy formulas, such as Merit's Flush Balm, which bestows a healthy gleam upon cheeks in one swipe and is an all-time favourite of our beauty team.
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4. Muted Cheeks
If bright and bold makeup scares you, then this is the blush trend for you. Emulating the natural flush that you'd get after a day spent in the sun or a brisk coastal walk, these natural-looking blushers add a hint of colour to the skin without looking like you have blush blindness. And thanks to their creamy textures, they're easy to control the placement and layer up to your preferred intensity without ever looking too much. Rhode's Pocket Blush is a firm favourite for a sun-kissed flush.
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5. Ombré Blush
I've interviewed tonnes of makeup artists throughout my career, and perhaps one of the best tips I picked up is using not just one, but two different blush shades. Applying two different shades allows you to create a sculpted effect, replicating the dimensional tones you'd naturally see over the contours of your cheeks, making your blush look more seamless and natural-looking rather than flat and "blocky". Blush palettes are perfect to create this look, allowing you to mix and match complementary hues seamlessly, no MUA qualification required.
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At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
