Summer is just around the corner. It’s time to give your makeup bag a refresh and to put the darker blush shades away for another season. The makeup trends are all pointing towards the idea of natural beauty and enhancing your inner glow. It’s why brands like Glossier and k-beauty skincare brands like Glow Recipe have been booming in popularity during the pandemic. 

Your blush gives a natural flush to your skin, emphasising your glow and colour to your cheeks. A pink blusher should be top of your list for your summer makeup bag, which is why we’re rounding up the splurge and save options so you can jump on the trend, regardless of your budget.

Splurge: Armani Neo Nude-a-Blush 51

Give yourself that inner glow with this Armani Blush. This cream blush doubles as a lip and cheek product, making it a must-have for your beach bag. It’s the secret to the ‘no makeup makeup’ look, giving you a natural-looking flush that makes it seem like you’re just back from a light jog. Pros: Splurge on this Armani cream blush if you want a weightless formula that you can layer over your foundation and powder. It gives you a wash of colour without looking artificial.

Save: Burt’s Bees 100% Natural All Aglow Lip + Cheek Stick Blush Bay

Save your pennies and try the Burt’s Bees All Aglow stick. It’s another two-in-one cream product, making it a cheaper alternative to the Armani option. You can apply it to your lips and cheeks for a hydrating glow. If you’re spending your summer by the poolside or in the beer gardens, you can use this cream blush for a minimalistic makeup look.

Pros: Grab this product for a steal and keep it in your summer makeup bag! It’s packed full of nourishing ingredients, including jojoba and sunflower seed oils, along with coconut oil. Wave goodbye to dry lips!

Splurge: Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Blush in Love is the Drug

If anyone is known for their glow, it’s Charlotte Tilbury. With her iconic rose gold packaging, there is nothing more glamorous than a Charlotte Tilbury blush. This two-tone cool pink shade is a powder blush with a rich texture, making it universally flattering. If you can only splurge on one pink blush, make it this one! It was named the #1 blush in the UK luxury makeup market.

Pros: This Charlotte Tilbury powder blush is a must-have splurge item for summer. It’s one of the brand’s OG products and is a buildable shade that captures the light and gives you a luminous glow.

Save: L’Oreal Blusher 120 Sandalwood Pink

L’Oreal is one drugstore brand that is upping its game. It’s all over TikTok with trending products selling out thanks to the hype. This shade is part of the brand’s infamous ‘True Match’ collection, an influencer favourite. You get a natural, subtle glow that works for every undertone, altering itself to match your complexion.

Pros: L’Oreal is the parent company behind most of the big-name cosmetic brands that you know and love (Lancome, YSL, and Armani, to name just a few). Buying directly from L’Oreal means you get the same quality without paying the extravagant price tag. This shade is universally flattering, and you can buy it without having to swatch it.

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