In today’s beauty landscape, where makeup trends lean toward effortless, natural-looking finishes, it’s no surprise that sheer blush tints have taken center stage. The hype around Benefit Cosmetics’ Benetint—a cult favorite since 1976—got me thinking about their enduring appeal. Whether it’s a first-time user or someone rediscovering it, the love for this product is universal. Celebrity makeup artist Alexx Mayo calls it “tried and true,” while Sean Harris praises it as “a classic for a reason.”
### Vogue’s Top Blush Tints
– Best Overall: Benefit Cosmetics Benetint, $26
– Best Korean: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush, $25
– Best With SPF: Naked Sundays CabanaGlow SPF50 Mineral Blush Serum, $35
– Best Lip & Cheek Tint: Jillian Dempsey Cheek Tint, $28
– Best Drugstore: Pixi Sheer Cheek Gel, $14
– Best Stick: Make Beauty Heat Stroke Cheek Tint, $30
Benetint’s staying power comes down to its uniqueness—no other product delivers such a sheer, long-lasting, stain-like flush. Even as a beauty editor who tests countless products, I was amazed by its one-of-a-kind formula. Similarly, Milk Makeup’s 2024 Cooling Water Jelly Tint made waves for its refreshing texture, though it leaves a similarly subtle finish.
For Harris, the appeal of these tints lies in their ability to enhance the skin naturally. “They give a no-fuss, long-wearing flush with sheer pigments that look more subtle than traditional blush,” he says.
Glow Recipe tapped into this trend with its new Watermelon Glow Dewy Flush, inspired by the brand’s bestselling Hue Drops, a brightening serum that imparts a soft bronze glow. Co-CEO Sarah Lee explains that the shift toward lighter, breathable makeup drove the product’s development. “Our community has been mixing Dew Drops with foundations and blushes for a sheer, skin-like finish,” adds co-CEO Christine Chang. The new blush is designed to prioritize skincare while offering customizable color. “It’s perfect for a quick, natural flush—no mirror needed—but also works in full makeup routines,” she says.
The beauty of blush tints is their simplicity. Just pat the pigment onto cheeks (or lips and eyes) for an instant, effortless glow. Below, the best blush tints of 2025 for a sheer wash of color.
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### Best Overall: Benefit Cosmetics Benetint
Price: $26
Why We Love It: A timeless classic, Benetint remains unmatched decades after its 1976 debut. This liquid stain delivers intense yet blendable color that stays put all day without feeling heavy. “It’s glowy and long-wearing,” says makeup artist Della. While the original offers a rosy hue, five other shades—from pink-lemonade Playtint to cherry-toned Gogotint—provide variety.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin
Finish: Natural
Shades: 6
Size: 0.33 oz
### Best Serum: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Dewy Flush
Price: $25
Why We Love It: “It’s a flush, not a blush!” says Lee of Glow Recipe’s latest launch. Packed with brightening niacinamide and hydrating watermelon extract, this multitasking tint blurs the line between skincare and makeup. The sheer, dewy finish mimics a natural glow, making it ideal for minimalists.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, watermelon extract
Finish: Dewy
Shades: 3
Size: 1.0 ozHere’s the rewritten text in clear, natural English:
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Key Ingredients: 3% niacinamide, jojoba oil-coated pigments, watermelon extract, centella asiatica
Finish: Glowy
Shades: 2
Size: 0.4 oz / 12 mL
Best Lightweight: Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Blush
Price: $55 at CHANEL
Why We Love It: Chanel’s Les Beiges blush is incredibly light because it’s made with 75% water. Its color comes from MicroFluidic Technology—tiny pigment droplets that burst when blended into the skin for a natural flush. Combined with tamarind seed extract and glycerin, it feels refreshing, like a face mist. A little goes a long way—start with one or two pumps and build to your desired intensity.
Key Ingredients: Natural tamarind seed extract
Finish: Radiant
Shades: 5
Size: 0.5 oz
Best Viral: Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint Lip + Cheek
Price: $24 at AMAZON
Why We Love It: Milk Makeup’s Cooling Water Jelly Tints went viral last year for their bouncy, Jell-O-like texture. Though not edible, they give a vibrant wash of color with a single swipe. The finish is radiant yet sheer, like a watercolor effect that brightens the skin. You can keep it subtle or layer for more pigment. Each of the six shades contains vegan collagen, aloe, and seawater to hydrate and plump the skin.
Key Ingredients: Vegan collagen, aloe, seawater
Finish: Radiant
Shades: 6
Size: 0.17 oz / 5 g
Best Drugstore: Pixi Sheer Cheek Gel
Price: $14 at AMAZON
Why We Love It: If you prefer drugstore cheek tints, Pixi’s Sheer Cheek Gel is a great choice. The packaging looks like a mix between a lip gloss and a jelly tube. This oil-free, lightweight gel contains aloe vera, mica, and sodium PCA to soothe and moisturize while adding a subtle glow. Apply with your fingers alone or under powder for more color.
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, mica, sodium PCA
Finish: Sheer
Shades: 3
Size: 0.45 oz
Best Lip & Cheek Tint: Jillian Dempsey Cheek Tint
Price: $28 at BLUEMERCURY or AMAZON
Why We Love It: Jillian Dempsey’s blush has a creamy texture but lasts like a tint. Perfect for the soft, blurred look trending in 2025, it blends seamlessly into the skin. Packed with shea butter, avocado oil, and coconut oil, it’s ultra-nourishing—even for dry skin. Use it on cheeks, lips, and eyes for a natural, summery glow.
Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, shea butter, coconut oil
Finish: Velvet
Shades: 6
Size: 0.11 oz
Best With SPF: Naked Sundays CabanaGlow SPF50 Blush Serum
Price: $35 at NAKED SUNDAYS
Why We Love It: Finding a long-lasting blush with SPF is rare, but Naked Sundays delivers with this mineral-based SPF 50 serum. Infused with hyaluronic acid, rosella extract, and pink algae, it keeps skin hydrated while protecting it from the sun.
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Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!Smooth and Even
There’s one soft pink blush shade, along with bronzing and highlighting options to match any look.
Key Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3.3%), zinc oxide (14.9%), hyaluronic acid, rosella extract, pink algae
Finish: Radiant
Shades: 1
Size: 40 mL
### Everything You Need to Know
#### What is a blush tint?
“A blush tint is a sheer, liquid or gel-based cheek product that gives your cheeks a natural-looking flush of color,” explains Della. Unlike powder blushes, tints blend seamlessly into the skin for a more natural finish. “Think of it like a skincare-makeup hybrid,” adds Mayo. “While a blush tint is sheer, some formulas can stain or last longer.”
#### What’s the benefit of wearing a blush tint?
According to Mayo, blush tints provide a natural finish and blend so well they look undetectable. “Many formulas last all day without needing touch-ups,” he says. They’re perfect for those who prefer lightweight makeup over heavier creams. Plus, their serum-like texture makes them great for lips too.
#### How long do blush tints last?
Blush tints are known for their staying power—similar to lip tints. “Most last six to ten hours, depending on the formula and skin type,” notes Della. “Because they stain, they’re great for all-day wear, even in humidity or heat, and they fade evenly.”
### Meet The Experts
– Christine Chang & Sarah Lee – Co-CEOs and co-founders of Glow Recipe.
– Dom Della – Celebrity makeup artist who works with Paris Hilton, Helena Christensen, and Tiffany Haddish.
– Sean Harris – Los Angeles-based makeup artist for clients like Lori Harvey and Laura Harrier.
– Alexx Mayo – Celebrity makeup artist behind many of Lizzo’s iconic looks.