Among all the hyped-up, overpraised and inevitably underwhelming beauty formulas that fight for our attention on TikTok, there are a rare few that truly deserve the fame and accolade.
There’s CeraVe’s SA Smoothing Cleanser, which became an instant sellout after influencer and skincare founder Hyram Yarbro proclaimed it to work miracles on blackheads and skin texture (yes, it really is that good). And La Roche-Posay's Cicaplast Baume; a cult skin saviour that might not look as appealing from the outside, but does a lot for irritated skin on the inside. And, in the makeup department, of course, few can compete with the Rare Beauty blush.
Quick to cast judgement on the saturated space that is the world of celebrity beauty, Rare Beauty, which was thought up by singer Selena Gomez, is a welcome anomaly, thanks to innovative and hardworking formulas, a fresh perspective and forward thinking approach to beauty.
It's one of the few celebrity beauty brands I actually really rate. The tinted moisturiser is always on rotation thanks to its lightweight, glow-y base and I'm never without the Perfect Strokes Volumising Mascara. But it's the Soft Pinch Liquid Blusher that has garnered such a cult following (a casual 1 billion views on TikTok alone), and has become a daily staple in my make-up bag.
Why is the Rare Beauty blush so good?
There's no shortage of great blushers to choose from. In fact, on any make-up aisle, you'll find every finish imagineable, from soft-pressed matte formulas to ultra dewy, lit-from-within creams, plus all the myriad tints, glide-on balms and sticks that sit somewhere in the middle.
The Rare Beauty blush is unlike any other formula I've tried before. Firstly, there's the pigment. As all those TikTok videos will attest, a teeny-tiny dot adds an instant pinch-perfect flush of colour.
But it's still completely buildable too, meaning if, like me, you veer more towards a minimalist make-up routine, you can create a natural post-windy-walk flush and dial it up if the mood strikes for more impact.
Then there's the texture. Lightweight and imparting a soft-focus finish, it's a happy medium between the mattifying blushes of the past and the zeitgeisty overly dewy tints of today. But it's the long-last finish I find truly unique – not to mention an impressive list of skin-loving ingredients. I can guarantee that even if my foundation's beginning to slip and slide and my mascara is looking less than fresh, this liquid blush will stay put no matter what.
How to apply Rare Beauty's Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
Using a buffing brush, I'll add two dots of shade 'Happy' along the upper cheekbones (as opposed to the classic 'apple of the cheeks'); it creates an instantly more lifted, and brighter finish and cheats the look of a good night's slumber.
Another tip I learnt from Gen-Z's favourite platform, for an altogether softer-looking finish, you can apply the blush prior to your foundation; it creates a beautiful cloud-like pop of colour.
What's the best Rare Beauty blush shade?
Since its inception, Rare Beauty has been centred on creating make-up for everyone. Along with an extensive 40-shade foundation range, Gomez has extended that promise to her blusher franchise with a wide spectrum of hues, from peachy pinks to beige and mauve, as well as crimson red and true mauve.
Make that 13 different Rare Beauty blush shades, available in a range of different textures too, from the more mattifying to the glow-enhancing (think highlight-blush hybrids) formulas. While Rare Beauty's 'Hope' and 'Happy' blush remain among the cult favourites, there are also some new shades - 'Worth', a rose tint, and 'Virtue', a beige-y peach hue - both with a light-reflecting finish.
These are the cult Rare Beauty blush shades to know that are available in the UK:
- Bliss: a nude-y pink tone with a matte finish
- Love: a terracotta-toned matte hue
- Grace: a rose-y mauve and matte tint
- Faith: a deep berry hue with a matte finish
- Lucky: a hot pink hue with a dewy finish
- Joy: a pared-back peach with a dewy finish
- Happy: a cooler, dewier pink
- Grateful: the perfect red with a dewy finish
- Hope: nude and dewy
- Encourage: a neutral, dewy and softer pink
- Believe: a true mauve with a dewy finish
Today, you'll also find a new cohort of Rare Beauty blushers, with mini blush sets and new Rare Beauty blush shades to discover. And, if you're after an altogether different finish? Rare Beauty's Stay Vulnerable Melting Finish offers up a smoother and satin-like finish on skin.
Can you buy Rare Beauty in the UK?
In the UK, Rare Beauty is available to shop at Space NK in-store and online.
Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara
Positive Light Liquid Luminizer
Lip Soufflé Matte Lip Cream
Stay Vulnerable Melting Blush
Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner
