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What's your season? ICYMI, seasonal color analysis has made quite the comeback in recent years, and if you're in the market for some soft summer makeup inspiration, look no further than Julia Fox, whose vintage pageant queen glam details are equal parts sweet and cool.

While we don't know Fox's exact color season—she feels like a winter to me—she was definitely serving up a pretty-in-pastel palette at the 2026 Accessories Council Excellence Awards with her head-to-toe Betsey Johnson ensemble, tiara, and matching hair and makeup. (While you'd think spring would be a cool-toned palette in the Color Me Beautiful world, it's actually warm; summer is the cooler palette!)

The actor leaned into light, sugary-sweet tones, starting with the butter yellow tulle prom dress and carrying soft, light shades through to her makeup. Her lips and cheeks were a similar shade of cool-toned, prom-queen pink, with her blush concentrated on her cheekbones and upward. On her eyes, Fox chose a misty gray shadow, which she wore brushed across her entire lid, softly diffused out for just a hint of color. I was expecting to see thick, '60s-style winged-out liner to match the retro vibes of the poufy dress, but Fox skipped it in favor of just a few strokes of mascara on both top and bottom lashes.

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You can't channel a retro pageant queen without big hair! Fox's hairstylist definitely pulled out the teasing comb for this one; the star wore her shoulder-length hair down with lots of volume at the crown—not quite Priscilla Presley-worthy volume, but an obvious “oomph” that set the stage for her adorable hair accessory: a classic small tiara accented with a pastel floral corsage.

Fox often embraces vintage details in her ever-changing beauty routine. During New York Fashion Week, she channeled a living doll with big, bouncy ringlets and purple-gray eye shadow, and at the 2026 Fashion Trust Awards, she looked like she walked right off the set of Valley of the Dolls, complete with a bouffant and baby pink lipstick. It might just be time to add a princessy pink shade or two to your spring and summer makeup rotation.

Courtesy of Juan Avelar for DND Nails, @tombachik, Getty ImagesSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

Sure, the Met Gala is a night for fashion, but this year we saw more major nail-art moments from celebrity attendees than ever before.

It’s not entirely unsurprising. The “Fashion Is Art” theme—which highlighted the intersection of fashion, art, and the human body—felt both vague and oddly specific, resulting in a large range of outfit choices, from the snoozy to the downright strange. What the stars seemed most confident doing, however, was using their nails as tiny little canvases on which to push this idea that fashion, and by association beauty, as an art form.

The nail art of the night reflected all of our favorite trends right now, from gems and French manicures to flowers and 3-dimensional designs. And our favorite looks of the night often reflected actual pieces of art. Take, for example, Naomi Watts’s set, created by Iram Shelton, featuring 30 3D flowers. The design served as an extension of Watts’s detailed Dior gown, which was inspired by “A Vase of Flowers” by Margareta Haverman.

Other guests tapped into the idea of the body as a painter’s canvas, like Emma Chamberlain’s brush-stroke designs (by Tom Bachik), and Ashley Graham and Tessa Thompson’s spray-painted finger tips. And while these manicures could be seen from the top of the Met’s staircase, some of the coolest designs of the night were made to be admired up close. Sabrina Carpenter’s French tips by Zola Ganzorigt are the perfect example. Instead of polish, Ganzorigt used film strips from the 1954 film Sabrina for the tips of the nails—the same strips that made up her custom Dior gown by Jonathan Anderson.

Luckily, there’s no need to squint, zoom, or turn up the brightness of your phone, because we rounded up the best Met Gala 2026 nail-art moments in one place—and close-up so you can admire every little amazing detail. Because if we learn one thing during the first Monday in May year after year, it’s that nails are never an afterthought for celebrities and their glam teams.

Sabrina Carpenter's Film Strip French TipsGetty Images

Made up of actual strips of film from the movie, Carpenter's Dior by Jonathon Anderson dress paid homage to Audrey Hepburn's 1954 film Sabrina. But the reference didn't stop there. Carpenter's French manicure, dreamed up by Zola Ganzorigt, mirrored the colors and glossy finish of the dress material. To mimic the film's perforated edies, Ganzorigt painted tiny vertical lines on black tips, then topping the entire set off with OPI’s nearly released Chrome Powder in the shade Tin Man Can Glaze for that high-shine effect.

Naomi Watt's 3D Flower NailsGetty Images

Naomi Watts’s 3D flower nails were as breathtaking as her Dior gown, which was inspired by an 18th century painting by Dutch artist Margareta Haverman called "A Vase of Flowers." Created by London-based nail artist Iram Shelton, Watts' manicure featured a base of OPI Nail Lacquer in Lady in Black and various other OPI shades for the 30 bite-size blooms. The bouquet of colorful flowers took Shelton five hours to complete, using molding gel and gradients of color to create realistic-looking petals.

Emma Chamberlain's Brush-Stroke 2026 Met Gala Nails@tombachik

Bachik turned Chamberlain's nails into 10 teeny-tiny pantings for the night. His aim? For the manicure to be a continuum of her hand-painted custom Mugler by Miguel Castro Freitas gown.

Just as the dress features a mixed color palette, so did the nails with Bachik using Aprés Nail shades in Forever Marigold, Glassea Eyed, Brickhouse, You’re Pretty Grape, Aquarius Rising, and Monstera Ball. Eight of her fingers got the Pollock-like brushstrokes. On the remaining two fingers, Bachik mirrored the white floral swirls of Chamberlain’s neck and chest bodice.

Lisa's Icy 2026 Met Gala NailsGetty Images

The Blackpink singer gave her manicure the same attention and detail as the rest of her incredible Robert Wun-designed gown. She also added the same amount of bling as her 50-carat oval cabochon sapphire Bulgari necklace. “I wanted the nails to feel like an accessory as well as an extension of the costume,” New York City-based nail artist Juan Alvear says. “We took the classic idea of bejeweling the nails and gave them a frostbitten twist,” Alvear added.

To create the icy set, Alvear used KISS Embellished Press On Nails, layering on diamond and sapphire flat-back jewels. After applying each crystal, Alvear “glazed over [each nail] with a building gel and top coat.” The layers of jewels were complete with frosted tips, giving the set a chilly finish. Alvear applied these “fine particles in layers and sealed them into the nail, giving it that frozen-over effect.” Finally, the team added iridescent flecks over her fingers and hands to create the effect of crushed ice.

Tyla’s Feathered Manicure at the 2026 Met GalaCourtesy of Coca Michelle/OPI

Complementing Tyla's ornate Met Gala gown, nail artist Coco Michelle created one of the most impressive manicures of the year. Using bridge stiletto extensions, Michelle added feather details along the nails by cutting into the nail on both side . She used the OPI shade Alpine Snow for the white base and Baby Tee-L for the teal coloring, finishing off with a centerpiece of rhinestone appliqués. Then, Michelle used the OPI shade Strawberry Margarita along the underside of each nail. The result was a colorful, peacock-like effect that we're still not over.

Naomi Osaka’s Crimson Extensions at the 2026 Met GalaCourtesy of Juan Avlear for DND Gel

Osaka's XL extensions and sheer crimson gloves serves as a continuation of the beautiful curves of her Robert Wun gown. "We built the design onto gloves to extend her silhouette down to the fingertips,” explains nail artist Juan Avlear. The design was created using long stiletto tips, with DND’s 9D Cateye Glassball in Feisty Paws as the base and the DND Cateye Magnet to pull the pigment into a center flame shape. Next, Avlear uses DND Black Gel Art Liner to refine the flame detailing before applying Red Chrome Powder in gradients on top to add depth and dimension. A high-shine top coat sealed the fiery design in place.

Ashley Graham's Chrome Digits at the 2026 Met GalaGetty Images

Why stop at the nails for a night like the Met? Graham’s manicure was a collaboration between manicurist Dawn Sterling and makeup artist Kabuki. Sterling started by adding a bold chrome metallic effect to each nail, before Kabuki carefully painted each of Graham’s fingers silver, brushing upwards to achieve a gradient, spray-painted effect. Finally, Sterling went back onto each nail and painted a little more of the metallic silver to blend the finger and nail together seamlessly.

Janelle Monáe’s Kitchen-Sink Manicure at the 2026 Met GalaJanelle Monáe attends the 2026 Met Gala celebrating "Costume Art" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 04, 2026.Getty Images

For Janelle Monae, nail artist Angie Aguirre created the kind of manicure that every time you look at it, you notice more elements. Teaming up with Christian Siriano, Monáe’s Met Gala dress featured animatronic butterflies and electric cables nestled among moss, flowers, and pieces of circuit boards, and Aguirre made sure Monae's nails had a similar everything-but-the-kitchen-sink feel.

A metallic base color runs throughout the set, on top of which sat various 3D features like flowers, bits of moss, an SD card, and metallic cords emulating the electric cables. The animatronic butterflies were even mirrored in the manicure in the form of an itty-bitty fidget spinner on one of the nails.

Tessa Thompson’s Dripping Cobalt 2026 Met Gala NailsGetty Images

Another manicure that was an actual piece of art, was Tessa Thompson’s drip manicure designed nail artist extraordinaire Mei Kawajiri. To mirror Thompson's custom cobalt Valentino gown, the manicurist broke out almond-shaped press-ons and covered them in Chillhouse’s Forever Wear in Cobalt Klein, then using sculpting gel to create the effect of dripping paint. “It's an abstract, almost surreal take on nail art that nods to this year’s theme while adding a sculptural edge to [Thompson’s] overall look,” Chillhouse said in a statement. Once the fake nails had been placed on each finger, Thompson’s hand was dipped into a cobalt blue latex paint to create the exceptionally effective final result.

Doechii's Crystal Cluster 2026 Met Gala NailsCourtesy of Rachel Sun

“Naturally forming crystal cluster nails” was how nail artist Rachel Sun explained Doechii’s manicure for this year’s Met Gala. Using Aprés Nail products, Sun applied one coat of Pour Decisions, a sheer terracotta-rose hue, followed by two coats of Ruby Slippers, using the ruby red to create an ombré effect starting from the tips of the nails. Over the top, Sun applied clusters of crystals over the entire nail, many overlapping each other, as naturally-formed crystals do in nature. The quartz-like design didn't stop at the fingertips, either. Doechii wore a matching pedicure, too.

Tate McRae’s Antique Frame 2026 Met Gala ManicureCourtesy of OPI

Nail artist Analysse Hernandez took eye-catching to the next level with Tate McRae’s Met manicure, that also happened to be one of the most translatable in real life.

For McRae, designer Ludovic De Saint Serin, and the team, it was a toss-up between her usual classic nude, gold, or lace-inspired manicure. “But as soon as I saw her look, I knew we needed dimension and texture, while not adding too much distraction to the final look,” explains Hernandez. The base featured McRae’s classic neutral shades mixed together: OPI Bubble Bath and Put it in Neutral with a light shimmer of OPI Throw Me a Kiss over the top for dimension. Finally, she used OPI Infinite Shine in 24/7 Carat to add the flashes of gold and to "replicate a frame-like design,” Hernandez adds.

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At the Met Gala carpet on Monday night, the answers to “Who are you wearing?” included Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, and Prada. At least one could have also been OxiClean, the laundry brand famous for its corny Y2K infomercials.

That’s according to a press release from the company, which told journalists that makeup artist Jen Tioseco relied on the brand’s $6 stain pen to ensure she could “work instantly to remove a tough stain” from actor Camila Mendes, in case any mascara or blush smeared onto her Manish Malhotra couture gown.

This year’s Met Gala isn’t the first time “huh?” items are getting a branded callout tied to a celebrity event—“Jeannie Mai sips ARMRA Colostrum while getting glam” read a post-Golden Globes press release—but it seemed to peak on Monday. Designer Alexander Wang launched his new energy drink called Real:ly while standing next to his date, Irina Shayk, on the carpet. (Tagline they didn’t use but should have: “Wait, really?”) Tweezerman blasted out a news release about Emma Chamberlain’s nail artist Tom Bachik using its $8 nail clippers during her pre-Met manicure; the red carpet queen was also styled with a $200 La Bonne Brosse hairbrush.

Meanwhile, Nicole Kidman apparently required two separate Denman brushes to handle her butt-length extensions. Misty Copeland wore Cakes boob tape; Tate McRae prepped her hands in $7 “collagen gloves” (imagine fingerless mittens made of tinfoil) from Voesh Pro. Gabrielle Union and Eileen Gu had their hair scented by Parfums de Marly and Tyla’s was spritzed with Initio Parfums Privé. (Union and her husband also “opted to sip on a THC-infused beverage” from Cann while getting ready.) Paige Bueckers’ blonde was said to be courtesy of Madison Reed’s demi-permanent dye in UConnic Blonde. And if you thought Sarah Pidgeon, Ayo Edebiri, and Daisy Edgar-Jones looked particularly lymphatically drained on Monday night, well that was thanks to an LED gua sha from ORA Method. Welcome to the final-boss level of the red carpet economy, where attention equals value and anything that can surf a social media wave becomes a coveted asset.

I say final-boss level because there have certainly been levels of sponsorship that preceded it. Makeup brands like Chanel and Maybelline and Dior and L’Oreal Paris have long sponsored makeup artists for their red carpet work; ditto hair brands, from Garnier to Dyson. Red carpet beauty is all about the visual of the hair and makeup so that made sense, we could accept it. Those press releases never made us cock our heads and scrunch our brows (as much as beauty editors can).

Welcome to the final-boss level of the red carpet economy.

The curious case of red-carpet rando brands comes into focus when you look at the new squeeze on working makeup artists, especially those in Hollywood and New York. “After the Oscars and the Golden Globes, the Met Gala has the most potential to lock down a five-figure night for us,” says an A-list makeup artist who spoke on the condition of anonymity. (“I don’t want to be dumped by my clients and broke,” she texted me, which: fair.) A single makeup sponsorship used to bring in between $5,000 and $20,000 for gala and after-party looks, she said, depending on how much social media was required and whether the talent was a major movie star like Zendaya or a TV newbie like Rachel Sennott.

As the economy has flip-flopped and TikTok Shop has become a more dominant source of sales than celebrities, “those contracts might not be as lucrative” as they were pre-COVID, says the glam squad member. At the same time, movie studios that once spent big bucks on red-carpet stars have restructured their promotional budgets for all but the biggest flicks. (Think: The Devil Wears Prada 2, Wicked, Barbie.) Thanks to social media, even those mega-stars—and their beauty and fashion teams—are now required by movie studios to produce new looks for dozens of “spontaneous” moments. Skilled beauty artisans and fashion stylists are currently being paid less to do more work. They deserve funding that matches their talent and time.

Enter the stain pens and nail clippers and nutritional supplements and LED gua shas. These items help boost the bottom lines of artists and their agents, and sometimes even the talent themselves, depending on the agreement. “The deals generally go through the glam teams, but many times talent is also paid for cross-promotion,” an anonymous beauty publicist confirms. “There’s also a scenario wheretalent teams will ask the brand to pay for the beauty services in exchange for the access [to their celebrity client].” Cases like Paige Bueckers’ hair dye or Alexander Wang’s energy drink are a somewhat different corner of this phenomenon—Bueckers has a standing contract with Madison Reed, and Wang is the founder of this beverage brand (which my editor said must be a spoof but does in fact appear to be real).

We understand how capitalism works and have nothing against hard-working glam teams getting extra cash, but this does make the getting-ready ritual seem goofy at best and desperate at worst. Beauty consumers aren’t dumb; they know that Hailey Bieber flashes Rhode blush because it’s fantastic (really, it is)—and she also owns the company. They understand that if someone shouts out an energy drink on the red carpet, it’s not just because they’re hyped on fizzy ginseng. As for the hair perfumes… we can’t smell them through group chat screenshots. We have no idea. The emperor has no scented ponytail.

Still, this new wave of red-carpet randomness seems to be here for a long time, not a good time. Personal care brands love a stunt, and red carpets are like that scene in Finding Nemo where the little fish hitch a ride on the big turtles—every label wants to attach itself to a celebrity’s extended aura, which now includes glam squads that can be nearly as famous as the stars themselves. (Remember when Charlotte Tilbury was merely “Kate Moss’s makeup artist”? Now she has nearly seven times the model’s Instagram followers.) So when the Tony Awards roll around in June, it’s a good bet someone—please let it be Jane Krakowski—will carry a Judith Leiber clutch shaped like a thermos and sponsored by Throat Coat tea.

Can we be mad? Not really. In fact, it’s nice to know our favorite behind-the-scenes crews are finding new ways to stay solvent in uncertain times—and that, if we ever bump into their coffee cup in an elevator, they’ll have a stain pen on hand.

Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of Shanna Shipin and brandsSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

If there’s one styling tool our editors rely on the most, it’s the best blow-dryer brushes. These innovative, two-in-one tools help you achieve a professional-level blowout, no salon appointment (or sore arms) required. While they won’t fully replace your blow-dryer—you’ll still want to rough-dry first—they’re a game-changer once hair is damp, cutting down on frizz, styling time, and the dreaded arm workout. Even if you've gotten used to—or resigned yourself to—maneuvering your blow-dryer and round brush simultaneously, trust us when we say hair-dryer brushes make styling more controlled, easier, faster, and smoother.

Our Top Hair-Dryer Brushes

• Best Overall: Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x Multi-Styler and Dryer, $749
• Best for Quick Styling: GHD Duet Blowdry, $429
• Best for Beginners: T3 Airebrush, $150
• Best for Curly Hair: Shark Glossi Blowout Brush, $180

The concept of a hair dryer brush is simple yet intuitive: The handy, two-in-one tool combines the detangling ability of a brush with the power of heat, allowing you to style, volumize, and blow-dry your hair to perfection. “Blow-dry brushes work for most hair types—fine, wavy, straight, medium, and even very thick hair if the sections are small enough,” says Reagan Baker, a stylist based in New York City, adding that they’re the closest you can get to a professional blowout without needing expert technique. Interest piqued? Keep reading to learn more about our tried-and-true picks

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I get the most out of a hair-dryer brush?
• How do I minimize heat damage from a hair-dryer brush?
• Are hair-dryer brushes easier to use than traditional hair-dryers?
• How do I clean my hair-dryer brush?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x Multi-Styler and Dryer

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Dyson

Airwrap Co-anda2x Multi-Styler and Dryer

$750

Amazon

$750

Nordstrom

$749

Sephora

Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin using the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x Multi-Styler and Dryer

Shanna Shipin

Why it's worth it: As far as we're concerned, the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x is one of the most powerful, user-friendly blow dryer brushes on the market. We love it for its fast dry times, thanks to a high-powered motor that spins 150,000 times a minute (more than any other Dyson tool motor, by the way). It's also ultra-lightweight, at 0.9 pounds, and automatically shuts off when you put it down (so you'll never again wonder whether you unplugged it). The suite of attachments makes it easy to define your curls or straighten your strands, for soft, sleek, hair-commercial-worthy styles.

The Airwrap Co-anda is available in two versions: Curly+Coily and Straight+Wavy. Both have five attachments, with a few differences. Our tester is using the Curly+Coily version, which comes with a diffuser for bouncy curls and a wide-tooth tension comb that gently stretches and smooths hair. The Straight+Wavy version features an Airsmooth attachment that straightens without a hot plate and a 1.2-inch curling barrel instead. It all bundles up into a sleek case you can easily keep on your vanity or under your sink.

Shipin before using the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x Multi-Styler and Dryer

Shanna Shipin

Shipin after using the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x Multi-Styler and Dryer

Shanna Shipin

Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin

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“This is the best Dyson tool I have ever tried—period. I have type 3A curly hair that I sometimes wear natural and sometimes blow-dry; this version of the Airwrap gets whatever look I want to achieve done in 15 minutes or less (yes!). This is coming from someone with low-porosity hair that takes seemingly forever to dry. The fact that I can get my curly hair handled before one of my two kids notices I'm gone is a miracle in itself. I love to use the round brush to create gentle tension that makes my blowouts last for days on end; the attachment is a vast improvement over the older version, IMO. This new iteration gets far closer to the roots for a more natural finish. There's zero frizz, all volume, and just the most Farrah Fawcett-like hair of your life—no tugging, singing, or sore arms necessary. And the diffuser? There are two settings, and both are so effective at giving you bouncy and juicy curls. One really amazing feature is that the tool automatically shuts off when it senses that it’s been put down, an unexpected but much-loved perk for routine stylers like me.

If you have the original Airwrap, if you're new to multi-stylers, or if you're Dyson-curious, this is the product to buy—especially in this new Amber Silk color. It’s a pretty warm honey that's more my style than the classic midnight blue. Any Dyson is an investment, and while this one's steep, you'll be able to kiss your curling iron, blow dryer, and straightener goodbye with a single hot tool. For curly girls especially, it's nice to have a tool that feels tailor-made for your routine. The only person I might not recommend it for? A constant traveler who loves doing their hair on the go; the power cord is heavy and not very compact, making this less frequent flier-friendly than other stylers on the market.” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director

More to know

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• Best for: all hair types and textures
• Weight: 0.9 lbs
• Wattage: 1600W
• Noise level: moderate
• Attachments: 5

Best for Quick Styling: GHD Duet Blowdry

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GHD

Duet Blowdry

$429

Amazon

$429

Nordstrom

$429

Ulta Beauty

Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee using the GHD Duet Blowdry

Christa Lee

Why it's worth it: Even with a blow-dryer brush that cuts your routine in half, there’s nothing more frustrating than a perfect blowout that deflates the minute you step outside. The GHD Duet Blowdry Hair Dryer Brush could never: It keeps your blowout bouncy and humidity-resistant for up to 24 hours—so even muggy weather won’t ruin your look. Its proprietary Heat-Air Xchange Technology evenly distributes heat and airflow through the brush—while built-in sensors monitor the temperature up to 400 times per second—to speed up drying, smooth frizz, and boost shine without overheating hair. And for damage-conscious stylers, GHD’s clinicals report “no thermal hair damage detected after 100 cycles of four passes on thoroughly towel-dried hair.” Translation: This tool checks every box for a long-lasting, damage-free blowout. “It’s truly effortless and delivers a polished, salon-quality finish in a fraction of the time. The craftsmanship and quality are unmatched,” says Linda Gattineri, a colorist based in Del Mar, California.

Lee before using the GHD Duet Blowdry

Christa Lee

Lee after using the GHD Duet Blowdry

Christa Lee

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

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“My strands usually get wild when I air-dry, but the before photo (at about 80% dry, as GHD instructs) shows the difference—rolling each section down with its smooth tension makes styling easy without tugging. It’s a little heavier than some tools I’ve tested (close to three pounds), but because it dries hair so quickly, you’ll barely notice the weight. I never knew my hair could possibly be this frizz-free and shiny.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• Best for: all hair types
• Weight: 2.82 lbs
• Wattage: Approx 260W
• Noise level: moderate
• Attachments: none

Best for Beginners: T3 Airebrush

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T3

Airebrush

$150 $105 (30% off)

Amazon

$150

Sephora

Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann using the T3 Airebrush Duo with the round brush attachment

Sarah Hoffmann

Why it's worth it: New York City-based hairstylist Jennifer Korab calls the T3 Airebrush One Step her go-to blowout brush, especially for beginners, because it has everything you need for easy styling: multiple heat and speed settings, smooth bristles, and a lightweight design. Head’s up (literally): There are two versions of the Airebrush. One is outfitted with an oval head and the other with a round head. We’ve tested and loved both, but there are some key differences. The oval brush is slightly wider in diameter, making it ideal for thicker, longer hair. Its flatter edges help add soft waves, bends, and that just-left-the-salon lift. The round brush, on the other hand, is slimmer and better for shorter hair that doesn’t require as much surface area. It gets into hard-to-reach edges around the crown of the head way easier and creates a sleeker, more polished finish with a subtle flip at the ends. Thanks to the ceramic barrel and smooth bristles, both brushes literally feel like you’re brushing your hair with a comb—no pulling or tugging. Finish with the Cool Shot setting, which activates a burst of cool air to lock in shine and set your style.

Hoffmann before using the T3 Airebrush Duo with the round brush attachment

Sarah Hoffmann

Hoffmann after using the T3 Airebrush Duo with the round brush attachment

Sarah Hoffmann

Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann

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“This was the first blow-dryer brush I've ever used, so it'll always hold a special place in my heart. It's pretty quiet for how powerful it is, and it's not particularly heavy either. I like holding it upside down and letting my hair wrap around the round barrel as I pull the brush through while twisting. I prefer a curly blowout and find that letting a freshly passed strand cool slightly on the barrel before releasing it really helps maintain the shape for a long time. A little bit of mousse to prep and hairspray to finish really help with longevity too, especially if your hair is textured.” —Sarah Hoffman, commerce producer

More to know

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• Best for: all hair types and textures
• Weight: 16 oz
• Wattage: 1200W
• Noise level: low
• Attachments: 1 (you can purchase it with the oval or round attachment, but they're not interchangeable)

Best for Curly Hair: Shark Glossi Blowout Brush

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Shark

Glossi Blowout Brush

$180 $130 (28% off)

Amazon

$180

Nordstrom

$180

Ulta Beauty

Shipin using the Shark Glossi Blowout Brush

Shanna Shipin

Why it's worth it: If you have curly or coily hair and want a blow-dry brush that protects your texture instead of fighting it, the Shark Glossi Blowout Brush has a teardrop-shaped barrel that hugs close to the roots and gently smooths hair from end to end. Combining a round brush, ceramic hot tool, and air styler in one, it glides through textured hair (no annoying snagging) for quick drying, defined volume, and long-lasting shine. The brand’s Gloss Lock Technology locks in up to 24 hours of frizz-resistant smoothness, while Smart Heat Sense Technology monitors temperature 1,000 times per second to stay below 302°F—the sweet spot in protecting delicate curls prone to breakage.

Shipin before using the Shark Glossi Blowout Brush

Shanna Shipin

Shipin after using the Shark Glossi Blowout Brush

Shanna Shipin

Tester feedback from Shipin

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“My fastest routine hack ever? Using this Shark Glossi brush. This gets me and my curly hair out of the shower and through the front door in 20 minutes, flat. The handle is smaller than the average blow-dryer brush that I've used, making it easier and more comfortable to maneuver around my head (especially important if you're in a rush to begin with), and it can be used on dry or wet hair. I love how straightforward the product is, but be patient with the motions: you'll need to practice a bit to ensure you use the straightening section correctly when transitioning from wet to dry. Once you have it down, the whole thing is a breeze.

It's not a tool I'd use for styling—given that the head is so large, I definitely need to get closer to the roots or S-wave my hair with a straightener—but that's not what it's for! The Glossi is great for quick and smooth utility drying, and would be great for travel. Don't want to chance it on a hotel blow dryer, or pack multiple tools? This is your one and done. (PS: The Shark Speed Style has a much smaller head that lets you style and blow-dry simultaneously; I use this one more often when I have time on my hands.)” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director

More to know

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• Best for: all hair types and textures, especially curly or coily hair
• Weight: 1.6 lbs
• Wattage: 1300W
• Noise level: 11.25 amps
• Attachments: none

Best Volumizing: Drybar The Double Shot

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Drybar

The Double Shot

$155

Amazon

$155

Sephora

Former Allure content director Kara McGrath using the Drybar The Double Shot

Kara McGrath

Why it's worth it: The Drybar The Double Shot packs everything we love about visiting a Drybar salon into a handy hot tool. The technology is straightforward: ionic technology reduces frizz, while a combination of nylon and tufted bristles walks a careful line between tension and control. Plentiful vents ensure even, strong airflow that leaves your hair with a springy bounce (without looking like Shirley Temple ringlets). Pro tip: If you have very thick or very long hair, you can do a preliminary rough dry with a regular blow-dryer to prep for The Double Shot.

McGrath before using the Drybar The Double Shot

Kara McGrath

McGrath after using the Drybar The Double Shot

Kara McGrath

Tester feedback from former content director Kara McGrath

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"If you want people to ask if you just got a professional blowout—that is, super smooth with loads of bounce—Drybar’s The Double Shot Oval Blow-Dryer Brush is the tool for you. Since the barrel is larger than others, it gives tons of volume, but is still thin enough to create some curls as well (and to really get into the cowlick that curses my bangs)." —Kara McGrath, former content director

More to know

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• Best for: fine-to-medium hair textures, straight-to-wavy hair types, short-to-medium lengths
• Weight: 2.6 lbs
• Wattage: 1100W
• Noise level: 80.8 dB
• Attachments: none

Best Budget: Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0

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Revlon

One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0

$36 $28 (22% off)

Amazon

$66

Ulta Beauty

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han using the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0

Sarah Han

Why it's worth it: If you haven't already seen one of the many Allure editors and TikTokers raving about the award-winning Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0, you have some serious catching up to do. This brush's innovative, groundbreaking design (which has inspired many copycats) is so good that we’ve given it not one, but two Allure Best of Beauty Awards. (In fact, the original One-Step arguably started the entire blow-dryer brush trend!) Let’s run through all of its pros: The under-$70 tool has four heat settings that suit different textures and a slightly smaller brush head (compared to the original’s)—so it’s easier for those with shorter hair to use, or if you’re looking for extra volume, and a slimmer handle that's easier to grip. During Best of Beauty testing, one of our editors got away with styling their whole head with just one hand.

Han before using the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0

Sarah Han

Han after using the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0

Sarah Han

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

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"I'm no expert at styling my hair, so the more straightforward a tool, the better—so I really appreciate that Revlon's One-Step 2.0 doesn't have much of a learning curve. I wrap my hair in a microfiber towel and wait until it's 75% dry before using low heat. I'll sometimes set my front pieces with the cool shot mode, but I'm not super precious about it. The tool itself is still rather bulky for my liking—even though the top of the handle is slimmer than that of the 1.0—but it gets a good job for the price, and you can probably snag it when it's on sale, too.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Best for: all hair types and textures
• Weight: 1.8 lbs
• Wattage: 1100W
• Noise level: 75 dBs
• Attachments: 1

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get the most out of a hair-dryer brush?

Even with the fanciest hot tool, the key to a glorious blowout starts with prep, prep, and more prep. Always start with clean, detangled, and damp hair with a bit of leave-in conditioner, advises New York City-based hairstylist Takisha Sturdivant-Drew. "Start at the root and work your way down to the ends without putting too much heat or tension on the hair," Sturdivant-Drew explains.

Volume is even easier to achieve, especially for straight or wavy textures. "Twist the dryer as you go in a circular motion to add volume if that's what you are looking for," says Sturdivant-Drew. If your hair is on the curly or coily side and you're going for a sleek look, you can follow up with a flatiron or brush it out with the heat off. "If you want it straight, you should use the blow-dryer brush and, right under it, use another brush to smooth those kinky strands all the way out," she says.

How do I minimize heat damage from a hair-dryer brush?

To minimize the risk of heat damage, opt for a blow-dryer brush that features several temperature settings, so you can better moderate the amount of heat your hair is undergoing. Not all hair types call for the same heat level, so if you're getting acquainted with a new blow-dryer brush, pay attention to how your hair reacts to different temperature settings as you become more familiar with the tool.

Another tried-and-true defense mechanism is to prep your blowout with a heat protectant. Cosmetic chemist Ginger King tells Allure, "If you're using heat styler or any heat products directly on hair, using a heat protectant, usually made with meadowfoam seed oil, light polymers, or even silicone, can help to minimize damage as they can form a coating on hair." But the best way to fend off heat damage is to not overuse heat on your hair—plain and simple.

Are hair-dryer brushes easier to use than traditional hair-dryers?

Choosing a new hair tool is a matter of personal preference, but shoppers and professional hairstylists alike vouch for the ease of use of hair-dryer brushes. “Blow-dry brushes are so incredibly user-friendly—you can achieve a great blow-dry at home without needing pro-level skills. They take about half the time compared to juggling a dryer and a round brush,” says Baker.

Additionally, if you have pain or limited mobility in your hands or arms, a hair-dryer brush is an excellent alternative to a traditional blow-dryer. “Because they’re easier to maneuver, you’re less likely to tire out your arms or need a second round of styling with a flat iron or curling iron,” says Baker. That said, be sure to let your hair air-dry about 70%—or give it a quick rough dry with a traditional blow-dryer—before reaching for your brush. Starting on damp strands helps prevent breakage and ensures a smoother, frizz-free finish, as these tools aren’t designed for sopping-wet hair.

How do I clean my hair-dryer brush?

Hair-dryer brushes come in a range of designs, so depending on the type of barrel, bristles, or shape of your tool, cleaning techniques may vary. "Every brand has different features, but if yours has a filter, remove the dust from it every week," says Devin Toth, a New York City-based hairstylist. "If you are interested in removing hair from the bristles, use either a comb or a boar bristle brush cleaner—a brush used to clean other brushes," he suggests.

To remove product buildup from the bristles of your blow dryer brush, wipe it down with a damp cloth. Cherin Choi, a Los Angeles-based hairstylist, previously told Allure that if product buildup won't budge, she uses a small amount of rubbing alcohol to tackle residue from hairsprays, pomades, and the like.

Remember that cleaning your hot tool regularly is critical to peak performance. "[The product/hair buildup] can prevent your tools from working at full capacity," Atlanta-based hairstylist Tukia Allen told Allure. Brian O'Connor, a Nashville-based hairstylist, agreed with Allen, adding that a hot tool with buildup can lead to the "uneven heating of the hair."

Meet the experts

• Tukia Allen, a stylist based in Atlanta
• Reagan Baker, a stylist and founder of House of Reagan based in New York City
• Cherin Choi, a stylist based in Los Angeles
• Linda Gattineri, a colorist and owner of Equo Co. based in Del Mar, California
• Ginger King, a cosmetic chemist based in Parsippany, New Jersey
• Brian O'Connor, a stylist based in Nashville
• Takisha Sturdivant-Drew, a stylist based in New York City
• Devin Toth, a stylist based in New York City
• Jennifer Korab, a stylist based in New York City

How we test and review products

We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certain products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls— right?

For our review of the best hair-dryer brushes, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and stylists—each of whom have different hair types, experiences with hair-drying, and desired outcomes. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, versatility, ease of use, and value. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

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A good fragrance has always been an act of branding: You’re woodsy and mysterious, you’re light and fresh, you’re sweet and floral. For many, fragrance is not just an accessory; it’s an identity. So it’s no wonder that consumers today have looked for ways to extend this identity into other categories. If you love smelling like coconut, why not go all in and make everything smell like coconut? That means candles, air fresheners, detergent, and lately, hair care.

Not that great-smelling shampoo is anything new (hello, ’90s Herbal Essences). These days, though, consumers are looking for a high-end, sensorial experience from their hair care. And with the economy in flux, they’re demanding more bang for their buck. It’s not enough that a premium hair-care product makes your hair look and feel great. It should smell great—and maybe even do the dishes for you at a certain price point.

TikTok, as usual, helps the trend along. “PerfumeTok is normalizing scent rituals like layering perfumes, mists, oils, and hair scents as tools for identity and self-expression,” says Amy Rueckl, marketing director of fine fragrance at International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF), a global brand that creates scents and flavors for consumer products. People want to telegraph something about themselves with the way that they smell, that they’re cool and beachy, rich and unbothered, earthy and bohemian. She notes that hair and body mists saw double-digit market growth in early 2025, “proving marketplace demand for lighter, re-applicable scent formats that function as daily accessories.”

Hair care is a natural evolution for fragrance. In fact, those looking to build out a scent wardrobe beyond their wrists may find hair to be an accessible entry point to explore luxury fragrances simply because the format feels familiar. And seemingly everyone is trying to get a piece of the budding market. Fragrance brands, like Fulton & Roark or Byredo, are releasing their own hair-care products. And some hair-care brands, like Ceremonia, Ouai, and Kerastase are capitalizing on signature eau de parfums and turning them into allover hair and body mists. Others are looking to collaborate, like the K18 and Future Society hair mask partnership and last year's Ellis Brooklyn and Amika Miami Nectar Dry Shampoo.

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Fulton & Roark

Formula 5 Oil

$60

Neiman Marcus

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K18 X Future Society

Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

$75

K18

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Ceremonia

Perfume Mist de Guava

$38

Sephora

$38

Revolve

$38

Credo Beauty

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Ouai

Hair and Body Mist in St. Barts

$28

Amazon

$28

Ulta Beauty

$28

Sephora

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Kérastase

Gloss Absolu Hair Perfume

$39

Sephora

$39

Kohl’s

Why is hair scenting a thing?

The growth of the “hair as scent” category sees no end—largely because it works. “Hair is a fantastic [fragrance] diffuser,” says Kevin Keller, cofounder of Fulton & Roark. “It tends to project more dynamically than on skin because of the relative movement.”

That, and scents tend to last longer on hair. (Ever smell your pillow the night after a bonfire?) “Hair is composed primarily of keratin, a fibrous protein with a complex structure that can bind and trap fragrance molecules,” says Hallie McDonald, MD, an Austin, Texas-based, board-certified dermatologist. “The cuticle, which is the outermost layer of the hair shaft, has overlapping scales that create small spaces where compounds can settle.”

And while the porous nature of hair allows fragrance to really diffuse over time, skin is biologically active. “It produces sweat and sebum and is constantly shedding cells. That contributes to more rapid fragrance evaporation and breakdown.” It also has a warmer surface temperature than hair, which speeds up evaporation.

If you really want to leave a lasting impression, your hair is a good place to start.

Can't I just use eau de parfum in my hair?

“Why would I spend money on a hair fragrance when I could just spray my perfume onto my hair?” you may be asking. Well, that’s a bit like using Febreeze on your wrists as a perfume. Can you do it? Sure. Should you do it? Probably not.

Eau de parfum (EDP) and eau de toilette (EDT), and all the various concentrations therein, rely on alcohol as a carrier and solvent. “Fragrance itself does not inherently hurt the cuticle, but the combination of high alcohol content and repeated exposure can exacerbate dryness and brittleness,” says Dr. McDonald. “Alcohol evaporates quickly, which helps disperse scent, but it can also temporarily strip lipids and moisture from the hair shaft.” Plus, you’re not doing your scalp any favors by spraying irritating ingredients onto it, especially if you have a history of eczema, psoriasis, or seborrheic dermatitis. (Certain ingredients, like cold-pressed citrus oil, can be photosensitizing in very high concentrations, says Dr. McDonald, though it’s uncommon.)

“The fundamental difference comes down to alcohol content,” says Patty Hidalgo, vice president perfumer for IFF. “Hair mists and hair perfumes are formulated with low to no alcohol to avoid drying out or damaging the hair.” And one does not simply drop their fragrance recipe into a conditioner, shake it up, and call it a day. Not only are there regulatory differences and exposure limits, says New York-based perfumer Darryl Do, but certain formulas that are stable in alcohol might not be in an oil or a cream.

“Making a perfume smell good in alcohol is completely different from making a shampoo smell good,” adds fragrance influencer Emma, the perfumer student behind the social media account @perfumerism. “The chemical environments are completely different.”

And since we have higher expectations for our hair-care (and all) products these days, it doesn’t hurt if they also have nourishing ingredients. Dr. McDonald recommends looking for humectants like glycerin (The Signature Scent's hair fragrance contains glycerin and aloe) or panthenol to help retain moisture, conditioning silicones like dimethicone to smooth the cuticle, and lightweight oils for softness (Gisou's hair perfume is formulated with softening argan oil).

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Gisou

Honey Infused Hair Perfume

$44

Amazon

$44

Sephora

$44

Revolve

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Crown Affair

Signature Hair Fragrance

$85

Sephora

Your favorite eau de parfum may smell slightly different as a hair fragrance.

If a brand is attempting to repackage its signature scent as a hair-care product or vice versa, “The challenge is that fragrance DNA is deeply tied to the interaction between the formula and the base it's delivered in. The top notes especially can shift dramatically,” says Keller.

Also, some fragrance notes lend themselves to hair products more than others. “Musks cling to the hair, and woods and ambers can maintain a presence without alcohol lift,” says Do. “Synthetic florals, rather than delicate natural materials, withstand stability, heat, and styling better.”

On the other hand, citrus notes or delicate natural absolutes can be volatile, discolor certain bases, or may just not make sense economically for a rinse-off product. “Vanilla is an example of something that performs well in fine fragrance, but struggles in hair care,” says Emma. “Vanillin is a long-lasting base note in the perfume world, but since it has a low LogP (the measure of the ability of a chemical compound to dissolve in fats and oils) of 1, it is one of the least long-lasting in a hair product.” Ultimately, it’s a delicate balance.

“Maintaining DNA is less about copying the formula and more about capturing the feeling and character of the original—the emotional impression—which requires real creative and technical skill to pull off,” says Keller. One clear example of this is Dyptique’s Orpheon, which smells different as an EDT, EDP, and hair mist. All evoke the same vintage vibe, though. Byredo's Bal D'Afrique smells lighter as a hair perfume than an EDP, but both have a similar creamy, floral essence.

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Diptyque

Orphéon Hair Mist

$85

Diptyque

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Byredo

Bal D’Afrique Hair Perfume

$90

Nordstrom

$90

Macy’s

“Every fragrance is unique and has its own opportunities for ancillary development,” says Hidalgo. “When translating a fragrance that is a signature EDT or EDP, we might soften the top notes or rebalance the heavier base notes, for example, but perfumers approach each fragrance individually as a work of art and science to make sure that the result is as close as possible to the original.”

“Consumers expect it to smell like the original perfume, and it should, but it will most likely not be identical,” adds Do.

How to build your hair-fragrance wardrobe

Buying hair care for the scent isn’t typically meant to replace your daily spritz of eau de parfum (though it’s a great entry point if you haven’t dabbled in fragrance at all). Instead, look at scent for your hair as an extension of your fragrance wardrobe. A way to really immerse yourself and your lifestyle in a signature scent. “Each product adds a different layer,” says Do. “You are building your own fragrance bubble at that point, individualizing it more and more.”

“To avoid overwhelming the senses, it’s best to apply hair perfume lightly, focusing on mid-lengths to ends, and to select scents from complementary fragrance families so they harmonize rather than compete,” says Rachael Larsen, associate fragrance development manager at DSM-Firmenich, who also recommends combing the product through your hair for even distribution. “This approach allows for a layered, multidimensional scent experience that feels cohesive and intentional.”

If layering feels too intimidating, you can stick to one signature scent across products. “The most reliable way to avoid clashing entirely is to layer with the same scent across product formats,” says Keller. “That's a core reason why we offer our fragrances across multiple formats—solid cologne, oil, bar soap, deodorant. You're not just adding fragrance, you're building depth because each format releases scent differently and at different rates, so the cumulative effect is richer and longer-lasting than any single product could achieve alone. And because everything is working from the same olfactory blueprint, nothing competes.”

Athena Club's hair and body mist, for example, is designed to be spritzed on the mid-lengths of the hair and on your body, so you get a full immersion of the scent diffusing differently. They also have matching lotions and deodorants (and sell them in trios) so you can double or triple-down on your favorite fragrance line. Or if you happen to love the scent of Moroccanoil hair products, you can start with their shampoo and conditioner and follow with their EDP on your wrists.

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Athena Club

Hair & Body Mist

$16

Athena Club

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Moroccanoil

L’Originale Moroccanoil Eau de Parfum

$105

Ulta Beauty

$105

Sephora

If you want to build a more dynamic fragrance wardrobe with layered scents and notes, intention is key. “Matching fragrance families usually works well, like woody with woody,” says Do. Contrasting ingredients can also work, says Hidalgo, but it takes some thought. She recommends complementary counterpoints like “clean musk”—clean being on the fresh and bright end of the spectrum, musk having a warmer, earthier feel. They layer like building blocks (heavier musk as the foundation), but both are minimalist and natural, which ties them together well. If this all sounds like a foreign language, check out the notes of your favorite fragrances and see what’s paired together.

The application can also be gamed out for maximum effect: “Stagger or layer formats for peak performance, starting with a scented hair treatment or oil, adding a veil of mist, and finishing with a skin EDP to maximize last and minimize clash,” says Hidalgo.

Ultimately, it’s a personal journey. “There are no firm rules,” says Emma.

Frequently Asked Questions

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best hair fragrances, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients, efficacy, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers, editors, and contributors, determined that every product excelled in each category—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

Meet the experts

• Darryl Do is a perfumer based in New York City.
• Rachael Larsen is associate fragrance development manager for DSM-Firmenich, a fragrance ingredient company.
• Kevin Keller is co-founder of Fulton & Roark.
• Patty Hidalgo is VP perfumer at International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF).
• Amy Rueckl is the marketing director of fine fragrance (North America) at IFF.
• Hallie McDonald, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Austin, TX, and co-founder of ERLY.
• Emma is the owner and operator of @perfumerism, a social media account dedicated to fragrance.

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Remember that prolific meme from a decade ago with the close-up crop of a model's face, iridescent star-shaped glitter packed generously under her eyes, the bold, all-caps text reading, “HOW TO COVER YOUR DARK EYE CIRCLES”? It was simultaneously relatable and whimsical, a comment on the pressure to hide any evidence of supposedly unflattering shadows and a call to playfully draw attention to the area instead of covering it up.

While no one went as far as to encrust their tear troughs in glitter at this year's Met Gala (hey, if there was ever a place to try it…), we did see a number of celebrity guests leaning into undereye emphasis. Instead of depending on concealer to create the illusion of being impossibly well-rested and age-defying, several stars drew attention to the area with their makeup, in some cases even accentuating the look of shadows.

The Met Gala's dark circle celebration took a few different forms, the most obvious of which being the use of eye shadow well below the lower lash line. For some, like early arriver Emma Chamberlain, it involved diffusing metallic mauve all around the eye and in such a way that looks like intentional fallout in her natural contours. (Makeup artist Lilly Keys used the Makeup by Mario Master Metallics Eyeshadow Palette to get the look.) Meanwhile, Ejae's eye shadow, a look created by makeup artist Min Kim with the Diorshow 5 Couleurs palette in Grand Bal, is smudged beyond the usual borders of smoky-eye territory.

Photo: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images

Some gala guests fully filled their tear troughs with color that dared people to notice an area often camouflaged into invisibility. In the case of Hudson Williams's Rufio-reminiscent mismatched look, Aika Flores used Chanel Les 9 Ombres High Intensity Eyeshadow Palette in The Space Traveler and The Daring Muse “for a striking look with buildable intensity that evolved with every blend,” well down beside his nose. Amelia Hamlin, on the other hand, brightened up the area, not with concealer but with iridescent, silvery lavender shimmer. And singer Yseult, whose lids were given a graphic combination of black and gold shadow, had bold, metallic blue occupying her undereye area.

Photo: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images

As she often does, Alysa Liu wore her favorite version of emphasized undereye shadows, aegyo sal, the K-beauty makeup technique that intentionally plays up undereye fat. The Olympic champ recently showed Allure how she does it herself, but for the Met Gala, makeup artist Tami El Sombati used a deep, warm burgundy to create the subtle shadow.

Photo: Getty Images

And then there were the celebrities who basically just said, “Fuck it—deal with seeing my dark circles”—and you can't say we didn't see this coming. Both Charli XCX and model Devyn Garcia let their natural shadows show, and instead of heavy concealer, Gracie Abrams's makeup artist, Emily Cheng, opted for Chanel's upcoming launch, Serum Concealer Natural Healthy Glow, for a much more no-makeup makeup undereye.

Photo: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images

Celebrity or not, we're all tired. We're all aging. We're all at the mercy of how lighting hits that ever-so-thin skin. Why fight it? These Met Gala moments prove a bright, perfectly even undereye isn't a requirement for leaving the house, let alone the biggest fashion function of the year. Play with color, play with smudging that kajal pencil farther down, play with… nothing. Skip concealer and watch as the world not only doesn't end, but you also potentially come to actually love the look of dark circles.

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“Fifty-three years.” That’s how long Bad Bunny joked his old-age transformation took for the 2026 Met Gala. In reality, says his prosthetics designer Mike Marino, the day-of process took three hours—plus a half-hour of makeup removal at the end of the night (micellar water, in this instance, would not cut it). Then there were the six weeks of prep: the scanning, designing, sculpting, and sewing until the multiple, hyperrealistic prosthetic pieces were complete.

Never one to follow the crowd, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio chose to tap into a section of the Costume Art exhibition that focused on bodies often overlooked in fashion and art, including pregnant and aging figures. Committed to exploring aging as an art, the singer’s team reached out to Marino, whose award-winning prosthetic designs you can spot in films like The Batman and The Irishman, and series like The Penguin and True Detective, not to mention Heidi Klum every Halloween since 2011.

Eric Rojas

Marino is no stranger to aging people (The Weeknd for his Dawn FM cover, for example) or transforming them completely (hours before he began working on Bad Bunny on Monday night, he was morphing Klum into a marble statue). But for the singer’s Met Gala appearance, Marino felt he needed a more realistic, almost regal approach to a travel through time. “The fact that he's distinguished and well-groomed is on purpose,” says Marino, who thought making Bad Bunny look weary and hunched would not have felt right for fashion’s most glamorous night of the year.

Marino was also continuing a long tradition in art history of presenting idealized representations of people and the human body. “If you think about famous portrait painters like [John Singer] Sargent and [Diego] Velázquez, they were often painting an idealized image of the subject, manipulating how they look to make them look more beautiful, or more colorful, more powerful in that portrait,” he says, referencing Velázquez’s painting of King Philip IV and the many propaganda paintings of Napoleon I. “I thought it was cool that, with his grooming, [Bad Bunny] had this distinguished look that was as if a Velázquez or Sargent portrait came to life."

Eric Rojas

For ideas on how to most realistically age the singer, Marino looked at octogenarian Puerto Ricans, as well as the singer's facial structure and skin texture. Turns out, designing prosthetics requires the same understanding of facial structure as a plastic surgeon. However, instead of minimizing the signs of aging, they enhance them. “I look at how he might age—that's how I approach makeup,” Marino says of his process. “I look at signals. For instance, I might see a little line [on the face] and then exploit that line, or I think, Maybe this eye bag will develop this way if he maintains his healthy lifestyle. I’m like someone’s worst nightmare,” he says, laughing.

Creating Bad Bunny's prosthetics—including a piece for the neck, cheeks and eye bags, forehead and eyelids, as well as earlobes and hands—was a multistep process that started with Marino taking skin color samples and a 3D-laser scan of his face and head. Those digital scans were then used to create a 3D-printed model of the singer’s head onto which Marino sculpted clay into the shapes that he wanted. “I sculpt every line, every crease, every pore into the clay and that’s what you’ll see on the prosthetics,” Marino explains.

“I might see a little line and then exploit that line or think, Maybe this eye bag will develop this way. I’m like someone’s worst nightmare.”

The next steps are a little complicated, but those miniature clay sculptures are then used to create molds and eventually cast pieces out of supersoft, superthin silicone, which are the prosthetics that get glued onto the face. “Because Benito had never worn prosthetics before, the pieces were very thin,” explains Marino. “I thought it would probably be easier if they were very soft, thin pieces so that you could still feel somewhat normal [wearing them].”

Eric Rojas

Once the silicone prosthetic pieces were cast, Marino then airbrushed every little freckle, pore, blood vessel, dark circle, and liver spot he wanted to age the skin. For Bad Bunny's hands, he used the airbrush machine to accentuate the tendons and veins and knuckles, “maybe to look a little more arthritic,” he says. (We're very confident in saying this is the first time a red-carpet makeup artist has tried to make a client look “more arthritic.”)

Eric Rojas

Also key to Old Bunny’s look were his stark white curls, brows, mustache, and beard, all of which had to be hand-knotted onto fine lace nets, a process that took Marino and his team—which included wigmaker Diana Choi and hairstylist Carla Farmer—weeks to complete. When it came to the wig, Marino mimicked the texture and pattern of Bad Bunny’s hair exactly, just in a white-gray color. “We took 360-degree photographs from above and below to determine his hair texture and pattern, and then made a white-haired version of that so that once his bald cap was on, it went right on top," Marino says of the process. “And he had eyebrows, too.”

“There’s a beauty to aging, and Benito put that on display… ‘This is what it will be like, and see how good I look.’”

Getting Bad Bunny ready on the day started with flattening down his hair and slipping on a bald cap, followed by gluing the prosthetics with a strong, medical-grade adhesive. “Every centimeter of it was glued on, so when he moved, the pieces moved with him,” says Marino. On top of that, Marino glued down the brows, beard pieces, and mustache, followed by the wig.

Eric Rojas

Marino’s work elicited a massive—and very positive—response the minute Bad Bunny stepped onto the Met Gala steps. And it was not lost on Allure contributor Valerie Monroe that when it comes to actual old people, society is not nearly as kind or accepting. “I think it’s fun that Bad Bunny showed up in an old-age costume… but I’d love for him to keep his costume on for a week, so I could watch his response to the inevitable ageism, the slights small and large, likely to confound him as he traveled in his older (young) body,” she wrote in an op-ed this week. “The most fun thing about his costume? He can take it off.”

That hypocrisy isn’t lost on Marino, who notes the pressures on people—especially people in Hollywood—to keep looking as young as possible. “It’s hard for a celebrity to look in the mirror and see flaws, because in today’s world, that’s exploited and [certain types of media] can be mean-spirited and write articles showing them at their worst.” That's why he found his work with Bad Bunny at this year’s Met Gala so meaningful. “There’s a beauty to aging, and Benito put that on display. He was trying to show people, ‘This is what it will be like, and see how good I look.’ And I think that’s a very cool thing.”

Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of Allure editors and brandsSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

The best cream blushes are your cheat code for a fresh, healthy-looking glow in an instant—just dab, blend, and go. Unlike most powders, these buttery cheek tints add a radiant sheen to skin that mimics the effects of an hour-long jog on the beach or a luxurious facial. On top of their dewy finishes, cream blushes tend to be more buildable (read: forgiving) than powder or liquid variations—so, if you suffer from blush blindness, a cream-based option is your key to a more natural effect. Curious to know which ones made the Allure cut? Keep scrolling to shop the cream blushes that have stolen our hearts (and our shelf space).

Our Top Cream Blushes

• Best Overall: Rhode Pocket Blush, $25
• Best Sheer Finish: Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm, $26
• Best Semi-Matte: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush, $27
• Best Multipurpose: Tower 28 Beach Please Cream Blush, $20
• Best Drugstore: e.l.f. Cosmetics Monochromatic Multi Stick, $6

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• Is cream blush better than powder blush?
• How should I apply cream blush?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: Rhode Pocket Blush

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Rhode

Pocket Blush

$25

Sephora

$25

Rhode

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Rhode Pocket Blush in Toasted Teddy

Sarah Han

Why it’s worth it: Is it any surprise that Rhode Pocket Blush is an Allure Readers' Choice Award winner for most viral product? Besides being perfectly portable for travel and on-the-go use, this top-tier blush stick is super easy to blend out without a brush—whether you're just tinting your cheeks or spreading the love to your eyelids and lips for a cute monochrome moment. “I love to apply this with my fingertips—it leaves you with just enough of a sheer glow,” Jordon Tiller, a makeup artist based in NYC, attests. The result is a true satin finish, thanks to moisture-boosting glycerin, plumping peptides, and diffusing kaolin, a.k.a. a very well-balanced ingredient lineup.

The shade range keeps growing, too, so there's truly something for everyone's skin tone and preferences. (For the record, we think Toasted Teddy, Date Cake, and Candy Apple look especially beautiful on brown skin.)

Allure associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey applying the Rhode Pocket Blush in Toasted Teddy

Annie Blay-Tettey

Blay-Tettey after applying the Rhode Pocket Blush in Toasted Teddy

Annie Blay-Tettey

Tester feedback from Allure commerce editor Sarah Han

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“Beyond how uber cute these blushes are, they're so buttery and easy to blend out. I actually like to use my fingers to dab the product in before using a brush to diffuse any harsh lines—but, in a pinch, just fingers also do the trick. If I want to build up the pigment (which I usually do), I'll go in with a second layer by picking up some product directly with my brush and lightly tapping it in. Extra buildable? Heck yeah. They also come in the prettiest colors. I'd normally never reach for a bronze terracotta (I lean heavily into pinks) but Toasted Teddy just has that ‘je ne sais’ quoi factor I can't get enough of. Leave it to Bieber to convince me to stray from my usual palette!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

Tester feedback from Allure associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey

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“I love a no-makeup makeup look, and when I need just a touch of color to bring my complexion to life, I reach for the Rhode Pocket Blush in the shade Toasted Teddy. I love how the dark terracotta shade complements my skin tone and gives me a pretty, sun-flushed look. Plus, the creamy texture is easy to blend out, and the pocket-size stick makes it great for on-the-go application.” —Annie Blay-Tettey, associate beauty editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: kaolin, glycerin, calophyllum inophyllum (tamanu) seed oil, peptides
• Finish: satin
• Shades: 13

Best Sheer Finish: Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm

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Summer Fridays

Blush Butter Balm

$26

Amazon

$26

Sephora

$26

Summer Fridays

Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying the Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm

Shanna Shipin

Why it’s worth it: The Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm’s creamy formula is a dream on dry skin, as it leaves your complexion looking and feeling hydrated. How? It’s loaded with skin care-forward ingredients like plumping peptides, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and moisturizing shea butter. It imparts a fresh, dewy glow, like you spent just the right amount of time in the sun (whatever that might look like for you). Thanks to its flexible formula, you can build it up or sheer it out easily. And, as with many cream blushes on this list, this one looks just as good on the lips if you're into the monochromatic look.

Shipin before applying the Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm

Shanna Shipin

Shipin after applying the Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm

Shanna Shipin

Tester feedback from Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin

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"It is so rare for me to hit the pan for a blush, but I SCRAPE the beautiful bits of this blush when I get down to the end. I use this for everything and everywhere—of course as a subtle flush or wow-worthy pop of color on the cheeks, over the nose for a cute sunkissed look, and on the eyes for some pigment. One thing that may be underrated for this blush is that it is so, so great on the lips as well. I use a liner and the blush, and I'm set; it's multipurpose in the best way. I have eczema-laden skin, and it hasn't flared up over many months of use; it also doesn't accentuate any dry spots, and instead leaves the skin with a healthy, bouncy-looking finish.

This formula melts into the fingers and onto the skin, so you don't need to tug to get it to blend. It's simultaneously buildable and forgivable if you add too much. The shade range is great (Terracotta is my all-time favorite for my medium skin), and while you can use your fingers, I highly recommend the corresponding dual-ended brush—it is so versatile and even blends skin tint foundations like a dream." —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: peptides, hyaluronic acid, shea butter
• Finish: dewy
• Shades: 6

Best Semi-Matte: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush

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Best Cream Blush

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush

$27

Sephora

Allure former content director Kara McGrath applying the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush in Happy

Why it’s worth it: Hello, award winner. Rare Beauty took home best cream blush in our 2025 Allure Best of Beauty Awards with the cream-to-powder Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush. If you love a soft-focus, blurred finish over a dewier one, this formula is the one. And trust, it's on the airier side of matte finishes—thanks to plumping cacao seed and moisturizing fruit oils—so it won't feel heavy, settle into fine lines by the end of the day, or worse yet, disappear when exposed to humidity and sweat. Whether you tap the product on with your fingers (the putty-like texture is so fun to play with!) or buff it on with your favorite brush, you achieve a romantic flush of color that truly looks like you're blushing from within.

McGrath before applying the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush

McGrath after applying the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush

Tester feedback from Allure former content director Kara McGrath

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“When I saw it in the pan, I was worried that the shade Happy—a cool-toned peony pink—would be too intense for my complexion, but it goes on sheer and melts into the skin. If you’re looking for a brighter pop of color, adding a second or third layer ups the saturation without taking you into clown territory.” —Kara McGrath, former content director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: cacao seed, pomegranate, papaya seed, and rosehip oils
• Finish: matte
• Shades: 7

Best Matte Finish: Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand

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Charlotte Tilbury

Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand

$44

Amazon

$44

Nordstrom

$44

Ulta Beauty

McGrath applying the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand

Kara McGrath

Why it's worth it: If there's one blush that's taken over just about every Allure editor's cheeks, it's the TikTok-viral Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand. Unlike many of the ultra-dewy blushes on the market, this one has a mattifying finish and a formula that's spiked with radiance-boosting silica spheres for a skin-like effect.

Tilbury told us that you should apply it to the tops of your cheekbones to lift the face. "Never start too low," she said. “It pulls your cheeks down.” During testing, we were struck by how much punch this formula packs in just one tap. The cushion-tip applicator is a standout—it delivers the perfect dose of pigment exactly where you want it, so there’s no guesswork. You can dot on a single tap for a soft wash of color or build it up with a few more for extra brightness. Then simply blend it out with a brush or your fingers.

McGrath before applying the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand

Kara McGrath

McGrath after applying the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand

Kara McGrath

Tester feedback from McGrath

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"When I want a blush that’s going to melt right onto my skin, I reach for the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Beauty Blush Wand in Pillow Talk Pink Pop. Although it’s a matte formula, it plays well with creamy base products, blending easily to give me a pink-peachy glow."—Kara McGrath, former content director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: silica spheres
• Finish: matte
• Shades: 4

Best Drugstore: e.l.f. Cosmetics Monochromatic Multi Stick

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E.L.F. Cosmetics

Monochromatic Multi Stick

$6

Amazon

$6

Walmart

Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin applying the e.l.f. Cosmetics Monochromatic Multi Stick in Glimmering Guava

Sarah Felbin

Why it’s worth it: What better representation of a brand name (e.l.f. Cosmetics) that stands for eyes, lips, and face, than the Monochromatic Multi Stick? Ringing in at just $6—and available at your local drugstore for the ultimate convenience—this blush stick is a dreamy deal. And with seven shades, you won't feel the least guilty grabbing two. (Besides, how fun is it to mix and match different shades across your lids, cheeks, and lips?) This cream-to-powder formula gives you plenty of time to blend and build to your desired intensity before it sets into a natural finish.

Felbin before applying the e.l.f. Cosmetics Monochromatic Multi Stick in Glimmering Guava

Sarah Felbin

Felbin after applying the e.l.f. Cosmetics Monochromatic Multi Stick in Glimmering Guava

Sarah Felbin

Tester feedback from senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin

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“I'm usually not a fan of stick blushes—they tend to go patchy on me. But e.l.f.'s pocket-size stick is super soft and creamy—it glides right onto my cheeks and lips and blends out in seconds. Plus, it's pretty pigmented (I was pleasantly surprised the first time I tried it—you don't need a ton of swipes to get great color payoff) and has the slightest bit of shimmer that gives me a nice glow. I love that it's bright enough that I can wear it on its own or layer a powder blush on top for more staying power. Here, I'm using Glimmering Guava, but I'm already on the hunt for another shade or two to add to my collection.” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: shea butter, vitamin E
• Finish: natural
• Shades: 7

Best Blurring: Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed

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Danessa Myricks Beauty

Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed

$27

Sephora

$27

Danessa Myricks Beauty

Han applying the Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed

Sarah Han

Why it's worth it: Danessa Myricks Beauty is no stranger to Best of Beauty Awards. The Best of Beauty-winning Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed is a follow-up to a Breakthroughs winner (our highest honor, due to this category's high standards around innovation), the balm-to-powder foundation, so it's a given that we'd love this blush at first swipe. Just like its predecessor, this formula applies like a creamy balm and dries down to a powder-like matte texture—thanks a balanced combo of upsalite and olive-derived squalane—allowing for a more natural-looking flush. (We found that it works best applied with a brush instead of your fingertips; however, since it dries down pretty quickly.) The 11 shades also deserve a shoutout for their vibrant pigments, which can be blended out for subtlety or layered for a more dramatic effect.

Han before applying the Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed

Sarah Han

Han after applying the Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed

Sarah Han

Blay-Tettey before applying the Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed

Annie Blay-Tettey

Blay-Tettey after applying the Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed

Tester feedback from Han

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“Like all Danessa Myricks products, this blush does not come to play when it comes to pigment payoff. My favorite shade (that I'm wearing above) is Primadonna, a hot pink shade that makes me feel extra cute and confident. All I need are a few taps to achieve a ‘wow’ factor—it's one of those rare blushes that I don't find myself always going in with a second layer. My combo skin also appreciates the brand's signature upsalite, which helps absorb excess sebum that forms throughout the day and lends my skin a soft-blurred focus. We love!!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

Tester feedback from Blay-Tettey

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"I was wowed at the amount of pigment I got from just a few taps in the blush pan and how it played with my foundation and concealer to create a seamless blend. Also, as pigmented as the blush is, it's not overwhelming. You can build it up for a bold flush of color or just add a subtle tinge of rosiness to the cheeks, which is what I like to do. Sometimes I’ll apply it as a finishing touch to reinforce my initial cream blush. Other times I’ll use it as my sole blush, applying it once after concealer as a cream blush, and then again when my face is near complete as a powder blush."—Annie Blay-Tettey, associate beauty editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: upsalite, squalane, hyaluronic acid
• Finish: satin
• Shades: 11

Best Multipurpose: Tower 28 Beach Please Cream Blush

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Tower 28

Beach Please Cream Blush

$20

Amazon

$20

Sephora

$20

Revolve

Allure social media manager Bianca Richards applying the Tower 28 Beach Please Cream Blush in Golden Hour

Bianca Richards

Why it's worth it: Tower 28’s Best of Beauty-winning BeachPlease Cream Blush is basically summer in a compact—perfect for when you’re desperate for a little color in the dead of winter (or in general). The creamy formula comes in 10 shades that blend so effortlessly, you can tap them in with your fingers—no brush needed. It’s the kind of foolproof flush we stash in our work bags for touch-ups on the fly. Like all the best multitaskers, this blush works on cheeks, eyes, and lips, and has a satisfying slip and sheen, thanks to nourishing ingredients like shea butter, castor oil, and jojoba oil.

Where it really shines, though, is in the sensitive-skin–friendly formula—hypoallergenic, dermatologist-approved, and clinically tested to be non-irritating—so that even those with reactive skin and eyes can swipe it across their lids without a second thought. The result is a sun-kissed glow that lasts all day.

Richards before applying Tower 28 Beach Please Cream Blush in Golden Hour

Bianca Richards

Richards after applying Tower 28 Beach Please Cream Blush in Golden Hour

Bianca Richards

Tester feedback from Allure social media manager Bianca Richards

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“I’ve hit pan on this cream blush more times than I can count (as you can see)—and for good reason! The color payoff from Tower28’s cream blush is unmatched. The shade Golden Hour gives the perfect sun-kissed glow that’s radiant and beautifully complements my skin tone.” —Bianca Richards, social media manager

More to know

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• Key ingredients: shea butter, castor oil, jojoba oil
• Finish: dewy
• Shades: 10

Best for Mature Skin: Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick

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Westman Atelier

Baby Cheeks Blush Stick

$48

Nordstrom

$48

Sephora

Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the Baby Cheeks Lip + Cheek Cream Blush in Bichette

Deanna Pai

Why it's worth it: Some makeup can accentuate fine lines and wrinkles—but not Westman Atelier's Baby Cheeks Blush Stick. It has a creamy, satin finish that sits beautifully on top of the skin without settling into texture. How? It contains moisture-replenishing ingredients like jojoba seed oil, grape extract, and raspberry seed extract to firm and condition skin. They melt into skin on contact for a smooth, supple finish that’s never chalky or heavy.

Pai before applying the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Cream Blush

Deanna Pai

Pai after applying the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Cream Blush

Deanna Pai

Tester feedback from Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai

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“While I'm a powder blush stan, there's nothing like this cream formula to give my skin the most natural-looking pop of color ever. The velvety texture melts into my skin and feels like nothing, and I love that I can dab a little on my nose and chin to make my skin look almost sun-kissed—like I just got back from a long walk. Plus, a tiny bit goes a long way, so this stick will last me forever.”—Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: jojoba seed oil, grape extract, raspberry seed extract
• Finish: satin
• Shades: 8

Best Natural Finish: Nars the Multiple

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Nars

The Multiple

$40

Nordstrom

$40

Sephora

$40

Ulta Beauty

Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann applying Nars The Multiple

Sarah Hoffmann

Why it’s worth it: Nars The Multiple is proof that you don't always need to buy the latest and greatest. Well, almost—let us explain. First launched in 1996, this icon has been slightly revamped (similarly to its powder blush sibling) with an even more skin-loving formula powered by nourishing peach kernel oil, antioxidant-rich rhubarb fruit extract, and soft-focus blurring powders.

And, loyalists, do not be alarmed: The new iteration is clearly up to par with the original, as evidenced by its 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner seal. The finish is silky, slightly blurred, and all-around pretty close to perfection, and all 12 shades are super wearable—even the purple- and red-leaning hues.

Hoffmann before applying Nars The Multiple

Sarah Hoffmann

Hoffmann after applying Nars The Multiple

Sarah Hoffmann

Tester feedback from Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann

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“A Nars Multiple is one of the first beauty products I ever bought back when I invented being a Sephora teen in 2010. It cost at least a few evenings of babysitting and I was so excited about it I kept the box for months—I'm not kidding. The recent reformulation is everything a nostalgic shopper like me could want. It's the same buttery texture I remember, but now it's even more blendable, silkier, and glowier. I'm not sure how it manages to be the perfect texture and shade for both lips and cheeks, but the cosmetic chemists at Nars cooked up something truly special here.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: peach kernel oil, rhubarb fruit extract, silica, and mica (blurring powders)
• Finish: natural
• Shades: 12

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cream blush better than powder blush?

It's up to you, as cream and powder blush formulas both have their time and place. That said, cream blushes usually contain conditioning oils, making them more moisturizing than their powdery counterparts (take note, dry skin types). They also won't highlight textured areas of the skin or crease in wrinkles like powder blushes can, making them great for mature skin types. While liquid blushes provide similar effects, creams are more buildable, with sheer-to-medium coverage that isn’t as dramatically pigmented as liquids often are.

How should I apply cream blush?

First, finding a complementary shade to your skin tone is key for a natural-looking finish. As a rule of thumb, Los Angeles-based makeup artist Carissa Ferreri previously told Allure that she recommends using a cream blush (or gel) formula in rosy tones. Once you find your shade, it's time to dab it on. "Focus the blush a bit higher on the cheeks, like right under the eyes, and then diffuse any harsh lines," she explained. Joseph Carrillo, a makeup artist based in New York City, also suggests "smiling and applying the color in the center of the apples" before gently fading the edges.

While some come in stick form and others in pots, it's the same deal: Simply apply straight from the bullet and blend the product out with your fingers, a beauty sponge, or a stippling blush brush for more precision. Whatever you do, it's hard to mess up, especially considering most cream blushes are on the sheerer (but buildable) side. If you've gone overboard with the intensity, you can always use your brush or sponge to diffuse the color.

Meet the experts

• Allison Kaye, a Florida-based makeup artist
• Carissa Ferreri, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist
• Joseph Carrillo, a makeup artist based in New York City

How we test and review products

Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?

For our review of the best cream blushes, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and professional makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we can fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.