Hello, beauty friends! It’s Sarah back with another deep dive from my little London flat. If you’ve spent any time on beauty TikTok or Instagram, you’ve seen it: the tiny, powerful bottle of Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush. It’s everywhere, and for good reason!
But here’s what I keep getting asked: “Is it really that good?”, “How do you even use it without looking like a clown?”, and “Are there any good cheap alternatives?”
As a blogger who’s tested more blushes than I can count, I’m here to give you the full, honest lowdown. This is your ultimate guide to everything Rare Beauty Liquid Blush. We’ll talk about why it’s so famous, how to use it properly, the best shades for your skin tone, and of course, some amazing dupes that won’t break the bank.
Also Read: Every Shade Swatched: Finding Your Perfect Rare Beauty Lip Oil Colour
Let’s get into it!
Why is the Rare Beauty Liquid Blush Such a Superstar?
It’s not just hype. This little bottle became a cult favourite for a few brilliant reasons:
- Unbeatable Pigmentation: This is its number one feature. The colour payoff is insane. You only need the tiniest dot for both cheeks. This means the bottle will last you forever, making it great value in the long run.
- Beautiful Formula: It blends beautifully into the skin, giving a natural, flush-from-within look. It doesn’t just sit on top of your makeup; it melts in.
- The Finish: It comes in two stunning finishes: Dewy (for a fresh, glowing look) and Matte (for a velvety, soft-focused look). Both are gorgeous.
- Inclusive Shade Range: With 12 shades, there’s a perfect colour for everyone, from the palest to the deepest skin tones.
- The Brand Message: Created by Selena Gomez, Rare Beauty promotes self-acceptance and mental health awareness, with a portion of sales going to the Rare Impact Fund. It feels good to support a brand with such a positive mission.
The #1 Rule: A Little Goes a VERY Long Way
This is the most important thing to know before you even open the bottle. This is not a typical blush. If you swipe a full stripe on your cheek like you might with other products, you will have far too much product.
Think dots, not stripes.
The key is to start with a microscopic amount. You can always add more, but it’s very hard to take it away once it’s blended.
Also Read: Can Less Really Be More? Testing Krave Beauty’s Minimalist Approach to Glowing Skin
Step-by-Step: How to Apply It Like a Pro
Don’t be intimidated! Applying this blush is easy once you know how. Here are the best methods, whether you’re a makeup newbie or a pro.
Method 1: The Finger Application (Easiest & Best for Dewy Finish)
This is my go-to method for a quick, natural look.
- Shake the bottle. Give it a good shake to mix the formula.
- Place a TINY dot. Gently touch the applicator to the back of your hand. You only want a small dot of product. If this is your first time, use half of what you think you need.
- Warm it up. Use your ring finger to gently warm up the product on your hand.
- Smile and dab. Smile to find the apples of your cheeks (the round, fleshy part that pops up). Gently dab the product onto the apples.
- Blend upwards. Using gentle tapping motions, blend the colour upwards towards your temples. This helps lift your face. Don’t drag or wipe; just pat and press.
Also Read: Is Truly Beauty Worth the Hype? An Honest Review of the Cult-Favourite Brand
Method 2: Using a Makeup Sponge (For a Seamless, Airbrushed Look)
A damp beauty sponge is perfect for sheering out the product and making it look like part of your skin.
- Get your dot. Again, place a tiny dot of product on the back of your hand.
- Dip your sponge. Lightly dab the edge of your damp beauty sponge (like the famous Beautyblender or the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge) into the product.
- Bounce onto cheeks. Gently bounce the sponge onto your cheeks, building the colour slowly. The sponge will absorb any excess, giving you a flawless finish.
Method 3: Using a Brush (Best for Matte Finish & Precision)
A dense, stippling brush is your best friend for this.
- Dot directly—carefully! You can carefully dot the applicator once directly onto your cheek. Just one small dot!
- Stipple to blend. Immediately use a stippling brush (a brush with duo-fibre bristles, like the e.l.f. Cosmetics Putty Blush Brush or the Real Techniques Stippling Brush) to stipple and blend the product out. The brush gives you more control over the placement.
Pro Tip: Always do your blush before you set your face with powder if you want the most natural, skin-like finish. You can put it over powder too, just be extra gentle when blending.
Shade Guide: Finding Your Perfect Match
With so many shades, it can be hard to choose! Here’s a simple breakdown to help you pick.
For Fair to Light Skin Tones:
- Happy (Bright Pink): A classic, cool-toned pink that gives a doll-like flush.
- Bliss (Soft Nude Pink): The perfect everyday “my cheeks but better” shade. Very natural.
- Grace (Soft Berry): A gorgeous muted berry that’s great for a winter look.
For Light to Medium Skin Tones:
- Hope (Mauve Pink): Arguably the most popular shade! A perfect neutral mauve that suits almost everyone.
- Joy (Vibrant Coral): A warm, sunny coral that gives a fantastic summer glow.
- Love (Bright Berry): A brighter, more vibrant version of Grace.
For Medium to Tan Skin Tones:
- Believe (Warm Red): A stunning, bold red that gives a powerful flush.
- Grateful (Deep Rose): A rich, deep rose colour that looks incredibly elegant.
For Deep to Rich Skin Tones:
- Faith (Deep Crimson): A deep, blue-based red that is incredibly pigmented and vibrant.
- Worth (Vibrant Fuchsia): A bold, bright fuchsia that makes a beautiful statement.
- Truth (Soft Brown): A beautiful neutral brown that gives a contoured, sun-kissed effect.
You can shop the full range at Space NK or Cult Beauty.
The Best Dupes: Get the Look for Less
I love Rare Beauty, but I also love a good bargain. The good news is that the popularity of this blush has inspired other brands to create similar products. Here are the best dupes I’ve tested.
1. The Best Overall Dupe: e.l.f. Cosmetics Putty Blush
- Why it’s a good dupe: While it’s a cream in a jar, the effect is very similar. It’s incredibly pigmented, blends like a dream, and has a gorgeous, dewy finish. The shade Bora Bora is a near-perfect match for Rare Beauty’s Joy.
- Price: £7
- Where to buy: Boots or Superdrug
2. The Best Liquid Dupe: Revolution Superdewy Liquid Blush
- Why it’s a good dupe: This is a liquid blush with a similar doe-foot applicator. It’s highly pigmented and has a dewy, glossy finish. The shade range is great, and for £6, it’s an absolute steal.
- Price: £6
- Where to buy: Superdrug
3. The Best High-Street Alternative: Glossier Cloud Paint
- Why it’s a good alternative: It’s not super cheap (£18), but it’s less than Rare Beauty and offers a similar liquid-gel formula that is famously easy to blend. It gives a beautiful, watercolour-like wash of colour. The shade Dusk is a beautiful neutral for everyday.
- Price: £18
- Where to buy: Glossier Website
Final Verdict
The Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush is a superstar for a reason. Its incredible pigment, beautiful blendability, and inclusive shades have rightfully earned it a top spot in the makeup world.
While it requires a light hand, once you get the hang of it, you’ll understand the hype. And if the price tag is a little too steep, the dupes from e.l.f. and Revolution are truly fantastic alternatives that give a very similar gorgeous, glowy effect.
Have you tried the Rare Beauty blush? What’s your favourite shade? Let me know in the comments!
Happy blending!
Frequently Asked Questions: Your Rare Beauty Dupes Guide
Navigating the world of dupes can bring up a lot of questions. This FAQ is designed to address everything you might want to know about finding affordable alternatives to Rare Beauty’s iconic products.
1. What exactly is a “dupe” and is it the same as a counterfeit?
This is the most important question to start with. A dupe (short for duplicate) is a legally produced product from another brand that offers a very similar effect, finish, or colour to a high-end product at a fraction of the price. It is not a counterfeit. Counterfeits are illegal fakes that copy branding and packaging to deceive buyers, often with unsafe ingredients. Dupes are honest, affordable alternatives that allow you to achieve a similar look ethically and safely. The goal is smart shopping, not supporting illegal activity.
2. Will a dupe perform exactly the same as the Rare Beauty product?
It’s essential to have realistic expectations. While the best dupes come incredibly close, they are rarely identical. The original Rare Beauty products often have unique patented formulas, specific ingredient blends (like their weightless, pigmented bases), and luxurious packaging. A dupe might match 90-95% of the experience—especially in colour payoff and initial application—but might differ in subtle ways, such as longwear, how it feels on the skin throughout the day, or the elegance of the packaging. The value is in getting the core visual effect for less.
3. I have sensitive skin. Are dupe products safe to use?
This requires caution. While high-street brands like e.l.f., Revolution, and Collection adhere to strict UK and EU safety regulations, their ingredient lists will differ from Rare Beauty. Rare Beauty is known for being vegan, cruelty-free, and mindful of ingredients. Always check the label on any new product. If you have specific allergies or sensitivities (e.g., to certain oils, fragrances, or preservatives), patch test a dupe on your inner arm for 24 hours before applying it to your face. Reputable retailers like Boots and Superdrug clearly label key allergens on their product pages.
4. The Rare Beauty Liquid Blush is famous for its pigment. Can a cheap blush really compare?
Yes, this is where the dupe market has truly excelled. The popularity of Rare Beauty’s intense pigment forced other brands to level up. Products like the e.l.f. Putty Blush and Revolution Superdewy Liquid Blush are now specifically formulated for high colour payoff. The key similarity is that, like the original, you must use a tiny amount of these dupes to avoid over-application. The main difference may be in the blendability and the wear-time, but for a few pounds, the colour impact is absolutely comparable.
5. Where are the best places to find dupes in the UK?
The UK high street is a goldmine for dupes. Your first stops should be:
- Boots: Stocks e.l.f., Revolution, Collection, and No7, often with 3-for-2 offers.
- Superdrug: The best place for Revolution, Collection, and Makeup Revolution, with frequent sales.
- Wilko: An unexpected hero for incredibly budget brands like Essence and MUA.
- Online: Websites like Cult Beauty and Look Fantastic sometimes have sales on more premium alternatives like Glossier.
6. Beyond price, are there any ethical reasons to consider dupes?
While Rare Beauty has a strong ethical stance with its Rare Impact Fund, supporting dupes can also align with different values. Buying affordable products allows you to be more experimental without waste. If a colour doesn’t suit you, you’re less likely to feel guilty about a £6 product than a £26 one. It also makes beauty more accessible to those on a tight budget. You can always support Rare Beauty’s mission by donating directly to mental health charities if you choose to buy dupes.
7. How can I tell if a dupe is good just by looking at it online?
It requires a bit of research, but it’s possible:
- Watch Video Reviews: Search for “[Product Name] vs Rare Beauty” on YouTube. Beauty influencers almost always do side-by-side swatches and wear tests.
- Read Descriptions: Look for keywords that match the original: “high-pigment,” “blendable,” “dewy finish,” “non-sticky.”
- Analyze Swatches: Look for official brand swatches on models with a similar skin tone to yours. User-generated photos in the reviews section of Boots or Superdrug are also incredibly helpful.
8. Is it worth buying any Rare Beauty products at full price, or should I just dupe everything?
This is a personal choice, but even as a dupe enthusiast, some Rare Beauty products are worth the investment if they truly unique. The Liquid Blush is so pigmented that it lasts forever, arguably making it cost-effective. The Positive Light Under Eye Brightener has a specific formula that’s hard to replicate perfectly. If you find a product you absolutely love and use daily, investing in the original can be worthwhile. Use dupes for trends you’re trying out or for products you use less frequently.
9. Can I mix high-end and dupe products together?
Absolutely! This is how many makeup artists and enthusiasts build their kits. You might invest in a Rare Beauty blush but use an e.l.f. Halo Glow Filter as your base. Or use a high-end foundation but set it with a Revolution powder. Your makeup bag doesn’t have to be all one brand. Mixing and matching allows you to splurge on the items that matter most to you and save on others.
10. What’s the number one tip for applying these highly pigmented cream and liquid dupes?
START WITH LESS THAN YOU THINK YOU NEED. This is the golden rule for both the originals and the dupes. The application process is crucial:
- Shake the liquid products well.
- Place a tiny dot on the back of your hand to warm it up and control the amount.
- Use a light tool: a stippling brush, your fingertips, or a damp beauty sponge.
- Tap and stipple to blend; never drag or wipe, as this can move your base makeup and apply too much product.
- Build slowly. You can always add more colour, but taking it away is much harder.
