The Best Blushes, Ever

This category covers the very best blushes available, regardless of price. Feel free to weigh in on your favorites. This list is actually comprised of two separate lists:
1) The Beauty Insider's Picks: My own personal list of the best products in that category, in no particular order
2) The Popular Vote: The results of a poll I did of over 1000 beauty-savvy consumers, in order of popularity

The Beauty Insider's Picks
1. Stila Blush Duo (“Cruise to Cairo”): Whether you’re cruising to Cairo or chilling in Chicago, this duo has two different shades, a soft rose and a warm brown, that will match any mood and suit any ensemble. Layer the rose over the brown for depth and brightness. Even the packaging is adorable. Unfortunately, it’s discontinued. Maybe my pleas will bring it back! N/A
2. NARS Blush (“Torrid”): This silky, smooth powder blush glides on effortlessly and wears beautifully, all day long. “Torrid” is a must have for tanned olive-skinned women—the peachy pink shade with golden shimmer is so flattering. $22.50
3. Tarte Cheek Stain (“Tickled Peach”): This is my favorite gel cheek color. The push-up applicator is so easy to use, and the formula is foolproof. Unlike many gel blushes, this doesn’t accentuate flaws. It just delivers a natural flush of color. “Tickled Peach” is misnamed—it’s a sheer flattering red. $26
4. Cargo Blush (“Sonoma”): I love these great round tins, which give your brush plenty of room to move, and the intensely pigmented, moist blush. “Sonoma” is a fabulous bright plummy pink with a hint of red that works well for darker skin tones. $22
5. Jane Blushing Cheeks (“Blushing Petal”): This bargain blush has the luxurious, creamy, finely-milled texture and intense pigment of luxury lines. “Blushing Petal” is a soft, light pink with warm, slightly peach tones perfect for a natural look. $3 (approx.)
6. LORAC Sheer Wash (“Sheer Emotion”): This cheek stain comes in a convenient, and cute, roll-on applicator (almost like a retro deodorant, but cooler), making it less messy than many gel blushes. “Sheer Emotion” is a gorgeous berry that wakes up tired complexions. $24
7. Luscious Blooms (“Coral Gables”): I love the beautiful flower tin compact with a mirror, and the conveniently packaged duo inside. Each tin features a blush shade and a complementary highlighter. “Coral Gables” pairs a “warm rose” with a “gold shimmer.” Gorgeous. $26.50
8. Physicians Formula Planet Blush (“Bronze ‘n Blush”): If you can get over the cute-but-inconvenient packaging and the useless brush, this blush is a real find. Like the Luscious duo, above, this pairs a blush and a highlighter. The highlighter is subtle enough for everyday, and gives skin a flattering iridescence without causing breakouts. “Bronze ‘n Blush” combines a bronzer with a gold-flecked highlighter. $11 (approx.)
9. Too Faced Flushed Blush (“Who’s Your Daddy”): I adore this blush duo. It combines a matte powder blush with a shimmery one in a similar shade. Swirl them together to give skin a rosy, glowy flush. “Who’s Your Daddy” combines a cool plum rose with a shimmery mauve. $18.50
10. MAC Sheertone Shimmer Blush (“Dollymix”): Sheertone Shimmers, as the name implies, are similar to MAC’s foolproof Sheertone blushes, but with some shimmer. The formula is very sheer and wearable, and the shimmer is so subtle it’s suitable even for daytime—much more glow than shimmer. “Dollymix” looks bright pink in the pot, but goes on sheer and glowy for a look like the name implies—clear true baby-doll pink. $16.50

The Popular Vote
1. NARS Sheer Blush in “Orgasm”, $22.50
2. Stila Convertible Color in “Lillium”, $20
3. MAC Sheertone Blush in “Pinch O’ Peach”, $16.50
4. Jane Blushing Cheeks in “Blushing Petal”, $3 (approx.)
5. Benefit Dandelion, $26
6. L’Oreal Blush Delice Sheer Powder Blush in “Sugar ‘n Spice”, $8 (approx.)
7. Lancome Blush Subtil Delicate Oil-Free Powder Blush in “Miel Glace” and “Aplum” (tie), $26.50
8. Benefit Benetint, $26
9. Bobbi Brown Blush in “Blushed”, $19
10. Cargo Blush in “Topeka”, $22