Last updated on September 6th, 2026
This post is all about the three blushes everyone's talking about right now — Rare Beauty Blush vs Rhode vs Merit – and which one actually holds up.
How many times have you thrown a makeup product in your cart because it's all over Instagram, only to abandon it, wondering if it's really worth the hype, or just really good marketing?
Me too! So I decided to test the three blushes everyone's talking about right now — Rare Beauty Blush, Rhode, and Merit Beauty — side by side, during real days with my kids, errands, and everything in between. No professional lighting, no filters. Just three blushes surviving my actual life.
As a 37-year-old mom of little kids with combination skin and a neutral-cool undertone, my beauty routine has to be quick, and it has to work — so that's exactly how I put each cream blush to the test: real mornings, real busyness, real full days of wear.
If you've been eyeing one (or all three), this one's for you!
Why These Three Blushes Are Everywhere Right Now
Between Instagram, Pinterest, and every GRWM video in my feed, these three blushes keep coming up — and for good reason; they're all genuinely well-made. But "viral" doesn't always mean "right for you," so here's what I judged each one on:
- Staying power — does it actually last through a full day of doing all things mom?
- Natural finish — does it look pretty and natural, or like you're wearing blush, in a bad way?
- Ease of application — can you apply it quickly, or is it more time-consuming?
- Price per use — is the hype worth the price tag?
Ok, let's get into it!
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush Review
Fair warning: this blush is very pigmented! I learned this the hard way. I decided to try it out while getting ready for a kids' 3rd birthday party, and I accidentally applied waaaay too much and thought I was going to look like the clown at the party! Eeek! Lesson learned: a little goes a LONG way with this formula, which I actually really like! I just wasn’t expecting that.
Besides my mess-up of not applying the right amount, I was actually very impressed! It's genuinely easy to apply — I personally use a brush, but your fingers would work just as well if you're in a hurry. The finish is pretty and natural (when using the correct amount, ha!), and it held up through an entire full day of wear with zero fading and no transfer onto my clothes that I noticed.
My only hesitation was the packaging — it's just not my favorite way to apply blush, but it's not a deal breaker either. It’s a minor nitpick against everything else it gets right. For the amount of product you get, how long it lasts, AND how pigmented it is, this one genuinely feels worth the price!
Pro: Extremely pigmented, lasted the entire day, beautiful finish despite my mistake.
Con: Not a huge fan of the packaging, but it's not a dealbreaker.
Rhode Blush Review
When I first swatched this one on my hand, I wasn't so sure — it felt a little oily on my skin, so I wasn't so sure I was going to like it. But once I actually applied it on my face, I ended up really liking it! It blended beautifully and gave a very pretty, natural finish — the kind that looks like your skin, just better. Application was fast too; I always reach for a brush, but this one would go on just as easily with your fingers if you're in a rush (which, let's be honest, is most mornings).
My one nitpick: it didn't have the staying power I needed. I wore it for a full day and noticed it starting to fade after just a few hours. No transfer issues onto clothes, which is a win — but if you need something that lasts through a full day without a touch-up, this is the trade-off to know going in.
Pro: Pretty, natural finish; buildable, quick to apply with a brush or fingers.
Con: Didn't last very long over a full day of wear.
Merit Flush Balm Review
This is the one I've had the longest — almost a year now — and it's still going strong, which says a lot on its own.
The packaging is simple and easy to use. Application is fast, which matters most when you need to get ready quickly — no brush required, though I still prefer one. The pigment is good and very buildable, so you can go as light or as bold as the day calls for. Honestly, it looks more sheer in the swatches, but it's more pigmented on the skin, and the finish stays natural no matter how much you build it up.
As far as wear time, it lasts about 8-9 hours — not quite the full 12 hours some formulas claim, but that's not a dealbreaker for me. Just good to know! No transfer issues at all.
Bottom line: this is my go-to. Between the three, it's the one I reach for if I’m limited on time.
Pro: Best Budget pick. Good pigment, buildable, easy to apply fast when you're in a rush.
Con: Doesn't quite last a full 12 hours, though that's a minor trade-off.
Which One Should You Actually Buy?
Since everyone's needs are a little different, here's how I'd break it down:
- Best for a natural, everyday flush: Merit Flush Balm — buildable, easy, and it's stayed in my daily makeup routine for almost a year for a reason.
- Best for long-lasting, high-pigment color: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch — incredibly pigmented and it lasted my whole day without fading – just go easy on the application :).
- Prettiest finish, best for shorter wear: Rhode Pocket Blush — gorgeous natural finish while it lasts, just didn't quite go the distance.
Conclusion
All three of these blushes are popular for a reason, but as a busy 37-year-old mom who needs things to be quick and actually last, Merit and Rare Beauty were the real standouts for me — Love Merit for everyday ease, but Rare Beauty might be my new favorite when I want color that goes the distance. Rhode was beautiful; it just didn't have the staying power I would want in my daily routine.
If I had to grab just one for my everyday routine, it's still Merit — but Rare Beauty blush definitely earned a permanent spot in my bag too!
If you've tried any of these, I'd love to know which one won you over. Whichever one you choose, you really can't go wrong — but hopefully this saves you some time and prevents you from buying all three just to find out!
This post was all about the three blushes everyone's talking about right now — Rare Beauty Blush, Rhode, and Merit – and which one actually holds up.
