This lightweight watercolour blusher is my makeup buy of the summer - it never goes patchy or cakey

I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm guilty of having ‘blush blindness’. For the uninitiated, it's the social media term for gradually becoming desensitised to how much of your best blusher you're applying.

An easy blusher mistake to make, I’ve come to realise that less is more – especially during the warmer months. Heavy cream and powder combinations can quickly start to look obvious in the heat, while lighter textures tend to melt into the skin instead of sitting on top of it. Add in a little natural warmth from the sunshine, and you simply don't need as much product to achieve that fresh, healthy look.

That's exactly why I've fallen for Refy's Water Blush. The water-based formula is incredibly lightweight, delivering a sheer watercolour flush that looks as though it's coming from within the skin. It never goes patchy or cakey, even on hot days, and the addition of popular skincare ingredients is an added bonus.

Why the Refy Water Blush deserves a spot in your summer beauty bag

Lighter than any liquid blush I've tried – and admittedly, I've tried a fair few – the water-based formula feels almost weightless on the skin while still delivering an impressive amount of pigment. Apricot, a soft peachy coral, has become my go-to shade, although it's also available in Lychee (pink) and Acai (deep berry).

What impressed me most wasn't the finish or even the colour selection – it was how effortless it is to apply. You don't need to spend ages buffing or blending; the brush seems to pick up exactly the right amount of product and diffuses it evenly across the cheeks. One layer creates a subtle, healthy flush, while a second gives you that “I've just come back from a brisk walk” glow without looking too much.

Alongside its lightweight, water-based texture, the formula contains hydrating ceramides and refreshing green tea water, making it a lovely option if you tend to get dehydrated skin in the heat. Even after several hours spent outside in the warm weather, it never looks patchy or cakey – exactly what I want from a summer blusher.

Founded by influencer Jess Hunt and beauty entrepreneur Jenna Meek, Refy first landed on the beauty scene in 2020 with Brow Sculpt – a product that quickly achieved cult status after going viral on social media. While the brand initially built its reputation on fluffy, brushed-up brows, it's since expanded into complexion products – the latest being Water Blush.

Part of the new Watercolour collection, the blush launched alongside Water Bronzer and the Duo Brush 2.0 – a dual-ended brush designed with one side for bronzer and the other for blush. "Watercolour came from wanting make-up to feel lighter, more intuitive and easier to wear," say Hunt and Meek. "We wanted to create something that fits around how you live, not something you have to plan or perfect."

Drawing inspiration from Korean cushion compacts, the packaging also makes it refreshingly foolproof. Rather than squeezing out too much product from a tube or bottle, you simply press your brush into the cushion before sweeping it over the cheeks.

While I don't usually advocate buying a new makeup brush for the sake of it (your existing blush brush will probably do the job just fine), I have to admit the Duo Brush 2.0 is exceptionally good. Its fluffy bristles diffuse the pigment beautifully, making it even harder to overapply.