There’s a Saturn-sized world of blushes out there (says the girl with a messy drawer of pink blushes that needs to be organized), and a galactic gaggle of blush formulas — powder, cream, liquid, mousse and more — but do you find yourself gravitating toward one blush formula more than others?
I totally do. For me it’s mostly powder blushes, with the occasional excursion into the Land of Cream Blushes, and the main reasons are ease and convenience.
Powder blushes are just easier for me to apply than the others. I can swirl them on my cheeks, blend the edges and be done, and the same goes for creams — a pat here, a blend there, and voila! All done.
I also like how easy powders and creams are to layer with my other face products (especially compared to liquid blushes). For the most part, I don’t have to worry about powder and cream blushes breaking up my foundation or face powder, but that is NOT always the case with liquid and mousse blushes (at least not for me).
So, my blush-loving friend, what’s your favorite blush formula and why? It’s Tuesday; let’s tackle this very important question. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Jessica says
January 19th, 2016 at 10:15 ammy fave formula is none.
But I got a sephora cream blush and I like it.
Also one of those UD blush/bronzer naked skin thingies. I just don’t really use it much anymore. But I do like it.
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Fancie says
January 19th, 2016 at 10:30 amI definitely prefer powder blushes but I do like creams too. I just need to show them a little more love. Especially now that it’s cold out and my skin could use a little extra glow
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Jane says
January 19th, 2016 at 10:31 amAlthough my skin is dry, I still prefer powder blush over cream/gel blush. I feel I get more color from powder. I do like Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for weekends when I don’t wear much makeup (which has been everyday lately), but I still pop some powder on top. My favorite is Bobbi Brown powder blush in Slopes this time of the year. I usually go more pink/coral in Spring.
Bree says
January 19th, 2016 at 10:44 amNARS Madly is my hands down favorite blush. To answer your questions, most definitely powder. Its just the easiest formula to work with. You don’t have to worry about it smudging your foundation. I wear powder foundation quite often, so cream just doesn’t really work well. I really don’t have all that many blushes, because I already have red cheeks and I don’t need to add to that. I feel like most creams I have tried are too pigmented and just add to the redness in my cheeks more. I once wanted to try the MUFE HD cream blush and might. I’d really like to try the Laura Gellar Gelato blushes as well. I swatched canteloupe? at ulta and it was super pretty. NARS and Benefit have to be my favorite blushes I have tried.
Allison C says
January 19th, 2016 at 11:11 amMy favorite is cream blush. I have super dry skin so it’s no surprise. I love the How ‘Bout Them Apples cream blush palette from theBalm, but the one I use most that just doesn’t budge or disappear during the day is Stila Convertible Cream Blush, and I’m using the Peony shade. I like the formula so much I need to pick up a pink
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Agata says
January 19th, 2016 at 11:12 amDefinitely powder blushes. I have a few cream ones but they seem to remove my foundation so I hardly ever use them. Not a big fan of loose powder blushes either.
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Rachel R. says
January 19th, 2016 at 11:13 amBecause I have oily skin, I prefer powder blushes. They wear better for me.
Natalie says
January 19th, 2016 at 11:17 amI much prefer powder blushes, but I have oily skin so I don’t go for more glow. I also find powders easiest to apply. My favorites are NARS and Charlotte Tilbury. Both great formulas.
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Nadiya Rosen says
January 19th, 2016 at 11:19 amLove cream and gel blushes, but they honestly take too much work to look right. Because of that, I have to stick to powder blush. So easy and still so pretty 🙂
LindaLibraLoca says
January 19th, 2016 at 11:20 amI used to be all about powder, but late 2015 had me slowly transition to cream blushes as well. Other han that I haven’t tried much and never felt the need to.
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Tulipthecat says
January 19th, 2016 at 11:21 amI prefer powder blushes – primarily ones from MAC and Tarte. Those 2 formulas tend to stay all day on me. I also like the the Colourpop ones too. I don’t like liquid blushes because for some reason I’m too slow to blend them.
Sandy P says
January 19th, 2016 at 11:21 amEven though I have “mature” skin I just discovered an awesome powder blush by IT. It actually comes in a large compact which also includes a highlighter and a bronzer. Love the double ended IT brush that I use to apply it too. My skin doesn’t look dry at all.
breyerchic04 says
January 19th, 2016 at 11:25 amMy very favorites are MAC sheetone blushes! They have the best matte texture I’ve ever run across and blend so beautifully into the skin.
denise says
January 19th, 2016 at 11:28 amAlthough I like powders, I’m gonna have to give cream formulas the edge. But only the creams that are in pan or stick form. The type in a squeeze tube (like Becca beach tints) just seem to disappear on my face. I do like a couple of liquids (Benetint) and gels (Tarte cheek stain) but not many.
My hands-down favorite right now is Diorblush Cheek Stick in Cosmopolite Rosewood. It’s just soooo good but I think maybe not available anymore? It is perfect for a naked face type day but also looks great when I’m going all out.
DanaJae says
January 19th, 2016 at 11:40 amHands down favorite blush of all time is Lorac Desire. Of course the discontinued it and I didn’t know to buy a bunch. It is the perfect pink with iridescence that works as a blush and highlighter in one. It is also an extremely soft and not drying formula. Karen if you have a dupe for this or know of a fairy with a stash of Lorac blush Desire please tell her I will pay. Lol!
crystaldawn says
January 19th, 2016 at 12:01 pmOh thats tuff..i guess id say cream.it just goes with the looks i wear the most wich is glowy&”natural”..tho i do like satin formulas on top sometimes..its just creams blend in so much more naturally for me.i wish they still had the elf hd liquid blush those were amazing for me,exp in summer
Erin says
January 19th, 2016 at 12:15 pmI like quite a few formulas.
Chanel is always great, they seem to have just the right amount of glow and pigment for people who are pale.
NARS works most of the time, I love the color and finish selection.
Clinique Color Pop is an all rounder that is good for me.
Hourglass Ambient Blush is good for me too as long as I use a light hand.
Tarte has a few winners from time to time!
ARMANI… ug, I love them all.
I also love Guerlain Terrocotta Blushes that are blush/bronzer combos but I currently don’t own one.
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Lorraine says
January 19th, 2016 at 12:31 pmPowder blush is my fave, since it is easier to place and control, but since I am in the 40+ age range I need to be careful about layering too many powders looks aging. I fell in love with Estee Lauder Cheek Rush I wish they’d bring them back. They are such lightweight non sticky gel, they are like a hybrid between liquid (like Benetint) and gel. they come in a pump, so great for travel.
Bex D says
January 19th, 2016 at 12:52 pmI used to only use mousse blushers but now only use a cheek stain (Lolli-tint) because I love the sheen it gives my cheeks and it stays on all day.
Mary W says
January 19th, 2016 at 12:54 pmMy favorite blush is by Besame. It is an old school cream blush in a round tin. The color is deep and rich and lasts all day long. I also love Josie Maran Argan Infinity Lip and Cheek Creamy Oil which is almost totally opposite from Besame. It’s nice to have options!
Joyce says
January 19th, 2016 at 2:05 pmAhh Karen, that’s so hard to choose. I see pros and cons for powder and cream formulas. With powder blushes, (1) they’re more forgiving and easier to fix if you over apply them, (2) they don’t expire in the pan as fast as cream blushes, and (3) if you use a brush to apply it, then you can use it a few times before having to wash it. With cream blushes, you don’t have to worry about them fading throughout the day, but they expire in the pan within 12-18 months of opening. Since, I can’t choose a favorite, I buy them in both formulas! hehe.. =)
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yelena says
January 19th, 2016 at 2:36 pmpowder hands down. I am kind of obsessed with blush palettes too. I was loving lorac unzipped blush palette so hard in 2015 but then Too Faced Love Flush Blush palette came along and stole my blush loving heart <3
if you haven't tried it yet, GET IT! you will never need another blush palette in your life! ok maybe this year but I'm sure something else will come out and I will shift my attention to that!
Holly says
January 19th, 2016 at 2:54 pmCurrently, I’m all about the cream blushes, specifically the new #InstaReady contour stick from Physicians Formula. I swipe it on & then use my stipple brush to blend it out. I do like my powder blushes at times; it depends on the over-all color palette I’m doing that day. My cream blushes are in the coral range & the powders are primarily pink.
Kalli says
January 19th, 2016 at 2:58 pmPowder blush all the way, especially Nars and Clinique Cheek Pops. I have several of Nars in the regular formula and one Audacious and I have Cola Pop from Clinique. I think they blend the best and easiest, with more dimension and they sit better on top of other products. ColourPop’s blushes are cool too, it’s the same creamy-powder formula as their eyeshadows. They apply best with a duo-fiber brush and a little goes a long way. I only have one in a pinky red coral (Jellyfish?).
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Skygazer says
January 19th, 2016 at 3:47 pmCream blushes! I need to try more brands, but currently I’m all about the Bobbi Brown pot rouges, which I have in powder pink and calypso coral. Love the convenience of these, no brushes needed! Looks super natural and gives a nice glow too.
Rae // theNotice says
January 19th, 2016 at 3:51 pmPowder all the way!! Almost all cream blushes are full of silicones nowadays, so if I want to avoid a breakout, I stick to powders. They’re easier to apply, wear just as well on my dry skin, and tend to have a very minimal (or nonexistent) silicone content!
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Chelsea says
January 19th, 2016 at 4:16 pmI typically go for gel or cream blush! Even though powders are easy, my skin is so hella dry that I avoid powders on my face like the plague. I’m currently using the Sephora Collection Colorful Cheek Ink Gel in Plumeria, which is easy to use and lasts! Less is more though. I’m also a fan of Tarte Cheek Stains and Becca Beach Tints.
Andrew says
January 19th, 2016 at 4:46 pmIf we’re talking budget brands, the Wet n Wild blushes are almost cream-like in density, fully pigmented, and last for 7-9 hours.
Mid-range I’d have to go with MAC. The selection, performance, and intensity is out of this world. Last year my mom found my custom palette I had picked out and bought it for me and I’m just now making dents in the pans with weekly use.
High-end? Chanel, hands down. They’re expensive but they’re worth every penny. Soft, blendable, buildable, pigmented, and so gorgeous on the skin! Whether it’s the cream formula or the powder you can’t go wrong. This is the blush formula I reach for more than any other!
Alexis says
January 19th, 2016 at 5:06 pmI prefer powder. It is easier to carry in a purse for touch ups. My favorite is Dior Rosy Glow Awakening Blush. I do have Nars Orgasm. My very first blush was Benefit Dandelion. I have tried a cream blush and ended up throwing it out because I really didn’t like it.
Jennifer says
January 19th, 2016 at 6:31 pmPowder blushes for sure because they’re easier to use and get the right amount of color.
Once in a while if I’m really short on time I’ll use a Becca Beach Tint on my cheeks and lips.
Heather L says
January 19th, 2016 at 6:37 pmNARS Dual Intensity blushes!!! I know, I know… a lot of people say they don’t like them because it’s “hard to pick up product.” But all you need is a good, stiff Kabuki or similar brush. My favorite brush to use with these is the Marc Jacobs blush brush, nice and dense, picks up the product like a dream and I can wear these gorgeous blushes. My second favorite are the Clinique Color Pop, especially the Melon Pop shade!
Anthe says
January 19th, 2016 at 6:47 pmI use a Caudalie powder blush pretty much everyday and then onto my eyelids…yes I’m that lazy! Going out I grab my Becca cream blush in Rose I’ve had for ages. Must check if Becca still does this one…
angie says
January 19th, 2016 at 9:52 pmI prefer powder blush. My fave is Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed, it looks totally boring on the pan but turns out great on my cheek
JAN KELLEY says
January 19th, 2016 at 10:01 pmI usually use powder blush. I especially love Tom Ford and Charlotte Tilbury for their powders. If I use cream it’s most likely a coral pink from Topshop. It drugs down and isn’t sticky.
Kiss & Make-up says
January 20th, 2016 at 4:05 amI am totally Switzerland when it comes to blush formulas. I feel totally neutral. I like pressed powders, loose powders, cream formulas en even liquid blushes. LOVE FOR ERRR’ONE!
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Fran says
January 20th, 2016 at 5:59 amI use powder blush most of the time (Hourglass is my favorite formula — I prefer more subtle blushes, since I’ve just spent a lot of effort hiding my rosacea! — but I also like the Clinique Cheek Pops, blushes from NARS, MAC, and IT Cosmetics), but, in the winter, when my skin gets dehydrated, I use my Make Up For Ever HD blush in #210, cool pink, more often, and would like to get a couple more shades. It’s very easy to work with, I can even apply it by tapping it on with a finger. It blends beautifully with the cream contour from Kevyn Aucoin and a BECCA Poured highlighter (I use the Hourglass No. 2 foundation/blush brush to blend these).
Kim says
January 20th, 2016 at 8:03 amWith you 100% on the powder. You know me – I’m all about the path of least resistance when it comes to makeup. Powder blushes are easy, and not messy, to apply. Plus they seem to last, no matter what the temperature. I find that cream tends to slip right off my cheeks, particularly in the summer.
Jennifae says
January 20th, 2016 at 10:53 amFor me, it’s powder blushes. I’ve tried other formulas, but I reach for my powder blushes more than other formulas.
My preference: pressed powder > cream > mousse > liquid > loose powder
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Susan C. says
January 20th, 2016 at 12:12 pmTough question…as a pale girl with full cheeks, I need ALL the blush to avoid the dreaded Full Moon Face.
However, with my aging skin and the dry indoor heat of winter, mousse and cream blushes seem to be more flattering than powders. Usually I just dab them on with my fingertips and blend — it’s a simple process, and I just need a bit to look like I’m not an extra in Twilight.
Come summer, however, I’m all about the powder blush. A couple brush swipes of a not overly pigmented blush and I’m out the door, fresh-faced. Huzzah!
Trude says
January 20th, 2016 at 1:44 pmI definitely reach for powders the most – I’ve been using Belissima from Kat Von D almost daily for most of a year and it hardly looks used! It’s also great for mornings when you don’t have time to blend forever. But occasionally I’ll pack a good lip & cheek tint for traveling, like from Benefit, since it’ll do double duty. 🙂
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Aj says
January 20th, 2016 at 4:30 pmPowder blush, I don’t own a lot of blushes but my collection consists mostly of powder finishes. For me, it’s the easiest to sweep on and blend. But, I do have a couple of cream blushes that I really like. In the end I still buy more powder blushes. 😀
Eesha says
January 21st, 2016 at 1:02 amPowder blushers definitely for there ease of use and longer shelf life… but I also like cream formula like Chanel cream formulas too.. 🙂
Lauren says
January 21st, 2016 at 9:30 amPowder! Easy, “cleaner,” and I pretend it’s an extra powder for my oily skin that just turned dry! 😉
Karen says
January 28th, 2016 at 12:11 amI am definitely a powder girl myself! It is quick easy and simple. Cream blushes are beautiful however I can never get through one before the expiration date. However colour pops cream to powder formula is also very intriguing. Currently experimenting with them.