Flushed cheeks will never go out of style – but since there won’t always be a cute boy paying you compliments, thereby activating your natural rosiness, every girl needs a good blush in her life.
Pink, lilac, peach; sparkly, matte, iridescent…there are so many choices out there, but honestly so few women consider the formula when selecting the perfect blush. I mean, if you’re anything like me, you just opt for the blush that comes in the cutest packaging. Ain’t nothing wrong with judging a blush by its cover, but since spring is here and flushed cheeks look prettier than ever this time of year, let’s take a look at the various formulas and what they offer.
Powder blush: This is probably the most common formula out there and for good reason. Oily-skinned ladies will love this formula as it absorbs grease while adding color. It’s also less messy than other formulas and provides saturated color. The downside? It can be a bit harder to blend, can look a little less natural than other versions, and requires a brush.
Try this one: Bobbi Brown blush
Cream blush: If your skin is on the dry side, this will be your best friend. It’ll give you that pretty, dewy look without drying your skin out too much. The downside of this stuff? It can melt all over the place, making a huge mess in your makeup bag. Unlikely, but possible. This doesn’t grip as well as powder blush does, meaning it may not last as long. The look will be a bit different than what you’ll get from a powder, more translucent and light.
Try this one: Laura Mercier Créme Cheek Color
Gel blush: Very similar to cream blush in that it’s also good for dry skin and provides a dewy look. This will give you sheer color, which looks great over the summer or when you’re a bit more tan. It’s also super easy to apply without any tools and gives you a nice natural look. The downside? It can feel a little sticky on your face.
Try this one: Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelée.
Stick blushes: These are essentially the same formula as cream blushes or cheek stains (depending on which product you buy), but the different packaging mean they apply differently. The stick is a good thing to have on you in a pinch – you don’t really need any tools other than the stick itself. I’m personally not a huge fan of how this applies, but to each his own. If you like lots of shimmer and not a ton of color, this might be for you.
Try this one: NARS The Multiple
Liquid cheek stain: This is the most natural-looking, foolproof option. The big downside? It’ll stain your fingers while your applying if you don’t work really, really fast.
Try this one: Benefit Benetint
