Are you Team Cream or Team Powder? Blush, that is. I’m Team Powder, but more out of habit than anything else. Every time I use a cream blush, I can’t help but wonder why I don’t more often. I love the natural flush it gives my cheeks. But, come the next day, powder blushes drive me back to them. Still, I wouldn’t say that powder blushes are better than cream ones. It just depends on your skin type and what look you are trying to achieve. Here’s everything you need know about cream VS powder blush, so you can make the best choice for you:
Finish
Powder blushe often ontain oil-absorbing ingredients (like kaolin clay or silica) that keep your cheeks matte without caking up. That’s a godsend when you’re dealing with that mid-day shine. absorb excess oil, making them an excellent choice for ladies with combination and oily skin. They also tend to give a more matte, polished finish to the skin.
Cream blushes, are moisturising. More suitable for dry and mature skin, cream blushes provide a dewy flush, like you’ve just… well, blushed. They give skin a more youthful appearance and look more natural on.
Related: How To Figure Out Your Skin Type (+ Free Test!)
Pigmentation
Sheerer than powder blushes, cream ones are easier to build up. You have more control on how intense you want the colour to be, and you never have to worry about clown cheeks. If you’re just getting into blush or you’re scared of overdoing it, cream blush is basically foolproof. It gives you the kind of soft wash that looks like it came from within – not your makeup bag.
Clown cheeks are always a risk with highly pigmented powder blushes – especially if you have fair skin. I love being a pale princess, but that can make blush application challenging. The trick, with very pigmented powder blushes, is to use a light hand and a stippling brush. This type of brush picks up less product, giving you more control over application.
If you need to, you can always add more, but I find that’s rarely necessary. With sheer or medium pigmented blushes, a big fluffy brush works best. It makes application quicker and just as precise. In both cases, though, you can take your time in blending out harsh edges and blotchy patches.
Setting Time
Cream blushes tend to set quickly, and once they do, they are pretty hard to remove. To avoid streaked and marbled cheeks (ugh!), you’re forced to hurriedly blend them in. You can do so with your fingers but, if you don’t want to stain them, a stippling brush does the job very well too.
One tip: if your cream blush is setting too fast, try warming it up on the back of your hand first. It makes the texture more blendable and gives you a few more seconds to work with it before it dries down.
Staying Power
My main gripe with cream blushes is their short staying power. Most cream blushes last only 6 or 7 hours on my dry cheeks. That’s not bad, but with powders, I can just forget I have them on at all. Most of the colour is usually still there when I take my makeup off late at night.
If you’re wearing cream blush in summer or you’re prone to touching your face (guilty), expect some fading. You can try setting it with a translucent powder just around the edges to lock it in without dulling the glow.
Can You Use Cream And Powder Blush Together?
For a really longlasting glow and pop of colour, use them together. Apply first a cream blush as a base, and then a powder blush in a similar colour on top of it. This way, you can just forget about touch ups. The colour won’t budge. I usually do this when the weather start getting warm, so I don’t have to worry about the heat melting my face.
Bonus: layering also helps intensify paler shades that don’t show up much on deeper skin tones. If one blush is too light, two can do the trick.
What About Gel And Liquid Blushes?
If powder and cream had a baby, it’d be gel blush. Super light, super easy, and just kind of melts in like it’s part of your skin. Great when it’s hot out or when you can’t be bothered with foundation.
Liquid blush is a different story. Way more pigmented, kind of scary if you go in too hard. One dot too many and it’s over. But if you use the tiniest bit and blend fast, it looks so good. Glowy, juicy, all the things.
Do You Need A Brush For Cream Blush?
Not really. Honestly, half the time I just slap it on with my fingers and call it a day. But if you don’t wanna get your hands messy or you’re going for that extra blended, soft-focus thing, a brush helps. Sponges are fine too, but they eat product like it’s a snack, so just know you’ll need more.
What Are The Best Blushes?
Cream VS Powder Blush: The Bottom Line
Honestly? Just use whatever makes you feel cute. Powder’s great if you want it to stay all day and not think about it. Cream’s the move if you want that glowy, juicy thing. You can even slap both on if you’re feeling fancy. There’s no rule. It’s blush. Have fun.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
