Powder or Cream Blush: How to Choose One?

Find the Best Blush for Your Skin Type

It’s tough trying to pick between cream blush and powder blush since there are so many great options. Here’s a guide that will show you how to add natural rosiness to your face for healthy radiance with either formula—cream or powder!

We love both formulas, but it really depends on your skin type as to which works best. Let’s go ahead and discuss why some formulas may work better for certain skin types than others.

When Choosing a Blush, Consider Your Skin Type

There are four main skin types: normal, oily, dry, or combination. To find your skin type, follow these steps: 

1) Wash your face with a mild cleanser and pat it dry.

2) Don’t apply any other products.

3) Check the condition of your skin after 30 minutes.

Oil skin: If your skin is shiny or feels oily even after 30 minutes have passed since washing it, you likely have oily skin. Those with oily skin may notice that their pores are more visible, especially around the t-zone area of the face. People with this type of skin are also prone to developing blemishes.

Normal skin: If your skin feels balanced, comfortable, and is neither shiny nor dry, you likely have normal skin.

Dry skin: Signs of dry skin include: feeling tight and itchy after only 30 minutes, peeling or flaking skin, and increased sensitivity.

Combination skin: Most people have what is called combination skin. That means that some areas of the skin are oily and others are dry.

Many people believe that cream blushes are ideal for normal to dry skin and powder blush is better suited for those with normal to oily skin, but this isn’t always accurate. It depends on the ingredients used in the formulas. 

For example, high-quality food-grade ingredients help maintain your skin’s radiance while also allowing the product to last after application. These elements are important regardless of your skin type.

What are blushes used for?

Before we explore the distinctions between cream and powder blush, let’s go over what your blush is meant to achieve.

Blush should contribute a lovely color to the apples of your cheeks that looks both natural and easy, never harsh or angular. You can use blush as well to add a healthy glow where rosiness would show up naturally.

Cream Blush

Cream blush is a type of blush that uses cream as its base, which often contains oils or waxes. Even if you have oily skin, give it a try! Chances are, the plant-based oils and waxes will work well with your skin type.

Moreover, it’s easy to blend into your look and can provide a subtle color with a dewy finish—perfect for an ethereal appearance.

Cream Blush: Positive Points

Dry, sensitive skin types can benefit from cream blush; however, even people with oily skin can use it provided the ingredients are formulated correctly. For example, if jojoba oil is present in the blush, then all skin types can utilize it.

The reason for this is that the chemical structures of jojoba oil and our natural sebum are very similar. Therefore, absorption into the skin is easy and supports maintaining moisture levels.

Cream Blush: Negative Points

For a natural look, cream blush is the best option. However, some people find it difficult to get enough color from a cream blush.

If you’re going to be sweating or in a hot environment, cream blush may not be the best option because heat can cause the oils in the blush to melt.

Our Recommendation

The best type of blush is the one that has skincare-like ingredients, so not only does it give your face a sheer color, but it also helps keep your skin healthy.

For example, this item can be used on lips and cheeks or to add a small kiss of color to the center of eyelids for a natural look with no makeup needed.

Other ultra-sheer cream blushes lack pigment, but this blush is richly pigmented. You only need a little bit of product to create a beautiful, buildable flush of color.

What About Powder Blush? 

The most popular type of blush is powder blush. Made with finely milled and rich pigments. Normally, it comes in a small case and is applied with a big brush.

Powder Blush: Positive Points

Powder blush gives you a range of options for your look, from subtle to dramatic. You can also blend it easily to create the perfect shade.

The right tools are key when applying powder blush—unlike cream blush, which you can apply with your fingers—and using them is almost impossible without the right tools.

Powder Blush: Negative Points

Powder blushes are easy to apply, but a lot can go wrong if you use too much color. If you apply your blush after your face makeup, it can be difficult to remove if you get too much on your cheeks.

Powder blush, in contrast to cream blush, sits on top of the skin rather than sinking into it. As a result, there is more opportunity for error when selecting a color because hues tend to be darker. If you’re not cautious, your mistake will be quite visible.

Our recommendation

Use an oil-based blush for a healthy, sheer finish with the same rich pigment application as powder blush. 

This particular blush is meant to be applied with a damp brush for easy absorption and velocity onto the skin. The end result is a radiant and smooth complexion that lasts all day.

The best Tips for Applying Blush

While unfortunate, it’s very easy to end up with big pink circles on the apples of your cheeks when you’re applying your blush. To apply perfectly, simply take into account your facial structure and where you would flush if you were embarrassed or got nervous for a job interview.

After finding those areas, blend outwards from there while keeping the color in those original spots. Additionally, placing your blush above the apples of your cheeks can create a lifted look that even supermodels approve!

For Skin With Signs of Aging

If you want to minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles, add some blush to your cheeks! Placing it on the apples of your cheeks is classic, but for a more youthful appearance, mature skin types should sweep it across the outermost third of their cheekbones. This will create the illusion of higher cheekbones.

Be careful not to extend the blush too far out onto your temples or near the corners of your eyes—this can make you seem older than you are.

For ‘No Makeup’ Looks

For a natural flush, concentrate your cream blush on the apples of your cheeks and blend it outward instead of in. The aim is to add a subtle hint of color to the center that looks authentic, so remember to go easy on the product and focus on blending it out evenly.

For an Evening Event

Instead of a powder blush, go for a more natural look by using a luminizer on the top of your cheekbones. This will help illuminate your skin without adding any unwanted sparkle or glitter.

For a Quick Application

By using a few versatile products, you can create an entire makeup look in five minutes. The easy-to-use applicator adds the perfect amount of believable color to your cheeks, lips, and eyelids.

This product functions as both skincare and cosmetics, allowing you to care for your skin while adding color where it’s needed the most. It’s made with food-grade ingredients that are gentle on skin.

A little blush works wonders

No matter your preference—whether it be a cream blush for a natural look or powder blush applied wet, what’s important is that you use products with ingredients beneficial to your skin.