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There are two makeup products that I think do the most for my face: mascara and blush. The two products have the power to completely transform my complexion from looking dull and tired to suddenly awake and vibrant.
Obviously, I want that look to last as long as possible, which is why I usually find myself gravitating towards waterproof mascara that will keep my lashes looking dark and curled until I choose to go in with makeup remover. The same goes for my blush. It doesn’t matter how beautiful the shade is, if it’s not going to last on my face for more than a couple of hours, I am not interested.
In my search to find the best blush that lasts a full day’s work or a day out on the weekend, I’ve tried many and not all of them have been up to scratch. In this article, I’ve curated a list of the very best blushes (both powder and cream) that I feel have the lasting power that anyone would be impressed with.
Tips For Making Your Blush Last All Day
Although the actual blush should be doing a lot of the hard work, there are some tips you can also follow to ensure maximum wear time for your makeup.
Everything starts with your skincare routine so make sure to start with a clean canvas by cleansing and moisturizing your skin before applying any makeup. If you consistently have issues with your makeup staying on your face, you might also want to consider using a makeup primer for everything to stick to. For a budget-friendly option, I’d go for the e.l.f Power Grip Primer, for high-end I’d say the Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer – both are great.
Rather than going in with a heavy layer of blush in the hopes of getting the best color payoff, I’ve found that applying my blush in thin layers and then building up the color gradually is the best way to make my blush last long. I feel like this method helps each layer stick to your skin a little better and means that each layer is reinforcing what was underneath.
It’s all about the layering too, I find that to get the best result I use a cream and a powder blush. The cream goes on first and then I use a powder in a similar shade to set everything in place. Either that or just use some translucent powder to set your cream blush if you don’t have a powder of the same color.
Finally, make sure you use a setting spray to lock everything in place. I’ve written an article on the very best setting sprays before, but for cheaper products, I really like the NYX setting sprays, if you’re happy to spend a little bit more, the Charlotte Tilbury setting spray is fantastic.
Also remember that sometimes it’s not the blush’s fault that your makeup isn’t lasting very long, it could be down to the skincare or other base products that you’re using. If you notice that the rest of your makeup is also fading by the end of the day, it may not be the blush that’s the problem.
The Best Long-Lasting Powder Blushes
One theme you’ll see in this article is that I usually go for cream blushes, which is why the list of my favorite long-lasting powder blushes is a little on the short side. I just find that generally a cream formula or liquid lasts the best on my skin.
So although the list is short, know that these are the very best of the best powder formula blushes that made the cut.
e.l.f Primer-Infused Blush
In my opinion, elf do some of the best drugstore blushes. Their Primer-Infused Blush is such a good powder formula and easily ranks as one of the most amazing blushes, even above products that are triple its price.
These blushes are great for pretty much any skin type, and because they are infused with primer, it’s the easiest way to ensure your blush lasts all day, without even having to do an in-depth skincare and base routine beforehand.
Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
There’s a reason why the Tarte Amazonian Clay Blushes have been spoken about for years now, they’re seriously good products.
They are super long-lasting, even staying put on oily skin. They have a great shade range, with colors for any makeup look you’re going for. They contain rich pigments that provide great color and give that natural-looking glow we all want. The OG shade is Exposed, which has been one of my favorite blushes for as long as I can remember, it’s a gorgeous neutral-toned pink that looks good on almost everybody.
Vieve Sunset Blush
I’ve only just tried the Vieve products, and so far it’s been the Sunset Blush that really stands out for me. The matte finish product comes in a small but mighty shade range of vibrant colors that give a nice healthy glow.
The pigment is great, and they blend into the skin really nicely with any blush brush you have on hand. I think they’re only available on Cult Beauty for international shipping, but it’s well worth paying that extra delivery fee.
Jones Road The Bronzer in Dusty Rose
I love any beauty brands that are owned by makeup artists, but when you have someone like Bobbi Brown starting a new makeup line, you know you need to pay attention – she’s an industry veteran whom I’d trust with any makeup any day of the week.
The Jones Road The Bronzer is, obviously, a bronzer, but the shade Dusty Rose is most definitely a blush. It gives the perfect cool-toned, rosy glow. It’s more in the natural blush territory, but the silky formula is so perfect. It blends in seamlessly and doesn’t settle into fine lines which sometimes other powdery products can do, which makes it perfect for mature skin too.
Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo
I didn’t know where to put this as it’s a duo that has both a powder and a cream blusher inside. The Patrick Ta Major Headlines Blush Duo is part of the range by celebrity makeup artist, Patrick Ta, which, although being a new blush to my collection, has quickly become one of my favorite products.
The best tip that Patrick gives seems a bit counterintuitive, he suggests putting the cream blush on after the powder, something that goes against everything I thought I knew about makeup, but it really does give the desired effect of longer-lasting blush. I really like the shade, She’s Blushing in my makeup kit as it provides a natural-looking color that really warms up my complexion.
The Best Long-Lasting Cream Blushes
Usually, when I’m looking for a product that’s going to be a bit longer lasting, I’ll look for a cream or liquid formula – maybe even a cheek stain if I want a more natural look.
It all comes down to personal preference, but I like the dewy look that cream products give, and I think they last longer on my skin. So if you are looking for the best cream blushes that are all beauty editor approved, here they are.
Nudestix Nudies Matte Blush & Bronze
The Nudestix Nudies Matte Blush & Bronze are another super popular blush product and I love them. The cheek stick isn’t quite as creamy as some of the other products on the list, and they don’t have the same dewy glow, but I think that just makes them last a little bit longer. My only complaint is that I wish they would get rid of the brush on the other side of the stick, it just does nothing.
They have a good range of shades that cater to light and deep skin tones, but in my opinion, the best blush color in the range is Sunset Strip or Sunkissed.
Honest Beauty Crème Cheek + Lip Color
To be honest, I barely gave Honest Beauty a second glance when I first heard about their products, but when I saw people raving about the Creme Cheek + Lip Color, I was intrigued. Now, I am so glad that I tried out this cream blush formula.
This is a great option that you can pick up from your local Target, it gives a natural-looking finish and a lit-from-within glow. Like the rest of the products in the range, it’s formulated with a lot of clean ingredients, making it a top pick for acne-prone skin – but I think anyone will love it, regardless of your skin type.
Glossier Cloud Paint
I am not as big of a fan of Glossier as I was a few years ago, but one product that I don’t see ever leaving my collection is the Cloud Paints. These formulas are just so good.
They are liquid blushes that come in a tube, they last a really long time and have beautiful dewy finishes. There’s a good reason why these products have been so popular for so long, just try one for yourself and you’ll see why.
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
We’ve all seen the videos of people applying that little bit too much of the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Blushes, it’s safe to say that a little bit of this product goes a long way.
These blushes are so beautiful, and if you want a pigmented product that’s going to last all day, you may have found your match with this one. I like to apply with a damp sponge, in an attempt to soak up just a little bit of pigment before applying it to the apples of your cheeks and up the cheekbones.
e.l.f Putty Blush
Another e.l.f blush that is a staple in my makeup routine is the Putty Blushes, with a good range of peachy pinks, neutral tones, and shades for dark skin tones, these blushes boast super easy application, a long-lasting formula, and a beautiful finish.
There aren’t many blushes that I could apply straight to bare skin when I’m in a rush, but this formula just blends in so seamlessly to give the perfect no-makeup-makeup flush.
Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush
Another good blush that you’ve probably heard of before is the Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Blushes, these have been around for ages and I still find myself reaching for them frequently when I want a foolproof blush.
I like the shade Peach Face the most, a light peach shade that looks a little scary in the pan but just gives so much warmth to my complexion, it’s great.
Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek
For minimal effort products that still rank at the top of my best long-lasting blushes, look no further than the Milk Makeup Lip + Cheeks sticks. These handy sticks come in the most user-friendly packaging, simply swipe it onto your face and blend it out with a blush or your fingers. Because it’s such a creamy formula, you barely have to put any effort into blending at all.
My favorite color in the range is Werk, a beautiful shade that looks almost like the rest of the blushes I own- in the neutral pink territory. It gives a natural finish but still a healthy flush that really compliments my skin tone.
Saie Dew Blush
If you’re looking for a natural look when it comes to your cheek shades, but still want a long-wearing blush, the Saie Dew Blush is going to be the ideal blush for you.
This is a somewhat thin consistency that feels as hydrating as hyaluronic acid on dry skin. The best thing about this blush is that despite having a thinner formula, it really does last all day. I love the shade Spicy, a warm terracotta, darker shade that would look beautiful on medium skin tones.
Danessa Myricks Vision Flush
The range by professional makeup artist, Danessa Myricks, is often slept upon and I really don’t see why. Their Vision Flush blushes are really incredible, imparting a flush of color and a long-wearing formula, this is easily a makeup staple.
I really like the blush shades they have, it’s somewhat limited, but it’s a great curated selection. These products are also super pigmented so you only need to use a small amount of product for maximum payoff.
