This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you make a purchase (at no cost to you!)
As I’ve got older, there’s been a big shift in my makeup application. To cut a long story short, I went from preferring matte formulas to always reaching for creamy, dewy products.
Maybe it’s because my skin isn’t as youthful and naturally fresh as it was in my teens, but something about a full face of powder is a no-go for me. It looks too heavy, fine lines start showing within a couple of hours, regardless of setting powder, and my skin just looks generally dry.
However, I haven’t completely done away with all powder products in my collection. One type of powder product that I still hold very dear is a powder blush. I solely use cream bronzers nowadays, but I use so many fantastic powder blushes regularly without worrying about makeup looking dry and cakey.
Here are some of the best powder blushes that I would recommend to anyone. You’ll find that most of them are perfect for pretty much every skin type, even if you have oily skin or dry skin – they’re real all-rounders.
Tower 28 GetSet™ Matte Powder Blush
Starting with a newbie to my collection, the Tower 28 GetSet™ Matte Powder Blush. I have the shade Long Beach Ice Tea, which is this gorgeous warm peachy pink shade. On my pale skin, it’s the perfect blend of a bronzer’s warmth and a blush’s flush. The formula blurs and instantly smoothes out my skin for a flawless finish. Buildable pigments are in there, so you can keep applying more while keeping that natural finish. I love it so much that you’ll probably see more shades of this product showing up in my collection very soon.
Jones Road The Bronzer
Don’t let the name Bronzer fool you, there is a shade in the Jones Road The Bronzer range called Dusty Rose and I think it might just be the perfect blush shade for a natural look. It’s this gorgeous warm pink shade that instantly warms up my complexion. The formula is perfect, it’s pigmented and lasts a long time; if I could only use one blush for the rest of my life, I think this may be the one I choose. They do have actual blushes too, which I have yet to try, but there’s a pretty wide shade range to choose from there if this shade isn’t for you (but I’m not sure if the formula is the same as the bronzer).
NYX Buttermelt Blush
The Buttermelt range was recently(ish) launched by NYX, and so far I have been super impressed by the products that are part of this line-up, particularly the Buttermelt Blush. They are smooth and have a lovely, buttery feel that blends like a dream to the skin. The shade range is pretty good, but some contain a bit of shimmer. I also like the Buttermelt Bronzers that have the same formula, if powder bronzers are your thing.
Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Flushed Blurring Balm Powder
Just because you want a matte finish doesn’t mean you’re limited to powder blushes. Cream blushes can be matte too. One of my all-time favourite blushes, regardless of the colour/texture/pigment, is the Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Flushed Blurring Balm Powder. Danessa Myricks really did something with this Yummy Skin range, and we’ve been blessed with some incredible (and super innovative) makeup products. This blush is pigmented, has a silky matte finish and blurs out the skin to give it an almost airbrushed look — perfection.
Nudestix Nudies Matte All-Over Face Blush Stick
Another example of cream formulas that do matte finishes perfectly is the Nudestix Nudies Matte All-Over Face Blush Stick. They come in a good range of different colors that include both bold and natural shades (my favourite is Cherie). I like that you can easily swipe the product directly onto your cheeks for super-easy application. Although I must say that I despise the brushes that come with these blushes, they are absolutely awful and don’t do a good job of blending at all. I like that they have blushes with cool undertones and warm undertones, so you should be able to easily find a shade for you.
e.l.f Primer-Infused Matte Blush
If you’re looking for budget-friendly powder formulas, I highly recommend the e.l.f Primer-Infused Matte Blush. The idea with these blushes is that they are infused with primer (as the name suggests) to provide long-lasting colour to the cheeks. It certainly is long-lasting, but I also love that it provides a good amount of pigment while remaining weightless and not looking too powdery. You only need a tiny bit for a natural blush look, but you can build it up for best results if needed. Plus, for under $10, you really couldn’t ask for more. Off topic, but I also do love their new camo liquid blushes.
NARS Powder Blush
Finally, it would be rude to write an article about powder blushes and not mention the OG: NARS Powder Blush. Makeup artists have used them for years, and they are best sellers for a reason. These blushes are seriously good. Some have shimmer in them, so avoid those if you want a matte shade, but there are plenty of other colours to choose from. The best blush colour for me is Infatuated, this gorgeous deep berry that gives a natural matte finish.
The Best Brushes for Powder Blush Application
Now that we’ve spoken about some of my favorite products, we should also mention the best way to apply them. When it comes to a liquid formula or the best blushes with creamy textures, you’d normally pick a dense brush that won’t soak up too much product but deposit pigment to the face evenly. For powder blushes, a fluffy blush brush and a light hand are the winning combination. Here are some of my favourite brushes to use:
Saie The Powder Blush Brush
A super soft brush that blends in powder products seamlessly.
Real Techniques Blush Brush
A budget-friendly brush with a rounded shape to easily deposit product on the cheeks.
Sephora Pro Powder Brush #59
A soft, precise blush brush that effortlessly blends in powder products.
Beauty Pie Regular All-Over Face Powder Brush
A large brush that’s a great pick for applying any type of powder product to the face.
Leave a Reply