Blush is a wonderful little product that is used to add both color and definition to those gorgeous cheeks of yours! Blush works by providing a healthy color and glow while creating the illusion of a narrower face and higher cheekbones. Choosing the best blush for you, however, is not always an easy task due to the sheer number of blush products and styles available. Before you go rushing into a new blush purchase, think about your complexion, skin type, personal preferences and price range. These factors will all have a huge effect on your purchase.
Blush is available in a variety of styles. Let’s have a look at some of the most popular types:
Powder Blush:
Powdered blush is perhaps the most popular style of blush due to its dense and long-lasting design. These blushes are usually sold in a compact style, offering the user a brush and mirror in one portable product. Powdered blushers are easier to apply and to store. Loose powdered blushes are also available if you are a fan of this style. Powdered blushes usually cost much less than other products. They help absorb face oils and come in a HUGE range of colors.
Cream Blush:
Cream blushers tend to come in a stick, pencil or jar style and are applied using the fingers or a makeup sponge. Cream blushers work best when applied over liquid foundation or under powdered foundation. The benefits of using cream blushers are that they blend easily, create a fresh look, moisturize the skin and offer intense color varieties. Unfortunately, cream blushers don’t usually last as long as other styles of blush, and may not be suitable for those with oily skin.
Liquid/Gel Blush:
Liquid or gel blushes blend easily and create a more natural look. These blushes also tend to include more features, such as water resistance and oil-free varieties. There are also more concentrated liquid tint blushers available if you are after a more intense look. The downside to these products is that they can be difficult to apply and can be a little messy.
Mousse Blush:
Mousse blushers are becoming increasingly popular due to their soft, airy design that glides on easily. Although mousse blushers are more similar to cream blushers in design, the end result is actually more like that of a powdered blush due to its vibrant color and smoothness. Mousse blushers are also perfect for those with dry skin. Mousse blushers, however, have a shorter shelf life than other blush products and may smudge off easily.
Once you have figured out which style of blush is best suited to you, consider what blush color will best suit your skin tone. It’s important to pick a blush that matches your skin tone, as this will make the product look more natural. If you have a warmer complexion, look for blush in either a coral, bronze or peach tone. Those with lighter skin will be more suited to mauves, pinks and lavenders.
If you have sensitive skin, you may want to consider purchasing a blush made with natural, safe-to-use products. Natural blushes don’t use synthetic materials. They use ingredients such as clays, essential oils, natural pigments and plant-based materials instead.
Price
You can expect to pay anywhere between $3 and $20 for quality blush, depending on a variety of factors. Blushes tend to range in size from 0.1 to 0.5 ounces, with larger products often costing more. If a brand offers a larger color variety, then these products will often be pricier too. The features in your new blush will also affect the cost of the product, with waterproof, vitamin-enriched and compact products costing more. This isn’t to say that less expensive blushes don’t work as well; they simply don’t offer the user as many extras. There are cheap blushes available on the market ($2 or less), but be aware that these products won’t be as kind to your skin or be as long-lasting.
Features
The features you will want included in your new blush product will depend entirely on your own personal preferences, as well as your skin tone and the look you are trying to achieve. There are a few features we recommend looking for to ensure you choose a high-quality product, such as color variety, shimmer technology, and compact design.
Construction and Design
When searching for the best possible blush for you, look for brands and products that have a wide color variety. This will make it much easier to select a product that is perfectly suited to your skin tone.
Another handy feature to have in your new blush is a product with "shimmer" technology. This means that the blush provides a contouring shimmer effect as well as a pop of color. These type of products will be much more effective at shaping your face and enhancing the look of your cheekbones.
We recommend keeping an eye out for blush products that have a compact design. These blushes are much more portable and will fit easily in your bag for touch-ups on the go. For top points, look for blushes that contain a compact makeup mirror and brush too!
Performance and Ease of Use
If you have opted for a powdered blush, make sure the product is properly sealed when not in use, to prevent the blush from cracking and leaking all over your makeup bag or purse. You'll also want to make sure your makeup brushes or sponges are clean before using the blush, to prevent damage to the product. If you have chosen a mousse, cream or liquid blush, store the product in a cool, dry area. This will prevent the blush from overheating, melting and spilling out of its container, creating a mess! If you are looking for a particularly high-end blush product, we recommend looking for a blush palette. These products offer a variety of blush colors that go together, to create a natural-looking glow that defines and contours your face.
Selecting the ideal blush can often be tricky, due to the number of brands and products available on the market today. Hopefully, after reading our handy little buying guide, you have figured out what type of blush is most suitable to your needs and your skin tone. This will make it a lot easier to narrow down your options and select the ideal blush for you! Let’s look at our top five picks.
By now you should have a better understanding of what blush products each brand has to offer, and which products are the most suitable for your particular skin type. If you aren’t a fan of the specific products we have featured, all these brands have a wide variety of products to choose from. Simply browse their other collections to find the right shade and style for you! All that’s left to do now is select your favorite and start looking fabulous!
