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Powder blush has truly stood the test of time – having paved the way for its liquid and cream counterparts to take centre stage. An Instagram account ‘Data, But Make It Fashion’ pulled 891 articles referencing blush type in 2024 and ran a sentiment analysis to compare the popularity of liquid and powder blush. The results revealed that powder blush is 79 per cent more popular than liquid blushes this year. That said, while the liquid and cream variants are ever so popular, courtesy of the Rhode vs. Rare blush battle, but the humble powder blush has reigned supreme this year.
Cream vs. Powder Blush
Although both cream and powder blushes offer a similar pay-off – a perpetual flushed look – there are subtle differences to note when using the two.
Pigment
Cream and liquid blushes tend to be more pigmented than their powder counterpart. And while this may sound like a good thing, over-pigmented formulas can cause a severe case of blush-blindness among makeup wearers. A little too much of either could leave ample colour on the cheeks, giving a jarring appearance. On the other hand, a powder blush is easier to manage and build.
Formulation
Sure, cream and liquid blushes are moisturising, but this could mean disaster for oily skin types. Conversely, a powder blush offers a matte finish, soaking up excess oil and sebum while adding a dash of colour to the skin. Even if you have dry skin, you might want to set your blush with a powdered variant after using a cream formula.
Durability
A cream blush sets quickly and tends to last longer than a powder formula. While powder blushes often wither away as the day progresses, when applied over a cream blush, they offer a look that has the potential to last all day long.
Disclaimer: These differences don’t necessarily make powder blushes better than cream, and vice versa. However, one would want to set their blush look with a powder variant for extended wearability; it’s the same as setting your base with a compact powder.
So, let’s jump right into the 10 best powder blushes to achieve a Sabrina Carpenter-like flushed look.
Top 10 Powder Blushes
Double Trouble
This homegrown beauty brand offers a dual-toned blush combo featuring peachy-pink shades. The buildable formula makes layering your blush easy, so that every stroke adds a pop of colour to the cheeks. Plus, it’s highly-pigmented, lightweight formula lends a smooth, matte finish.
Nykaa Recommends:
Celebrity Seal Of Approval
From Katrina’s brand boasting affordable yet high-quality products comes a line of superior matte blushes. They are vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, and enriched with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid to give the formulation a long-lasting, smooth, and matte finish.
Nykaa Recommends:
Best Budget Buy
The most budget-friendly blush of the lot is this powder formula from MARS. Besides being the official beauty partner for Nancy Tyagi at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, MARS is a great everyday blush for beginners. Even though the pigment is light, the formula spreads easily and lasts long.
Nykaa Recommends:
Household Name
Lakmé is a household name in the beauty industry for a reason; they are affordable, high-quality, and their formulas suit Indian skin types and weather perfectly. This powder blush from Lakmé promises easy and effortless application, and is enriched with vitamin E, jojoba oil, and almond oil for an extra dose of hydration.
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Natural Finish
The Fit Me range from Maybelline – be it the foundation or blush – offers a smooth, blended, and natural look that flatters most Indian skin tones. This ultra-breathable blush comes in six shades and offers a flushed look for up to 16 hours!
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Buildable Formula
Made with goji berries, vitamins A and C, shea butter, and zero toxic chemicals, this blush is a clean formulation that keeps your skin moisturised while controlling excess oil and sebum. It offers a matte finish, is intensely pigmented, and stays on for a long time.
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Crowd-Pleaser
Swiss Beauty has long been known for it’s trendy, innovative formulas that offer a high colour pay-off while being super lightweight, velvety, and matte. This powder blush is suitable for all Indian skin types and tones and can help enhance your complexion.
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Ingredient-Laden
Prepared with 93 naturally derived ingredients and flower petal extracts, this powder blush lends a soft, smooth, and cushiony finish on the cheeks. It blurs fine lines and creases and evens out skin texture to give you a naturally flushed look.
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Old-Money Aesthetic
Charlotte Tilbury screams quiet luxury when it comes to high-end luxe beauty essentials. This powder blush duo offers a flattering, sun-kissed finish to your cheeks, while the colour-rich pigment and light-reflecting technology bring out your inherent glow.
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Make It Couture
Lately, all celebrities are obsessing over Pat McGrath’s formulations, ingredients, and packaging – for the right reasons. Their powder blush is feather-light, vividly pigmented, and offers a satiny finish with pearl-like luminescence.
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Parting Thoughts
Although cream blushes are longer-lasting and more pigmented than the powder variant, the latter retains OG status for an all-day-long flushed look. Channel your inner Sabrina and embrace blush blindness with the best powder blushes!
FAQs
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How to apply blush?
Start by applying cream blush along the cheekbones, blending it upwards, towards the hairline. Once the formula is thoroughly blended, set it with powder blush for a long-lasting effect.
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Which is better, cream or powder blush?
Both cream and powder blushes have their pros and cons. A cream blush is more pigmented and longer-lasting, while powder formulas curb excess oil and sebum and offer a natural finish. For the best results, use both sequentially.
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Which blush colour is best for dark skin?
To identify the best blush shade for your skin, it’s important to understand your undertone. If you have an olive/warm undertone, opt for peach and bronze blush shades, whereas if you have a yellow/neutral undertone, opt for rose gold and maroon blush shades.
