Alexandra Ramirez
1. Bare Minerals
Best Overall Blush
5/5 Product Rating
This blush is made from 100% pure bare minerals and is healthy for the skin.
It adds a creamy, natural tone that brings out the beauty of the skin, going on flawlessly every time.
This blush is suitable for all skin types including problem-prone skin and sensitive skin too.
The popular bare minerals name is a well trusted and loved brand in the makeup industry.
Add a soft, natural glow to your complexion effortlessly with this high quality blush that is available in a variety of colors.
It is the perfect addition to your makeup bag and can be used for casual errands, work and a night on the town. This blush comes in a convenient container with a glass bottom and black lid and can be used with a variety of different brushes to add that beautiful glow to your skin any time of year.
– Linda Krantz
2. Shany
Best Overall Blush – Runner Up
4.6/5 Product Rating
This blush product provides users with a choice of 6 colors that provide natural color and radiance to your skin.
It is made from high quality, transparent pigments that prevent it from looking or feeling heavy.
There is a combination of sheer and matte colors in this palette to choose from.
You can choose a lighter, sheerer one for during the day and a more elegant, shimmery one for a night on the town. It has an easy to carry and use compact that has 6 different choices of color schemes.
The luxurious compact that the SHANY blush fuchsia color scheme comes in makes this great makeup for those on the go. This USA made blush is perfect for all skin types and it not tested on animals.
– Linda Krantz
3. Milani
Best Budget Blush
4.5/5 Product Rating
Wearers of this blush will have a healthy, radiant look that adds a beautiful, finished look to your makeup.
There are matte and shimmery shades available to choose from that take you from your day to day errands to a night on the town.
This blush has a rich pigment and is very buildable so you can achieve a natural look that enhances your skins natural beauty rather than just adding color to the skin.
It is the perfect addition to your makeup bag and will give you that sun-kissed look that you’re after.
This beautiful and high quality blush comes in an elegant gold-trimmed container that you can use with your own blush brush.
– Linda Krantz
Blush Buying Guide
Basic Skin Types
The first step in being able to choose the best blush for your skin is to determine what your skin type is. You will be focusing on the skin on your cheeks since a large number of people have combination skin in the nose, forehead and chin areas. Since you wear blush on the cheeks, this is the area you will need to focus on when determining the right skin type. The 3 basic skin types are:
- Oily – People with oily skin have a tendency to have blemishes and their skin will have a shiny appearance. Larger pores are usually visible, especially on the nose, chin, forehead and even on the cheeks at times. These large pores become more noticeable when makeup is applied. If you have oily skin, it is important to choose the right blush so you don’t aggravate or increase skin problems or increase the appearance of the larger pores.
- Dry – One of the common traits of dry skin is that it flakes. It is also prone to developing fine lines due to the lack of moisture and the skin’s natural oils. Choosing the wrong type of blush for dry skin can result in even more drying so you need to make sure that the blush you purchase can add some moisture to the skin. UV protection is also important for this skin type.
- Normal – Having normal skin means that it keeps a balance of oils that prevent it from being too dry or too oily. Pores are not noticeable unless the skin is being closely inspected. The elasticity of the skin is good as well which means fewer wrinkles to worry about. If you have normal skin, you have the most options when it comes to choosing the type of blush you use.
Seasonal Changes
You may notice that your skin does different things at different times of the year. Most often, cold temperatures will dry out the skin faster due to the heat sources that are used. This can be combated through the use of a humidifier which will add some moisture to the air.
When temperatures are high, humidity and heat will increase the oils in your skin, making your face oilier. A good rule of thumb is to purchase two types of blush one for each season, to compensate for the changes your skin will go through during each time.
Types of Blush
There are several basic types of blush available to choose from. You will want to consider things like brand reputation, shelf life, ease of use, ease of application, age market, how much of the product there is, price, color selection and other special features when you start shopping around. We have listed the different types of blush below with some information about each type.
Powder – Powder blush is probably one of the most commonly used types by all age groups and skin types. It typically comes in a solid cake of powder that is in a compact of some kind. This type of blush lasts a long time and is not usually very expensive. Inside the compact there may be a small brush or makeup pad that you can use to apply it, although you may prefer to use a separate blush brush. There are some powder blush formulas that are loose as well and come in a shaker type container. Some of the pros to using a powder blush include:
- Long lasting
- Cost effective
- Easy to apply
- Absorbs oils on the skin
- Wide variety of colors
- Available in all brands
There are some drawbacks to using powder blush as well for those who have dry skin, as the powder blush and dry nature of the product can accentuate fine lines and wrinkles in the skin. In addition, some people find that applying loose blush powder can be a little messy.
Cream – Cream blush is good for achieving a beautiful evening look that is soft in appearance. Cream blush can come in pencil form, stick, jar or a soft cake. It is best applied with a makeup sponge although some like to use their fingers. Apply cream blush over foundation and under a finishing powder for the best look. Some of the pros to using cream blush include:
- The intense color they provide
- Produces a soft, transparent look
- Adds moisture to dry skin
- Blends easily.
Some drawbacks to using cream blush include the shorter shelf life and the fact that it is more likely to smudge or rub off than powder is. It is not usually advised to wear cream blush on oily skin.
Liquid or Gel – These types of blushes are usually packaged in jars, tubes or bottles. They blend easily and give a beautiful sheer color that is not overdone. There are different varieties of liquid and gel blush including oil-free and water-resistant. They are a good choice for people who engage in a lot of outdoor activities. Some of the concentrated liquid blushes offer more intense color. They are applied with a makeup sponge or the fingertips. Some pros to using liquid or gel blush include:
- The transparent effects it offers after application
- The natural fresh look it provides
- It dries quickly
- Can be used by those with oily skin due to the oil free varieties available
- Blends easily
- Provides a fresh, youthful look
Some of the drawbacks to using liquid or gel blush include the difficulty in getting it to apply evenly. This can improve with practice though; it can be messy, it has a shorter shelf life, is more expensive usually and may require you to wash your hands after application.
Mousse – Mousse is a type of cream blush but it is lighter and more airy in consistency. It applies easily with the fingers and in most often packages in a jar or pump. Mousse blush provides a look that is comparable to powder blush but it has the flexibility and smoothness of cream blush. Some of the pros of using a mousse blush include:
- Dries quickly
- Gives the appearance of a powder blush on the skin
- Is easier to apply than cream
- Works well on dry skin
Some of the drawbacks to using mousse blush are that it can rub off or smudge easily, it has limited colors and a shorter shelf life and the air content involved reduces the cost effectiveness of the blush.
Matching Blush to Skin Tone
When you match the color of the blush you purchase to your skin tone, you will get a more natural, attractive look. The basic points to remember are to match warmer complexions (those containing yellow undertones) to warmer blush colors like peach, bronze, coral and brick red (which is a red with yellow undertones). If your skin has more blue undertones, stick to colors like mauve, pink, lavender and blue-red. You will also find that cool colors match with silver better and warm with gold.
Conclusion
Blush is a major part of most people’s makeup routine. With all of the choices available, it is important to have a good idea of what you need to achieve the looks you want. Once you know the skin type you have and what skin tone you have, you can sort through all of the different types of blushes and select the perfect one for your needs and preferences.
Resources
- Milani – http://milanicosmetics.com/
- Bare Minerals – https://www.bareescentuals.com/
- SHANY – http://shanycosmetics.com/
