By Sheila
Blush, one of my favorite products, comes in many shapes, forms, and sizes. It can be confusing to figure out what type to use, but here’s a little breakdown on some of the different ones on the market.
Cream Blush: Some people use lipstick as their blush. That’s totally fine, and not to say that I haven’t occasionally thrown a lippie on my cheek, but I prefer to use a dedicated blush product.
I’ve found that cream blush works the best on those with drier to normal skin types, however, I have oilier skin, and love my Stila Convertible Colors because they just work so well and last through my day.
To apply cream blush, I suggest applying it after your foundation. If you use a powder in your routine, use it after you apply the cream blush. You can use a brush, but to be honest, the best applicator you can use are your fingers; they warm up the product perfectly.
Prestige favorite: Stila, Stila, STIIIIIIIIIIIIILA! Worth the splurge of $25, because these suckers last FOREVER. Trust.
Drugstore favorite: I have not found a drugstore brand that I’ve liked.
Powder: Powder blush is a great general option for all skin types, especially if you tend to be a bit oilier. Apply with a brush – I love MAC’s #129, but lately I’ve been using a flat-topped blush brush, like Sonia Kashuk’s, and it’s fantastic!
Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Flat-Topped Blush Brush
To apply, dip your brush into the product, swipe the product, and then tap out (or blow off) the extra, and using circular motions apply to the apples of your cheeks. Forgot where the apples of your cheeks are? Check out my tutorial all about blush placement.
Prestige favorite: Nars blushes , $26, are the BEST in terms of longevity and color selection (even though I hate the packaging). I’ve never been unhappy with a Nars blush.
Drugstore favorites: Milani, LaFemme
Gel/Liquid Blushes: These are a great option for those of us who need something that will truly last the test of sweat and time. Benefit is famous for their stain called Benetint (originally used to color stripper’s nipples – no joke!), but I really like one by TheBalm called Stainiac. It’s easier to manipulate and gives you time to make sure you don’t look like a clown!
To apply, I use the applicator to put a drop on my cheeks and apply on the apples of my cheek with my index finger.
Prestige Favorite: TheBalm Stainiac, $17
Drugstore Favorite: Haven’t found one that I totally love yet.
What are some of your favorite types and brands of blushes?
My favorite type is pressed powder blush, it is the first type of blush I ever used and seems the easiest to apply and the most fool-proof. The brand that I have and like is Sonia Kashuk. I love the mirrored compact it comes in, the outer lid is silver and mirrored and is very handy.
I’ve never used a gel blush, I always worry that I won’t be able to blend it out quickly enough.
And LOL at that Benetint fact. Just….wow O_O
I know! LOL …
Sonia Kashuk’s stuff is just great in general!
My favorite is Stila’s lip and cheek tint in Mango, it is great, though works better for cheeks than lips, and for powder definitely Too Faced in Who’s your poppy? So good!