Key ingredients: vitamin E, açai oil | Finish: shimmery | # of shades: 4
Best Shade Range: Patrick Ta Major Beauty Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush
Why it’s worth it: Patrick Ta thought it wasn’t enough to give you one blush, so he decided to pair two complementary shades—one powder, one cream—inside a gorgeous rose gold compact. The Major Beauty Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush (pictured above in the deep mauve shade Oh She’s Different) blends into your skin like silk, thanks to a creamy base infused with glyceryl triacetyl ricinoleate, a conditioning emollient. . Speaking of said pigments, this blush duo is available in 11 shades that compliment a wide range of skin types.
Layer the two formulas for maximum impact (Ta recommends starting with the powder) or wear the cream color alone for a perfectly even, luminous finish.
Key ingredients: glyceryl triacetyl ricinoleate, mica, silica, capric triglyceride | Finish: radiant | # of shades: 11
Best Cream Blush Stick: Makeup by Mario Soft Pop Blush Stick
Why it’s worth it: Makeup by Mario’s dual-ended Soft Pop Blush Stick is the real deal, and Henney can’t get enough. The other end of the stick features an angled buffing brush—detachable, too, for easy cleaning—designed with five raised nubs that guarantee the perfect amount of product pick-up and even application. “Raspberry [shown above] is such a bright fun pink shade that instantly makes you look awake and [takes] your makeup to the next level,” Henney says.
Key ingredients: synthetic wax, mica, titanium dioxide, iron oxide | Finish: dewy | # of shades: 10
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cream blush better than powder blush?
It’s all about your textural preferences, as both cream and powder blush formulas have their time and place. That said, cream blush formulas generally contain conditioning oils, making them comparatively more moisturizing than their powdery counterparts (take note, dry skin types), and won’t disturb dry spots or highlight textured areas of the skin. These balmy, putty-like formulas don’t highlight fine lines or seep into wrinkles like powder-based formulations, so they’re also a great flush-enhancing alternative for mature skin types. While liquid blushes provide similar effects, creams have the advantage of a buildable, sheer-to-medium coverage formula, which aren’t as dramatically pigmented as liquids.
How should I apply cream blush?
First, finding a complimentary shade to your skin tone is key for a natural-looking finish. As a rule of thumb, Los Angeles-based makeup artist Carissa Ferreri previously told Allure that she recommends using a cream blush (or gel) formula in rosy tones. Once you find your shade of preference, it’s time to dab on your cream-based blush. “Focus the blush a bit higher on the cheeks, like right under the eyes, and then diffuse any harsh lines,” she explained. Joseph Carrillo, a makeup artist based in New York City, also suggests “smiling and applying the color in the center of the apples” before gently fading the edges.
