12 blushes that (still) deserve a place in your collection
We have blush at home!! The blushes that stand the test of time, which is mostly to remind me that I have plenty of blushes and don't need to buy any new ones.
Powder blush is back, and it's better than ever – At least, that’s what the beauty industry seems to be telling us with all the recent launches.
But let’s be real: powder blush never really left. For me, it’s always been the most reliable blush formula, especially for my combination/oily skin, providing that flawless, long-lasting flush that cream and liquid blushes sometimes just can’t match. Sure, cream and liquid blushes have made a strong case with their silky, buildable formulas in recent years, but there’s just something timeless and foolproof about a great powder blush that has my heart.
In my last post, I shared my first impressions of the latest blush launches, but I’m not convinced that what’s new is necessarily what’s best The standout new formula by far are the YSL Beauty Make Me Blush blushes, which have an exceptionally soft and silky formula with buildable pigment. But beyond that, many of the new releases seem...well, a bit underwhelming. . I’m not completely dissing them yet, since some of my first impressions were only based on promo images, but they just left little to be excited about it.
Some of the best powder blushes are the ones you might have forgotten about, but still stand the test of time to me. Let’s take a closer look at 12 classic powder blushes that I think could still outperform the competition today:
Note: this post is too long for an email so be sure to read me in the app or in the web version to savor all the details and swatches!
The blush that’s visibly blurring and soft and silky - Blurring blush is a major trend right now, but this one has already perfected the formula, offering a soft matte finish with a silky texture that effortlessly blends into the skin. The Nabla Close Up Blurring Powder Blush are absolutely fantastic and a hidden gem, with a range of neutral to bright, but still sheer and approachable shades and create a natural finish. Enigma and Satisfaction, a sheer mauve and warm neutral, are are by far my favorite and most worn shades.
The most droolworthy shades
The blush for people with blush blindness and are proud of it - Not all shades are bright and vivid (Celestial Rose is one of my everyday pinky beiges that’s subtle but stunning), but most of the shades in this line strike a balance of fun, bold, unique, and still somehow wearable for someone color shy or new to blush. The Make Beauty Skin Mimetic Microsuede Blushes have a stunning suede powder matte formula that is blendable and buildable, and they apply evenly without a hint of fallout or powderiness. Fuchsia Flush is beautiful for an ultra flushed cold girl look, Crimson Sky is the perfect red blush for that strawberry girl look, while Mystic Mauve is another super wearable neutral toned pinkish mauve for those who love a more understated, everyday blush.. There’s really a shade for everyone here.
For creamy one swipe color in refreshing colorful shades, look no farther than the Haus Labs Color Fuse Blush. All of these colorful shades stir some excitement for my neutral toned makeup wardrobe, with tones that set them ever so slightly apart from the typical red, coral, or pink. The collection includes cool toned pink with a hint of lilac, a warm peachy brown that perfectly balances the two tones, and more. Despite the range only featuring 6 shades, each one feels incredibly wearable and versatile, offering buildable color that suits a variety of skin tones. Whether you're looking for a subtle flush or a statement look, these blushes deliver vibrant, on-trend color with a smooth, creamy finish.
A blush reformulation that actually improved on the original - Product reformulations usually instill a special kind of fear in me, and I am sad that some iconic shades like Douceur or Sin were lost, but the new Nars Powder Blush feels smoother and more blurring than the previous formula. The packaging is thankfully also vastly improved, with the rubber coating finally removed so now it’s just a plain plastic. While the older formula was great and one of the longer lasting blush formulas, the new one feels so luxurious to apply, starting with a sheer finish that is effortlessly buildable. Behave is a gorgeous light pink nude shade and Impassioned is a warm berry that I can’t stop reaching for. This updated formula offers the ideal balance of blendability and color payoff while staying comfortable all day.
For the OG blush blush lovers and want to feel 90s nostalgia while still staying current - It doesn’t get more iconic than the MAC Powder Blush line. While many of my beloved shades have been discontinued (RIP Pinch o Peach and Margin), the classic line remains one of the longest lasting blushes for my combination/oily skin. I’ve had some of the classic shades like Melba for years, but I also picked up Harmony lately, and the formula is just as good as I remember. Harmony, by the way, is that perfect cool beige with a slight hint of rosiness that makes it a dream for people with olive skintones.
The ideal mineralized blush formula for a sunkissed glow - I think Warm Soul was the shade reformulation that broke everyone’s hearts circa 2014, and I’ve never been so glad to never have tried the original version because it’s still one of my favorite warm nude blushes. The MAC Mineralize Blush formula is one of the earliest mineralized formulas I can remember, and it imparts the most beautiful veil of sunkissed glow that doesn’t emphasize my pores or any texture. I also love the shade Lovejoy for a bronzy warmth in the summer.
The powder blush that feels like a cream with the most seamless finish on the skin - This unassuming blush is truly one of the best blush formulations on the market, with the smoothest seamless and flawless finish I’ve ever experienced. The Surratt Artistique Blush (code STEPH15 for 15% off) are truly one of a kind, thanks to their Japanese slurry formula that deposits color in a delicate, watercolor-like wash that blends effortlessly, leaving no trace of powderiness. My favorite shade is La Rosee du Soir, the perfect rosy beige shade that just goes with everything and complements any look.
One of the best blush formulas that I even somehow managed to overlook - It is smooth and buildable, with a silky velvety finish and one of the longest lasting formulas I’ve tried (plus Fleurtatious is one of those goldilocks satiny pinky nude with just the right amount of satiny sheen). Even if Pat McGrath as a brand has lost a lot of its lure and wonder it once originally had - and I’ll admit that these fell to the back of my makeup drawer, but completely undeservedly so! The Skin Fetish Divine Powder Blush is truly a divine formula that still stands out and is immediately going back into my rotation.
The trendy Dior blush that lives up to the hype
For that lit from within glow that leaves an imperceptible layer of color - This is one of those blushes that looks absolutely unremarkable in the pan and even borderline unimpressive as a swatch, but the Dior Rosy Glow is one of those effortless blushes looks infinitely better on my face (and more pigmented than it seems!) While I could find a shade for every occasion, the OG Rosy Glow is a beautiful skin brightening pink, and I find myself partial to Mahogany these days, which is a deep brown that somehow blends onto my skin with a hint of almost reddish warmth.
This soft silky blush with a smaller shade range still has some of my favorite neutrals - The Rosy Glow blushes get most of the attention, but the Dior Rouge Dior Blush have that soft buttery formula that feels and looks like luxury. Charnelle is one of those warm neutral tones with a hint of brown that makes it a lovely bronzer or warm sunkissed blush with a gorgeous satin finish, while Nude Look is one of those everyday nude pinks that never feels like too much. While these are available at Sephora, I find Nordstrom has a few more shades, while the Dior website 15 additional shades that I didn’t even know about (cue incoming haul).
A blush formula that elevates blush to an art form - A soft thin, but still ultra smooth and rich formula that comes in an edited range of neutrals and bold shades, I can’t help but love the Gucci Luminous Matte Blush. The exquisite and luxurious compact packaging alone could make this blush a must have as a beauty indulgence, but they are a joy to apply and blend out, and last all day without an issue. If you’re still unconvinced, I suggest trying the shade Rosy Beige, which is not just a plain rosy beige because it has some deeper brown toes that really adds depth to the shade.
A sleek and elegant blush for the luxury lovers - this blush exudes elegance from the packaging, and the formula also matches the minimal sophistication. The ultra-silky texture of the Hermes Silky Blush Powder offers a buildable, seamless application that glides effortlessly onto the skin, creating a radiant finish with satin, almost matte finishes. There is no fallout, no powderiness, and no patchiness, just a sophisticated satin-matte glow that lasts all day long
And because I’m me, I have a secondary list of honorable mentions. I had to leave out some that I love for certain times of the year, but aren’t year round staples, like this summer favorite for a glowy blush look (Hushed Tone is just stunning for a bronzed peach look). I also bought a couple of the Kosas Blush is Life mineralized blushes a couple months ago and while I haven’t worn them a ton to have a full opinion, they are certainly the first Kosas product to pique my interest in awhile.
An older favorite are these infamous (maybe?) nipple blushes from Charlotte Tilbury, but they have a divinely soft formula that I still enjoy using. And then finally, this newer blush to me from Joocyee comes in a sleek and sophisticated tortoiseshell packaging that is stunning enough on its own, but the formula is also silky and lasts all day on me, all in a very wallet friendly price point.
I want to know if this reminded you of any blushes going dusty in your drawers, or better yet, maybe you found a new one to try. I also want to know if there’s any blushes I missed out on.
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As always, thanks for reading!
Color-wise, Nars shades still stand out in my mind for their uniqueness (I have the previous formulation.)
I’ve been trying some of Vieve’s more recently too.
I have dehydrated combo skin so sometimes powder blushes look less natural on me but a light facial mist after would do the trick. You can’t beat the longevity of powder blush!
So many of my faves here!! I also love the Clinique cheek pops, such a blurring formula 🥰