Cream vs powder blush is mostly a question of finish and skin type. Both add color to the cheeks and bring life back to a face evened out by foundation. Cream melts into the skin for a fresh, dewy look. Powder sits on top for a soft, matte flush that stays put.
The main differences
| Cream blush | Powder blush | |
|---|---|---|
| Finish | Dewy, skin-like | Matte or satin |
| Best for | Dry, normal and mature skin | Oily and combination skin |
| Wear time | Shorter on oily skin | Longer |
| Applied with | Fingers, sponge or dense brush | Fluffy brush |
| Goes over | Bare skin, liquid or cream foundation | Powdered skin or powder foundation |
| Buildable | Yes, in thin layers | Yes, but easy to overdo |
| Also works on | Lips and eyelids, for many formulas | Eyelids |
Liquid and gel blushes behave like creams but are more pigmented and set faster, so work quickly with a small amount.
Which should you choose?
- Dry or mature skin: cream. It does not cling to dry patches or settle in lines.
- Oily skin: powder. It absorbs a little oil and lasts through the day.
- Combination skin: either. Many people prefer cream in winter and powder in summer.
- Minimal makeup or no foundation: cream, which blends into bare skin.
- A long day or humid weather: powder, or cream set with powder.
How to apply cream blush
- Apply it after foundation and before any powder.
- Tap a small amount onto the back of your hand first.
- Dab two or three dots on the cheek.
- Blend by tapping with your fingertips or a damp sponge, moving upwards towards the temple.
- Add another thin layer if you want more color.
Putting cream over powder makes it patchy. If you have already powdered, use powder blush.
How to apply powder blush
- Set your base first, so that the surface is dry.
- Swirl a fluffy brush in the pan and tap off the excess.
- Start where you want the most color and sweep outward and upward.
- Build slowly. It is easier to add than to remove.
If you apply too much, press a clean sponge or a little translucent powder over it to soften the color.
Where to place it
| Effect | Placement |
|---|---|
| Natural flush | On the apples of the cheeks, blended back |
| Lifted look | High on the cheekbones, sweeping towards the temples |
| Sun-kissed | Across the cheeks and lightly over the bridge of the nose |
| Softening a long face | Horizontally across the cheeks |
Smile gently to find the apples, then relax your face before you blend, so that the color does not sit too low.
Layering both for long wear
For a blush that lasts all day, apply a cream blush, set your face lightly, and add a little powder blush in a similar shade on top.
Choosing a shade
- Fair skin: soft pink, peach, light coral.
- Light to medium skin: rose, apricot, warm pink.
- Tan and olive skin: terracotta, deep peach, warm rose.
- Deep skin: berry, brick, deep orange, rich plum.
Your undertone refines the choice: warm undertones suit peach and coral, cool undertones suit pink and berry. See Skin Undertones: Warm, Cool, Neutral, and Olive.
Hygiene
Cream products are touched with fingers, so wash your hands first and keep the lid closed. Replace a cream that changes smell or texture.
For the difference between bronzer and contour, see Bronzer vs Contour: Differences and How to Apply Them, and for highlighter, How to Apply Highlighter for a Natural Glow. Cream vs Powder Makeup Palettes: Key Differences compares cream and powder palettes more widely, and Makeup Application Order: What to Apply First shows where blush falls in the order of application.
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Frequently asked questions
Does cream blush last all day?
On dry and normal skin it can last well. On oily skin it fades faster unless you set it with powder or layer a powder blush over it.
Can I use cream blush on oily skin?
Yes, in thin layers. Blot your skin first and set the blush with a light dusting of powder.
Should blush go on before or after bronzer?
Most people apply bronzer first, then blush, then highlighter, so that the colors blend together naturally.