Liquid vs Powder Blush: Which Is Best For You?

BY TAMMY FOX | 3 min read

The best blush type – be it liquid or powder - depends largely on your individual preference and somewhat on your skin type. Powder blush is generally better for oily or combination skin, offering a silky matte finish and longer wear, while liquid blush is often favored for normal to dry skin, providing a dewy, natural look.

💧 LIQUID vs 🧁 POWDER

With so many options you may find yourself asking should I choose a liquid or a powder?

It is equally important for oily skins to choose the correct texture for blush. Oily skins should avoid choosing blushes that are heavily shimmered as this can cause the skin to look very textured and shiny.

✨ POWDER BLUSH:

Pros:

• Long-lasting: Powder blushes tend to have good staying power, especially when set with a powder, like The STAR Compact Powder.
• Mattifying: Great for oily or combination skin as the powder can help absorb excess oil.
• Versatile: Can be built up for a more intense color or applied lightly for a subtle flush and a diffused look using our HHoTface Series Large Powder / Bronzer Brush.
• Easy to apply: Generally user-friendly and good for beginners.

Cons:

• Can emphasize texture on dry or mature skin.
• May not blend as seamlessly as cream or liquid blush.

💦 LIQUID BLUSH:

Pros:

• Hydrating: Offers a dewy, natural finish that can be great for dry skin.
• Long-lasting: Many liquid blushes are formulated to last all day, such as The Velvet Love Series Liquid Blush.
• Easy to blend: Often melts into the skin for a seamless, natural look.

Cons:

• Can be more prone to creasing on mature skin with fine lines.
• May require a bit more practice to apply evenly. Start by placing the liquid blush onto the back of the hand, and evenly coat your brush with the product before applying to the face.
• Can be less pigmented than powder blushes – however this is definitely not the case with Pineapple’s The Velvet Love Series Liquid Blush.

🧴 Other Considerations:

• Skin Type: Oily skin may prefer powder, while dry skin might lean towards liquid or cream. Combination skin can benefit from both depending on the specific product and desired finish.
• Time of Application: Liquid blush can be quicker for a natural look if you're in a rush.
• Desired Finish: If you prefer a matte look, powder is the way to go. If you want a dewy or luminous look, liquid or cream might be a better choice.
• Layering: Cream and liquid blushes are typically applied before powder blush when layering.

🎨 Finding Your Perfect Shade

Just like any other complexion product, both depth of skin and undertone play important roles when choosing a blush.

The general rule of thumb is to opt for a blush that compliments your natural skin tone. Whether you are fair, light, medium, deep, or somewhere in between, knowing your skin’s undertone is just as important as choosing which type of blush is right for you.

If you are unsure of your undertone here is a quick review:

• Warm Undertone: more peachy, golden, or yellow.
• Cool Undertone: generally associated with skin that has hints of blue and pink.
• Neutral Undertone: mix of cool and warm undertones.

Your undertone will affect which blush shades look best on you:

• Lighter skin tones with warm undertones – choose a blush that is soft peach or neutral pink.
• Light to medium skin tones with warm undertones – choose a blush that has a more golden hue.
• Deeper skin tones tan with warm undertones – choose a blush in a deep peach or berry tone.
• Lighter skin tones with cool undertones – choose a blue-based light pink shade.
• Light to medium skin tones with a cool undertone – choose a blush with a hint of cinnamon.
• Deeper or richer skin tones with a cool undertone – choose a deep berry with a hint of red.
• Neutral undertones – choose any blush shade you crave, just ensure that it is neither too deep nor too light for your skin!

💡 Application

Now that we have discussed undertone and depth, application is also an essential element in getting the ultimate flush. If using in conjunction with complexion products such as foundation, make sure to apply a dusting of powder to prevent an uneven application.

If a liquid blush is preferred, it can be blended directly onto the skin after foundation or tinted moisturizer. You may also choose to set your liquid blush with a powder blush in a complimentary shade to increase both overall pigmentation and wear-time.

🌟 Final Thought

Whether you choose liquid or powder, blush is a great way to brighten your complexion with a healthy flush of colour!