Have you struggled to find a blush that not only works the best on your mature skin but also looks the best? Well, if you have, you’ve come to the right place. Welcome to Part 2 of my quest to help women with mature skin find the very best options of blushes.
In Part 1 I tried 8 different blushes, and we’ll try another 8 today. In case you missed Part 1 of this blush testing exploration, here’s a link to that article and video.
Why Blush Is So Important for Us
In Part 1 of this series I mentioned that blush is an especially important makeup product for us since our skin loses pigment and vibrancy as we get older and blush helps restore a healthy looking flush. And if we just use foundation without blush, our face can look flat. By applying blush, we add shape and definition to our cheekbones. Blush also counteracts skin dullness by making our skin look more awake and refreshed, and it creates a lifting effect which makes our skin look sculpted and healthy.
We also focused on the importance of the blush formula, color and blendability – all things you should definitely consider.
Blush #1: Cream Stick Blush
The first blush I’ll apply today is a multitasking cream stick blush from the clean beauty brand Jane Iredale which can also be used on the lips. It comes in 10 shades and is a very natural looking blush that has a slightly radiant finish. It has a very creamy formula which blends into the skin easily and can be built up for greater color payoff.
Blush #2: Liquid Blush
Next up on the left side I’ll apply Huda Beauty’s Blush Filter which is a liquid blush. This blush is described as a high-impact 2-in-1 hybrid liquid blush with buildable pigments that melt into the skin for an instant soft-focus, filter finish. It’s infused with finely milled micro-pearls to create an ‘airblushed’ luminescent glow and it’s long lasting.
Blush #3: Glowy Balm
Now I’m ready to apply my Haus Labs Color Fuse Glassy Blush Balm. This blush is billed as a long-lasting lip and cheek balm that glides on glassy color that’s buildable in an easy-to-use stick. There are 12 glassy shades which are described as boasting 70% skincare actives, as being non-sticky and which immediately boosts skin hydration by 62%.
Blush #4: Cream and Powder Duo
The next blush was really innovative when it was first launched because it contained both a crème and a powder blush. And the makeup artist behind this blush launch – Patrick Ta – also used a unique application method of applying the powder first and the cream blush over the powder.
The creamy emollient shade provides a lovely dewy finish and helps lock in color for extended wear time. This blush combo really creates a lovely skin-like finish and a lit-from-within glow. And Patrick Ta has now extended the range to 18 shades.
Be sure to check out Elise’s YouTube channel which specifically focuses on makeup tips, techniques, and product reviews for those of us 50+. Don’t forget to subscribe!
Blush #5: Cream Blush
This next cream blush is from the clean beauty brand Tower 28. This blush is their Beach Please blush which is known for melting into the skin with no cakiness and no harsh lines, and it’s also quite pigmented. It’s touted as being both a cheek color and a lip color and can be tapped onto the cheeks with the fingertips for a soft flush effect or applied with a brush for a more diffused effect.
It’s great for those of us with sensitive skin thanks to the hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic, oil-free, and artificial fragrance-free ingredients. The shade range of 10 colors is full of pops of pink, purple, and orange for those who like a bolder look, but the creamy formula makes for easy blendability so even the brightest tints won’t look clownish.
Blush #6: Serum Blush
The blush I’m going to apply on my left side next is a polar opposite to the Tower 28 blush in terms of formula and applicator, and it’s been around since 2019. It’s Em Cosmetics’ Color Drops. This is a serum blush with a dewy finish which has ingredients that include Squalane, Evening Primrose Oil and Ceramides for more hydration and radiance.
Blush #7: Lightweight Liquid
These next two blushes are also polar opposites in term of formula and finish. British makeup artist Daniel Sandler created his Watercolour Liquid Cheek colours 20 years ago along with Watercolour illuminators and bronzers.
This award-winning formula is lightweight and can be built up for a stronger blush look. It goes on just like water and lets the skin shine through for a natural look. The silicone formula makes it water-resistant and rub-proof, which means the color will stay put and last all day. These blushes are also super blendable and only a tiny amount is needed to give a wash of color to the cheeks.
Blush #8: Sheer Cream Blush
Finally, we’re going with one of Merit Beauty’s 16 blush balm shades. The small, circular packaging makes it easy to grip and apply this blush. The formula is very sheer and buildable with a satin matte finish. It’s a great blush for a minimal makeup look.
It’s also a moisturizing formula that performs especially well on dry skin. If you like a stronger looking blush, this product is probably not your cup of tea because the color does fade over the course of a day.
Good Layering Choices
I also want to quickly mention a few other blushes that are great to layer over cream or liquid blushes for greater longevity or to create some glow. And the powder options are also great for oily skin.
First is the RMS Re-Dimension Hydra Powder Blush which provides a subtle glowy finish which few other powder blushes can provide. I like to layer this over my cream or liquid blushes to make them last longer.
Another product that can be used to layer over other blushes to create a gorgeous glow is Saie Beauty’s Glow Sculpt Blush. It’s creamy, tinted, moisturizing and brightening and creates a gorgeous radiant finish.
A powder blush that I love to layer over creams or liquid blushes to increase their staying power is Makeup by Mario’s Soft Pop Powder Blush. It has a luxurious silky formula that just glides over the skin.
And this last powder blush is one I’ll never be without and which I sweep over my cream and liquid blushes most often to increase their staying power and create a never duplicated soft focus glow. It’s the Hourglass Ambient Light Blush. It’s a ground-breaking hybrid which combines the customized lighting effects of their amazing Ambient Light Finishing Powders with an array of lovely blush hues in 7 shades.
So, Who’s the Winner?
I hope you’ll let me know in the comment section below which of the 8 blushes I tested today looks the best and which blush might be your top choice.
My top favorite out of all 16 of the blushes I tried was Daniel Sandler’s Watercolour Liquid Blush. It looked beautifully natural and blended in like a dream. It was truly foolproof to apply. My other favorites (in no particular order) included the Huda Beauty liquid blush paired with the Haus Labs stick blush for a long-lasting lovely glow, the Patrick Ta and Morphe blushes for their variety of formula options, Rhodes’ Pocket stick blush for the number of shades and long-lasting cream formula, Tower Beauty’s easy to apply and blend cream blush formula and Revant Cosmetics’ beautiful soft focus glow stick. And for any purchase on the Revant website, be sure to use this link and code to get 10% off: ELISE10.
If you’re interested in a particular makeup topic such as the easiest way to apply eyeliner now or the eyebrow products that can help us the most now, be sure to go to my YouTube channel Boomer and Beyond Beauty with Elise and click on the word playlists which you’ll find in the horizontal bar across the top. You’ll find videos on various makeup topics like eyeliner, foundation, eyebrows, hooded eyes, etc.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Have you tried any of these blushes? If so, what was your experience with them? Do you currently have a favorite blush? Are you interested in trying any of the blushes mentioned in this article/video?
