Beauty Front Benchers
A beginner's guide to cleaning your makeup brushes
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Blush has long been a makeup staple (just ask your grandmother!), and it remains a key part of many looks in 2024. The main difference between then and now? There are far more options available, not just in shades but also in formulations and textures. Among the most popular choices are cream and powder blushes, often compared against each other. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you decide which formulation is best for you.
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Hit the rewind button because a powder blush is that blush that you’ve seen your mom use in your childhood. Powder blush, available in both pressed and loose forms, offers a natural flush of color with either a matte or slightly shimmery finish. Its buildable pigment is what makes it the OG—you can easily layer it for a subtle or more intense look. The downside is that it can be tricky to apply with precision, and the pigment may sometimes appear patchy.
How to apply: Powder blushes are best applied best with a fluffy brush. Tap the brush into the product, dust off the excess and, with light pressure, sweep up the brush from the apples of your cheeks towards your cheekbones. Then, blend away in circular motions. Remember to top it off with some translucent setting powder, as this prevents the powder blush from clinging to your skin’s natural oils.
Who should avoid it: Powder blushes are less suited to dry skin as they can cling to dry patches or texture and emphasise them further.
Who is it ideal for: Thanks to its powder formulation, this type of blush is perfect for those with large pores or oily and acne-prone skin.
Tira recommends:
Benefit Cosmetics Crystah Blush Mini - Strawberry Pink
ETUDE HOUSE Heart Pop Blusher - Squeeze Berry
Maybelline New York Fit Me Mono Blush - 60 Passionate
Cream blushes are gaining popularity due to their ease of application and versatility. Often found housed in pots, sticks, wands or tubes, cream blushes come with an emollient-esque formula that leaves you with a dewy, warm flush of colour. A little truly goes a long way with this formulation, as even the slightest amount results in an intensely pigmented hue that blends easily.
While powder formulations require a makeup brush for application, cream formulations can be applied with just your fingers as well. The warmth from your fingertips actually helps the creamy formula melt into your skin, making it easier to blend and allowing for more precise application. Plus, many cream blushes can double as a lip tint and even a wash of color for your eyelids, making them a versatile three-in-one product—perfect for those who are always on the go.
How to apply: Apply the product to the apples of your cheeks and blend it upwards for a lifted flush. Make sure to blend the colour in a tapping and dabbing motion (with your makeup sponge, brush or fingers), rather than rubbing it. This prevents the pigment from turning patchy.
Who should avoid it: Those with acne-prone or oily skin should avoid cream blushes, as it may contribute towards the shine this skin type hosts.
Who is it ideal for: Cream blushes are great for those with dry to normal skin.
Tira recommends:
PIXI On-The-Glow Blush - Ruby (19 g)
Simply Nam Velvet Cream Magic Blush - Sister From Another Mister
Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Blush
Let’s be honest, both hold a special place in every makeup kit. It is, however, important to choose a blush keeping your skin type and desired look in mind. If you’ve got oily skin, powder blushes work better. If you’ve got normal or dry skin, then cream blushes would stay on for longer. If you don’t want to choose between the two, you can have the best of both worlds and pair both blushes together. Just apply a little cream on your cheeks and then top off with powder for an extra flush.
Hit the rewind button because a powder blush is that blush that you’ve seen your mom use in your childhood. Powder blush, available in both pressed and loose forms, offers a natural flush of color with either a matte or slightly shimmery finish. Its buildable pigment is what makes it the OG—you can easily layer it for a subtle or more intense look. The downside is that it can be tricky to apply with precision, and the pigment may sometimes appear patchy.
How to apply: Powder blushes are best applied best with a fluffy brush. Tap the brush into the product, dust off the excess and, with light pressure, sweep up the brush from the apples of your cheeks towards your cheekbones. Then, blend away in circular motions. Remember to top it off with some translucent setting powder, as this prevents the powder blush from clinging to your skin’s natural oils.
Who should avoid it: Powder blushes are less suited to dry skin as they can cling to dry patches or texture and emphasise them further.
Who is it ideal for: Thanks to its powder formulation, this type of blush is perfect for those with large pores or oily and acne-prone skin.
Tira recommends:
Benefit Cosmetics Crystah Blush Mini - Strawberry Pink
ETUDE HOUSE Heart Pop Blusher - Squeeze Berry
Maybelline New York Fit Me Mono Blush - 60 Passionate
Cream blushes are gaining popularity due to their ease of application and versatility. Often found housed in pots, sticks, wands or tubes, cream blushes come with an emollient-esque formula that leaves you with a dewy, warm flush of colour. A little truly goes a long way with this formulation, as even the slightest amount results in an intensely pigmented hue that blends easily.
While powder formulations require a makeup brush for application, cream formulations can be applied with just your fingers as well. The warmth from your fingertips actually helps the creamy formula melt into your skin, making it easier to blend and allowing for more precise application. Plus, many cream blushes can double as a lip tint and even a wash of color for your eyelids, making them a versatile three-in-one product—perfect for those who are always on the go.
How to apply: Apply the product to the apples of your cheeks and blend it upwards for a lifted flush. Make sure to blend the colour in a tapping and dabbing motion (with your makeup sponge, brush or fingers), rather than rubbing it. This prevents the pigment from turning patchy.
Who should avoid it: Those with acne-prone or oily skin should avoid cream blushes, as it may contribute towards the shine this skin type hosts.
Who is it ideal for: Cream blushes are great for those with dry to normal skin.
Tira recommends:
PIXI On-The-Glow Blush - Ruby (19 g)
Simply Nam Velvet Cream Magic Blush - Sister From Another Mister
Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Blush
Let’s be honest, both hold a special place in every makeup kit. It is, however, important to choose a blush keeping your skin type and desired look in mind. If you’ve got oily skin, powder blushes work better. If you’ve got normal or dry skin, then cream blushes would stay on for longer. If you don’t want to choose between the two, you can have the best of both worlds and pair both blushes together. Just apply a little cream on your cheeks and then top off with powder for an extra flush.
Hit the rewind button because a powder blush is that blush that you’ve seen your mom use in your childhood. Powder blush, available in both pressed and loose forms, offers a natural flush of color with either a matte or slightly shimmery finish. Its buildable pigment is what makes it the OG—you can easily layer it for a subtle or more intense look. The downside is that it can be tricky to apply with precision, and the pigment may sometimes appear patchy.
How to apply: Powder blushes are best applied best with a fluffy brush. Tap the brush into the product, dust off the excess and, with light pressure, sweep up the brush from the apples of your cheeks towards your cheekbones. Then, blend away in circular motions. Remember to top it off with some translucent setting powder, as this prevents the powder blush from clinging to your skin’s natural oils.
Who should avoid it: Powder blushes are less suited to dry skin as they can cling to dry patches or texture and emphasise them further.
Who is it ideal for: Thanks to its powder formulation, this type of blush is perfect for those with large pores or oily and acne-prone skin.
Tira recommends:
Benefit Cosmetics Crystah Blush Mini - Strawberry Pink
ETUDE HOUSE Heart Pop Blusher - Squeeze Berry
Maybelline New York Fit Me Mono Blush - 60 Passionate
Cream blushes are gaining popularity due to their ease of application and versatility. Often found housed in pots, sticks, wands or tubes, cream blushes come with an emollient-esque formula that leaves you with a dewy, warm flush of colour. A little truly goes a long way with this formulation, as even the slightest amount results in an intensely pigmented hue that blends easily.
While powder formulations require a makeup brush for application, cream formulations can be applied with just your fingers as well. The warmth from your fingertips actually helps the creamy formula melt into your skin, making it easier to blend and allowing for more precise application. Plus, many cream blushes can double as a lip tint and even a wash of color for your eyelids, making them a versatile three-in-one product—perfect for those who are always on the go.
How to apply: Apply the product to the apples of your cheeks and blend it upwards for a lifted flush. Make sure to blend the colour in a tapping and dabbing motion (with your makeup sponge, brush or fingers), rather than rubbing it. This prevents the pigment from turning patchy.
Who should avoid it: Those with acne-prone or oily skin should avoid cream blushes, as it may contribute towards the shine this skin type hosts.
Who is it ideal for: Cream blushes are great for those with dry to normal skin.
Tira recommends:
PIXI On-The-Glow Blush - Ruby (19 g)
Simply Nam Velvet Cream Magic Blush - Sister From Another Mister
Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Blush
Let’s be honest, both hold a special place in every makeup kit. It is, however, important to choose a blush keeping your skin type and desired look in mind. If you’ve got oily skin, powder blushes work better. If you’ve got normal or dry skin, then cream blushes would stay on for longer. If you don’t want to choose between the two, you can have the best of both worlds and pair both blushes together. Just apply a little cream on your cheeks and then top off with powder for an extra flush.
