All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
We’re calling it: 2025 will be the year that the best powder blushes reign supreme. Unlike their denser sister formulations (as in, creams and liquids), powder formulas feature buildable pigments and sheer textures that are a breeze to apply, making them more forgiving and beginner-friendly. Just like their creamier counterparts, powder blushes are available in a vast selection of minimal mattes, stunning shimmers, and everything in between, with the benefits of not looking or feeling greasy by mid-day—even if you skip setting powder. Now, enough rambling and more rouging—below, our editors (and a few makeup artists) chat all things powder blush, including application tips and favorite products.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Powder Blush, $45
- Best Shade Range: Nars Powder Blush, $34
- Best Multidimensional Shades: Kosas Blush is Life, $29
- Best Sheer Shades: Hermès Rose Hermès Silky Blush Powder, $84
- Best Multiuse: Valentino Eye2Cheek Blush & Eyeshadow, $52
- Best Long-Wearing: Makeup by Mario Soft Pop Powder Blush, $30
- Best Shimmery Finish: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush, $45
Frequently Asked Questions
- How are powder, cream, and liquid blushes different?
- How do I find the right blush shade for my skin tone?
- How do you apply a powder blush?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Powder Blush
Why it's worth it: Don’t let the Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Powder Blush’s loose formula intimidate you, because this best seller is much more goof-proof than it lets on. Its four divided shades combine into one multidimensional pigment that glides on smoothly without any streaks or patches. “These look intimidating at first blush, but they diffuse over the skin so beautifully and almost blur while giving a nice flush,” says New York City-based makeup artist Kasey Spickard. Since each shade is super buildable, you can lightly swipe it on for a light, natural finish or layer it for a super punchy look.
Tester feedback: “I used to exclusively swear by cream blushes, but it was love at first swipe with the Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Powder Blush,” says commerce writer Jennifer Hussein. “I love the coral colorway of N03 Voile Corail; its soft-focus finish and peachy tint complement my complexion’s tone without highlighting my flaky, dry skin—even in the middle of winter.”
Finish: demi-matte | Shades: 6
Best Shade Range: Nars Powder Blush
Why it's worth it: In 2024, Nars relaunched its iconic Powder Blush—which made Orgasm a totally normal thing to say in the middle of a department store—and Allure editors loved the new edition so much, that it won a Best of Beauty Award that very same year. The main difference is that talc is now absent in its formula to make ashy finishes a thing of the past for deeper skin tones. Beyond that key change, this revamped formula still features the same vivid finish that we’ve known and loved for 25 years.
Tester feedback: “As a decade-long fan of the Nars Powder Blush, I didn’t immediately notice a difference in application—that’s a good thing, as it’s the blush’s easily blendable texture that made me fall in love with it in the first place,” says senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor. “The powder felt silky and quickly deposited the peachy-pink pigment and gold glitter. It took very little effort to blend and buff it out.”
Finish: various (shimmer and matte) | Shades: 14 (4 shimmer, 10 matte)
Best Multidimensional Shades: Kosas Blush is Life
Why it's worth it: The beauty of the Kosas Blush is Life is that it’s actually two subtly shimmery shades combined (or, in this case, baked) into one for a multifaceted finish. Though baked blushes tend to feel slightly more drying than other blushes, Kosas’s pick has a moisturizing upper hand powered by a duo of squalane and hydrating hyaluronic acid. No matter which of its eight shades you pick up, you’re guaranteed glowy results.
Tester feedback: “Did Kosas read my mind when brainstorming names? My inclination is yes because blush has been my life for the past year or so, and it doesn't seem to be leaving anytime soon,” says commerce editor Sarah Han. “My preference has always been swayed towards cream blushes but Kosas has me giving powders a second chance. Blush is Life is light, airy, and definitely doesn't cake or settle into texture like other powder blushes tend to do. Hype (a warm poppy pink) brightens my face instantly.”
Finish: luminous | Shades: 8
Best Sheer Shades: Hermès Rose Hermès Silky Blush Powder
Why it's worth it: Even those with chronic blush blindness can pile on the Hermès Rose Hermès Silky Blush Powder, as its sheer pigments diffuse with each swipe to create a natural-looking result. This 2021 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner’s light, airy formula lives up to its claims of a silk-like texture that’s so breathable, that you’ll probably forget you’re wearing it at all. Don’t fret about this sheer formula fading away throughout the day because its fine powder formula clings onto skin and complexion makeup for long-lasting wear.
Tester feedback: “If you prefer to look like you just spent a day at the beach or went for a run when you put on blush, I can't recommend Hermès's range of soft, velvety powders enough,” says senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen. “Despite being very well pigmented, this blush is really buildable; it's near impossible to overdo it, which lends itself to that natural-looking finish.”
Finish: satin | Shades: 8
More powder blushes we love:
Best Multiuse: Valentino Eye2Cheek Blush & Eyeshadow
Why it's worth it: Miami-based makeup artist Natalie Dresher loves the versatility and shade range of the Valentino Eye2Cheek Blush & Eyeshadow compacts. “While it is a powder blush, the pearlescent shimmer in it gives the skin a luminous glow without having an overly dewy finish and I love that you can use it on the eyes and cheeks for a monochromatic look,” she says. All 11 shades feature a hefty hint of shimmer, but if you want highlighter levels of glow for your next makeup look, grab one of the ultra-shimmery shades: Put A Spike On It, a true gold, and Sweet Rebel, a warm, glitzy rose.
Finish: shimmery | Shades: 11 (9 standard finish, 2 radiant)
Best Long-Wearing: Makeup by Mario Soft Pop Powder Blush
Why it's worth it: If you want a powder formula guaranteed to outlast your liquids and creamy blush sticks, dab on Makeup by Mario’s Soft Pop Powder Blush. Dresher loves this Allure Best of Beauty Award winner for its no-budge finish that can withstand hours-long photoshoots on her clients. She also shouts out its blonzer (as in, blush-bronzer hybrid) shade, Desert Rose: “This earthy tone is just simply delicious on clients who claim they don’t love blush,” she says.
Finish: various (matte and shimmer) | Shades: 5 (3 matte, 2 shimmer)
Best Shimmery Finish: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush
Why it's worth it: For moments when you want a striking (not blinding) glow, Spickard suggests swiping on the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush. “These are super dimensional and give a gorgeous glow without being too shiny,” he says. These baked blushes have a marbled effect for a multi-dimensional finish that combines blush and highlighter with every swipe.
Tester feedback: “I fall in love with just about every iteration of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edits, and last year’s Evil Eye particularly caught my eye (ha!). The shade Pink Fusion is a beautiful medley of deep and light pinky hues with cool undertones, which of course pairs perfectly with the finishing powder in Soft Light,” says Han. I use a dense-ish brush to pick up an ample amount upon the first sweep, though I usually go in with a soft second sweep to amp up the color—I love bold blush, what can I say?"
Finish: shimmer | Shades: 6
Best Radiant Finish: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Glow Blush
Why it's worth it: Though “radiant” and “shimmer” are often interchangeably thrown around, there’s quite a difference between the two, and if you need a visual example, the formulators behind the Luminous Silk Glow Blush totally nailed the concept of the former. Spickard calls the Armani Beauty blush a staple in his kit for its pigmented formula that creates a subtle glow on skin without reaching full-on glitter territory. “The pigment load is amazing and the finish has the slightest hint of glow without being a highlighter,” he says. If you are craving hyper-shimmer, the brand has an ultra-glittery peach-pink shade, Euphoric, that’ll satisfy you.
Finish: various (radiant and shimmer) | Shades: 8 (7 radiant, 1 shimmer)
Best Matte Finish: Kylie Cosmetics Pressed Blush Powder
Why it's worth it: When it comes to matte makeup, King Kylie (Cosmetics) is always at the forefront, so it comes as no surprise to us that the brand crafted the Pressed Blush, also known in the Allure office as the final boss of matte blushes. No matter your skin type, you’ll be able to enjoy all six soft-matte-finish shades without worrying about its formula enhancing the look of fine lines, creases, and patches of flakes, due to the moisture-replenishing abilities of squalane.
Finish: matte | Shades: 6
Best for Dry Skin: RMS Beauty ReDimension Hydra Powder Blush
Why it's worth it: RMS Beauty’s ReDimension Hydra Powder Blush is so beloved by editors, TikTokers, and beauty shoppers because it feels nothing like a powder once it touches your skin. That’s all thanks to its glycerin-powdered, gel-to-powder technology, which allows this bi-phase blush to feel moisturizing and weightless while locking in place like a conventional powder would. Due to its creamy texture and hydrating hero ingredient, this is one of our favorite blushes for dry skin types.
Finish: dewy | Shades: 10
Best Budget: Sephora Collection Colorful Blush
Why it's worth it: Trying to create a glowing look on a budget? Dresher says the Sephora Collection Colorful Blush is one of the best blushes under $15. Its extensive 14-color shade range is enough to catch anyone's eye, but its buildable, super-fine texture and streak-free pigments are what keep Dresher (and our editors) coming back to it. She says she was influenced by another makeup artist, Ariel Tejada, to grab the vibrant bubblegum pink shade Flirt It Up, “and it has lived in my kit ever since.”
Finish: various (matte and shimmer) | Shades: 14 (8 matte, 6 shimmer)
Frequently Asked Questions
How are powder, cream, and liquid blushes different?
On top of their varying textures, New York City-based makeup artist Neil Scibelli notes that each type of blush features different ingredients in their compositions, thus, varying in longevity, benefits, and finish. “Powder blushes are very different than cream and liquid blushes because they're made with soft powder ingredients like mica, talc, minerals, and other dry formulas,” he says. “A cream or liquid blush will have a more emollient, creamy finish, whereas a powder will sit more on the top layer of the skin rather than bind to the skin.”
As for which blush formula you should reach for, London-based makeup artist Marie Bruce previously told Allure that it's ultimately a matter of preference. And don't feel limited to just one: Bruce likes to layer a cream under a powder for an extra-pigmented look but warns: “Skip the cream base if you want a more subtle look.”
How do I find the right blush shade for my skin tone?
“Test a shade on the apples of your cheeks to see if it ‘clashes’ with either your natural lip color or lipstick,” New York City-based makeup artist Daniel Martin offers. All makeup artists agree that finding a blush that compliments your skin tone is essential. “If you're fair, you'll want to go with a blush that contains less color pigment, and the deeper your skin tone, the more pigment you'll want to show up in your product,” says Scibelli. Dresher adds to keep your undertone in mind when looking for a new blush shade. “If you have more of a warm tone, a warmer blush shade will compliment the skin more, and if you are more cool toned, it would be the opposite,” she explains.
How do you apply a powder blush?
“Just use a fluffy blush brush to tap into the blush and buff onto the cheeks, cheekbones, nose bridge, and temples,” Spickard recommends. A quick tip: For a subtler, more buildable finish, Dresher advises tapping off any excess product before applying. The beauty of a powder blush, according to Spickard, is that their sheerer pigments are more beginner-friendly, so application isn’t as intimidating as denser formulations. We love to hear it!
Meet the experts
- Kasey Spickard, a New York City-based makeup artist
- Natalie Dresher, a Miami-based makeup artist
- Neil Scibelli, a New York City-based makeup artist
- Marie Bruce, a London-based makeup artist
- Daniel Martin, a New York City-based makeup artist
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best powder blushes, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Discover more of our editors' favorite base makeup essentials:
- The Best Bronzers for a Post-Vacay Glow All Year Long
- Every Undereye Concealer Allure Editors Swear By
- The All-Time Best Full-Coverage Foundations That Actually Feel Breathable
Now, watch Sabrina Carpenter's ten-minute makeup routine.
Shop all of our latest obsessions in one place! And don't forget to follow Allure on Instagram and TikTok—or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things beauty.
