The Best Liquid Blushes for a Natural-Looking Flush

You're likely familiar with the difference between liquid foundation and powder compacts. Or pressed highlighters compared to creamy versions. And perhaps even wet versus dry eyeshadow. But how about liquid blushes and powder formulas? The former are an increasingly popular way to apply a bit of color to your cheeks that arguably offers a dewier, more blended finish.

"Liquid blush gives a much more natural effect than powder blush because it looks like a natural feature of the skin rather than a product laid on top," explains Bryan Cantor, celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert. "Liquid blush shows up more vibrantly on camera than powder blush as it has more opacity and catches more light."

First, you need to find the best liquid blush for your skin type. "Those with dry skin will always benefit from a liquid product over a powder-based one, but everyone can enjoy the benefits of liquid blush," says Cantor. Products made with moisturizing ingredients are a safe bet, though you can technically wear whatever cream blush your cheeks desire. If your complexion is normal to dry, cream- and water-based formulas are great options. On the other hand, if you have oily skin, then definitely stick to gel formulas.

When it comes to application, use clean fingers to apply liquid blush. "You can alternate between fingers that have product on them and those that don't," advises celebrity makeup artist Jamie Dorman. "As far as amount of product to use, that will depend on how much pigment the product has. If it is a sheer formula you may need to layer. If it is heavily pigmented you may [want] to sheer it out with a moisturizer."

Now that you're acquainted with how to apply liquid blush, and understand which are best for your skin type, check out a few of our favorites.

Image via ILIA