Great affordable blushes!

I think 2020 has been the year that I have really discovered my love for blushes (especially the creamy type of blushes). Today I wanted to shine some light on drugstore/affordable blushes that work great, in my opinion. I get excited about a lot of different makeup, but there is something special about the blushes.

You might say that blushes tend to look the same on the skin after a while. Like, if you have five different shades, you kind of have them all. Hm, somewhat true, but what about the formulas, finishes, hues that mesh so divinely with your skin undertone and make your cheeks pop?

Blush, to me, is one of those magical products that just makes you look fresh and alive. A little bit of concealer, mascara, lip gloss and blush and you are ready to….well, stay home and stay safe! (at least for now). However, I think it makes all the difference when I am trying not to look pale and especially when I am trying to get that 5 minute type of look.

I want to highlight some of my favorite blushes from the drugstore (also I don’t have all of my blushes with me at the moment, as I am kind of a nomad with my husband for another couple of weeks. Story for another day).

Flower gel crush lip&cheek blush

This is a cream blush in a stick. Packaging looks like a baby deodorant (so cute). It is very creamy, and it has a good color payoff, especially if you apply it directly on the skin. I do not find it to be sticky. It has a dewy finish, so if you have oily skin, it might not be what you are looking for in a blush. It blends nicely to the skin and feels hydrating. It does have a fruity scent, which I like, but I just wanted to put it out there in case you are sensitive to the scents in the products. I like to apply it with the sponge or with a stippling brush, as it gives me the chance to build it up to a desired level. It can also be used as a lip product and I do like it on my lips as well. Sometimes these type of multi-use products don’t work for all its claimed purposes, but I do like it both for the lips and cheeks. It is comfortable on the lips. Color is sheer and just feels nice.

Honest beauty blushes

One of the best blushes I have tried last year. It comes in a plastic cute white sleek looking, but sturdy packaging and it has a little mirror inside. The texture is a bit stiffer to touch, but it melts under the warmth of your fingers. It picks up nicely with a makeup sponge and applies beautifully to the skin. It is one of those products that melts into your skin and looks really healthy. I think it is more on a natural looking side and it is not slippery on the skin. You can sheer it out or build it up, it has a nice staying power on my skin (my skin is mostly normal, sometimes on the dry side in the colder months). Big fan of two shades that I have: pink peony and rose pink.

Milani, Romatic rose blush

I have it in a mini version, so it looks tiny in comparison to the other compacts in the photo. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind if all my cheek products come in a mini size, as it looks to cutem especially with the rose imprint. This powder blush is very flattering natural color. It is a muted rosy color and I think that romantic rose is such a perfect name or it. It is a mate formula. Apart from the adorable packaging and a great shade for my skin tone, it is a nicely pigmented formula which does not kick back the powder once you dip your brush in. It pairs nicely with cool and warm tones and it looks beautiful on the skin without emphasizing any texture. Big fan!

Milani baked blush in Petal primavera

This formula is probably one of my favorite. Baked products tend to look so very smooth on the skin. It is quite of a pigmented formula and they come with a different level on glowyness, depending on the shade you choose. They have a variety of shades on their website, with Luminoso color being one of the cult favorite shades. Petal primavera is one of my top shades, as it has lumionous finish, but not in a shimmery or highlighty way. It gives that glow from within type of look on the skin which I find very flattering. It picks up great with pretty much any type of blush brush, but I do like it with more fluffy type of blush, as it gives the seamless look on the skin, without going overboard.

Elf duo

I was so excited to see the new cheek products last fall from Elf in this bite size format. A sleek cute product that comes with blush and highligher! I picked up the Watermelon shade, as I thought it would work the best for my light skin tone. I do like this formula. It is a tiny bit powdery, but that powdery-ness does not translate on the skin. It is a mate formula, but it looks smooth on the skin. It is quite pigmented so I need to have a light hand applying it. I do love the fact that it comes with a highlighter as it can double as a glowy blush as well. Nice and compact and great impact on the skin. Plus affordable price tag. I call that a score!

Essence The blush

This is a newer formula to Essence and it is just excellent. It is not overly pigmented, but you can build it up. It is very finely milled and not chalky. It never looks powdery on the skin. It has a tiny kickback when you dip your brush in, but so does most of the mate blush formulas. It is just gorgeous and blendable. I have two very different shades. Pink shade is almost too light for my skin tone to show up, but I love that blush especially if I go overboard with some other blush and need to tone it down. And that bronze shade is such a dream as it is perfect for those “one and done” looks when you don’t have time to apply both blush and a bronzer. Such perfection on the skin. Plus, did I mention it is one of the most affordable blushes that are available in the drugstore?! Such a steal for a high end result.

Essence satin love

These blushes have been available on the market for a long time, but I have tried them for the first time last year. Now I am kicking myself for not trying them sooner. So inexpensive, yet they perform as high end blushes. The formula is almost creamy to the touch, as it is a very fine powder. It looks very smooth on the skin and lasts whole day. I have never found it to be patchy on the skin. They seem to be harder to find in the stores around me, but if you have a chance, grab them because you will not be sorry.

These are just some of the drugstore gems that I have tried and love. I am sure there are many more. Let me know which are your favorites.

For now, I wish you all a great day and write to you soon!

XOXO Iva