Beauty

Are Powder Products Out? Here’s Why You Should Switch To Liquid Bronzer And Blush

Cake face is out! The only thing we're accepting now is a dewy, fresh-faced look.

By Simone Sydel4 min read
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Shutterstock/chaletgirl

Powder-based products have been the it-thing since the dawn of makeup, but their liquid counterparts are quickly taking over the beauty industry.

Powder makeup, particularly bronzers and blushes, might keep excess oil at bay; however, using them doesn't come without a few drawbacks, including being difficult to blend, looking patchy and streaky if the formula doesn't play well with the base products, and looking cakey if you apply too much, which, let's be honest, happens more often than not.

On the flip side, cream and liquid-based products are much easier to blend in with your base, and you can layer them as much as you'd like without worrying about the dreaded cake face or looking like you've added a few years to your face, which is a rather regular occurrence when using powder-based products.

Plus, cream and liquid-based products give a dewy or velvety finish that looks natural in daylight and glows under indoor lighting, making you look contoured, blushed, and naturally flushed rather than overly made up.

When it comes to liquid bronzer and blush, you need a light hand to master a specific look, as they tend to be more pigmented compared to their powder counterparts, which means you definitely won't be sacrificing longevity, as these products are sure to last you a long time.

So, if all this convinced you to give liquid and cream makeup products a chance, stick around to learn how to apply liquid bronzer and blush properly and find some excellent product recommendations that you can add to your routine.

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How To Apply Liquid Bronzer

Glowy, natural, and buildable liquid bronzers are an excellent way to give your face that beautiful, sun-kissed glow while creating the illusion of a stronger structure without looking overdone.

And applying them is a breeze. All you have to do when applying liquid bronzer is to add a small amount to your temples, cheekbones, under your jawline, and down the bridge of your nose to frame your face. You can then grab a small fluffy brush or a damp beauty blender and use light circular or buffing motions to blend the product in, and voilà! You'll be looking sun-kissed in no time.

Our top liquid bronzer picks:

Milk Makeup – Bionic Liquid Bronzer, $30

Weightless, hydrating, and effortlessly natural, the Bionic Liquid Bronzer by Milk Makeup is a clean, natural, and vegan product that provides a beautiful sun-kissed bronze with a glowy finish. With a gel-cream texture and antioxidant benefits from snow mushrooms, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and naturally-derived collagen, this product will make your skin feel as good as it looks.

Iconic London – Sheer Bronze Liquid Bronzer, $27

Ultra-sheer and versatile, this easy-to-blend Liquid Bronzer by Iconic London aims to create a subtle warmth for a post-holiday bronze. The non-greasy texture melts into the skin without leaving an oily layer, making it suitable for all skin types, including oily, acne-prone skin.

Clinique – Sun-Kissed Face Gelee Multitasker Bronzer, $34

The Sun-Kissed Face Gelee by Clinique is a multitasking bronzer that gives skin a warm, sun-kissed look while adding hydration and helping to smooth the skin's texture. Enriched with hydrating, yet non-greasy components, this product will leave your skin looking natural and healthy.

Rare Beauty – Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Sticks, $26

If you prefer cream-based bronzers, then the Warm Wishes bronzer sticks by Rare Beauty are ideal for you. These sticks provide a natural-looking bronzy glow that's easy to build and blend. Plus, the hydrating formula is enriched with glycerin and a blend of softening oils to nourish dry and delicate skin.

Merit – Bronze Balm Sheer Sculpting Bronzer, $30

Another winner in the cream-based bronzer department, the Bronze Balm by Merit is a weightless, sheer, and hydrating balm that instantly melts into the skin and gives it a beautiful bronze finish. Perfect for creating that coveted contoured look without having to layer on multiple products, this balm is sure to become a staple in your beauty routine as soon as you try it for the first time.

How To Apply Liquid Blush

Once you've bronzed up your face and achieved that beautiful sun-kissed glow, it's now time to add a bit of color and life to your cheeks with blush.

You'll want to start by applying a small amount of liquid blush on the apples of your cheeks and blending it out by using a stippling or a fluffy brush, your fingers, or even a clean beauty blender if you want to sheer out the color for a more natural finish. After that, you can move on to the temples to add a bit more warmth and color. To do so, you can either use your blush brush or the same beauty blender used for your bronzer and apply a sheer layer of product on the sides of your face near the temples.

Additionally, if you're going for an ultra-natural look, you can add a bit of blush on your eyelids and brow bones and blend it out to create a unified and cohesive look.

Our top liquid blush picks:

Kaja – Whipped Dream Multi-Eye & Cheek Color, $21

If you love neutral blushes, don't sleep on the Whipped Dream Multi-Eye & Cheek Color by Kaja. Ideal for creating an effortless, natural flush, this product delivers a sheer, buildable, long-lasting color that leaves a healthy-looking glow and can be used as a lip tint, a blush, and an eyeshadow.

Milk Makeup – Bionic Liquid Blush, $22

Creamy, lightweight, and easy to blend, the Bionic Liquid Blush by Milk Makeup is an innovative product with an ultra-hydrating formula that leaves a beautiful glow on the skin while providing long-lasting, sheer color. It's also vegan and cruelty-free.

Rare Beauty – Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, $23

Ultra-pigmented, lightweight, and affordable, the Soft Pinch Liquid Blush by Rare Beauty is a must-have for anyone looking for a more intense blush and an unforgettable pop of color. Perfect for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin, this product is easily blendable and incredibly long-lasting.

Saie – Dew Blush, $25

Available in six beautiful shades, the Dew Blush by Saie is a water-based gel blush with a creamy, blendable formula that gives skin a healthy flush of seamless color. Excellent for those that prefer a natural-looking flush, this blush is a perfect day-to-day product for an effortless and glowing complexion.

Freck Beauty – Cheekslime Blush + Lip Tint, $26

This multi-purpose blush and lip tint by Freck Beauty provides a vibrant color suitable for all skin tones. With a water-based formula enriched with glycerin, rice, and ginseng extracts to keep the skin hydrated and without the inclusion of parabens, sulfates, and talc, this vegan product is ideal for those looking for an all-natural finish.

Closing Thoughts

If this article convinced you to try liquid cheek products, it's time to shop around and find the perfect ones for you. As always, don't be afraid to experiment and find the colors and products that suit your needs and preferences. After all, beauty is personal, so make sure to have fun with it!

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