We tested four blushes for 10 hours each - which one is the best?
Blush is the easiest way to freshen up our face but it's also notorious for not being able to keep up with our day. So, for today’s beauty throwdown, we are pitting some of our favorite powder blushes against each other to see which one looks the best even after hours and hours of wear! Who doesn't want that pop of color to still be as vibrant and flattering at the end of the day, right? Let's go!
I tested out four popular powder blushes to find out which one would last the longest. I opted to include both budget and high-end products to also see how they compare to each other. Now, take note that my typical day is usually long so I ended up having to wear them for 10 hours each, without blotting! My daily activities also involve both staying inside an air-conditioned room and being outside in the sun so these blushes were put through some pretty rigorous testing. Read on to see how each fared!
The Cult-Favorite: NARS Blush in Exhibit A (P1,700)
The most expensive in this particular lot, the Nars blush singles contain 4.8g of product which makes it roughly P354/g. This vibrant red shade came into my possession by way of the Narsissist Unfiltered I Cheek Palette but is also available in the Nars regular blush line as a single.
The brand doesn't claim to be long-wearing but instead promises "a light application of even the highest-intensity hues delivers a natural-looking flush". While wearing a blush this red may seem intimidating at first, I find that using a light hand with this one makes it wearable on a day to day basis. I probably used the least amount of product to make this blush show up in photos because it is extremely pigmented - a little does go a long way! This builds up quite nicely but you have to be careful not to put too much on by tapping the excess product off your brush before applying on your face.
The Long-Wearing: Happy Skin Glam Squad Contour & Color
Since there are two products in this palette with 3g of the blush, the price for the blush alone would be around P646 only at P215.33/g. The brand does have compact singles that come with a brush like the Get Cheeky With Me All Day Hydrating Blush (which is part of their collab with Sanrio), and duos like the Beauty in Bloom Get Cheeky With Me 2-in-1 Blush (P799).
The Contour & Color palette claims to be "long-lasting yet pigmented". Their other blushes promise the same, with the duos giving a "a light-diffusing sheen that lasts all day" and the singles have "All Day" in their names. I find this claim to be true as the blush is indeed pigmented and again, you have to be careful with over application especially with the blush shade in this particular palette. It wears quite nicely throughout the day and gives a luminous looking flush that looks natural. It should be noted though that this is the second most expensive out of the four blushes in this battle.
The Swim-Proof: Cargo Water Resistant Blush in Ibiza (P1,250)
This was part of my waterproof makeup test a few months and as Liz reviewed, it really can survive a dip in the pool! The brand claims that the "cheek color won't streak or fade; it's sweat-proof and weatherproof!". I've got high hopes for this one based on previous experience and testing.
With 11g of product in every Cargo blush tin, it comes to about P113.64/g. Considering that it takes me forever to use up a 5g product, this one will last a long time even with daily use! It takes a while to apply as it comes out sheer but you can easily build it up to adjust to your preference. In the swatches below, I had to use six swipes for Ibiza to appear compared to the other blushes which needed three swipes only. The manner of application may have something to do with its sweat-proof and weatherproof formula.
The Budget-Friendly: Features & Shades Powder Blush in Georgia Peach (P395)
Containing 4g of product, it's the most affordable in this battle at P98.75/g. A proudly local brand that rebranded just last year, their blush colors are well-suited for Filipinas. They simply describe it as "matte and shimmery blush-on with Vitamin E" with no claims to its longevity.
This blush was a pleasant surprise as not only is it quite affordable, it is also pigmented and long-wearing as evidenced by the 10-hour photo. It comes in a variety of shades as well, which provide a good selection for makeup beginners and lovers alike.
From left: Features & Shades Powder Blush in Georgia Peach (~P98.75/g), Happy Skin Glam Squad Contour & Color (~P215.33/g), Cargo Water Resistant Blush in Ibiza ~(P113.64/g), Nars Blush in Exhibit A (~P354/g)
Overall, the four blushes in this battle proved their mettle and not a single blush came out on top in terms of longevity. All four are still visible after 10 hours of wear in various climate conditions!
I used the same skincare and makeup (except for lipsticks) during the four days of testing out these blushes to make sure that they are given as equal a footing as possible. I do have normal-dry skin though so YMMV but I did avoid blotting so you can really see how the blush wore off normally.
From left: Features & Shades Powder Blush in Georgia Peach, Happy Skin Glam Squad Contour & Color, Cargo Water Resistant Blush in Ibiza, Nars Blush in Exhibit A
A summary:
- If you’re just starting out with makeup or are currently on a budget, the Features & Shades one may be the perfect fit for you.
- For oily skin types or those that have a more active lifestyle, the Cargo Water Resistant Blush can definitely keep up.
- For a highly-dependable daily blush, the Happy Skin formula is superb though, surprisingly a bit pricier than Cargo’s. If you get the Happy Skin Glam Squad Contour & Color though, you will have the ease of reaching for a single palette for both makeup needs!
- For the adventurous blush aficionado, the classic Nars blushes as well as their limited edition palettes will be sure hits in your collection.
What’s your most dependable, long-wearing blush? How long can you wear it before it starts to fade away?
