Cream vs Powder Blush for Women Over 50: My Picks and What Works Best

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Let’s talk blush! Once we hit our 50s, the way color sits on our cheeks changes. Skin gets a little drier, a little softer, and suddenly the same blush you’ve used for 20 years doesn’t give that fresh glow anymore. ARGH. So, what works now? In general, cream blushes tend to be more flattering on mature faces because they melt into the skin and give a natural, radiant look. But don’t count powder blush out; there are still some good ones out there if you like that soft-focus finish.

Why Should I Wear Blush

Blush is like a little magic for your face. It adds a soft pop of color to your cheeks, making you look fresh, healthy, and awake. Foundation can sometimes make your skin look flat, and blush brings that natural glow back, kind of like you just came in from a walk or had a good laugh. It’s an easy way to brighten up your whole look in seconds.

Cream Blushes

MERIT Flush Balm Cream Blush

Tania using MERIT cream blush
MERIT Flush Balm Cream Blush – Archival (Cool Mauve)

Gurls, it has taken me a while to get used to cream blushes. This Flush Balm Cream Blush by MERIT is the first one that I’ve used and actually liked. It’s a creamy, lightweight cream blush that melts into your cheeks and lips with a balmy sheen that’s so flattering.

Shade Swipe Blush Stick

Tania using VERSED cream blush
Shade Swipe Blush Stick – Bloom

This beautiful cream blush by VERSED is the other one that I use. I warm the blush up between my fingers, and then dab it on my cheeks. After I get the correct shade I want, I set it with powder to help hold it in place.

Clinique Black Honey Pop Lip + Cheek Oil

Tania using Clinique Black Honey Lip & Cheek Oil
Clinique Black Honey Pop Lip + Cheek Oil

I’m not sure what category this Lip + Cheek Oil goes in since it isn’t a cream or a powder. But, I couldn’t leave it off because it is sooo pretty, and it also makes your lips feel so nice and hydrated. I have to give credit to my daughter for introducing this to me.

e.l.f. Monochromatic Multi Stick

Elf is always an affordable choice and this little stick is so versatile! You can use it on cheeks, lips, and even your eyelids for a soft, monochromatic makeup look. The formula is creamy, blends beautifully, and is easy to toss in your bag for quick touch-ups. It’s perfect if you like a subtle glow that looks like skin, not makeup.

  • Cream stick that works on eyes, lips, and cheeks
  • Travel-friendly size
  • Gives a natural, easy flush

e.l.f. Putty Blush

This blush has a creamy texture that blends like a dream and then sets down to a semi-matte finish. It’s ideal for women who want that dewy look without feeling sticky. The pigment is buildable, so you can go from barely there to bold with a few taps of your sponge or fingers.

  • Creamy, blendable formula
  • Semi-matte finish that lasts
  • Lightweight and natural looking

Maybelline Cheek Heat Gel-Cream Blush

If you like a sheer wash of color, this one is for you. It’s a gel-cream formula, which feels fresh and weightless on the skin, and it’s oil-free. It gives a very natural flush, like you just came in from a walk, which works so well for mature skin.

  • Sheer, breathable color
  • Gel-cream texture for a youthful glow
  • Easy to layer without looking heavy

wet n wild MegaGlo Makeup Stick

This is one of those budget-friendly products that punches way above its price tag. It has a creamy texture that’s easy to swipe on and blend with your fingers. Plus, it doubles as a lip color in a pinch, so you get a lot of use out of it.

  • Super affordable
  • Blendable and creamy
  • Great multitasker for travel or a quick routine

e.l.f. Cream Contour Palette

This palette isn’t technically a blush, but it’s a great way to sculpt your face. The creams are easy to blend and can be layered under blush to add dimension to your cheeks. If you like a natural look with soft shading, this is a solid option.

  • Cream palette for contour and bronzing
  • Smooth and easy to use
  • Can be combined with cream blush for a polished look

Powder Blushes

Tania using Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Blush
Cheek To Chic Blush – Pillow Talk

This is the blush that I’ve used for YEARS, and I still love it. The middle section is a highlight, but I blend the two parts together. I use the nude pink Pillow Talk, which is perfect for my complexion.

Tania using REM Beauty bright pink blush
Hypernova satin matte blush – Pinking of U

Sometimes, the Pillow Talk blush is slightly too dark for me, especially in the spring and summer. So, after I apply it, I go over it with this bright pink blush called Pinking of U. It brightens up my face and gives my face a beautiful glow.

Milani Rose Blush Powder

Milani makes some great products and is always very affordable. The finish is matte, but it doesn’t look flat. I like to use powder on top of a bit of cream blush when I want extra staying power.

  • Powder formula with a soft, natural look
  • Long-lasting color
  • Lovely rose design in the pan

Maybelline Fit Me Powder Blush

You can’t go wrong with Maybelline! This is a smooth, blendable powder that works well if you prefer powder formulas. It’s lightweight, so it doesn’t sit in fine lines, and it comes in classic shades that go with any makeup look. It’s a great budget-friendly choice.

  • Smooth and blendable powder blush
  • Doesn’t feel heavy on the skin
  • Affordable and easy to find

Physicians Formula Multi-Colored Powder Blush

I like a multi-colored palette. It always seems to look more natural, and it gives a softer color payoff. Plus, Physician’s Formula is especially nice if your skin is sensitive,

  • Silky powder formula
  • Gentle on sensitive skin
  • Mix of shades for a natural effect

Blush Brush

109 Mini Contoured Foundation

Don’t forget a good brush! This is the one that I use, and it’s great for blending cream blush seamlessly into the skin. It buffs everything in, so there are no harsh lines, just a smooth, natural flush. It’s also great for applying powders if you like a more airbrushed look.

  • Works for both cream and powder formulas
  • Blends everything evenly
  • High-quality and durable

Why Cream Blush Often Works Better

  1. Adds a Natural, Fresh Glow
    Cream blush tends to blend seamlessly into the skin, giving a dewy, youthful look. Powder can sometimes sit on top of the skin and emphasize fine lines or dryness.
  2. Hydrating
    Mature skin often becomes drier with age. Cream blush formulas usually have emollients that add a bit of moisture, which helps keep the skin looking fresh.
  3. Less Likely to Emphasize Texture
    Powders can settle into pores or lines, while cream products tend to melt into the skin.

When Powder Blush Is Better

  • If you have very oily skin or live in a hot, humid climate, a powder blush might last longer and stay in place better.
  • Powder also works better over powder foundation or setting powder because cream products can disturb the base.

For women over 50, cream blushes usually win because they melt into the skin and bring back that natural glow. Powder blush can still be your friend, especially if your skin is on the oilier side or you like a longer-lasting, more matte look. Try both and see what makes you feel your best.

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65 Comments

  1. 🙂 As an oily gurl, I’ve always used powder. Tried the Wet N Wild blush a few months ago, and I came to like it. I’ve found that it blends better if I apply it shortly after my foundation. I liked the look of the Merit one. Might try it too.

  2. Stephanie Weeks says:

    I haven’t perfected cream blush but I want to learn.

  3. Catherine Gleason says:

    lovely products & colors so funny re your Mom love the laugh

  4. I like the cream blushes too. I use Merit and also found Jones Road for makeup that is really good too. Thank you for all the options.

    1. 😀 I use both cream and powder blush. Tarte has a nice cream blush.

  5. 🙂 thanks for the choices

  6. Stella Gustafson says:

    😀 i ordered the elf monochromatic stick. I travel a lot and being this can be used three ways it’s perfect

  7. Thanks so much for these suggestions! I hadn’t worn blush or much makeup at all in years, and when I decided I felt like a more polished look I found that powder blush felt and looked wrong for me. I’d never used any other kind, but I fell in love with the first new product I tried, Flower Beauty Gel Crush Lip & Cheek in Strawberry. I loved the light, dewy effect.

    But now the whole line seems to have been discontinued :(. I’m ghostly pale, so it tends to be hard to find my shades. So far I’ve tried the Maybelline Cheek Heat and Hard Candy’s Selfie, which are both nice, but I’m going to keep experimenting.

  8. 🙂
    I struggle so much with finding the right shades. What works this week doesn’t work next week!!! So I have a drawer full of products that no longer work… sometimes I think it’s easier just to go without makeup these days. LOL