Written by Clémence Rubiella | Published on 28 August 2023 | Makeup
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Dear readers,
I cannot hide it, I am a total blush freak. I love blushes. I don't think it is ever possible to put too much. If I were to keep only one makeup item for the rest of my days, I think you get the point, but I would choose a blush. Anytime, any day.
Now let's talk about the best of the best Korean makeup products which are powder blushes. Cute or simple packaging, intense or soft pigments, shimmery or matte formulas, anyone can find what their heart is yearning for in the Korean beauty market.
If you prefer cream or liquid blushes, check out this post.
My recommendations for the Best Powder Blush:
Best Overall: The Face Shop Pastel Cushion Blusher ($8) Runner-Up: Missha Cotton Blusher ($5)
Best Natural Colours: 3CE Mood Recipe Face Blush ($14)
Best Packaging: Etude House Lovely Cookie Blusher ($6) Runner-Up: Lilybyred Luv Beam Cheek ($10)
Best Duo Blush: Dear Dhalia Paradise Dual Palette Blusher Duo ($33)
Best Red-Toned Blush: Mamonde Flower Pop Blusher ($17)
1. Best Overall: The Face Shop Pastel Cushion Blusher
Rating: 4.5 / 5
Highlights:
Comes with an adorable little puff
Nice colour range (8 shades)
Highly pigmented
Sebum-control formula
Blends seamlessly
Long-lasting
What we don’t like:
Packaging may appear cheap
One of the first blushes I tried when I arrived in Korea back in 2017, the Face Shop Pastel Cushion Blusher has been around for some time. What attracted me to it, first and most obviously, was the cutest little puff dressed with a little bow. It made me think of old-time makeup and I liked that retro vibe. To be honest, usually those kinds of puffs are doing a horrible job at blending the pigments but this one is pretty good. Also, the packaging is very light and simple. The second element that I really appreciated about the Face Shop blush was the pigments. At the time, most blushes had very diffused pigments and almost no colour payoff. The shade Coral Pink is absolutely divine, a cool-toned pink with shimmers. It blends seamlessly on the face with a soft velvet texture without caking. It is an oil-control powder that ensures a long-lasting makeup all day long.
1. Best Blush Runner-Up: Missha Cotton Blusher
Rating: 4.5 / 5
Highlights:
Long-lasting
Great colour range (10 shades)
Sebum-control formula
Velvet creamy texture
Natural finish
Travel friendly
What we don’t like:
Some shades can be very sheer
The Missha Cotton Blusher is one of Missha's best sellers. First of all, let's take a moment to appreciate how affordable this great product is. But its greatness doesn't stop there, oh no no. This powder blusher ensures vivid yet natural-looking colour for most shades (clear shades aren't very pigmented). It has buildable coverage with such a creamy texture that really holds on through the good and bad parts of your day. A great choice if you don't know which blush to get.
2. Best Natural Colours: 3CE Mood Recipe Face Blush
Rating: 4 / 5
Highlights:
Extremely creamy/silky formula
Amazing cool toned colour payoff
Flattering subtle everyday blush
Good pigmentation
What we don’t like:
Expensive
Limited colour range
For those of you who have never heard of the Korean brand 3CE Stylenanda (3 Concept Eyes), it is the makeup brand for an earthy, trendy, romantic and sassy makeup look. Their packaging is on point with a distinct cool pink tone and every product released is high quality, hence why it is a bit pricier compared to other typical Korean brands. Now, the Mood Recipe Face Blush has gained a lot of popularity in Korea for its absolutely stunning natural-looking rosy cheek linger it creates. Subtle yet highly pigmented, it blends flawlessly on your skin and lasts an eternity thanks to its sebum-absorbing powder element. It has a buildable formula that feels very silky and looks so soft. They have recently realised a Toiletpaper edition with 3 new blush shades that are to die for!
3. Best Packaging: Lilybyred Luv Beam Cheek
Rating: 4.5 / 5
Highlights:
Cute packaging
Great colour payoff
Moisturizing formula
Velvet shimmery finish
Buildable coverage
Long-lasting
Subtle rosy scent
What we don’t like:
A bit expensive
A heart-shaped container for a blush is not the most innovative packaging we have seen on the Korean market however, when combined with a great formula, it instantaneously elevates the product to a whole new level. Lilybryred Luv Beam Cheek is a cute and tiny little blush that is highly pigmented and has a light rose scent. It contains shimmer for a natural radiant glow and blends very well on your skin. It is a great choice for a fun present without ruining yourself.
3. Best Packaging Runner-Up: Etude House Lovely Cookie Blusher
Rating: 3 / 5
Highlights:
Cute packaging
Great colour range (11 shades)
Versatile
Soft pigments
What we don’t like:
Not long-lasting
Voluminous packaging
And another blush that comes with a fluffy bow puff. The Love Cookie Blusher is one of Etude House's best sellers that is constantly sold out in stores throughout Seoul. You actually have a better chance of purchasing it online than in stores, like many Korean products to be honest (Coupang, Gmarket or Naver is your best chance). The Love Cookie Blusher is highly popular amongst the young Korean crowd due to its cute packaging (shaped like a macaron), affordable and very versatile. You can use it as an eyeshadow as well. It is formulated to minimise shine with sebum control powder ingredients however the formula is not the smoothest nor the creamiest to the touch. The overall look you will get out of those Cookie blushers is a very natural, silky soft look.
4. Best Duo Blush: Dear Dhalia Paradise Dual Palette Blusher Duo
Rating: 4 / 5
Highlights:
Travel friendly
Vegan formula
Ingenious container with mirror
Very natural finish
Can combine cream and powder for a longer-lasting colour
Multi-usage - cheek, lips, eyes
What we don’t like:
Expensive
Limited colour range (4 shades)
Dear Dhalia is a luxury vegan beauty brand that offers 100% vegan and cruelty-free products as well as believes in a timeless beauty look that is classic but not boring. So whenever you are shopping for a Dear Dhalia product, you can expect the price tag to be a bit higher than the other Korean brands that are more common. Nonetheless, over the years, Dear Dhalia delivered long-lasting, highly-pigmented quality products and made a real name for itself. Their Paradise Dual Palette Blusher Duo combines a multi-balm formula with a velvet finish and a powder with either a matte, shimmery or glittery finish, depending on the shade you are selecting. It is a versatile duo for the cheek, lips and/or the eye area. The blending is effortless and the result is very very natural and fresh. Totally buildable, it is infused with the patented Dahlia flower extract and certified organic sweet almond oil, argan oil, shea butter, and cacao seed Butter. All this good stuff creates a gentle, non-sticky formula that naturally nourishes and protects your skin. And lastly, this pocket-sized compact with a double-sided mirror is perfect for taking with you anywhere.
5. Best Red-Toned Blush: Mamonde Flower Pop Blusher
Rating: 4 / 5
Highlights:
Comes in 6 red shades
Contains rose extract
Silky texture
Versatile use
Soft finish
What we don’t like:
Can be lacking pigments for some
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