Blush is one of the first beauty products we’re introduced to as young’uns getting into makeup. All the pretty shades of pink, corals and peaches are so enticing. But what’s often forgotten is the formula – and yes, there are huge differences across all the brands. Over the years, I’ve managed to find what I believe to be the creme de la creme of powder blushes: Not powdery, not over-powerful with the pigment, but certainly buildable. Smooth, soft and leaving the skin looking healthy and radiant – here are my two favourite powder blush formulas.

MONOCHROME MOMENT VELVET BLUSH by Patrick Ta
This is the blush that got me into blush. As my skin is so fair, I’ve always been against the idea of having a colour too intense on my cheeks. To control pigmentation in powder products, you must have a product which has been pressed very firmly. The more pressed, the less pigment – but also the less powdery, so these formulas will be incredibly smooth. However, don’t be tricked, these formulas are also buildable, so a strong pigment can be achieved with ease by simply taking the time to layer the product.
Patrick Ta’s Monochrome Moment Velvet Blushes are designed as such, making them perfect for either a light wash of colour or intense colour payoff. The formula is packed with ingredients that provide a buttery, velvet texture that applies evenly to the skin, lasting all day with a natural, radiant finish. It’s also free from parabens, gluten, SLS and sulfates.
My favourite shade is She’s Seductive, a rose mauve nude, which looks very deep and brown in the pan. But don’t be intimidated! It’s the most stunning shade that suits an array of skin tones, including my very fair one.
AMBIENT LIGHTING BLUSH by Hourglass
Hourglass are known for their stunning marble-effect pressed powders. With gorgeous pigment woven throughout a complimentary tone of the brand’s iconic Ambient Lighting Powder, these blushes provide a gorgeous and luminous wash of colour with a formula which will only make your skin look better.
Hourglass powders are handmade using a mixing technique which allows a perfect balance between pigment (the blush tone) and powder (the complimentary Ambient Lighting Powder shade woven throughout the product). This also means no two blushes look the same. The ingredients and technology used in the creation of the formula provides a soft-focus, seamless and radiant look once the product is applied on to the skin. Without exacerbating any texture, these powders are easy to build pigmentation with and blend like a dream.
Given that I have a warm undertone to my complexion, Diffused Heat is my favourite shade. This coral tone gives a fresh and flattering flush to my cheeks and pairs beautifully with golden and copper eyeshadows.
Stumbled across you blog because I was looking for a Patrick ta blush review…. and I’m in awe. I love your short concise posts, the style, the font, your pictures, your credo… Girl, you have talent! I have a little blog too and I can tell you… the struggle for the pictures, that’s why I appreciate even more your blog, so beautiful. To use for inspiration – as a model…. Keep it up girl <3
Thank you so much for your kind words – they’ve truly made my day. Trust me, it took a long time to get the blog to where it is now. I never expected photography to become such a passion of mine, so I appreciate your compliments so much. Keep up the good work – I’ll bookmark your blog. Tori 🙂 x