If I want more of a stained effect, cream/liquid blushes definitely get there more easily (and tend to look better). For more glittery eyeshadows, liquids and creams tend to have better binding, adhesion, and hold compared to powder eyeshadows–though the cream-powder hybrids are quite good these days!
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Cream or liquids are a huge no go for me in terms of blush, highlight, bronzer, eyeshadow. I only use a liquid foundation or liquid lip products
To be honest, I don’t have a specific “when” to use either product. My experience with creams is somewhat limited so I tend to choose products based on the shade and performance and not by the texture or type. As I have aged, I have been buying more cream products and for the most part, they work better on my aging skin than they did when I was younger but that could be due to many factors, technique, better products, etc.
I have only skin so I have to cater to it. For eyes I need cream because my oily lids just eat powders and for the rest of my face I need powders including powder foundation because liquids and creams just melt off. If I had normal skin then my answers would be the opposite.
My oily lids eat cream products so I can’t use creams on them. Primer + setting powder + then add powder shadows is how I have to do things!
Personally I don’t find cream or liquid formulas work for me in terms of blush, highlight, contour, bronzer, eyeshadows. But I do prefer cream/liquid for foundation, I never managed to make a powder foundation work for me. I also prefer creams/liquids for eye liner; I love some create eye liner looks with powders (like a soft focus), but if I’m creating a similar look I’ll mostly use a creamy pencil smoked out.
I mostly just want everything to be a cream or liquid formulation. The intensity of color/shine, ease of blendability, the staying power, and the ease of fingertip application make them a no-brainer for me. I don’t even own a single powder blush (I do keep buying eyeshadow palettes, but whaddaya gonna do).
Liquid foundation and then powder everything else (powder foundation is the one powder product I won’t use). I’ve tried cream products before and I’m just not a fan of how they apply and they have been messier in my experience. I haven’t tried any cream products for years so maybe I would like them. Who knows! If I get a trial/sample I’ll give it a whirl, but at this point I’m not interested enough in trying them to spend money.
For a natural finish, I prefer the liquid/cream blushes, highlighters and bronzers, for me. I have dry/dehydrated skin, especially on the cheeks, so I don’t set with powder most of my face after applying the foundation/BB/CC cream. I love the formulas that melt into my skin and don’t dry it out. My all time favorite liquid blush is Inglot AMC Face Blush in 93, followed by W3ll People Multi-Use Cream Stick in Nude Rose. Nars Orgasm (liquid) is beautiful as well, just that I don’t like that it separates when not used, into a layer of oil on top of the liquid pigment. For highlighters, my most used ones are: the Illumi-naughty stick by Nudestix, Charlotte Tillbury Flawless Filter and the Algenist Drops. For bronzers: Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel, W3ll People Bio Bronzer Stick, CoverFx Custom Enhancer Drops in Sunkissed.
I also see myself navigate more and more towards liquid/cream eyeshadows. Some of my faves, in no particular order, are: Armani Eye Tint in Cold Copper, Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks and her new liquid Caviar Veil in Crystal Rose (mostly used as a topper), Clinique Chubby Stick for eyes in Lots O’Latte, Revlon Colorstay Cream Eyeshadow in Praline, Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow in Cool Lilac, Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Sticks in Sand Dune, Melted Pink .
In summer, when it is hot and humid and I use the Bare Minerals Original Powder Foundation, I switch to a powder blush, highlighter or bronzer. But for most of the year, I prefer the liquid/cream formulas, as they suit my needs better and look more natural. When I use liquid/cream blushes, highlighters, bronzers, I don’t apply them directly on my face. I put them on the back of my hand, then take them with a brush, dab a bit on the back of my hand, before applying them on the face. Or I use my fingers when applying the Nudestix Illumi-naughty and CT Flawless Filter.
When it come to eyeliners, my absolute favorites are a liquid one (Dior On Stage Liquid Eyeliner) and a pencil one (Givenchy Khol Couture Waterproof Retractable Eyeliner). Nothing else of what I’ve tried so far beats these two in terms of staying power.
*comes (to eyeliners)
Foundation and concealer 100%! Although, during the hot humid monsoon season, I will likely use a powder foundation lightly on top of my bb cream for better staying power and so that I don’t turn into one giant greaseball. Other than that, I DO love a good cream to powder blush, highlighter or eyeshadow! Oh, and I also love a good liquid highlighter that I can mix with my rather flat matte foundation for a little bit of a glow.
That fabulous Fenty liquid e/s duo that I purchased last summer, too. Was hoping for more of those this year. But, alas, no new shades for 2019.
Lip colors and mascaras, but that’s probably 99% of makeup users. I usually prefer liquid and cream foundations, concealers, and color correctors, unless it’s really hot outside. I prefer liquid or cream pot eyeliners for winged or otherwise “fancy” eyeliner. My skin is too oily for most other liquid and cream products.
A liquid foundation and highlighter that I mix with it. Otherwise everything powder. I have bought cream eye shadows but they dried out so that was the end of that. My eyelids are so oily that I need a primer before I put on any eye shadow. May be when I get older(?) my skin will need cream blushes etc. So far powder works best for me at almost 60.
Creams & liquids are my go-to for traveling. Powders would just emphasize any flakiness my skin gets while adjusting to the environment.
I definitely prefer cream or liquid eyeshadows and foundations.
I’ve never found a powder foundation that did not leave my skin even drier.
Shimmery or glittery powder eyeshadows irritate my dry eyes making it feel as though I have sand in them continually – even with a shadow primer. I have found that shimmer cream and liquid eyeshadows do not bother my eyes at all. Surprisingly, price does not equate to quality with liquid eyeshadows, I am loving Jordana’s Liquid Eyeshadows ($4) more than my pricier options (particularly the shade Immortal Metal).
Over 30 years of habit has me reacging for powder products. I think when you’re young, that formulation makes more sense. It’s easy to apply, doesn’t add to any oiliness younger skin may experience.
As I’ve aged, I find myself reaching more and more for cream products for the face. The creamy consistency works better with my dry skin – although it is a learning curve!
For eyes, after a good primer, I still find myself reaching for powder rather than cream. I find it doesn’t settle into the creases and texture of my eyelids like a cream does.
Foundation – I definitely prefer a liquid foundation over a powder or cream one any day.
Eye pencils – not that I own a lot, but I think the creamy ones are much better in terms of application.
Eye shadows – some cream ones are quite good, but I don’t use them.
For blushes, I always use a powder.