Blushes Under $15 | 2020 Editor's Favorites

Christine — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 17:00:00 +0000

If there’s one type of product that I have more “room” to review… it would be cheek products. Brands release plenty of them, but compared to eyeshadow palettes and lip products, I can make a decent dent into the new releases (whereas with lip products, it feels like an avalanche). In 2020, there were just over 60 blushes under $15 eligible for consideration, so this year’s list is shorter than prior years.

Last year’s favorites were dominated by ColourPop’s Blush Stix, which seems mostly discontinued at this point (sigh!). While ColourPop wasn’t able to crank out the releases like usual in the first half of this year, they started to make up ground this past fall and holiday… they just seemed to release the same type of blush–lighter pink and coral–over and over again, which just didn’t hit the high notes for me. That being said, a late release was Brut Flute in their Super Shock Cheek formula, which was superb.

Lethal Cosmetics’ also debuted powder blushes with a more natural-matte to satin-like finish, which is the finish right in my wheelhouse. I liked the variety of shades they offered–a diverse range for a myriad of undertones and skintones–in particular. I made my way through Sydney Grace’s permanent Powder Blushes earlier this year, too, and found some shades to fall in love with (but mind you, they are very pigmented).

If you’re unfamiliar with how I like to do my year-end favorites, here’s the low down: I pull from the products I reviewed in 2020, regardless of whether they were new, limited edition, or an established range I’ve only just gotten around to reviewing. These are personal favorites, so they may or may not be the highest rated products reviewed during the year (though they will tend to be better rated, naturally!). (You can check out best of 2019 if you missed last year’s.)

Temptalia’s Favorite Blushes Under $15 | 2020

01.

01. Brut Flute ColourPop

ColourPop

LELimited Edition. $8.00/0.15 oz.

A+

ColourPop Brut Flute Super Shock Cheek ($8.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a medium, pink-plum base with moderate, warm undertones and a fine, darker gold pearl...

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ColourPop Brut Flute Super Shock Cheek ($8.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a medium, pink-plum base with moderate, warm undertones and a fine, darker gold pearl...

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02.

02. Secret Sydney Grace

Sydney Grace

PPermanent. $9.00/0.25 oz.

Sydney Grace Secret Pressed Blush ($9.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a brighter, medium-dark pink with warmer undertones and a smooth, metallic sheen. It was...

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Sydney Grace Secret Pressed Blush ($9.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a brighter, medium-dark pink with warmer undertones and a smooth, metallic sheen. It was...

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03.

03. Hybrid Lethal Cosmetics

Lethal Cosmetics

PPermanent. $15.50/0.18 oz.

Lethal Cosmetics Hybrid Magnetic Face Powder (Blush) ($14.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a darker lavender with subtle, cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. ...

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Lethal Cosmetics Hybrid Magnetic Face Powder (Blush) ($14.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a darker lavender with subtle, cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. ...

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04.

04. Echinopsis Lethal Cosmetics

Lethal Cosmetics

PPermanent. $15.50/0.18 oz.

Lethal Cosmetics Echinopsis Magnetic Face Powder (Blush) ($14.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a brighter, rosy plum with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte...

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Lethal Cosmetics Echinopsis Magnetic Face Powder (Blush) ($14.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a brighter, rosy plum with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte...

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05.

05. Nectar Lethal Cosmetics

Lethal Cosmetics

PPermanent. $15.50/0.18 oz.

Lethal Cosmetics Nectar Magnetic Face Powder (Blush) ($14.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a light-medium, pink-leaning coral with a satin finish. It had buildable...

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Lethal Cosmetics Nectar Magnetic Face Powder (Blush) ($14.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a light-medium, pink-leaning coral with a satin finish. It had buildable...

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06.

06. Pure Love Sydney Grace

Sydney Grace

PPermanent. $9.00/0.25 oz.

Sydney Grace Pure Love Pressed Blush ($9.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a deep, rosy copper with warm undertones and a metallic finish. It was intensely...

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Sydney Grace Pure Love Pressed Blush ($9.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a deep, rosy copper with warm undertones and a metallic finish. It was intensely...

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07.

07. Calyx Lethal Cosmetics

Lethal Cosmetics

PPermanent. $15.50/0.18 oz.

A-

Lethal Cosmetics Calyx Magnetic Face Powder (Blush) ($14.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a vibrant, medium-dark coral-orange with strong, warm undertones with a...

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Lethal Cosmetics Calyx Magnetic Face Powder (Blush) ($14.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a vibrant, medium-dark coral-orange with strong, warm undertones with a...

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Side-by-Side Swatches

Glossover Breakdown

96%

Average

Glossover Averages

product

9.5

pigmentation

9.5

texture

9.5

longevity

9.5

application

Total

96%

product

9.5

pigmentation

9.5

texture

9.5

longevity

9.5

application

Total

96%

Your Year in Review: Blush Edition

I thought it would be interesting to read through how readers used products throughout the year, what favorites emerged, what products fell by the wayside… so, if you want to join in, copy and paste the questions below and add your answers via a comment!

What blushes did you use the most this year?
Did you finish any blushes this year?
Do you expect to expand your blush collection in 2021?