Cheek Duos & Palettes | 2020 Editor's Favorites
This year, there were a lot less cheek duos, trios, and palettes that were released compared to 2019, and I’ll be curious to see if that trend continues into 2021 or if it was one-off due all that made 2020… well, 2020! I love a good duo or trio when they’re offered in more than one colorway, as I think they can offer greater versatility than a single cheek color.
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 Cheek Duos/Palettes | 2020
Melt Cosmetics Raw Honey Digital Dust Duo Blush ($39.00 for 0.24 oz.) is a new, shimmering blush duo that featured a deeper, reddish-copper hue paired...
Melt Cosmetics Raw Honey Digital Dust Duo Blush ($39.00 for 0.24 oz.) is a new, shimmering blush duo that featured a deeper, reddish-copper hue paired...
Melt Cosmetics Buzz Kill Digital Dust Duo Blush ($39.00 for 0.24 oz.) includes two blushes: a luminous, pinky-coral and a luminous, lighter,...
Melt Cosmetics Buzz Kill Digital Dust Duo Blush ($39.00 for 0.24 oz.) includes two blushes: a luminous, pinky-coral and a luminous, lighter,...
Clinique Warm Up (2020) Cheek Pop Palette ($29.50 for 0.36 oz.) is a new, limited edition trio that features three warmer-toned Cheek Pop shades (all...
Clinique Warm Up (2020) Cheek Pop Palette ($29.50 for 0.36 oz.) is a new, limited edition trio that features three warmer-toned Cheek Pop shades (all...
($29.50 for 0.36 oz.) is a new, limited edition trio that includes two blushes (both from the permanent line) and one highlighter (previously...
($29.50 for 0.36 oz.) is a new, limited edition trio that includes two blushes (both from the permanent line) and one highlighter (previously...
Kosas Longitude Zero (High Intensity) Color and Light Pressed Palette ($34.00 for 0.28 oz.) features "double" the pigment with a deeper pink blush...
Kosas Longitude Zero (High Intensity) Color and Light Pressed Palette ($34.00 for 0.28 oz.) features "double" the pigment with a deeper pink blush...
Natasha Denona Love Glow Blush & Glow Palette ($55.00 for 0.48 oz.) is a new, permanent palette (this packaging is limited edition) that features a...
Natasha Denona Love Glow Blush & Glow Palette ($55.00 for 0.48 oz.) is a new, permanent palette (this packaging is limited edition) that features a...
Glossover Averages
Your Year in Review: Cheek Duos/Palettes
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!
- Is there a cheek palette that became a go-to?
- What makes a good cheek duo/palette for you?
- Do you think you’d purchase another cheek palette in 2021?
Is there a cheek palette that became a go-to? I have a few that are! Dior Backstage Glitz quad and Hourglass Ghost Quad.
What makes a good cheek duo/palette for you? Either a cohesive color story or one where I know that each shade will be fully utilized in some manner, that none will go to waste.
Do you think you’d purchase another cheek palette in 2021? If one comes along, and I do believe two already have, I sure would!
Is there a cheek palette that became a go-to? No – I don’t use cheek palettes because, quite often, one or more of the shades don’t suit me.
What makes a good cheek duo/palette for you? A good cheek duo for me includes a semi matte blush shade in coral tones and a slightly cool toned highlighter that would not be too shimmery. I really like the Cover FX duo in Peach shades, but it is difficult to get here in Aus as it sells out very quickly. What I really like is a mosaic of coral shades from light to dark so I can swirl my brush in it to get a variable range of colour on my cheeks.
Do you think you’d purchase another cheek palette in 2021? No – the brands don’t really come out with the format I prefer.
Look into SUQQU? Looks like they have those duos.
I always look forward to your Editor’s Favorites roundup for the year!
Is there a cheek palette that became a go-to? Sephora Collection Holographic
Face and Cheek Palette was a go-to the little bit I wore makeup this last Fall. The True + Luscious Lucky Glow Palette was a go-to during the spring and summer, though that may be more of a face palette. I used the shades mostly on my cheeks. My Natasha Denona cheek palettes probably would have been go-tos if I’d worn makeup more this last year. I really liked the Love and the Darya palettes.
What makes a good cheek duo/palette for you? Shades that suit my skin tone, are easy to blend, and are either buildable or easy to sheer out. If a small palette, all the shades need to be usable. If a larger palette, most of the shades need to be useable. No dark and/or orange and/or shimmery bronzers. I prefer powders due to my oily skin. If there is a mix of creams and powders, then they need to somehow be kept separated from each other, such as in my Natasha Denona cheek palettes. I don’t buy cream only duos/palettes.
Do you think you’d purchase another cheek palette in 2021? Knowing me, yes. I want to try Lethal Cosmetic’s cheek products, and Odin’s Eye highlighting palettes next year.
– When I didn’t know anything as a super newbie, I got a 3-pan hourglass blush palette. Huge mistake. They are all great products but I never need to use 3 at the same time and it’s huge. As a result, I never bring it on trips or have it on the table that after 2 years, it almost looks new still…
– I’m interested in getting something like SUQQU or Kevyn Aucoin ombre highlighter-blush palette that is compact & has both highlighter/blush that you can easily control the intensity of the shade.
Is there a cheek palette that became a go-to? HG Unlocked Palette
What makes a good cheek duo/palette for you? I’m very pale and my coloring makes it that I can pull off quite a few different colors schemes, corals, roses or pinks will suit me. I like having some darker contour shades and highlighter shades to give a little shimmer is a bonus.
Do you think you’d purchase another cheek palette in 2021? I have enough in my stash for now.
Is there a cheek palette that became a go-to? TheBalm Will Powder Blush Quad was fantastic for me this year! Also; Beauty Bakerie Cotton Candy Champagne palette and Hourglass Ambient Lighting Ghost Unlocked palette.
What makes a good cheek duo/palette for you? Being able to use all the shades either separately or in combination and a good variety of finishes and shades.
Do you think you’d purchase another cheek palette in 2021? I truly don’t need one, lol. But I would love the ND Love Cheek palette. It looks like the kind of pink that won’t make my cheeks look lavender.
Is there a cheek palette that became a go-to? The Tarte Blush 101 Amazonian Clay Blush Palette was my go-to this year, but it was the only face palette in my collection that has the full bronzer, blush, and highlighter combo until my very recent purchase of the Physician’s Formula x Weylie palette, so it’s not exactly a fair comparison
What makes a good cheek duo/palette for you? I haven’t owned many cheek palettes, so I don’t have a large range of experience when it comes to them, but my skin tone is in the perfect medium range where pretty much any shade works for me, especially blush. So having “useable” shades has never been an issue for me. I would probably avoid any palettes that have hard-to-clean packaging, as my mom requires that I keep all my palettes clean at all times
Do you think you’d purchase another cheek palette in 2021? I’m open to purchasing another cheek palette, but it’s not high on my priority list, and there’s currently nothing on the market that piques my interest