Archived Post

Do you have a preference between powder, cream, and liquid?


Do you have a preference between powder, cream, and liquid? Does it just depend on the item? Or do you use all types of textures?

I prefer liquid foundation (maybe cream, but I don’t like powder) for sure. I would say that is the one product I have a strong preference for. I do prefer powder blushes as well – I think they last longer and better (generally).

Do you have a question idea? Submit yours here.

24 Comments

Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!

Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).

We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!

Comments on this post are closed.
Rachel Avatar

Definitely liquid for foundation. As much as my everyday blush is a powder, I do really like cream blushes (although that could be biased by my love of Illamasqua’s formula). For eyeshadows, I like cream and powder equally. I think formula is more important than the type of product. For example, I love cream eyeshadows when they last and apply well, but if not, I hate them.

Becca @ The Beauty Sample Avatar

I definitely prefer a liquid foundation, as well. I just find the finish is so much nicer and more natural. I’ve tried to find a powder foundation that I love as much as a liquid but no luck yet :/ As for blush, I prefer powder because for me, it’s easier to blend and lasts longer on my oily skin. Same goes for eyeshadow and bronzer. I also like that they last longer than cream formulas–I have so much makeup that it’s a comfort to know I don’t have to try and use them all up in a mad rush before they expire

SarahKita Avatar

Liquid. Powder just never seems to give nice enough coverage, even expensive highly rated high coverage kinds. I’ve never tried cream though.

Ivona Avatar

Yes – powder. When it comes to eyeshadows, blush and bronzer. And of course mattifying powder, but for coverage I of course go for liquid foundation, or better yet BB cream.

tzwiggy Avatar

I prefer powder for everything (except under eye concealer) on my oily skin. It lasts the longest and looks way more natural on me than any cream or liquid product. It’s also easier to apply, control the amount you apply and blend.

Danielle Avatar

I prefer liquid foundation, but I prefer powder for pretty much everything else (although I do like cream products). I have not had much luck with liquid highlighters.

Ellen Avatar

I definitely prefer liquid foundations too! Creams tend to be too heavy, and I only use powder for a bit of a touch-up/de-shine. I prefer powder blushes but am getting into cream ones, and I absolutely prefer powder eyeshadows. Cream shadows are fun but I rarely use them and they expire more quickly!

Mindy Avatar

I prefer liquid foundation, but there is a powder one I like. I love the way cream blushes look look but I have to set them with powder, so I prefer powder blushes overall. I live both cream and powder eyeshadows, but overall find powder easier to work with. I like powder for brows. I like liquid and powder for highlighters. And I’ve only used powder bronzers.

Tinose Avatar

I use BB creams as foundations, so whatever those are. I prefer my various primers to be gel, too.

I also prefer liquid lipsticks, although I’m enough less likely to find it that all the ones I wear in frequent rotation currently aren’t.

Otherwise, though I’m almost entirely a pressed powder girl. I definitely have my fair share of creams and loose powders, but honestly they’re more of a pain to organize for me, and that puts them on a lower priority level when it comes to use. My daily stuff has to fit on top of the cabinet that contains all my makeup and skincare stuff.

Keisha Avatar

For every day use…I like a loose powder foundation over my bb cream. But when I am doing photo shoots I prefer to use a liquid foundation. As far as blush, my go to has always been powder as I find them easier to apply…but I recently I have tried Bobbi Browns cream blushes and I really like them.

xamyx Avatar

It really depends on *many* factors. For foundation, I find liquids to be the easiest to deal with, but if the weather is very warm (as it often is in SoCal), I typically go for a TM with a powder foundation. However, for an evening affair, I’ll usually go with a liquid foundation. Cream blush/highlighter/contour will yield a more “natural” result, but powders tend to be more convenient, especially with touch-ups. When it comes to eyeshadow, there’s just more of a variety of color available in powder form, so I just stick with that; also, brush cleaning is easier with powders, and I refuse to stick my fingers into any product that will go anywhere near my eyes… Powder cake eyeliners are my all-time favorite, but they are a PITA to always find, so I pretty much stay with liquid. Lip powders are also great, but again, availability & selection aren’t always the greatest, but I have no preference between liquid & cream products. Overall, it’s really a matter of shade when it comes to everything other than foundation. I recently picked up MAC Brit Wit because it’s a color I’ve been hunting for over the last few years, but I’ve never found it in powder form, so I settled for cream.

Sierra Avatar

For foundation, I prefer liquid. Powder looks too cakey on me, and I haven’t tried a cream foundation. For blushes, I prefer a cream because it’s easy to blend out with my fingers and looks very natural. For eyeshadow, I prefer powder. Cream creases on me way too much, even with primer.

Danii Avatar

Never used a cream, aside from BB cream. Only liquid, I despise powder foundation alone but I have used it for setting my BB cream. Since MUFE reduced the amount in their now $35 HD powder, I refuse to buy it and have to use powder foundation to set. Atleast the BB and the powder match my skin tone ~ I’ve also never tried a cream blush! Just powders that I haven’t been impressed by (very cheap stuff, lacking any sort of quality).

CeeBee Avatar

Definitely liquid foundation, I find it gives me the best coverage and yet the most naural finish. i have been experimenting with cream foundations recently but haven’t found anything that completely blows my skirt up…
I’m also very much a powder blush girl (I have literally an entire drawer full) but recently I have discovered Mehron Cheek Creams and they are AH-MAZING! I have to apply very sparingly with a soft goat hair brush but they look SO natural (I always set them with translucent powder afterwards) and if you want to change things up you can always layer a powder blush or highlighter over them.
Highlighter, I stay away from liquid but I like both powder (Sleek is lovely) and cream (Edward Bess All Over Seduction in Afterglow – so exepnsive, but sooooo pretty!) pretty much equally.
As for eyeshadow, it’s very much pressed powder – I just find creams and powders too messy for precision work but that may just be me being lazy… 😉

Geneva Avatar

I prefer liquid foundation and powder blush. Because I’m such a slug in the morning I end up using powder foundation and cream blush. I put my makeup on in the parking lot at work.

Mietta Avatar

Hahaha I’m loving the use of ‘slug’, definitely going to describe myself in the morning like that from now on! Exactly like you except I put my makeup on when I’m on the train going to work lol!! Don’t care if people eyeball me off and get annoyed, I got an extra 15mins sleep ^o^

Alison Avatar

I tend to prefer liquid foundations – I don’t know why, but cream and powder foundations make me think “cakey”. With blush, I prefer powder, simply for feel and application. With highlighters, I like liquids and powders, maybe because I think of them as both base and cheek products.

Nikki Avatar

I was a powder foundation wearer in high school, tried out liquids in college, and have recently made my way back to my first love. I love the look my current powder gives me both wet and dry, and I find it’s really all the coverage I need for the natural look that I want when wearing makeup. My skin is fairly clear, so I don’t need much coverage. I’ve also tried all types of blushes, but only wear my powder ones definitely. I feel that they last the longest on my combination/oily skin and appear the most vibrant. I only used pressed powder eyeshadows as well, because I feel they last the longest and aren’t messy, so I’m voting powder all the way!

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!