I’m not a huge fan of them myself; I tend to prefer a lil’ shimmer, even if fine and barely-there, as I find it helps a lot in ensuring the blush is very blendable and easy to work with. Matte blushes can darken or turn patchy, which can be harder to blend out.
— Christine
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The few matte blushes that I do have are excellent, but that’s only because I went with them based off of reviews here. Ones such as MAC Burnt Pepper, Cheek Pollen, UD Bittersweet and Quiver. Or my freebie Tarte Paaaarty, not reviewed by anyone I can think of. When they’re made well, they deemphasize my smile krinkles on my cheekbones when I crack a grin or laugh.
Yet, even those require a little more work than a satin or a slightly shimmery blush.
And so I do still prefer a satin or slight shimmer over matte blush for ease of application and overall appearance.
I don’t like shimmer on me… not even a `lil’`, so for me matte blushes as an idea are a 100% like. On me matte blushes look more natural.
But I have to admit that getting a good quality matte blush is not always easy. Some formulas are too dry and apply patchy, are hard to blend. It’s easier to get better buildability and blendability with formulas with a bit of shimmer. But when I find a good matte blush formula… it’s amazing!
I am the same as you Ana Maria – I don’t even like a little shimmer at all on my cheeks.
And you are quite right in saying that good ones are hard to find. Currently I am using the Covergirl Clean Air blush in peach/coral tones (3 shades) and that has, to my absolute surprise, been of quite good quality for a DS blush – which I usually never buy.
I’m not wild about them. I have a few (maybe more than few) that I got because the colours were so lovely and I do like that – blushes in pretty colours. But I like a bit of glow or sheen on my cheeks so mattes aren’t my favourite finish.
LIKE: They work well with oily skin. I love to use shimmer, metallics, etc. and mattes are nice to help balance those. I also like a matte blush for a classic pin-up looks. The don’t generally show texture as much as more shimmery finishes.
DISLIKE: When they’re chalky or patchy, or when they oxidize. Matte blushes are more prone to these issues than other finishes.
I like matte blushes for playing with depth, finishes or mixing cheek colors. Christine is right, that barely discernible not-sheen makes the blush easier to apply without having to worry about patchiness or color-changing. I think of my NARS matte blushes and Tarte blushes when I say this–both brands have popular matte blush colors. My cheeks have been dry and flaky lately so I have not been buying matte powder blushes but I love matte blushes.
I have a few and all are in either a very soft pink, peach or blushing lilac colour (off the top of my head: Tarte, Benefit, Milani) and like to use them when I have a lot of glow going on, or as a base before I put something more reflective on top (something from ND for example).
That’s exactly how I use them too – to temper my overall look if I’ve already applied shine on eyes/lips, or underneath a more shimmery cheek product.
After thinking about it and checking my stash, I learned I don’t own any matte blushes.
Not a conscious choice.
I am a big fan of matte blushes – the only ‘matte’ any beauty product I like.
I prefer the finish of a matte blush as it doesn’t turn my face all shimmery and adds a soft glow to my cheeks. I have found that when I have worn a slightly shimmery blush, when the shade has worn off, I am just left with the shimmery elements that seem to emphasise pores I don’t really have.
Not my favourite finish because I find them more difficult to blend, frequently pigmented far beyond what a reasonable person would conceivably wear on their cheeks. I prefer a hint of shimmer, or even something shimmery because they are more forgiving and also kinder to my mature skin.
I only like matte blushes that are not super pigmented. This way it avoids a patchy application. I enjoy the light wash of color that gives complexion a fresh, healthy flush that is very subtle. I also like blushes that have a sheen to them, no sparkle or glitter, but a luminous sheen that brings life to skin when it’s looking a little dull, or if I have a tan in the summer, something that is more reflective of light, versus that “just come in from the cold outdoors look on paler skin” that I like in the winter. I do not like any powder blush that looks powdery on the skin regardless if it is matte or has a sheen. For gel and cream blushes, I prefer a glowy matte, meaning no shimmer, more of a dewy finish like you get with Glossier Cloud Paint, Flower Beauty Blush Bomb, or Tata Harper Cheek Tints for example.
Depend on eye look, if eyeshadow too much shimmer so I use Matte brush to break the tone.