If You’re Not a Fan of Shine, Try These Matte Blushes To Tint Your Cheeks

Now that the summer’s around the corner, opting for matte blushes makes sense. After all, you already have sweat working against you. Plus, most of us go heavy on SPF and highlighter in summer, which kind of covers the ‘dewy look’ aspect of our makeup. So you might want to ensure you’ve got at least one matte makeup product, hence the matte blush, on your face to balance your complexion.

But it’s not always about the weather either. Unlike some shimmery options, matte blushes don’t draw attention to texture irregularities, oily skin, or enlarged pores. They allow you to color up your cheeks without giving your face a greasy look or magnifying pores. Not to mention, blushes with a matte finish are the perfect match for a completely sleek, matte look.

With so many options out there, you might get overwhelmed. But rest assured, a matte blush is for life. Once you find the right one for your skin tone and texture, you’re good. From there on, you’re just going to explore different shades depending on the season, your makeup look, or the level of tan you have.

Even though matte-finish blushes thrive in a powder texture, there are cream and even liquid blushes that have a matte finish.

Scroll down for the best matte blushes.

1. M.A.C. Powder Blush

With a staggering shade range, this is the absolute best matte compact powder blush you can get your hands on. There is a shade for every single skin tone and every occasion. And because it’s so pigmented, the blush goes a long way. Additionally, it’s pretty resistant to the wind in that it doesn’t wipe off easily. So whether you have fair skin or dark skin, this one is an amazing matte blush if you’re looking for a truly matte finish. It’ll color up your cheeks without making you look flat. The shade Melba, a soft peach, looks gorgeous on light to medium skin tones whereas Raizin, a deep red, can work like a bronzy blush on deeper skin tones.

Shades: 14
Size: 0.21 oz
Good To Know: Non-comedogenic

2. Nyx Sweet Cheeks Creamy Powder Blush

If you have dry skin, a cream blush might work better than a powder blush. Creams tend to stay longer on the skin because you work them into the skin much like face cream. But because of their emollient formula, a cream-based blush tends to have a subtle sheen, which is not ideal when you want to go fully matte. The good news is Nyx has this amazing blush that’s affordable and includes a range of incredibly cute shades. Because of the texture, the blush applies like a cream but settles down into a nice powder. Try the shade Red Riot for an elegant purple or Day Dream for a bright pink. The deeply-pigmented shades apply beautifully and freshen up your cheeks instantly.

Shades: 12
Size: 0.17 oz
Good To Know: Vegan

3. Nudestix Nudies Matte Blush Stick

Speaking of cream blushes with a matte finish, this is a pleasant exception that does have a surprisingly satisfying matte finish. The stick blush has incredibly flattering nude shades that’ll compliment any undertone. And because these are multi-purpose sticks, you can use them to create monochromatic looks and have your eyes, cheeks, and lips all matte. They apply easily and don’t look streaky on the cheeks. And it’s easy to blend the blush into the skin without making a patchy mess.

Shades: 12
Size: 0.25 oz
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, vegan, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free

4. Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Seduce

This blush is formulated with clay. So the powder formula is amazing for mattifying the complexion when your skin tends to get oily or shiny. But the color range includes amazing shades of pink including corals, deep and light roses, and even peaches, which is great for fair skin tones. The pigments are not too harsh so it’s difficult to overdo it. You can slowly build up for more intense looks or just apply a few swipes for a natural, cheerful look. There are both matte and shimmery shades. This particular rosy shade, Seduce, is absolutely stunning for faking naturally rosy cheeks.

Shades: 10
Size: 0.2 oz
Good To Know: Vegan

5. Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush

This one is like a cheek tint. The existing shades are so on-point and so versatile. That’s why they should come up with more ASAP. The line consists of pretty pinks, berries, and peaches and they come in shimmery options too. The deeply pigmented blush wakes up your complexion with one single swipe, so remember to start slowly. If you have textured skin and you don’t want any light-reflecting formula, this will warm up your complexion and give you those shine-free, matte, rosy cheeks.

Shades: 13
Size: 0.25 oz
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free

6. Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Creme & Powder Blush Duo

This is a genius blush combo that combines cream with powder. The duo is supposed to be used together for a multi-dimensional and natural-looking makeup look. But first things first, there’s actually a right way to apply the two shades together. And that’s by applying the powder first followed by the cream. And that’s why I think that’s genius. Because applying cream over powder is actually a makeup trick to prevent the powder from wearing off. People do this when they want to weather-proof their blush or bronzer and to keep them in place. By offering two complementing shades together in one pan, the blush duo makes it all the more convenient. By the way, you can also choose to use either shade alone depending on the look you’re going for.

Shades: 8
Size: 0.21 oz + 0.14 oz
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free

7. Laura Mercier Blush Color Infusion

These are available both in shimmer and matte. The shades are on the natural side so you won’t see a lot of bold, popping pinks or reds. However, that’s why these ones are great for soft, natural-looking makeup looks. You can color up your cheeks and fake a no-makeup makeup look with subtle pigments. The pink shades are also suitable for warm undertones.

Shades: 14
Size: 0.2 oz

8. Milani Rose Powder Blush

This drugstore matte blush is perfect for summer weather when you’re going for that peachy, coral vibe. The colors are not too pigmented. So overall, you’ll be able to create very natural makeup looks with a subtle flush of color on the cheeks. The cheerful shades have a moderate color payoff, so they are perfect for fair skin tones to fake sun-kissed cheeks. On a side note, Milani also has a matte blush palette. Rose Blush Trio Palette comes in two colors and each pan has one shimmery blush, which can double as a highlighter. So if you like to experiment with more detailed looks, you can consider the palette and utilize the shimmery shade to modify your look.

Shades: 6
Size: 0.6 oz
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, vegan

So these are some of the best matte blushes you can try. Both Milani and Nyx are budget-friendly options. But if you’re having trouble finding the right shade for your skin tone, Nyx has a wider range. If budget isn’t a concern, you can rely on M.A.C. for beautiful matte blushes in all kinds of colors.

And if you need a hand with the application, check out how you can apply blush with a beauty blender for a flirty, natural vibe.