Stain is an unfortunate word for a beauty product, dontcha think? I mean, beauty mavens don’t want stains<\/em> — we want an alluring tinge of color that highlights our bone structure. We want a subtle flush that speaks of youth and vibrancy. Stain as a descriptor doesn’t paint that picture.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Even so, the right cheek stain really does deliver that youthful glow we love so much. If you’re into the natural makeup look<\/a>, you absolutely need a good cheek stain.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Here’s a confession. I didn’t wear cheek color, blush or stain, for years. I didn’t really see a need for it, until I got to my 40s. At that point, my youthful complexion lost its natural vibrancy pretty fast. I was suddenly looking at a paler me in the mirror.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Since then, I’ve favored cheek stains over blush. Blush can look unnatural, because it sits on top of the skin. Unless you’re really talented with a makeup brush<\/a>, your cheek color can be either invisible or too aggressive.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Blush comes in powder and cream forms. Stain, on the other hand, is a liquid or semi-solid. Both are blendable and generally have a more transparent, dewy quality relative to blush. These formula temporarily stain the skin, rather than sitting on top of it as a blush would.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Many cheek stains stay on longer than powdered blush. They can also have moisturizing properties.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n To apply a liquid cheek stain, squeeze a bit on to your fingertips and gently blend from the apples of your cheeks back towards your head. You could also dab a bit onto a high quality makeup brush and use the brush to blend.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Semi-solid cheek stain comes in a stick — like a big lipstick — that you apply directly to your skin. Swipe it on from the apples of your cheeks backwards and then blend with your fingers or a blending brush.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If your stain isn’t blending well or going on splotchy, try exfoliating first.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n You know you have the application right when you can see just a dewy flush on your cheeks.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n It’s a risk with any cheek color that your application looks more aggressive under different lighting. Avoid this by making sure your bathroom lighting is very bright — a vanity mirror will do the trick. And on sunny days, take a quick peek in your compact mirror when you step outside.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The right cheek stain looks gorgeous in natural and more done-up looks, any season of the year. Pair cheek stain with BB cream, mascara, and lip gloss for an easy beauty look that’s still pulled together. Or, use it as a subtle backdrop for smokey eyes on a night out.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This list of best cheek stains is based on popularity as indicated by product reviews and search frequency. For examples, lots of people search specifically for Tarte Cheek Stain and so that product is pretty high on the list. I also include my own favorite as the editor’s pick, since I use this product daily.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nStain or blush?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Applying cheek stain<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
When to wear cheek stains<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Best premium cheek stains<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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\r\n Rank<\/strong><\/td>\r\n Brand<\/strong><\/td>\r\n Price Point<\/strong><\/td>\r\n Noteworthy<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n \r\n Editor’s pick<\/td>\r\n Eco Lips