With so many advances made in cosmetics over the last few years, we have moiré choices than ever before – both in color and actual formulation. Two of the most popular forms of makeup are creams and powders. This is to say nothing of the liquids and gels – that’s for another article.

When it comes to deciding whether a cream or a powder will work best for you, there are a variety of factors to keep in mind. Color is a big one – if your favorite shade only comes in one form, then that’s probably what you should use. But assuming for a moment (and we realize this is a big assumption) that you could get any shade in any form, then here are some other factors to consider in your selection process.

Foundation

Your foundation may not be the most exciting cosmetic you purchase, but as the basis of your look, it’s the one that is most important for you to get right.

It used to be that you applied a liquid foundation and set it with a powder. Now you can start with a cream foundation that dries to a powder or a powder that acts as a foundation as well. Largely it comes down to your personal preference for which looks and feels the best. In general though, here are a few items to consider as you decide:

Cream (and cream to powder) foundations are best for normal to dry skin types as they give a semi-matte finish for a subtly dewy glow. If a sheer coverage is what you are going for, a cream or cream to powder foundation might be a good bet.

Powder foundations will give you more coverage and are best for normal to oily skin types. Powder can be loose (lighter finish, but more messy) or pressed (easier to apply, but goes on thicker. Powders are best for matte finishes where oil control is an issue.

Eye Shadow

When it comes to your eye shadow, one of the biggest deciding factors after color will be the amount of shimmer you are going for. In general, cream eye shadows will have a more noticeable shimmer than the traditional powder shadows. Powders, however, will feel lighter on your eyes, but may require more touch ups over the course of a day and evening than a cream shadow.

Blush

Again, blush is an area that once upon a time was firmly powder territory. While a powder blush is still the easiest to blend over your foundation (especially a powder or cream to powder), more and more women are using a self-tanner or a tinted moisturizer instead of a traditional foundation. In those situations, it may be best to go with a cream-based blush or even a more sheer cheek stain to stay with the natural skin underneath.

When it comes right down to it, the decision of cream versus powder is a personal one based on your preference and the other cosmetics you wear. If you are thinking of making a switch from one to the other, be sure to stop by your cosmetic counter and ask for a sample of the product you are thinking about trying. The beauty consultant should have samples of almost everything on hand. The secret is to ask nicely (being a good repeat customer certainly doesn’t hurt ether).

Try the sample out on a day you’re not planning on going anywhere and see how it looks and, just as importantly, how it wears over the course of the day.

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