Marshmallow blush in a bouncier form means cream-to-powder: it goes on soft, then sets to a blurred matte. Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush in Hope is a nude mauve with a putty-like texture that blends like cream and blurs like powder. Prada Touch in Peach is a soft coral that lasts up to 12 hours with no setting needed. Armani Beauty Dolci Blush in Rose Blush is a cool bright pink with a soft matte finish, and the Armani Dolci Matte Hybrid Cream to Powder Blush is its close cousin in name and format. caliray Blurry Blush in Zen is a nude pink and Dream State a bright clean pink, both with copper peptides, niacinamide and kaolin clay, and a boxing glove applicator. JUNG SAEM MOOL Artist Cushion in Misty Rosy is a creamy rose and Soft Pansy a cool toned pink, both applied with a puff for a soft matte blur.

Pairing tip: with the cushions, dispense a tiny amount and tap, never swipe. With Hope, prep skin with a moisturizer first, as the brand suggests, so the putty texture glides.

What I would skip: a second layer of the bright pinks before the first has set. Cream-to-powder dries down fast, so blend once, wait a minute, then decide.

Powders are the softest way to wear a marshmallow finish, because a brush diffuses everything. Too Faced Cloud Crush Blurring Powder Blush in Head In The Clouds is a dusty muted pink, and Velvet Crush a nude pink. Both are cushiony pressed powders, and the brand says they smell like a tropical beach. Tower 28 GetSet Blur + Set Matte Powder Blush in Culver Crush is a pinky peach that doubles as a setting powder. HUNG VANNGO Very Beautiful Matte Velvet Blush in Born from Beauty is a light peach with a cloud-matte finish and shea butter. MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Longwear Powder Blush in Anywhere Peach is a matte light peach with a buttery texture. Dolce&Gabbana Cheeks&Eyes Match in Cheerful Pink works on cheeks and eyelids for a one color face. Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Duo in Mimi & Coquette pairs a tawny beige with a bright pinky peach, so you can dial the depth. NUDESTIX Nudies Matte All Over Face Blush Color in Sunset Strip rounds it out, and its name says matte and all over.

Pairing tip: mark an X on the apple of the cheek, as Too Faced suggests, then blend in small circles.

What I would skip: pressing a matte powder onto dry patches. Marshmallow softness needs a little skin prep, so moisturize first.

Pick your marshmallow blush by how much bounce you want. Whipped creams like Milk & Cookies are the softest and most hydrating. Cream-to-powders like Hope and Zen last longer and blur more, and powders like Head In The Clouds give you the airiest wash. Choose the shade by undertone: cool nude roses for fair skin, peaches and corals for warmer skin, and mauves for deeper ones. Apply with fingertips or a soft brush, tap once and stop, and keep the rest of the face quiet with a clear balm on the lips. The best marshmallow blush is the one where nobody can tell where the color begins.