There's nothing quite like patting on a little cream blush if you want to brighten up your complexion. Sure, finding the best highlighter will make your cheekbones beam, and investing in a brilliant foundation will guarantee a healthy glow - but blush really is the key to that rosy I-woke-up-like-this flush. Unlike powders, cream blush formulas tend to melt into the skin and give a natural-looking, long-lasting tint to the cheeks, whether it comes in stick, liquid or balm.
New to cream blush? Don't worry, we hit up Bobbi Brown Pro MUA Warren Dowdall, to share his dos and don’ts for dreamy application.
DO: pick your shade carefully
Warren suggests taking a cue from your complexion to select the most flattering shade. “When choosing a colour, pinch your cheek and look at the colour that already exists within your skin." The shade your skin naturally flushes is always going to be a helpful guide.
DON’T: underestimate the beauty of blending
“Taking time to really melt your blush into the skin is key. There shouldn’t be any obvious demarcation lines. To help with this, start by applying a small amount and gradually build up to where you want to go with the colour.”
DO: protect the glow
The most devastating part of cream blush application? When the glow disappears under setting powder. “Using a light reflective powder product to set the blush in place will keep the skin looking dewy.”
DON’T: panic if you go overboard
“Your foundation brush is your BFF for this. Take whatever product is left on your foundation brush from your base application and using small circles buff away the excess colour and smooth any obvious edges.”
DO: get experimental(ish)
Ever heard of nose blush? You’re about to. “For a really cohesive look, don’t be afraid to apply a little sweep of blush across the nose. It gives a nice echo of colour through the face.” Warren also suggests multitasking with cream blush. “Use it as a creamy lip tint. Just apply a little to the lips with your finger for an instant pick-me-up.”
DO: Find the best formula
Ready to embrace the cream blush life? Scroll down to see our all-time faves...
Best cream & liquid blushes to buy now
These pots of joy are some of REFY's best work. With seven vibrant shades to choose from, each one is beautifully creamy and packs enough pigment to give the cheeks a flush of colour. You can keep the hue subtle or layer up to your desired intensity. Either way, it lends a juicy and dewy sheen that's bound to bring in compliments.
It's almost impossible not to fall in love with Merit's deliciously dewy blush balm. It's lightweight, buildable and gives a glowy finish to the skin. There are nine shades to choose from, each formulated with microfine pigments, so you can't overdo it.
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Selena Gomez knows exactly what she is doing when it comes to stunning blush shades - there are 13 to choose from, including a bold hot-pink and a creamy coral peach. Rare Beauty's formula is silky and smooth, it blends effortlessly leaving a pretty, 'just-pinched' glow behind.
And suddenly, there Sabrina was wearing Armani on a Sunday – or every day in this case as this Silk Cheek Tint is her go-to blush.
Often used by her MUA, Carolina Gonzalez, for red-carpet events, the silkiness of the formula gives a pretty flush of colour to the cheeks while lending a subtle glow.
And because the formula is inspired by the weightlessness of Armani’s signature lipsticks, the cream seamlessly melts into the skin without moving makeup underneath. You can see why it's such a celeb favourite.
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Barbie called; she wants her blush back. Yes, the bubblegum pink shade of ‘Cool Baby Pink’ is *chef’s kiss*, but the real winner here is the doll-like skin as a result of its dewiness.
The water-based formula melts in, making your blush look natural in just a few taps of your fingers. The best part? It’s easily buildable, so you can customise your blushing experience.
Meet the OG of cream blush, you guessed it, Glossier's Cloud Paint. Loved by pretty much everyone - from influencers to makeup artists, this beauty looks as good on the cheeks as it does on the 'gram. The shade Spark is a bright poppy-pink that sheers out instantly on the skin, leaving a fresh flush.
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One of the longest-lasting formulas around, Anastasia Beverly Hills has crafted the perfect cream blush. Available in five shades ranging from coral to pink and plum, just a few swipes melt into the skin and give cheeks a rosy flush.
The Nars Orgasm shade in liquid form? I couldn’t get it on my face fast enough. Unlike the OG, this has a more subtle sparkle, as well as hyaluronate (a sister to hyaluronic acid) and collagen, which not only makes blending a breeze but also adds hydration and glow. Finally, a fake orgasm we can all get on board with.
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This takes ‘liquid blush’ to a whole new level with its jelly-like texture; if you’re in the dry skin club, this is going to be your perfect match. My skin drank this marula oil-rich stuff up, leaving behind an impressively natural faux flush with just a smidge of product. Cheeks are left looking so juicy, you’ll want to take a bite out of them.
e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo Liquid Blush
£6.94 at Amazon
For those of us with oilier complexions and who want a more matte finish, this should be our top pick. It provides skin with a soft filter effect and isn’t a struggle to blend, either, leaving behind a bright pop of colour. It didn’t last as long as others, but for under a tenner, you really can’t fault it.
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The cushion applicator makes it foolproof to apply on the go (earning serious brownie points) and only two dots were needed to give the ‘cold girl’ make-up trend a run for its money. The matte finish means this is budge-proof and leaves no shimmer behind, so if you despise anything glittery, you’ll love these.
Named 'Sunkissed' for a reason, this cream blusher stick is the perfect shade if you want to look like you've just returned from two weeks in Bali. The warm, reddish-pink is perfect for faking a 'caught the sun' glow, minus any actual sunshine, of course.
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The best thing about the e.l.f. Putty Blushers (aside from the purse-friendly price tag of just £7), is the ultra-sheer, buildable formula. The dewy cream is subtle, but super-buildable, so you can easily adapt the blush from a barely-there tint to a full-on glow. This one is best applied with fingers, for a natural finish.
Cream blushes are often the go-to for subtle rosiness and a natural look, but if you like to go all out and look like you were just running for the bus at all times *cough* me *cough*, this Monika Blunder cream blush can be built up to a serious wham of colour... that lasts. It's also gorgeous when blended out for a subtle glow, if that's your thing.
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Iconic makeup artist, Bobbi Brown, has concocted the ultimate cream blush formula with her new Jones Road Lip and Cheek Sticks. Available in eight stunning shades ranging from bright coral to tawny nude, the buttery sticks give a long-lasting flush of colour.
I never knew I needed my blusher to have skincare benefits until I tried this. It’s made with a blend of hyaluronic acid and vegan-derived collagen, that hydrate the skin and seal in moisture – so you get that plump, dewy, I-just-drank-eight-glasses-of-water glow. If you have a chronically dry complexion (like me), Milk Makeup's cream blush is the one.
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Another Milk Makeup offering, these diddy balms are infused with mango butter, avocado oil and apricot oil. This baby is super hydrating and perfect worn alone. The creamy formula can be drawn onto cheeks and then smudged out for a natural-looking blush.
If dusky hues are your bag, these lightweight balms are the way to go. Not only do the muted hues provide a cherub-worthy flush, but you can dial up the pigment from subtle to Queen of Hearts in no time. It provides such a flawless sheen and your cheeks will look more plumped in the process. Just remember to set with powder so it sticks around.
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Trinny London's Lip2Cheek pots give a long-lasting rosy flush, thanks to the balmy, pigmented formulas. Available in 11 shades (ranging from a light peach to a bordeaux burgundy) the matte finish is flattering and easy to apply.
Yes, PLouise's liquid blush kinda looks like Polly Pocket raided your makeup bag, but it's what's inside that has kept me hooked. Erm, hello pigment!!
It comes in sooo many shades to suit a range of skin tones and the water-based formula allows for seamless blending. As for the finish? It kinda gives airbrushed vibes – so the result is more matte and natural as opposed to dewy and radiant. Just use the sponge-tip applicator to dab on a few dots and blend up to your temples for a lifted look.