The Best Cream Blushes of 2023

Unleashing a vibrant, healthy glow at any season of the year is made effortlessly possible with the magic of cream blushes. These buttery, oil-infused formulas are distinctively different from traditional powders, offering an unmistakable radiance that mirrors the results of a rejuvenating beachside jog or an indulgent facial. They’re particularly loved for their moisturizing properties, making them a preferred choice for dry skin types.

Cream blushes are admired by both beauty enthusiasts and experts due to their exceptional versatility. They offer the flexibility to tailor your blush to your specific needs and preferences. If you prefer a rosy glow, cream blushes can be applied to the higher cheekbones, right beneath the eyes, followed by a blending out of any stark lines for a seamless finish. Alternatively, for a more natural flush, you can apply the cream blush while smiling, concentrating the color on the apples of your cheeks and then gently diffusing the edges. These techniques ensure a harmonious blend and a radiant, natural-looking glow.

They come in various formats—sticks, pots, and more. Application is a breeze, whether you choose to apply straight from the bullet and blend with your fingers or opt for a beauty sponge or stippling brush for precision. These blushes lean towards the sheer side but are easily buildable, allowing you to adjust the intensity to your liking. And, in the event that you’ve gone a touch too bold, a foundation brush or sponge can be used to soften the hue.

Let’s face it, blush is the secret weapon of the makeup realm. It effortlessly elevates a minimal look or beautifully completes a full makeup ensemble. It’s a step in your routine that breathes vitality back into your cheeks, emulating that enviable, healthy glow, and tying together your overall look with a neat bow.

But let’s not overlook the challenge posed by the plethora of cream blushes on the market, with their varied colors, finishes, and application methods. Choosing the perfect one for your cheeks can seem like a daunting task. But fear not, we’ve taken on the challenge and conducted extensive research and rigorous testing on a multitude of cream blushes to present you with the absolute best. Judged by texture, blendability, and pigmentation, these top performers offer exceptional finishes, impressive shade ranges, and unparalleled pigmentation.

Continue scrolling to discover the best cream blushes that will redefine your makeup game.

MERIT’s Flush Balm is the secret to achieving a naturally flushed look that brings life to your skin. The formula has won the hearts of editors alike, who love its application not just as a blush, but also as an eye shadow and lip balm.

It debuted with four buildable shades and added more hues earlier this year to cater to a variety of skin tones. Our favorite shade is “Persimmon,” a soft orange-red that gives a warm, peachy glow that’s especially appealing on medium skin tones.

Plus, the waxy, balm-like texture, enriched with nourishing vitamin E, imparts a dewy, effortless flush, contrasting with the matte or shimmery finish of many other blushes.

With its compact size, you can carry it in any bag for necessary touch-ups throughout the day. At $30, its multitasking abilities make it a steal.

Milk Makeup’s Lip + Cheek is an impressive choice for anyone in search of a natural-looking blush.

Available in a whopping 11 shades, these tints warm up any complexion, offering a soft flush that brightens up your entire look. The product also doubles as a lip color, allowing you to create a speedy monochromatic rose look that pairs well with any eye makeup.

To use, simply dab it onto the apples of your cheeks straight from the tube and blend it with your fingers. And since it’s suitable for all skin tones, the formula is a game changer for those who want a blush that does more.

REFY’s Cream Blush is a highly-pigmented, buildable blush that provides a natural-looking blush to your cheeks.

The formula is buildable, meaning you can apply a little bit of product on your cheeks and blend it out for a subtle look, or layer it up for a more dramatic effect. The color gently sits on top of your skin instead of sinking into it, so you can rest assured that it won’t make your face look oily—it’ll simply enhance the natural color of your cheeks.

The five shades range from peach to cherry red, allowing you to find one that compliments your skin tone perfectly.

According to reviews, “The color was great and can be built up to achieve the desired effect. It was very easy to apply and also to blend, so yes, I was very impressed with this product.”

The radiant blush that paints your face with the hues of the sunset.

Glossier’s Cloud Paint, available in eight colors, offers a fun pop of color that instantly livens up a makeup look. Its sheer consistency allows you to dab on a dewy glow or layer for a more eccentric effect. What’s more, the gel-cream formula feels bouncy and light on the skin, making it a joy to apply.​

It truly packs a powerful punch in a small package. Users have found that a tiny dot can provide a natural, buildable, and long-lasting color that leaves a gorgeous glow​​.

“I love the color! It looks so natural and works to add some on my eyelids and even as a lip stain because I always seem to get more out than I need,” explained one reviewer.

Tower 28’s BeachPlease Tinted Balm blends seamlessly on the skin, giving you a natural luminous finish.

The balm itself is very light, creamy, and blendable. It spreads easily across the skin and gives you an incredibly natural luminous finish. There are no harsh lines or edges—it just melts into your skin like a dream! You can use it as blush or lip color depending on how much you apply.

The ingredients are impressive: there are 8 shades included in this collection (we love “Power Hour,” which is a sun-kissed terracotta color), as well as plant-based ingredients like green tea extract and aloe vera extract for added moisture benefits.

“I bounced this into my cheeks for the first time and I was blown away,” explained one shopper. “This is perfect for me and my skin. I have pretty sensitive, acne-prone skin, and the lack of fragrance and other irritants make this amazing.

Imagine a blush that’s as light as air, melts into your skin, and provides a natural-looking flush in a variety of sheer shades. That’s precisely what Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush offers.

It’s a non-greasy cream blush that’s designed to enhance every complexion with a youthful glow​. While the shades may look ultra-vivid in the pan, they actually have a buildable finish that blends seamlessly into the skin.

This makes it perfect for those days when you want a fresh look without too much fuss. The formula is sweat and water-resistant, so it won’t feel sticky or greasy and won’t disturb your makeup​​.

Stila’s Convertible Color is a versatile addition to any makeup bag.

This two-in-one product combines the benefits of lipstick and blush, making it a perfect quick fix for on-the-go makeup applications. Loaded with a creamy, translucent color, this product has a knack for adding a fresh burst of natural-looking color to both lips and cheeks, seamlessly blending into the skin to create a desirable glow

The soothing, nourishing wax base ensures comfortable wear, whether it’s applied over or under foundation and/or powder. With a mere tap on the cheeks or a press onto the lips, Convertible Color provides an easy way to refresh your makeup look at any time.

Rare Beauty’s liquid-like cream blush is a soft-focus color that melts into the skin and gives you a natural flush.

The formula is water-resistant, which means it won’t wash off when you sweat or cry—but it’s also formulated with spherical powders for a natural flush. It combines pigments with a non-greasy blend of weightless oils to create a satin finish that doesn’t cake or crease.

This product is also great for people who want to get a little glow without too much fuss.

EM Cosmetics’ So Soft Blush is the perfect product for anyone who wants to get a natural, flushed-looking glow on their cheeks.

The cream blush is soft and blendable, allowing you to easily customize your blush shade. The formula contains squalane and vitamin E to condition and protects your skin’s barrier.

The color payoff is amazing—this cream blush goes on smoothly, never feeling greasy or heavy. It instantly melts onto your skin, creating a beautiful flush that doesn’t feel fake or like you’re wearing any makeup at all.

You can also use this cream blush by itself or mix it with other colors from the EM Cosmetics line for customized shades that match your personal style.

A blush that’s as easy to use as it is beautiful.

This cream-powder formula blends seamlessly into the skin for a soft-focus effect, and it imparts a diffused lasting flush to the cheeks. It’s also available in five dreamy mattes, so you can mix and match colors for your unique look.

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How to Choose the Perfect Blush

Identifying the Right Hue

When it comes to blush, finding the right hue is a lot like finding your perfect lipstick—it’s intensely personal. You want to look like you’ve just had a brisk walk on a chilly day, not like a clown! The color should flatter your skin tone and meld seamlessly with the rest of your makeup. For fair skin tones, lighter, cooler hues like soft pink or peach work well. For medium and olive skin, warmer rose or apricot tones are ideal. And for darker complexions, rich berry and brick shades can add a gorgeous flush. The bottom line: try, experiment, and see what makes you feel radiant!

Powder, Cream, or Liquid

The formula of the blush you choose should sit comfortably on your skin and blend effortlessly. Powder blushes, with their wide range of colors and long-lasting formula, are the traditional go-to, especially for oilier skin types. Cream blushes, with their hydrating and dewy finish, can be a boon for drier skin, adding a flush of color that looks like it’s coming from within. Liquid blushes are the wild cards, providing buildable, blendable color with staying power that can rival powder blushes. Each has its own charm and method of application, so play around and find your favorite.

Finishes for Different Occasions

Depending on the occasion, you may want your blush to be a subtle hint of color or a vibrant pop. This is where the blush’s finish —matte, shimmer, or satin—comes into play. Matte blushes are excellent for creating natural, daytime looks, with no shine or glitter to draw attention. Shimmery blushes add a glow to your cheeks, catching the light beautifully but can be intense for everyday wear. Satin blushes strike the middle ground, giving a slight sheen without visible shimmer or glitter. The finish you choose can set the mood for your makeup look, so choose wisely.

Blush Placement

Where you apply your blush can significantly impact your overall look. A traditional approach is to sweep blush on the apples of your cheeks, giving a youthful and healthy glow. To lift and sculpt the face, try applying blush slightly higher, along the cheekbones, towards the hairline. And for a more avant-garde look, draping your blush (applying it high on your cheeks and up to your temples) can create a dramatic, runway-ready effect. Always remember, though—blend, blend, blend! The aim is a soft, diffused color, not harsh, noticeable lines.