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11 Best Cream Blush For That Just-Kissed Flush

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One scroll through TikTok and you’ll see: Blush is still trending like crazy. And there’s something for everyone, from powder blush to tints to liquid blush. The possibilities are endless! It all depends on your skin type. For example, those with oily skin might want a more matte finish, while those with dry skin often favor a dewy finish.

There’s one blush formula that often works across all skin types: cream blush. The best cream blushes go on dewy but dry down to a powdery finish that stays put all day. If you prefer a more dewy look, we love adding highlighter for a glowy ‌makeup look that’s pretty on everyone.

Below are some of makeup artist and content creator Dara Levitan’s favorite blushes, including a few we’re obsessing over, too.


About the Expert:

Dara Levitan is a makeup artist and content creator.

Here's the List of Products:

1. Best Cream Blush From a Celeb Brand:

RARE BEAUTY Stay Vulnerable Melting Blush

RARE BEAUTY Stay Vulnerable Melting Blush
Courtesy of RARE BEAUTY

Chances are, you’ve seen Selena Gomez’s RARE BEAUTY viral liquid blush all over TikTok. But don’t dismiss her liquid-like cream blush that melts into the skin and is basically impossible to mess up—we think it’s just as good as it sounds.

2. Best Buildable Cream Blush Formula:

MAKEUP BY MARIO Soft Pop Plumping Blush Veil

MAKEUP BY MARIO Soft Pop Plumping Blush Veil
Courtesy of MAKEUP BY MARIO

“I love this blush because of the texture and formula,” Levitan says. “It is so buttery and blendable. The soft-matte, radiant finish looks natural but brings life to the face.”Some cream blushes are very pigmented but others are more buildable, like this one. That allows us to create a soft, natural flush that makeup artists love.

3. Best Cream Blush for Beginners:

GLOSSIER Cloud Paint

GLOSSIER Cloud Paint
Courtesy of GLOSSIER

One of the first viral cream blushes, or beauty products in general, is Cloud Paint from GLOSSIER, which now comes in 10 inclusive colors. We like applying a dab of the gel-cream formula with our fingers instead of a brush, which makes it great for beginners who aren’t comfortable around a blush brush.

4. Most Glowy Cream Blush:

SAIE Dew Blush

SAIE Dew Blush
Courtesy of SAIE

“I always come back to this blush because of the unique gel formula,” Levitan says. “It blends in about five seconds flat and is perfect even when you have no other makeup on. The shade Spicy is one of my favorite blush shades of all time!” We couldn’t agree more with the TikTok star. The cream-gel blush glides onto the skin with a natural flush of just-pinched color that easily builds in intensity.

5. Best Cream Blush for Dark Skin Tones:

FENTY BEAUTY Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush

FENTY BEAUTY Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush
Courtesy of FENTY BEAUTY

Rihanna continues to come through for all skin tones, especially those with deeper complexions. The cream blush’s shade range takes into account undertones, so there truly is a blush for everyone—at least a shade or two. There are even unique colors, like purple and red, that pop on deep skin tones.

6. Best Cream Blush for Travel:

NUDESTIX Nudies Cream Blush

NUDESTIX Nudies Cream Blush

We’re obsessed with the built-in brush on the flip side of NUDESTIX’s cream blush, and we aren’t the only ones with it in our makeup bag. “From the insanely huge shade range to the compact packaging and built-in brush, this is the perfect blush to apply on the go,” Levitan says. “A little goes a long way, and you can choose from a satin, radiant, or matte finish.” IPSY members agree, saying: “Not oily, not greasy. Very lightweight. I love that it doesn't cover my freckles. I’ve purchased a few more shades since trying this.”

7. Best Multitasking Cream Blush:

MILK MAKEUP Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick & Lip Color

MILK MAKEUP Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick & Lip Color

Touch-ups are a breeze with this multi-use multi-stick. MILK MAKEUP’s two-in-one stick doubles as a creamy blush and lip color with hydrating skincare ingredients. Mango butter, peach nectar, and avocado oil provide the dose of hydration our skin craves—plus buildable color—all at the same time. IPSY members love it, too. “The shade is so delicate and bright,” says one fan. “Goes on smoothly for a nice colorwash. You can intensify the color by adding a few more applications if you want to.”

8. Best Hydrating Cream Blush Formula:

TOWER 28 BEAUTY BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Cream Blush

TOWER 28 BEAUTY BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Cream Blush
Courtesy of TOWER 28 BEAUTY

Speaking of hydration, we can’t get enough of this multi-use cream blush that gives a natural, luminous finish to the lips and cheeks. But although it has a dewy finish, it’s still longwearing with no cakiness or harsh lines the entire day. The moisturizing formula is especially great for mature skin, as it doesn’t settle into fine lines.

9. Most Longwearing Cream Blush:

TRESLÚCE BEAUTY Ready to Bounce Cream Blush

TRESLÚCE BEAUTY Ready to Bounce Cream Blush

Need your cream blush to last from day to night? Go for Becky G’s unique cream-to-powder formula. It starts off dewy but dries down super smooth without streaking or caking. IPSY members love it as much as we do, saying, “This shade is everything. It is bright and in the face. I love blushes and this one is long lasting.”

10. Best Cream Blush for No-Makeup Makeup:

MERIT Flush Balm

MERIT Flush Balm
Courtesy of MERIT

A pop of mascara and a dab of bronzer is all you need to finish your look with MERIT’s cream blush. We love the way the cream tint gives our skin that lit-from-within color with conditioning ingredients like vitamin E.

11. Best Drugstore Cream Blush:

E.L.F. Putty Blush

E.L.F. Putty Blush
Courtesy of E.L.F.

No one will know this putty-to-powder blush was just $7—unless you go around telling everyone like we do. Because it’s just that good. It's also infused with good-for-you ingredients like argan oil and vitamin E for a semi-matte finish all skin types love.

Want to try the latest beauty trends? Get in on all the IPSY fun! Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with your own IPSY beauty subscription. Already an IPSY member? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and TikTok @IPSY.

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About the author
elizabeth-denton-headshot
Elizabeth Denton
Elizabeth is a freelance beauty writer. Previously, she was a beauty & fashion editor at Time Out New York, Seventeen, & Allure. She has more than a decade of experience in the beauty and fashion world, writing for Nylon, StyleCaster, Cosmopolitan & more.
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Article Last Updated December 19, 2023 12:00 AM