Cream blush (sometimes also called creme blush) is hands-down one of my favorite makeup items. Recently I was asked what my favorites are. Since it has been more than two years since I wrote a post about my favorite cream blush, I figured I’d write an updated version. Plus, I have a few tips for how to apply cream blush if you’re new to this type of formulation. Rosy cheeks can make a major difference in your overall fresh-faced look!
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Why Cream Blush? I find it lasts longer than powder blush (though I love a good powder blush too), and you can use it on your lips and cheeks when life calls for multitasking. Also, if you accidentally drop one of these on a hard tile floor… it isn’t going to shatter like a pan of powder blush might… in other words, these are definitely travel friendly!
Top to bottom: HAN Skin Care Cosmetics in Pink Peony, Rituel de Fille in Desire, 100% Pure in Sugar Plum and Peach Glow, and Julep in Golden Guava.
My Favorites? I pretty much have five SIX favorites when it comes to cream blush…
1) The first one I’m going to recommend is the one I not only reach for most often when doing my makeup, but also the most affordable at $14. It is the HAN Skin Care Cosmetics 100% Natural Cheek & Lip Tint. These come in four colors and I have been using Pink Peony since October of 2015. This one is a cool-tone pink. I still love it and take it everywhere with me. It is infused with shea butter, cupuacu butter, argan and acai oil among other nutrients to soothe and hydrate the skin. The vibrant pigment is completely derived from natural sources including fruits, vegetables and plants.
2) I’ve recently raved about Rituel de Fille’s Rare Light Luminizers, and I also own one their Inner Glow Cream Blush in the shade Desire. This is a unique mauve shade that I typically only use in the colder months, but it is a very pigmented matte formula that I just love. Made with 99% natural ingredients and free of synthetic dye, synthetic fragrance, parabens, phthalates, and sulfates. $24 ea. Rituel is currently sold out but the detox market looks to have some in stock at the moment.
3) If you’re looking for a sheer cream blush then you must try the 100% Pure Lip & Cheek Tints! I’ve been using these for what seems like forever now… More than three years perhaps? I have the shade Sugar Plum Sheer and Peach Glow Sheer. Completely fruit pigmented (they smell delicious from the fruit too!) and very easy to use. If you’ve never used cream blush before then these are a great place to start. They contain moisturizing shea and cocoa butters, anti-aging vitamins and antioxidants and create that barely there natural flush. $25 ea.
4) I don’t always want shimmer in my blush, but when I do it is typically in the warmer months and for that I love the Julep Skip the Brush Crème-To-Powder Blush Stick in Golden Guava. I also have it in Sheer Glow but actually use that shade as a highlighter. Golden Guava is a peachy pink with golden shimmer and has a beautiful dewy finish. This one admittedly is not quite as all natural as the previous three I’ve mentioned (their pigments are not all natural), but it is paraben free and still much better than a lot of the mainstream brands out there. $24 ea. or $19.20 if you’re a Maven.
5) I’ve long been a fan of the Aura Multi Use Sticks from Vapour Organic Beauty. My favorites are the Aaura Multi Use Classic shades Eros 207 (mauve pink), Courtesan 213 (rose pink), and Spark 202 (sheer peach pink). These are 100% natural, biodegradable, contain no nano particles, and are made at wind-powered facility. I also had their Aura Multi Use Stain in the vivid Impulse 209 but I just opened it for the first time in a year and it unfortunately dried out a bit (I have had it for like 3 years). I really loved that one though and wish I’d used it more before it got lost in a drawer. $36 ea.
From top to bottom: Vapour Organic Beauty Aura Multi Use Sticks in Eros 207, Courtesan 213, and Spark 202.
6) AND! OMG I can’t believe I almost forgot. I have a sixth favorite cream blush! These were tucked away in another drawer which is why they totally slipped under the radar when I was photographing the blushes above. I cannot finish this post without mentioning the Tata Harper Volumizing Lip & Cheek Tint. I use these all the time and have the shades Very Sweet, Very Charming, Very Popular, and Very Naughty. Here is a photo from when I first got them… I’ve since made quite a dent in them. These ones are especially great for using on lips too. $36 ea. (and well worth it!)
Worth a mention: The Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee. These are a gel blush so I didn’t include them in the main list.
Tips for Applying Cream Blush: When applying cream bush it is all about the fingers. If it is a stick of blush I usually dab a small amount on the apples of my cheeks and blend up and back following the contour of the cheek bone. The warmth of your skin will help it to blend evenly. Start with a very small amount and then build up to the intensity you desire. Always easier to add then to take away! Now, even though fingers work great for blending, occasionally I will take a brush to my cheeks to help blend out the flush of color more fully (especially if I’m using a bold shade or if I’ve accidentally applied too much). A dense foundation brush works best for blending out cream blush.
What are your favorite cream blushes? If I missed one of your favorites let me know in the comments below! xo – Naomi