There's a lot to love about cream blush. It's easy to apply (no seriously, you don't even need a brush), it doesn't get cakey, and it almost always gives your cheeks a natural-looking flush — like you just came in from the cold or went for a (light) jog. Cream blushes are great during the winter when skin feels dry, but they're also lovely in the summer since the texture is so lightweight [1]. If you're someone who prefers a no-makeup makeup look, I promise you that cream blush is the way to go. It works beautifully on top of bare skin, but if you wear full-coverage foundation [2], cream blush is also a nice way to add some radiance to your skin.
Despite cream blush being one of our favourite makeup products, it's important to find a really good formula, since none of what we said above will matter if the blush itself disappears an hour after you put it on your face. Whilst I adore cream blush, I'm not going to lie, I've tried quite a few formulas over the years that are too too creamy, causing them to slip and slide around on your skin or disrupt the foundation and concealer underneath. There are also quite a few cream blushes that contain a measly amount of pigment, which means they neither last throughout the day nor work for a large portion of the population.
To make sure that we're only recommending cream, gel, and liquid blushers that have both serious staying power and an adequate amount of pigment, we tracked down the formulas loved by professional makeup artists, and included a few of our personal favourites as well.
KVD Beauty ModCon Liquid-Gel Blush
The KVD Beauty ModCon Liquid-Gel Blush [3] (£18) comes in four vibrant shades and features an incredibly unique texture and an innovative hydrating formula. The liquid gel comes out of the tube looking like a super-pigmented lip gloss, except that it's not at all sticky (in fact, it's quite slippery to the touch). Squeeze out a drop on the back of your hand then blend it in with a finger and you end up with the prettiest dewy wash of colour that can easily be taken from a sheer, nearly imperceptible tint to a vivid flush with a few additional layers. But no matter how much you put on, you'll still be able to see the texture of your skin underneath it, making this one of the most natural-looking blushers we've ever used.
"It literally embodies that modern dewy, jelly-looking skin. It's super hydrating and gleaming and it looks like a natural flush on well-moisturised, plumped skin," makeup artist Nikki Wolff, the brand's global director of artistry, told POPSUGAR [4]. Wolff recommended using a brush to "buff, blend, and press" the product into the skin, but noted you can use your fingers if you're not a fan of brushes.
Tower 28 BeachPlease Luminous Tinted Balm For Lips + Cheeks
Not only is the Tower 28 BeachPlease Luminous Tinted Balm For Lips + Cheeks [5] (£18) incredibly pigmented, but the colours also don't contain a lot of white in them. What does this mean? It means the balm doesn't slide off your skin halfway through the day, and it works on a myriad of skin tones without looking pastel or chalky.
Glossier Cloud Paint
Available in eight super-pigmented shades, Glossier Cloud Paint [6] (£15) is a formula loved by makeup artists around the world. And whilst applying it can take some trial and error, once you figure out exactly how much you need (a little goes a very long way) and how you prefer to apply it (fingers/blush/sponge, up to you), you'll understand why the pros adore it so much. It truly is the most natural-looking blush on the market.
"Because the formula is matte, it gives you a lovely powder effect, but without having to put a heavy layer of makeup onto the skin," makeup artist Celia Burton told POPSUGAR. "Traditional blusher can feel quite old fashion. The Cloud Paint texture gives blush a new lease on life and really gives you that natural flush — like you've just exercised or come out of the bath. Plus, one tube will last you for a very long time."
Jones Road Lip and Cheek Stick
The Jones Road Lip and Cheek Stick [7] (£30.50) is makeup artist Bobbi Brown's latest addition to her new makeup line, and it didn't take the POPSUGAR UK team to be thoroughly obsessed. The formula is nice and blendable, meaning it doesn't streak, but it's not as creamy as most cream blushes out there — and that's a good thing. Because there's not as much slip, the pigment doesn't slide right off or mix in with your foundation and/or concealer, making this one of the longest lasting cream blushes we've tried. In typically Bobbi Brown fashion, all eight colours are ridiculously flattering on a range of skin tones (we're partial to Tawny Rose and Chocolate Mocha), and can be used on your lips as well as your cheeks.
Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush
We'd be amiss if we didn't add Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush [8] (£17) to the list. It boasts the most diverse shade range — 10 hues that include colours like Fuego Flush, a sunny orange, and Drama Cla$$, a beautiful lilac — and like all of the Fenty Beauty products, is packed with enough pigment to ensure it works on any and all skin tones.
Ciaté London Dewy Blush
Makeup artist Patrick Ta is a big fan of the Ciaté London Dewy Blush [9] (£19). "The key behind Dewy Blush is its next-generation gel-balm formula that allows you to really own your blush and create a look that feels bespoke to you and your skin," he told POPSUGAR. "It applies seamlessly with either a brush, or even just your fingertips. Simply place two to three small dots onto the apple of your cheek with your ring finger and tap the blush upwards along the cheekbone towards your temple. The heat from your hand will effortlessly melt the blush into your skin for an ultralightweight, second-skin finish."
Stila Convertible Color Dual Lip & Cheek Cream
The Stila Convertible Color Dual Lip & Cheek Cream [10] (£18) was one of the first cream blush formulas on the market and it's stood the test of time. The shade range is spot on, full of different hues that give you a natural-looking flush no matter your skin tone, whilst the cream itself "melts into the skin", said makeup artist Samantha Lau, who works with Dua Lipa.
Made by Mitchell Blursh Liquid Blusher
You'll often spot makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes using the Made by Mitchell Blursh Liquid Blusher [11] (£14) in her tutorials on Instagram (the shade Cherry Cola seems to be a favourite). The formula is buildable, so you can go from a sheer veil of colour to a full-on '80s draped effect with just a few more layers — made easy by the doe-foot applicator.
Honest Beauty Crème Cheek Blush
"The Honest Beauty Crème Cheek Blush [12] (£16) is one of my favourite cream blush formulas," New York City-based makeup artist Grace Ahn told POPSUGAR. "It blends seamlessly over both bare skin and powdered skin beautifully." Daniel Martin, who did Meghan Markle [13]'s makeup for her wedding in 2018, is also a fan, noting that the formula "has a lovely texture that gives you a fresh dewy cheek". The cream blusher comes in four shades that work across many skin tones, but Martin highlighted Coral Peach (shown here), which he also uses as a colour corrector (before foundation) on clients with medium-deep complexions.
Spectrum Collections Pinch Pot
The Spectrum Collections Pinch Pot [14] (£17) is another cream blush you may have spotted on Katie Jane Hughes's Instagram. You'd be surprised, but this adorable little pot, which comes in four shades, is ridiculously pigmented.
Refy Cream Blush
The Refy Cream Blush [15] (£14), available in three shades, is another cream blush formula recommended by makeup artist Nikki Wolff.
Chantecaille Cheek Gelée
New York City-based makeup artist Jen Myles rates the Chantecaille Cheek Gelée [16] (£40), which comes in three very classic hues: soft pink, peach, and a berry hue. A gel-cream hybrid formula, the featherweight formula has the staying power of an old-school stain, but with the dewiness and texture that feels thoroughly modern.
Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
Intensely creamy and blendable, the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick [17] (£44) is a recent addition to our makeup bags. We love the shade range, which includes subdued tones and richer colours like burgundy and fuchsia, and the fact they're all packed with pigment.