These Cream Blushes Can Help You Fake It Till You Make It

Cream blushes are amazing for faking naturally flushed cheeks with makeup. Unlike powder blushes, cream blushes are made with moisturizing ingredients and they’re basically a combination of a rich balm and a beautifully pigmented blush. A few dips into that buttery formula and just like that, your face looks instantly youthful, sufficiently moisturized, and elegantly dewy.

Ummm, excuse me? That’s it? I don’t know about you and I’m not trying to be difficult here but that’s not enough for me! If I want dewy and rosy cheeks, I can just pop open a window and sit there for like 10 minutes and let my sweat glands and the UV rays do the rest.

The perfect cream blush doesn’t just give you a lit-from-within glow! It shows people that you have a lot going on in your life! That’s what I expect from a cream bush and nothing less!

You know exactly what I’m talking about. I’m talking about that flush you get from running around and doing your errands, returning from the gym, trying to make it in time for the Zumba class, or going on a coffee run! People who have stuff going on have those naturally rosy, healthy, and glowy cheeks.

But what about us, people who work from home, have basically no social life, and have no excuse left to buy a new article of clothing because we have nowhere to wear it to? How on earth are we supposed to show people that we have a life and give the illusion that we do things without actually doing things?

Sure, one day I will start waking up early and start my day right by journaling or whatever people do these days. In the meantime, I need to keep up appearances. And I don’t want to look like I’ve just stepped out of the cave when I’m around people or on a Zoom call.

Now, sit back and relax because I’ve got the perfect round-up for you. Whether you need to look like you’ve taken up a new hobby or you’ve completed your steps for the day, there’s a cream blush you can use to fake an active lifestyle. Fake it till you make it, right?

Keep reading for the best cream blushes out there.

Best Cream Blushes

1. Chanel No. 1 De Chanel Lip and Cheek Balm

This is the most beautiful berry-colored thing I’ve ever put on my face. Contrary to most other cream blushes, this is a balm. And it gives you the true feel of a nourishing balm with incredible pigments. So all you need is one swipe on each cheek. The shade I have is Berry Boost and it’s the epitome of wine flush. And when I wear it, it makes me look like I have expensive hobbies.

Dab your finger into the pan and let the heat from your fingers do the work and give the apples of your cheeks a long-lasting pop. Because of the balm texture, the dewy finish looks super natural. Whether you have dry skin, oily skin, or mature skin, the flattering formula will bring life to your cheeks. And hey, it’s a multi-purpose balm so go ahead and apply it on your lips too!

Shades: 6
Finish: Dewy
Suitable For: All skin types
Size: 0.23 oz

2. Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush

If you really want to make sure everybody sees how busy you’ve been, this one offers just the right amount of pigments. The cream blush melts into the skin with the heat of your fingers and leaves your complexion looking luminous. The finish is not shimmery but more like dewy.

The intensely pigmented formula is buildable too. And the breathable consistency is incredibly lightweight and thin. Try the shade Summery Wine to fake a 30-minute workout session. My current favorite is Cool Berry. It’s a soft pink and leaves a really nice flush of color on the cheeks with a healthy dose of dew.

Shades: 10
Finish: Dewy
Suitable For: All skin types
Size: 0.1 oz
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, vegan

3. Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Blush

This is a very budget-friendly and equally flattering cream blush. The balm is formulated with antioxidants to care for the skin too. It’s not shimmery, or dewy and it looks incredibly natural.

It gives your cheeks a healthy-looking flush without the shine or grease. Just like Fenty’s formula, it has a very thin consistency and the blendable texture is suitable to use on sensitive skin too!

Shades: 4
Finish: Dewy
Suitable For: All skin types
Size: 0.21 oz
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, vegan

4. Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blush

Alright, this one has the most natural-looking finish. It’s not a radiant, or matte blush but more like satin. And it’s just like the natural flush you get from staying out in the wind for a little while. The formula is not as pigmented so you need a few dips into the pan.

But that’s also why it looks so natural on the skin. It’s impossible to over-blush with this one. Quick tip; if you love Rare Beauty and the pigment looks too weak for your taste, try their liquid blush which is incredibly pigmented.

Shades: 4
Finish: Natural
Suitable For: All skin types
Size: 0.17 oz
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, vegan, paraben-free

5. Maybelline Cheek Heat Gel-Cream Blush

Contrary to other creamy formulas, this is a gel-to-cream, water-based cream blush. It’s oil-free, which is almost impossible in a typical cream blush. So if you’re prone to acne or if you have oily/combination skin, this drugstore cream blush won’t clog your pores or worsen acne.

The color payoff is not that impressive and its gel formula needs a few coats to give your cheeks sufficient color but it’s super easy to build and blend. The sheer formula has a very subtle dewy finish.

Shades: 6
Finish: Dewy
Suitable For: All skin types
Size: 0.27 oz

6. Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Cream Blush

If you don’t want to get your hands dirty, try cream blushes in stick form. On the pigment spectrum, this baby is on the far right. One swipe and you’re done! It’s so pigmented, which is handy because it’s not cheap. The elegant packaging, the versatile brush tip, along with the blendable formula justifies the price if you ask me.

Also, this is something you want to keep in your bag for those times when you need a quick freshening up on the go. The radiant finish looks amazing no matter your skin type.

Shades: 7
Finish: Radiant
Suitable For: All skin types
Size: 0.28 oz
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, paraben-free

7. Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick

And speaking of stick cream blushes, this is an all-time favorite of mine and probably anyone who’s ever tried it. The best thing about it is that the shade range includes beautiful colors so you’re going to find something that works for you.

Instead of generic blush colors, Milk has these in-betweeners that make it possible to find a blush color even for someone with rosacea! The stick is super easy to apply, practically glides on the skin, and leaves a healthy radiant finish on the skin. You can feel the oils like mango butter nourishing your skin. Try the shade Perk, which is a coral peach blush, for a subtle glow and youthful-looking skin to fake someone who buys herself flowers.

Shades: 8
Finish: Dewy
Suitable For: All skin types
Size: 0.21 oz
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, vegan

8. Tower 28 Beauty BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Cream Blush

This is another balm formula, so it’s amazing for people with dry skin. In the simplest terms, this is like a tinted gloss but for your cheeks. It has this beautiful built-in light-reflecting formula and just blends perfectly and seamlessly into the skin. It’s satisfyingly creamy and moisturizing for the skin.

And the buildable formula just works with your base makeup to highlight your cheeks without harsh edges. I love early morning walks in the park. I wish I could do that a bit more frequently than just a handful of times a year. But when I do, my cheeks look like the shade Magic Hour. If you have deeper, darker skin tones, go with After Hours for an elegant berry.

Shades: 7
Finish: Radiant
Suitable For: All skin types
Size: 0.168 oz
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, vegan, silicone-free, fragrance-free

9. Makeup by Mario Soft Pop Blush Stick

If you prefer a cream blush that’s a bit more radiant, and pretty close to shimmery, this is it. Because this is like a highlighting blush with a glowy finish. In that sense, it’s not something you’d want to wear to grocery shopping. The cream blush stick has a really nice, thin consistency which allows you to apply it smoothly onto the cheeks.

It’s boldly pigmented and the shade range includes really flattering vibrant colors. Plus, it has a built-in brush. As a peach blush addict, my shade recommendation would be Soft Coral for a fresh-looking glam, especially if you have a fair complexion.

Shades: 6
Finish: Luminous
Suitable For: All skin types
Size: 0.37 oz
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, vegan

So these are the best cream blushes on the market. If you haven’t found what you’re looking for here, which would surprise me, I’ve added below some tips to keep in mind when choosing a cream blush.

How To Choose a Cream Blush

When choosing a cream blush, look for formulas with blendable textures. That’s the most important thing. If it applies chalky or streaky, it’s not going to work. The best cream blushes blend seamlessly into the skin. They don’t look like another layer of makeup.

Additionally, cream blushes can come in a pot, pan, or stick. Stick formulas can be more practical because they’re easy to use. Pans and pots tend to be more skin focused and richer in moisturizing and hydrating ingredients.

And lastly, look for the right finish. A cream blush can have a natural, satin, dewy, or shimmery finish. But the most natural look is usually achieved with dewy finished cream blushes.

How to Apply Cream Blush

Now, application is key! It makes all the difference in your finished look. And when I say application, I mean blending. A properly applied cream blush can make you look like you have somewhere important to be. On the flip side, it can make you look like you’ve been playing with your mom’s makeup.

If you’re using a cream blush that comes in a pan, you can use your fingers, a makeup sponge, or a blush brush to apply it. The important thing here is to let the formula melt a bit using the heat of your fingers. To do that, dab your fingers into the pan and give it a few seconds before applying on to the cheeks.

If you’re going to use a brush or sponge, dab the brush into the pan, and before applying it onto the cheeks, pat the brush on the back of your hand to let it soften so that it blends easily.

If you’re using a cream blush in stick form, you can swipe it across the cheeks and spread the pigment using your fingers to feather out the edges.

My favorite method for applying cream blush is by using a damp beauty sponge and just dabbing it into the blush and then onto my cheeks until I get a smooth, seamless flush of color.

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