These Cream Blushes Are So Easy to Use—and They Make Your Skin Glow
We, the beauty team at Oprah Daily, are big-time cream blush enthusiasts. It's so easy to apply that you almost can't mess up. Whether you use a sponge, brush, or your fingers, these formulas melt like butter on skin. A quick swipe-and-blend on the apples of the cheeks makes our whole face look fresher, glowier, and, frankly, alive. Not to sound too woo-woo, but sometimes the transformation it can give is almost magic. It's like a smile in a compact (or stick, or tube, or pot), mimicking the exhilarated, happy flush we had as children.
Many makeup artists feel equally passionate about a cream blush's power. J. Brandon Correa, attributes it to the formula's hydrating nature: "The secret to beautiful makeup is beautiful skin, and the secret to beautiful skin is hydration." Ulta Beauty makeup artist Deney Adam adds that cream blush creates an especially natural-looking flush that's perfect when you're going for a dewy look.
Perhaps best of all, anyone can wear cream blush. Here are our favorite formulas:
(Hearst Owned)
MERIT
sephora.com
$28.00
Makeup artist Suzy Gerstein is a big fan of these balmy blushes, noting that they're great for those who are new to cream blushes because you can apply them in sheer layers, preventing you from over-blushing. "Lately, I've been loving the shade Stockholm, a baby pink, that creates a happy pop of color," she says. "You can apply it on its own or layer it over a powder blush for a brighter, dewier finish."
Ere Perez
saksfifthavenue.com
$31.00
Gerstein also loves this multipurpose formula, which you can use on cheeks, lips, and eyes. It contains carrot and castor oils, so it's moisturizing and doesn't settle into fine lines or wrinkles. It's available in six shades, ranging from vibrant to muted.
(Saks Fifth Avenue)
Tower 28 Beauty
sephora.com
$20.00
Whether you love super-blushed cheeks or a subtle wash, these creamy blushes give you the best of both worlds, depending on how much you apply. The formula is made with green tea and aloe vera extracts to soothe and hydrate the skin.
(Sephora)
Makeup by Mario
sephora.com
$30.00
This soft, creamy formula offers a powerful punch of color that's easy to blend into your skin using the built-in, extra soft blush brush (hidden under the cap at the bottom of the stick). With six shades, from wearable everyday mauves to hot pink and deep plum, there are options for all skin tones.
(Sephora)
NUDESTIX
ulta.com
$35.00
NudeStix balms are great for quick, on-the-go touch-ups—or, because their color is sheer, for those of us who like a natural, no-makeup makeup look. You can swipe these onto your lids and lips as well.
(Ulta)
ILIA
sephora.com
$34.00
This multi-use stick checks all the boxes. It’s incredibly moisturizing because of shea butter and avocado oils, offers long-lasting color, and comes in both matte and shimmery finishes. We've tried to go overboard with our application to see what would happen, and it still looks natural—you really can't go wrong.
(Sephora)
Phytosurgence
phytosurgence.com
$21.00
"I am having a deep love affair with these blush balms, as are all the clients and friends I've shared them with," says Gerstein. "Once you buy one of their shades, you cannot stop. Texturally, they are like a chocolate truffle—so luxe and pleasurable to apply. The shades are super balanced so they work on a variety of skin tones and impart the most ethereal, flattering glow."
Yves Saint Laurent
sephora.com
$26.00
Correa gives a shoutout to this creamy tint because it has hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin and give it a lit-from-within glow. It also offers soft color that isn't shimmery.
(Sephora)
Fenty Beauty
sephora.com
$24.00
Adam loves that this cream blush is oil-based, so it helps moisturize dry skin types and amps up the natural sheen that combination and oilier complexions have.
(Sephora)
NYX Professional Makeup
ulta.com
$9.50
"If you want a bold stain, I'd try this," says Adam, who recommends using an underpainting technique, which has you apply blush (and any contouring makeup) underneath your foundation to diffuse the color and create the most seamless, natural-looking finish. We recommend using your fingers or a damp beauty sponge to blend out this pigmented formula if you want that no-makeup makeup look.
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Shop our favorite cream blushes and makeup artists' go-to picks. We're sharing popular formulas from brands like NYX, YSL, Tower28, and more.