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These Cream Blushes Are So Subtle and Radiant, No One Will Ever Accuse You of Blush Blindness
4 Cosmo beauty editors break down their favorites.
Of every type of blush—powder, cream, liquid, natural (lol)—cream blushes are easily my favorite. They’re super blendable, give amazing radiance to your skin, and are pretty much foolproof. “Cream blush is a richer, more blendable formula that melts right into the skin instead of sitting on top of it,” says makeup artist Stephanie Orsomarso. “Because of that, the color looks like it’s coming from within rather than layered over foundation. It gives a really healthy, slightly dewy finish that makes the skin look fresh without feeling heavy or overdone.” Yeah, sounds like a dream.
But not all cream blushes were made equal. While some pack major pigment and, in turn, require excessive blending, others offer a fresh-looking tint with a few taps on your cheeks. No matter what your preferences are, I've laid out all of the best cream blushes, tested by the entire Cosmo beauty team. (And trust us: We test new makeup products every single day. This is our thing.)
The best cream blushes <em>Cosmo </em>editors have tested<em></em>:
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If you haven’t tried a cream blush yet, get ready to be obsessed, and prepare to go shopping like, right now. Ahead, all the best cream blushes for everyone, including drugstore and mature skin picks.
Pros
- Stays put on skin all day
- Luxurious packaging makes for an even nicer experience
- Flattering shade options
Cons
- On the more expensive side
Why we love it: There’s a reason our favorite creators use Westman Atelier’s blush stick. From famed makeup artist Gucci Westman, the brand creates luxurious products and packaging while also being consciously clean. The creamy blush stick glides onto skin easily, thanks to moisturizing ingredients like jojoba seed oil and raspberry leaf stem cell extract. A few swipes onto the skin will impart instant dewiness.
Features at a Glance
| Shades | 8 |
One Cosmo editor says: “This is my desert island holy grail beauty product. The shade Petal has been my go-to cream blush for years now, and no other shade really compares. It’s the perfect rose-meets-nude shade for my cheeks. The formula itself is amazing and blends so well onto my cheeks. This actually stays put on my cheeks all day, unlike some other cream blushes.” —CATHARINE MALZAHN, CONTRIBUTING BEAUTY WRITER
Pros
- Comes with a mirror for easy reapplication
- Buildable color
Cons
- Even though it has a lower price point, it also comes with less product than other blushes
Why we love it: Priced just over $20, Refy’s cream blush has a lot going for it. Not only does the product come in diverse shades like citrine and plum, but it also has a mirror in the packaging to make it easier to apply on-the-go (this may not seem like a big perk at first, but many other cream blushes don’t have a mirror or come in stick form). It’s lightweight and buildable, so you can wear this blush as a sheer wash of color or apply more layers to achieve a deeper, more pigmented glow.
Features at a Glance
| Shades | 8 |
One Cosmo editor says: "If a cream blush can survive my overstuffed tote and still deliver every time, it’s earned permanent residency in my heart (and on my face). REFY’s Cream Blush is truly a gem. The shade range was clearly created with real skin tones in mind—yes, even deeper hues. So, the pigment actually shows up, blends seamlessly, and never gets chalky or weird. My favorite shades are Rust and Cherry. The formula is creamy but not slippery. It melts into skin and builds like a dream. I can keep it soft and flirty or layer it up for more drama. And the finish gives that subtle, lit-from-within glow—not shiny, just healthy and alive. And last but not least, the compact is small enough to toss in a clutch, which I appreciate deeply. "—JULEE WILSON, BEAUTY EDITOR-AT-LARGE
Pros
- Includes a powder and cream blush in one palette
- Very long-lasting formulas that don’t slide off the face
- Makeup artist-approved for bridal/wedding makeup
Cons
- Customers wish the some of the shades were more pigmented
Why we love it: Can’t choose between a cream and a powder blush? No worries, celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta’s got ya covered. This viral blush duo conveniently features both a cream and a powder in one compact palette so you can get the best of both worlds. Wearing them together ensures long-lasting wear and a natural, lit-from-within look. Ta’s trick is to apply the powder blush first, followed by the cream formula, but you can go in either order and get beautiful results. This is one of Orsomarso’s favorite blushes and her go-to for brides.
| Shades | 17 |
One Cosmo editor says: "This is the best-selling blush at Sephora for a reason. The creamy base is so buildable and easy to work with, that even those of us with minimal makeup skills can create a perfect blush moment with it. And if you’re someone like me who loves going overboard with blush, you can stack it with the powder shade that comes alongside it. I love using it to bring a sun-kissed finish over my nose and even contouring my forehead with it."—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Pros
- Safe for sensitive skin types
- Can be used on cheeks and lips
Cons
- Packaging can be hard to open
Why we love it: Tower 28’s formulas are all formulated with sensitive skin in mind. Case in point: This blush is clinically tested, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and contains nourishing skin-loving ingredients, like aloe vera and green tea extracts and castor seed oil. Plus, it's a multitasker! It’s safe to apply to cheeks and lips, so tap it on and go.
| Shades | 10 |
One Cosmo editor says: “I love how hydrating this blush feels on my cheeks. It gives a nice, sheer glow that’s perfect for a no-makeup makeup look. Usually, I apply it with my fingers and gently blend it out on my cheeks, going back and adding more color if I want something more pigmented. It’s a super forgiving formula that I find very easy to work with.”—CM
Pros
- Hydrates and nourishes skin
- Stick format is ideal for travel
Cons
- Not the most pigmented formula
Why we love it: Ever apply makeup and it feels as good as skincare? That’s what you get when you use this blush from Pixi. Packed with ginseng, aloe vera, and a mix of fruit extracts, it gives a sheer wash of color plus great skincare benefits. As the title suggests, the stick format is great for on-the-go, whether you’re doing your makeup in transit or just need a little mid-day touch-up.
Features at a Glance
| Shades | 7 |
One Cosmo editor says: “I love how hydrating this blush feels on my cheeks. It gives a nice, sheer glow that’s perfect for a no-makeup makeup look. Usually, I apply it with my fingers and gently blend it out on my cheeks, going back and adding more color if I want something more pigmented. It’s a super forgiving formula that I find very easy to work with. I’ve used these for years, but my favorite shade right now is a new release called Chantilly, which is a great soft nude.” —CM
Pros
- Buildable and blendable color
- Create a monochromatic makeup look by using it on cheeks and lips
Cons
- Some customers say it fades more quickly than other blushes
Why we love it: When I think of Hailey Bieber, I think of three things: her glazed donut nails, her Rhode lip tints, and this iconic Rhode cream blush. One of the makeup brand’s most iconic products, this blush offers super buildable color that can be used on both your lips and cheeks. “This formula has a creamier texture and a subtle sheen that gives skin a fresh, hydrated look,” says Orsomarso. “You can build it up gradually without it feeling heavy, which I appreciate. I also like using it on the lips when I want everything to feel cohesive and monochromatic.”
Features at a Glance
| Shades | 10 |
One Cosmo editor says: "I bring my Rhode Freckle blush on every single trip because it's the most reliable and easy-to-use blush I own. I just swipe it on, blend with a bush or my fingers, and it stays on all day. The shades are also fantastic (I'm wearing the newest one, Tan Lines, here) and always what I'm looking for to create a natural flushed cheek."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Pros
- Foolproof, easy application
- Contains hydrating ingredients to benefit dry and/or mature skin
- Ideal for quick & easy everyday makeup
Cons
- May not last as well on oilier skin types
Why we love it: When you think about blushes for mature skin, you want to consider if (a) it’s a hard-to-mess-up product and (b) if it has hydrating ingredients. Merit’s cream blush checks both boxes. “This is such a great option if you’re newer to cream blush,” says Orsomarso. “The pigment is sheer enough to be forgiving, but still gives a healthy wash of color. It blends quickly and doesn’t require a lot of effort, which makes it great for everyday wear.” Plus, vitamin E helps to nourish and condition skin.
Features at a Glance
| Shades | 12 |
One Cosmo editor says: “The first time I used this blush, I was shocked at just how foolproof it is. Whether I apply it with a blush brush, makeup sponge, or fingers, it looks equally good on my cheeks. I have drier skin, especially in the winter, and this doesn’t look flaky or dry on my face whatsoever. I love the Rouge shade, which is a bright red I’d normally shy away from, but it’s sheer yet buildable enough that I actually find it to be super flattering on my cheeks.” —CM
Pros
- Dual-ended stick is compact and handy
- Blends extremely effortlessly into skin
Cons
- I wish there were deeper shades in the bronzer
Why we love it: Combining cream blush and bronzer into one compact stick is nothing short of genius, IMO. The color-matched duos complement each other and make for a super convenient, carry-on suitcase-friendly makeup essential. With ingredients like jojoba oil, mango seed butter, and hyaluronic acid, it melts into cheeks. The shade options range from warm to cool tones, so there are plenty of options to choose from regardless of skin undertone.
Features at a Glance
| Shades | 10 |
One Cosmo editor says: “I love cream blushes, but I’ve tried cream stick bronzers that were surprisingly hard to blend, so I was curious about just how good this duo would be. I was beyond happy with how easily they both blend and how nice both the bronzer and blush look on my skin. They definitely blend better than any other blush or bronzer I've tried. The stick quickly earned a permanent spot in my makeup bag, and I especially love it when I’m traveling and want to cut down on the number of items I’m bringing.” —CM
Pros
- Contains moisturizing skincare ingredients to avoid patchiness on skin
- Very pigmented colors
Cons
- Some wish it stayed put on skin longer and find the blush disappears quickly
Why we love it: Anyone with dry skin knows that patchiness is way too common when it comes to applying makeup. Fear not, this blush stick from legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath is great for dry skin. It delivers a radiant, glossy glow and contains skincare ingredients like shea butter and squalane that will actually moisturize and nourish your skin as you wear the blush.
Features at a Glance
| Shades | 8 |
One Cosmo editor says: "Cream is my absolute favorite format of blush, and Pat McGrath’s stick is my go-to when I need a soft flush of color. It comes in a wide variety of shades and blends out on my cheeks so nicely. You can apply it directly onto the face or the back of your hand and blend it out with a brush or sponge, but honestly, I like using my fingers for a natural finish (and because I’m lazy)."—JH
Pros
- Strong color payoff
- Blush is pH-activated for a more customized color
Cons
- On the pricier side
Why we love it: If you own and love a Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil, you’ll love the packaging design of this product. It looks like an oversized version of the brand's beloved balm, but it’s for your cheeks instead. Plus, for even more fun, the pH-activated colors give you a custom blush look by adapting to your skin.
Features at a Glance
| Shades | 7 |
One Cosmo editor says: “This Dior blush swipes onto my skin so easily and blends within seconds. I use the Rosewood shade, which is always flattering on my skin and gives me a nice rosy, warm glow. I’m always impressed at how little I need to use for strong color payoff: Just one swipe on my cheeks has me blushing instantly.” —CM
Catharine Malzahn is a contributing beauty writer at Cosmopolitan and was previously the beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention.
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