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I Own Over 20 Cream Blushes—Here Are the 10 I Can’t Live Without
A fresh flush in one quick swipe.
If there’s one beauty product I’ll never get tired of buying, it’s blush. Between all the blurring powders and tinted liquids, my favorite formula falls right in the middle: cream. Cream blush actually melts into the skin, and leaves a dewy flush that mimics that fresh summer glow you see after a day on the beach. The best ones are versatile, buildable, and blend with your fingers just as easily as they do with a brush. And thanks to the ever-expanding range of shades and finishes, there’s a creamy formula for every skin tone and type, whether you’re drawn to soft mattes or radiant sheens.
“Cream blush gives skin that fresh, natural-looking flush that just looks effortless,” says MarQuis Ward, the lead makeup artist and educator at LYS Beauty. “It’s easy to blend, buildable, and gives the skin life without feeling heavy. Whether I’m working on clean, glowing skin or a full glam moment, it really always adds the perfect finish.”
Our picks for the best cream blushes of 2025
To find the top 10 on the market, I dug through my extensive blush collection, asked Ward for his expert recommendations, and read through countless customer reviews. If you frequently fall victim to blush blindness (trust me, I get it) or just love adding a natural wash of color to your no-makeup-makeup looks, there’s a cream blush just waiting to be added to your routine.
Pros
- Super blendable
Cons
- Shimmer finish can enhance skin texture
If you want a cream blush that’s as smooth as butter and delivers a hydrated glow, this is it. “This is one of my holy grails,” says Ward. “It gives that dewy, sun-kissed finish and layers effortlessly over cream or powder products. Sometimes, I use it on cheeks, lips, and eyes to show the product’s versatility.”
Finish: Radiant
Shades: 7
Sephora rating: 4.6/5
An ELLE editor says: “The LYS Higher Standard Cream Glow Blush in shade Focused has been a staple in my makeup bag for about a year now. It’s highly pigmented without being overpowering, blends out beautifully with a brush or my fingers, and provides a subtle sheen that’s so skin-like. One swipe of this cream blush stick and my entire look is instantly upgraded.”—Emma Aerin Becker, associate beauty e-commerce writer
Pros
- Two formulas in one
- Large shade range
Cons
- Too pigmented for some reviewers
If you’re struggling to choose between a powder or cream blush formula, Patrick Ta gave you the best of both worlds. The makeup artist’s blush duos have you covered with a beautifully dewy cream and a skin-blurring powder. They’re gorgeous on their own, and even better when layered together.
Finish: Natural
Shades: 16
Sephora rating: 4.7/5
An ELLE editor says: “The Patrick Ta Blush Duos are far from overhyped. They’re very pigmented, but also very buildable, making them ideal for any level of glam. As Ta himself suggests, I apply the cream over the powder for a healthy, lit-from-within flush. Plus, it lasts on my cheeks for hours.”—Emma Aerin Becker
Pros
- Made with skin-loving ingredients
Cons
- Not as long-lasting as other brands
Haley Bieber—the queen of glazed skin and flushed cheeks—truly delivered when she created the Rhode Pocket Blush. These little sticks couldn’t be easier to swipe on and blend out with just a few finger taps. The result? A natural, satin finish.
Finish: Satin
Shades: 11
Rhodeskin rating: 4.7/5
An ELLE editor says: “The Rhode Pocket Blushes are small but mighty. They’re super buildable and blend out in seconds, whether I use my fingers or a brush. I love using shade Toasted Teddy as a blush-bronzer hybrid to bring warmth to my face, or Piggy for a bright pop of pink on the apples of my cheeks. The satin finish blurs my skin while still leaving behind a slight sheen.”—Emma Aerin Becker
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
- Some reviewers say it feels greasy
Summer Fridays recently released this buttery blush balm that’s infused with hydrating skin care ingredients, including peptides, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. Despite its thin, lightweight texture, the cream blush is highly pigmented and long-lasting. Plus, it’s great for anyone with dry skin or craving a dewy sheen.
Finish: Dewy
Shades: 6
Sephora rating: 4.8/5
An ELLE editor says: “As someone who struggles with dry skin, I already know this blush will be my go-to come wintertime. The balm formula feels incredibly hydrating and nourishing on the skin, and doesn’t cling to any dry patches. I love how well it wears throughout the day without any pigment fading.”—Emma Aerin Becker
Pros
- Easy to blend
Cons
- Fades quickly
The Merit Flush Balm provides the perfect hint of color for a natural, no-makeup look. The formula glides onto the skin seamlessly and melts right in. The compact packaging also makes this one great for on-the-go.
Finish: Radiant
Shades: 12
Sephora rating: 4.3/5
An ELLE editor says: “While I love to pack on the blush, the Merit Flush Balm is my favorite for my no-makeup-makeup days. It’s so subtle yet so pretty on the cheeks, and provides a nice sheen. I love how easy it is to blend and how quickly it melts into the skin.”—Emma Aerin Becker
Pros
- Soft, natural finish
Cons
- Formula is too dry for some reviewers
The Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick feels just as luxe on the cheeks as it looks in its chic magnetic packaging. Just a few quick swipes deliver impressive pigment that blends out effortlessly. A little goes a long way, and it stays put all day.
Finish: Natural
Shades: 8
Nordstrom rating: 4.7/5
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “By far the best cream blush on the market. Applies like a dream and lasts all day (even lasted all day at Disney in 90+ temps). Worth every penny.”
Pros
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Too sheer for some
“The Ilia Multi-Stick is great for quick, natural looks,” says Ward. “It blends easily and adds a nice wash of color that’s wearable for everyday.” Pro tip: It also works beautifully as a light lip tint.
Finish: Luminous
Shades: 12
Nordstrom rating: 4.5/5
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “This is a very subtle tint that produces a dewy finish. Unlike powder blush, this product is easily blended into the skin and leaves a fresh and hydrated look. This is my second purchase, and I will be back for more of the Ilia products.”
Pros
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Not ideal for oily skin
The Haus Labs Color Fuse Blush Balm is ideal for anyone looking to achieve glass skin. Uniquely formuled with a high-shine finish, it delivers that elusive lit-from-within glow that feels so hydrating. Not to mention, it boasts buildable color that lasts eight hours.
Finish: Glossy
Shades: 12
Sephora rating: 4.4/5
A Sephora reviewer says: “Very beginner-friendly. Easy to blend, buildable, long-lasting. I took a nap and it didn’t move at all. It looks beautiful on the skin. This was the only blush I’ve been able to find that glows on the skin but doesn’t have any glitter or insane sparkles under light.”
Pros
- Great for mature skin
Cons
- Some reviewers say it's hard to blend
The Makeup By Mario Soft Pop Cream Blush not only delivers a weightless, radiant wash of color, but it’s also packed with hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate your cheeks while you wear it. While it starts out sheer, it easily builds up to your desired sun-kissed level.
Finish: Radiant
Shades: 10
Sephora rating: 4.5/5
A Sephora reviewer says: “I like sheer coverage and this gives me exactly the natural glow I’m going for. It’s also buildable if you do want your blush to pop. It also feels really lightweight and moisturizing.”
Pros
- Amazing shade range
Cons
- Too pigmented for some
If you struggle with oily or uneven skin, the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder blush is your perfect match. Its unique cream-to-powder formula softens the look of texture and leaves a smooth matte finish.
Finish: Soft matte
Shades: 11
Sephora rating: 4.8/5
A Sephora reviewer says: “The best cream blush for oily girls. The pigment lasts all day and does not get too greasy. I like layering this with a powder blush on top. It is super easy to blend and the shade range is chef’s kiss.”
How do you apply cream blush?
How you apply cream blush will depend on the look you’re going for. “Sometimes I’ll use my fingers to press it into the skin for a more natural finish, and other times I go in with a brush to build and shape the color,” says Ward. For a lifted effect, you can apply the product slightly above the apples of the cheeks and blend it up toward the temples.
When it comes to cream blush sticks, I find that dabbing the product onto the back of my hand first, then picking it up with a brush—rather than swiping the stick directly onto my face—ensures an ultra-smooth, never-patchy application.
What’s the difference between cream and liquid blush?
Cream blush is thicker and usually more of an emollient, so it gives you more time to blend and build up the color. On the other hand, liquid blush is thinner and dries down faster, delivering more punch right away. “Both have their place, but cream gives me more control and a smooth, seamless finish I love,” says Ward.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, Emma Aerin Becker consulted a celebrity makeup artist to learn about the best cream blushes. She also tested them out, read through countless customer reviews, and evaluated each product on their unique features.
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