The 10 Best Cream Blushes for a Natural Flush of Color

If you love a natural, dewy, or flushed makeup look, you need a cream blush (or two or three) in your makeup bag. Many of the latest makeup trends, like the Cold Girl look or K-beauty-inspired makeup, depend on having a cream blush on hand.

The best cream blushes are easy to blend, with a smooth texture that melts into the skin and delivers just the right amount of color. They can be sheer or pigmented with dewy, shimmery, and even velvety finishes.

We’ve selected the very best cream blushes, profiling different textures, applicators, and finishes, so you can find a cream blush you’ll love no matter your skin type, tone, or experience level.

Best cream blush overview:

• Best overall: Rose Inc Cream Blush Refillable Cheek & Lip Color
• Best budget: E.l.f. Putty Blush
• Best gel-cream: Glossier Cloud Paint
• Best stick: Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Blush
• Best splurge: Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
• Best pigmentation: LYS Beauty Higher Standard Satin Matte Cream Blush
• Best for beginners: Makeup by Mario Soft Pop Blush Stick
• Best lip-to-cheek: Undone Beauty Lip to Cheek 3-in-1 Cream Palette 
• Best powder/cream duo: Patrick Ta Major Headlines Blush Duo
• Best sheer coverage: Pixi On-the-Glow Blush

How we chose the best cream blushes

To compile this list, we researched manufacturer specifications, including type, finish, and color range, to create a short list of the top cream blushes. Then, we combed through detailed product descriptions, swatches, ratings, and reviews to find the best cream blush for each category.

Our picks for the best cream blushes

This is an ultra-creamy, eco-friendly blush that gives the skin rich color and a glow. It’s highly pigmented but with a smooth texture that ensures effortless blendability — a must if you’re new to wearing cream blush. The formula is enriched with hyaluronic acid and squalane, which keep the skin moist and hydrated. 

The sleek compacts are recyclable or refillable, making this blush a sustainable choice. It’s a little pricey initially, but the refills are more affordable. The color range is vast and inclusive, with options for everyone. The shades are a little shimmery, though, which may not work well for an authentic “no makeup” look.

Shades: 12 | Type: Cream | Finish: Shimmer

E.l.f. formulas continuously impress us with how well they perform, even compared to high-end products. This blush is ultra-blendable and easy to work with, making it especially apt for beginners. E.l.f. describes it as highly pigmented, but we think medium pigmentation would be more accurate, which is actually a bonus (as far as we’re concerned) since that means it’s more versatile.

Because it has a cream-to-powder style, it’s a lasting, velvety choice that even suits oily skin. That said, we don’t like the screw-top jar, which makes opening it up a bit of a hassle. It’s also available in a luminous format for those who want more glow.

Shades: 8 | Type: Cream to powder | Finish: Natural

Cloud Paint has been one of our favorite blushes for years and shows no signs of falling off the list. This was one of the first gel-cream formulas ever released, with a light, blendable texture that has made it a cult favorite. You’ll love the dewy finish and hint of shimmer if you have dry skin. 

You’ll have no trouble finding your perfect match, thanks to the well-curated shade range, which includes a lot of universal shades. The pigmentation is equally versatile — spread it out for a natural glow or build it up for more drama. The only drawback is the tube packaging, which can make it hard to control the amount of product you dispense.

Shades: 8 | Type: Gel-cream in tube | Finish: Dewy

This gorgeous stick is the platonic ideal of what a cream blush should be. The creamy, radiant formula is shimmer-free but still gives the skin that flushed glow we love. It goes on the skin with what we’d consider a medium level of pigmentation, which means you can sheer it out or build it up based on your mood. 

The pretty (and functional) rose gold packaging is also convenient on the go, with a built-in brush for blending. That said, reviewers noted that the brush is a little stiff, so aim for a stippling motion when blending it out to avoid disrupting the makeup underneath.

Shades: 7 | Type: Stick | Finish: Radiant

If you want a cream blush that looks and feels like luxury, you might fall in love with Baby Cheeks. This blush stick gives the skin a glowy, healthy look with ethically sourced natural mica and skin-loving jojoba oil. The finish is radiant but not overly shimmery. 

These blush sticks are ultra-versatile with a medium pigmentation level that lets you adjust the intensity however you wish. The shade range includes intense and subtle shades to suit all preferences and skin tones.

Shades: 7 | Type: Stick | Finish: Radiant

A cream blush doesn’t have to be soft and demure. In fact, if you have a deeper skin tone, all those sheer blushes often just disappear into your skin. With nine highly saturated shades to choose from, LYS is an inclusive brand with colors that’ll show up no matter what. A satin matte finish guarantees an elegant look, even on oily skin. 

If you’re new to makeup and your skin is medium or light, you might find this formula easy to overapply, so a light hand is a must.

Shades: 9 | Type: Cream | Finish: Satin matte

Stick blushes are meant to be easy and convenient, which is exactly where this cream formula excels. When you need to do your makeup in a rush, this sheer formula goes on almost perfectly at first swipe. It has a convenient built-in brush that allows you to blend quickly for a naturally dewy look. 

The color can build up if you want to look more flushed, but we suggest opting for a cream with more intense pigmentation if that’s your go-to look. There are only six shades in the range, but the balance of vibrant colors and low coverage means they’ll work well across skin tones.

Shades: 6 | Type: Stick | Finish: Sheer and dewy

Many brands promise that their cream blush will work just as well on the lips, but Undone Beauty delivers with a clever approach. You get three pigmentation levels in a single compact to customize your look. Eight dewy but shimmer-free shades are available for a radiant glow regardless of skin tone. 

The sheer and medium layers are perfect as blush or gloss, while the most pigmented layer works just like lipstick. There’s no separation between the pigment levels, though, so we can foresee all three blending together as you use it up.

Shades: 8 | Type: Cream | Finish: Radiant

Are you still debating between cream and powder blushes? Patrick Ta gives you the best of both worlds so that you can change things up based on your look or planned activities. 

In one large compact, you get two matching blushes that work together seamlessly to create a multidimensional look. The cream is dewy with just enough pigmentation for total versatility, while the more pigmented powders add longevity without taking away the dewy glow.

The expanded shade range features many universal colors to suit all styles and skin tones. And although it’s a bit expensive, we think the price is reasonable if you intend to use both formulas. But, if you’re strictly into cream blushes, you may want to buy a single cream compact.

Shades: 8 | Type: Cream and powder | Finish: Luminous

The TikTok beauty community has been raving about this fun, affordable cream blush. It’s a hydrating, low-pigmentation stick that swipes on easily and imparts an extremely dewy, glass-skin finish. It’s ideal if you prefer a minimal makeup look or are afraid of overusing blush. The range only includes three shades, though they’re fairly universal and vibrant to flatter most skin tones.

Shades: 3 | Type: Stick | Finish: Dewy

Get your flush on 

There’s something incredibly romantic about blending a cream blush onto the apples of your cheeks or across the bridge of your nose. There are many formulas to choose from, but our current obsession is Rose Inc’s Cream Blush, thanks to its glowy finish, impeccable pigmentation, and phenomenal shade range. That said, if you prefer a convenient stick or a sheer, barely there look, there’s a cream blush on this list that’s right for you.

How to pick the right cream blush for you

With so many different finishes, colors, and pigmentation levels, here’s how to pick the best cream blush. 

Finish

• Natural. A natural or “satin” finish mimics the skin with a bit of natural reflectiveness but no shimmer. It’s a balanced option for all skin types. 
• Dewy. A dewy finish looks very glowy and reflective but not necessarily shimmery. It makes the skin look hydrated and healthy, although it may register as greasy on those with oily skin. 
• Matte. Matte or velvet shades dry down to look non-reflective (although they’re rarely as matte or flat as powder blushes). They’re an excellent option for those with oily skin or anyone who doesn’t like too much glow. 
• Shimmer. Shimmery blushes are best for highlighting, thanks to small, reflective particles embedded throughout the formula. They’re glowy and festive but don’t look as natural. 

Color

• Pinks. Pink blushes are soft and cool, so they tend to flatter those with light, cool skin tones. They usually stand out and look a little too unnatural against warmer skin tones.  
• Peaches. Warm shades like peach and coral are universally flattering to all skin tones, imparting a summery warmth. 
• Roses. Rose shades are very neutral, sitting somewhere between pink and peach. They’re flattering for all undertones and great for those with warm skin who want a youthful, pink blush vibe.  
• Bronzes. Warm bronze or terracotta shades are deep and inviting, appearing natural and elegant on those with warm, deep skin tones. On medium or light skin, they can double as bronzers. 
• Berries. These saturated shades are incredibly flattering for those with deeper skin, regardless of the undertone. 
• Purples. Purple blushes are best for those with very cool skin. They tend to be more saturated, so they’re best for those with deeper skin tones. 
• Reds. Reds might be intimidating, but as long as they’re blended out well, they can look editorial. They’re best for warm skin tones but can also work with cooler skin.  

Pigmentation

• Sheer. Sheer blushes go on softly at first but can usually build up to medium intensity. The sheer formulas are often faster and easier to apply for beginners and those who like a natural look. 
• Opaque. Opaque blushes are more pigmented, making them noticeable on the skin within one swipe. It’s best to apply them lightly and then blend them out. They’re ideal if you prefer a more intense look or have a deeper skin tone, but be prepared to work out your blending muscles.  
• Medium. Buildable, medium blushes offer the best of both worlds. Depending on your mood and style, you can either pack them on for more drama or sheer them out for a natural look. 

FAQ

What skin type is cream blush best for? 

Nowadays, cream blushes are excellent for all skin types. The creamy or dewy texture is ideal for dry skin, but plenty of natural cream blushes are suitable for those with oily skin, too. 

Are cream blushes better for mature skin?

Cream blushes are the best type of blush for mature skin since they can add back the moisture and glow that the skin often starts to lose with age. Powders, on the other hand, can sit heavily on top of mature skin. We recommend choosing a shimmer-free cream blush with a satin or dewy finish for the most flattering look. 

Is cream blush better than powder blush?

Not necessarily — it’s simply a matter of preference. Cream blushes are better for anyone who wants a naturally flushed look rather than a “made-up” look. Because they blend into the skin and foundation easily, it appears the blush is part of the skin rather than sitting on top of it. They also tend to be more hydrating and easier to apply, especially when you don’t use face powder. That said, if you like a more matte or noticeable makeup look, you might prefer using powder blush instead. You can also layer both formulas to create a long-lasting, multi-dimensional look.