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Having blushed cheeks makes me feel glowing and polished. A cream blush is a great tool to perfect the look. Check out the best cream blush stick and compacts you can pop in your bag for a vacay, or any day really!

 


Best Cream Blushes

Written By: Laura Pulling


 

 

Table Of Contents

 

 

There was a time when makeup artists were using lipstick as blush, since then strides have been made and cream blush is now a makeup favorite of beauticians. 

The moist formula helps to give a glowing look, plus the formulation is great for people who have mature or drier skin, as traditional powder blush can feel chalky at times.

A cream blush also has other bonuses, the formulation is, as the name explains, is cream-based so you don’t run the risk of them cracking and breaking in your travel makeup bag (but when packed in carry-on bags, makeup in a liquid and cream form could be decanted into smaller containers and packed with your liquids separately—here is a post on how editor-in-chief Alex downsizes her makeup for travel.

In fact, many cream blushes come in a stick formulation, so they’re even more compact for travel. You can apply with fingers, no brush needed, and as a savvy minimalist like myself, you can double up and use your cheek blush as a lip color too. Genius!

 

Check out our top picks from the best drugstore cream blush to more premium and beloved options for a fresh-faced glow!

 

 

Best Creme Blush

 

 

best-cream-blush

Shop: Ulta | Walmart | NYX Cosmetics

 

NYX Stick Blush 

 

This NYX cream blush is a mini-sized stick that is versatile and wonderful for travel. The colors are pigmented and blend like a dream. 

One user shares her advice for this NYX blush, “Even on my ‘no-makeup days’ I apply a light amount onto my cheeks, eyelids, and lips for a ‘natural’ look and it’s perfect. Blends in nicely, and applies smoothly, just work it in with your fingertips and it lasts almost all day. I’ve used it with and without makeup and love results both ways.”

 

 

best-cream-blush

Shop: Amazon | ULTA | e.l.f. 

 

e.l.f. Cosmetics Monochromatic Multi Stick Blush

 

For a budget buy, check out this e.l.f. cream blush stick. It’s a blendable formulation, but users say it’s an extreme shimmer blusher that may be a bit too sparkly for a natural day look but might work wonders for a night on the town! 

One user explains, “They’re perfect for the kind of makeup I wear these days—fast and easy. They’re a blush and highlight in one, and they look perfect for a monochromatic look on the eyes as well. Just know that they’re very glittery.”

You can also get an e.l.f. cream blush palette, which users compliment more for the shades, but isn’t as compact for traveling.

 

 

best-cream-blush

Shop: AmazonSephora | NARS

 

NARS The Multiple

 

This multi-purpose NARS cream blush stick can be used to create a shimmering contour and accent on all skin tones. Complete with their signature daring names, which themselves are enough to make you blush, these sticks come in a ton of shades, from a rich bronze to a glistening mauve blush.

Users ADORE this NARS blush stick, with one sharing, “Absolutely my favorite cheek product; makes me look glowy and fresh, but never overdone.” One TFG reader has a top travel tip, “I use Nars Orgasm blush in the stick form. I just cut a bit off the end and smoosh it into a tiny travel container. Good for lipstick too.”

 

Read this post to find out our tips for packing travel makeup!

 

 

best-cream-blush

Shop: Nordstrom | NARS 

 

NARS Liquid Blush

 

Ok, so it isn’t a cream, but this NARS liquid blush is rated as one of the best options available. 

The colors are fresh and highly blendable, but users do warn to be careful with the pump bottle as it can deliver more than you need, so use a gentle hand. 

One wearer says, “Beautiful color, easy to blend, and builds nicely. Works well on top of foundation and on bare skin in the summer for some color to my no-makeup looks.”

 

 

best-cream-blush

Shop: Amazon | Walmart

 

Revlon Insta-Blush Stick

 

This blush and highlighter in one is a unique gem by Revlon. This stick is perfect for on the go, easily swipe over your cheeks for a perfectly, mess-free, sculpted cheek. This blush stick also doubles as a lip tint (Plus you only need to pack one product instead of two!)

Reviews are great for this Revlon cream blush, with users loving how easy it makes coverage and application (especially for makeup novices!), one explains, “It could not be easier to use: press it down some, right underneath your cheekbones and see if it does not instantly make you look lovelier!”

 

 

best-cream-blush

Shop: Amazon | Honest | ULTA

 

Honest Beauty Cream Blush

 

Rated as Amazon’s Choice for ‘cream blush’ is this product by Honest Beauty. The formulation is cruelty-free and made without parabens, talc, or synthetic fragrances. The travel-friendly compact contains a lightweight color that applies easily with fingertips. 

One user loves it and shares how it is one of the best blush for mature skin, “I am new to cream blush and this product seemed accessibly priced for me to try out. So far I am enjoying it because it does brighten up my face a lot without the chalkiness of powder blush. I have dry skin and this sits well on BB cream or sans makeup.” 

 

 

best-cream-blush

Shop: Amazon | Walmart 

 

Maybelline Cheek Heat Gel Blush 

 

It may look like a lip gloss, but these Maybelline cream blush mini tubes contain cheek color that pops! Simply dot along the apples of your cheeks and the easily blendable formula gives you a fresh, dewy look that lasts all day. 

Users like the lightweight and flattering product, with one raving, “This is a great product. It’s sheer but packs a punch color-wise, and blends out well. I use my fingers or a brush. It looks great on the skin and sticks around for 8+ hours. No shimmer, but gives a nice luminosity to the skin.”

 

Here are the best stick foundation recommendations that our readers swear by!

 

 

best-cream-blush

Shop: Amazon | ULTA | Burt’s Bees

 

Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Lip & Cheek Stick

 

For a 100% natural cream blush, this option by Burt’s Bees is hydrating and soft on your skin. Users love that the formula blends beautifully and doubles up as a lip color too, so very convenient for travel. 

One user explains, “It’s moisturizing without being slick or greasy and provides just the right touch of color and glow. The stick makes application a breeze. You can put it on light or build up color for a more dramatic or evening look, and it lasts all day.”

 

 

best-cream-blush

Shop: Clinique | ULTA 

 

Clinique Cream Blush Chubby Stick 

 

These creamy Clinique blush colors create a healthy glow in an instant. Simply dab it on your cheeks and blend it with your fingertips. It’s easy to blend and is allergy-tested and 100% fragrance-free. 

All reviews are great for this product, with users loving the colors, and agreeing that it “lasts all day”.

 

 

best-cream-blush

Shop: Nordstrom | Stila | ULTA

 

Stila Cream Blush Convertible Dual Color 

 

For an all-day color that works just as well on the lips as it does on your cheeks, try this Stila blush. The versatile favorite brightens your face with a luminous, radiant color and comes in a mirrored compact for on-the-go touch-ups!

Travelers love this Stila blusher to slim down their makeup bag, one says, “I travel a lot and for many weeks at a time with just a single carry-on. So, I only pack things that have multiple uses. I use this for cheeks, shadow, and lip tint. It blends great. It looks natural and gives such an amazing glow.”

 

Here are our picks for the best long-lasting concealer for travel!

 

 

best-cream-blush

Shop: Glossier | Sephora

 

Glossier Cloud Paint

 

TFG readers recommend this cute blush tube of color by Glossier as a travel favorite. The small tube contains a highly pigmented color, so a little goes a long way. One TFG gushes, “I took the Glossier cloud paint for blush and loved it so much I use it daily now!”

 

 

best-cream-blush

Shop: Amazon | Bobbi Brown

 

BOBBI BROWN Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks

 

This Bobbi Brown rouge is another 2-in-1 that works on lips as well as cheeks. The creamy texture blends easily and gives a fresh-faced appearance and comes in a range of shades. One TFG reader shares, “My fave blush is Bobbi Brown cream blush, which doubles as a lip color too.”

 

 

best-cream-blush

Shop: Nordstrom | CHANEL | Bloomingdale’s 

 

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Blush Stick

 

For a premium beauty choice, Chanel cream blushes are well-loved, despite the hefty price tag. The creamy soft formula blends seamlessly for a lovely contoured look. 

Users ADORE this Chanel cream blush, with lots of explaining how they feel it’s the best cream blush for mature skin, As I’ve gotten older (60+) my skin has gotten drier. When I saw the blush stick online I thought why not give it a try? It’s wonderful as it doesn’t collect in pores, a little goes a long way, and it does give more of a subtle glow than powder blush. I’m sold!”

 

 

best-cream-blush

Shop: Amazon | Walmart 

 

Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Colored Stick

 

While it isn’t a cheek color, a TFG reader on Facebook raves about this Neutrogena lipstick, explaining, “I use this for blush and lips—and sometimes eye shadow too!  It goes on beautifully and really lasts as a blush.“

 

Pack light with the best makeup palettes for travel!

 

 

Makeup Blush Cream Product Comparison Chart

 

[wpsm_comparison_table id=”309″ class=”center-table-align”]

 

 

How to Apply Cream Blush

 

You can use different ways to apply cream blush, with a highlighter brush, a blending sponge, or even your fingertips. Just make sure they are clean and be sure to use a little and build up the color in layers. 

 

 

Where Does Blush Go On the Cheeks?

 

Find the apples of your cheeks and cheekbones by smiling and apply to the indentations. But you can experiment with different positioning for different looks, with some saying blush can reach in a C-shape up to your temples for a luxe glow. Just be sure to blend, blend, and blend again so you end up sophisticated and not clown-like!

 

 

What’s Best: Cream vs Powder Blush

 

Powder blush is known to be good for all skin types, whereas a cream blush works especially well on dry or mature skin, and stops that “caked on” feeling that wearing too many layers of powders can give you. 

Plus cream sticks, like the ones we have featured, are awesome for travel as they’re less likely to crack and break, and can double up as a lip color too!

 

 


What are the best cream blushes that give you that fresh-faced glow? Share your picks in the comments!


 

For more travel makeup, please read:

 


 

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