How To Use Cream Blush

Have you jumped on board the cream blush train? Cream blushes are making a comeback – as do most things I’m learning – and I’m here for it this time! When I was younger and had oily skin, cream anything just wasn’t in my vocabulary. I needed my makeup to stick and to last. I didn’t need cream makeup slipping and sliding around making my situation worse. But now that I have more “mature” skin, cream products are a whole new world and I’m loving them. In this post, I’ll share how to use cream blush plus 5 affordable options under $10.

As far as formula goes, I still love a good powder blush. But sometimes, I find that so many powders on top of each other can start to look really dry and heavy on my skin. By the time I do foundation, translucent powder, bronzer, blush, highlighter and so on, that’s half a dozen layers of powder. It can just look like too much cake face and my skin doesn’t even look like skin anymore.

When I use cream blush, I find that it gives me a beautiful flushed look and enhances my features in a very natural way. I use cream blush when I want one of the following:

natural no-makeup makeup look
blush to stay in place all day
increased staying power of my powder blush – if you layer a cream blush under your powder blush, it will prevent your blush from wearing off as quickly. If I know I’m going to have a really, really long day or am getting ready for a special occasion, I will do this.

1 // Start with a cream base
Cream products work best on top of cream products so don’t powder your face before applying a cream blush. It will be hard to blend a cream on top of a powder. Wait until you’ve applied all your cream face products before setting your face with powders to ensure a blended and even base.

2 // Choose application method
You can apply cream blush with your finger, a makeup sponge, brush or really anything but just choose what you think will be best beforehand so you aren’t scrambling to find a makeup sponge mid-application as the blush dries on your face (see #4) I find that my fingers or a makeup sponge work best.

3 // Apply one side at a time
Start with one cheek and get it how you like it before you move to the other side

4 // Work quickly
Probably the most important tip is to work quickly because cream blushes can tend to dry fast. And once they dry, they can be hard to blend or move.

5 // Start small and build
Cream blush can pack a punch of pigment from the get-go so start super light and build. Don’t go in heavy handed because you may be surprised at just how much payoff you will get and then if you don’t work quickly to blend it out, you could be left looking like a clown. It’s always easier to add more than to remove too much.

Honestly, practice makes perfect so you just have to give it a go and make adjustments until you get it how you like. I’ve been loving cream blush especially this summer. I don’t like a heavy base in the summer so I usually opt for a bb cream or tinted moisturizer paired with a cream blush on top. It’s super fast and effortless.

If you want to dip your toes into some cream blush, I suggest any of these 5 products below. They are all under $10 and would be great to start with. The Flower Beauty color drops are my personal fave at the moment. Did you learn some new tips and tricks about how to use cream blush? I hope you found this post helpful and are excited to try something new in your makeup routine.

Ulta Bohemian Treasure Cream Blush

e.l.f Beautifully Bare Blush

Flower Beauty Blush Bomb Color Drops

Makeup Revolution Cream Blush Palette (online only)

ColourPop Blush Stix