The 10 Best Cream Blushes of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

While cream blush has been around for about as long as the powder variety, this makeup category is finally enjoying a well-deserved moment. The formulas are often hydrating and super easy to apply, even with just your fingers.

"For me, it's all about the texture and finish," says celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic, founder of Makeup by Mario and the man behind Kim Kardashian's signature glam look. "I love a cream blush that glides and blends effortlessly and leaves a healthy, radiant glow."

Beyond a smooth, blendable consistency, you'll want to look for a flattering shade and think about whether you want a sheer, matte, dewy, or slightly shimmery flush. To help you narrow it down, we tried 28 of the most popular formulas in our PEOPLE Tested lab. After careful consideration of formula, longevity, price, and finish, we found the best blushes for makeup newbies to seasoned beauty experts.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Cream Blush
Best Budget: Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Blush
Best Investment: Clé de Peau Beauté Cream Blush
Best for a Natural Look: Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick
Best for Full Glam: Makeup By Mario Soft Pop Blush Stick
Best for Dry Skin: REFY Cream Blush
Best Blendable: Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush
Best Drugstore: Honest Beauty Creme Cheek + Lip Color
Best Dewy Finish: Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blush
Best Cream-to-Powder: Victoria Beckham Beauty Cheeky Posh Cream Blush Stick

Best Overall: Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Cream Blush

Buy on Sephora Buy on Nordstrom Buy on Ulta

Pros:

Super buildable formula that's not tacky
Dual-sided brush with product on one end and brush on the other
Blends smoothly and evenly

Cons:

We can't find anything that needs improved — we love everything about this blush!

Anastasia Beverly Hills is best known for its high-performing, celebrity-loved eyebrow products, but the brand's Stick Cream Blush is no slouch either. After trying it out firsthand, we gave it perfect scores in all categories, including texture, blendability, and pigment. It's creamy from start to finish and has a nice hydrating feel that's not tacky at all.

The stick makes it easy to swipe directly onto your cheeks, and the user-friendly formula blends effortlessly into the skin. You can use the attached brush to buff it upward, but if you prefer to tap it out with your fingers, it won't leave you with pink fingerprints.

This blush comes in five shades to flatter various skin tones, ranging from deep rosy brown to soft peach. At first glance, the color looks somewhat sheer, but we found that it's actually plenty pigmented once you add another layer of this easily buildable blush.

It melts beautifully into the skin and feels lightweight, even with multiple layers. You'll be left with a subtle, healthy-looking glow and a radiant finish that's definitely not too shimmery for everyday makeup. The non-streaky, smudge-resistant color lasts all day too.

Considering the easy application, dual-ended design, versatility, and fairly reasonable price point, we'd purchase this product again and recommend it to anyone looking to add a cream blush to their makeup bag.

Price at time of publish: $32

Shades: 7 | Finish: Radiant | Size: 0.3 oz.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Cream Blush Being Tested on Back of Hand — People/Tamara Staples

Best Budget: Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Blush

Buy on Target Buy on Milanicosmetics.com Buy on Ulta

Pros:

Balm-to-gel formula that applies easily with fingertips
Very pigmented with an ultra-dewy finish
Includes hydrating ingredients and antioxidants

Cons:

The rich pigmentation can make it easy to go overboard

You can usually count on Milani for high-quality makeup at budget-friendly prices, and this cream blush is no exception. Cheek Kiss earned a perfect score for texture and feel thanks to its smooth, lightweight consistency.

Made with hydrating ingredients and antioxidants, the balm-to-gel formula delivers a hint of moisture (without feeling greasy) and a subtle brightening effect. It dries quickly, too, and doesn't leave your skin sticky.

There are four highly pigmented shades to choose from: deep berry, soft burgundy, vivid coral, and pinky-nude. We found that the color is pretty intense, so start with just a dab or two to avoid overdoing it. We like that you can use your fingertips to both apply and blend, though we recommend using a damp makeup sponge to fully eliminate blotchiness.

The natural-looking, dewy finish offers a lit-from-within wash of color. We'd recommend this all-around stellar cream blush to anyone looking for an affordable formula.

Price at time of publish: $10.99

Shades: 4 | Finish: Natural, dewy | Size: 0.2 oz.

woman testing blush on cheeks — People/Tamara Staples

Best Investment: Clé de Peau Beauté Cream Blush

Buy on Nordstrom Buy on Macy's

Pros:

Easy application via fingertips, buffing brush, or a damp makeup sponge
Melts seamlessly into the skin, leaving a luminous glow
So lightweight it feels like you're not wearing blush at all

Cons:

Lighter shades apply pretty sheer, so this might not be ideal if you're going full glam

Interested in a premium product? Clé de Peau Beauté won't disappoint. The Japanese cosmetic company's take on cream blush is this ultra-smooth formula that glides effortlessly onto skin. We found that it feels exceptionally lightweight, almost like you're not wearing anything on your cheeks at all, earning it a perfect score for both texture and feel.

You can apply it with your fingers, then buff it out with a brush or a damp makeup sponge for an airbrushed finish. Though it melts beautifully into your cheeks, we found that it stays on the surface long enough to blend seamlessly.

This blush comes in four shades. The lighter options are a bit more sheer, so you may need a few layers to get it to show up. You'll be left with natural-looking color and a radiant finish with subtle luminosity. You can apply it with your fingers, then buff it out with a brush or a damp makeup sponge for an airbrushed finish.

We wish this product were a bit more affordable. But if you can swing the stiff price, it might be worth a splurge.

Price at time of publish: $60

Shades: 4 | Finish: Sheer/radiant | Size: 0.2 oz.

Cle de Peau Tested on Cheeks — People/Tamara Staples

Best for a Natural Look: Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick

Buy on Amazon Buy on Sephora Buy on Kohls.com

Pros:

Impressive color payoff with a natural, glowy finish
Can apply the product directly to the skin, making it more portable and hygienic than applying with your fingers
Multi-use for lips and cheeks

Cons:

Not as long-lasting as other cream blushes we tried

For everyday makeup application, reach for this Milk Makeup blush stick. As the name suggests, this multitasking product doubles as blush and lip color. The creamy formula clocked perfect scores in all categories, including texture, feel, blendability, and pigment. The texture is lightweight and oh-so comfortable.

We like that you can dab the stick directly onto your skin. This allows you to control how much you apply, makes it easy to use on the go, and is a little more sanitary than dipping your fingers in each time. After blending it out with a makeup sponge, we were impressed with the glowy and fresh results.

This cream blush comes in eleven shades, ranging from deep berry to mauve to soft pink. Though we found that one layer is enough to achieve a full color payoff, it may not last as long as other formulas we tested. Still, the reasonable price point and versatile, natural-looking finish make this an excellent choice for no-makeup makeup looks.

Price at time of publish: $24

Shades: 11 | Finish: Natural | Amount: 0.2 oz.

MILK MAKEUP Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick — People/Tamara Staples

Best for Full Glam: Makeup By Mario Soft Pop Blush Stick

Buy on Sephora Buy on Kohls.com

Pros:

Super smooth, moisturizing formula that is easily blendable
Very pigmented color, and a little goes a long way
Built-in brush for easy buffing

Cons:

Intense color might be too strong for some users

Makeup By Mario Soft Pop is your best bet when applying a full face of makeup. We gave this blush stick perfect scores for texture and blendability, noting that it's light and creamy but doesn't feel sticky on your cheeks or fingertips. The emollient-rich formula is also moisturizing, which helps eliminate streaks when working it into your skin and offers just the right amount of dewiness.

Not only does the stick make this cream blush easy to apply, but there's a built-in brush for buffing it out evenly across your cheeks. You can also blend with your fingertips — the warmth of your skin helps it melt in seamlessly.

Soft Pop comes in six highly pigmented shades ranging from plum to petal pink. The color is notably bright, so a little goes a long way. You'll also get almost twice the amount of product as most other cream blushes, so it should last you a long time.

The radiant, glowy finish is ideal for full-glam looks. Nice to use for a night out, it will stay put and feel comfortable for hours.

Price at time of publish: $28

Shades: 6 | Finish: Radiant/dewy | Size: 0.4 oz.

MAKEUP BY MARIO Soft Pop Blush Stick tested on back of hand — People/Tamara Staples

Best for Dry Skin: REFY Cream Blush

Best Cream Blushes We Tested Ourselves — Sephora

Buy on Sephora Buy on Refybeauty.com

Pros:

Super dewy, radiant finish
Easy to apply and blend with fingertips
Natural color payoff that is buildable

Cons:

Not as pigmented as other blushes we tried

Dry-skin darlings deserve dewy blush, too! The REFY Cream Blush delivers a juicy pop of color packed into an ultra light-weight formula. The pigment is buildable with a radiant finish and comes in five shades to suit different skin tones and preferences.

Our tests proved that this buildable blusher is also ultra-blendable, and we found that it was easy to spread over the skin without any streakiness or foundation pull. We'd describe the color payoff as "natural," meaning you might need to layer on a few coats if you're going for an ultra-rosy makeup look.

Because this formula is so lightweight and blendable, this would also make a great intro blush for those who are newer to the world of rouge. We also love the minimalist, sleek, and compact packaging.

Price at time of publish: $20

Shades: 5 | Finish: Radiant/dewy | Size: 0.05 oz.

Best Blendable: Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush

Buy on Sephora Buy on Ulta

Pros:

Smooth formula that's not sticky, making it especially easy to blend
Doesn't settle into fine lines or pores
Easily blends with both fingertips and a brush

Cons:

Not as pigmented as other cream blushes we tested, despite how pigmented it looks in the pan

Miss Rihanna did it again (not that we doubted her for a second!). The Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle blush is creamy, pigmented, and oh-so-easy to blend. The formula feels smooth to the touch and not at all sticky.

Throughout our wear tests, this blush refuses to settle into pores or fine lines. We were able to build it up to become more pigmented without any streakiness. We also found that the Cheeks Out blush worked well both with and without foundation, and it also blends well with both the fingertips and a brush.

Although the eight shades included in this collection may look intimidatingly pigmented in the pan, we found that they apply more sheerly than you might assume at first glance, which makes it much easier to achieve the rosiness that you're looking for without overdoing it. Overall, we don't really have anything negative to say about Riri's creamy blush — it's truly a diamond in the rough.

Price at time of publish: $24

Shades: 8 | Finish: Natural | Size: 0.1 oz.

Best Drugstore: Honest Beauty Creme Cheek + Lip Color

Buy on Target Buy on Honest.com Buy on Ulta

Pros:

Gorgeous, lux-feeling packaging
Creamy formula with an impressive color payoff
Great value, especially since a little goes a long way

Cons:

Slightly drying finish, so we preferred this as a blush versus a lipstick

Just because a product is from the drugstore does not mean you have to compromise on pigment — and this blush from The Honest Company (Jessica Alba's brainchild) is prime proof. The lux-feeling pan has a nice weight in hand that makes the compact feel like it's worth a lot more than the $18 it actually costs.

We found that the best way to apply this blush for the most seamless blending is with a damp beauty blender. The texture of the product is creamy, and it slides easily on the skin with a shocking amount of pigment (so keep in mind that a little goes a pretty long way). Although the Creme Cheek + Lip Color blush is advertised as a multi-use product, we found that we much preferred the slightly matte-drying finish on our cheeks as a blush rather than a lipstick.

Price at time of publish: $17.99

Shades: 4 | Finish: Natural/matte | Size: 0.1 oz.

Best Dewy Finish: Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blush

Buy on Sephora Buy on Kohls.com

Pros:

Ultra-radiant finish that isn't sticky
Beautiful packaging
Melts into the skin leaving a plump-looking glow

Cons:

Not super pigmented (although very buildable)

At first glance, this clamshell blush looks like a candy-coated, luxury compact — and as stunning as it looks from the outside, the glowy blush formula tucked inside is even more beautiful. This blush from Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty feels creamy on the fingertips and leaves behind a light flush of dewy color. And for how much dew it imparts, we were surprised to find that it doesn't leave much of a sticky residue behind, which is rare for blushes that promise a glass-skin look.

With a few pats of the finger, the Stay Vulnerable blush truly melts into the skin, and we loved the natural-looking flush of pigment that it left us with. We think that this product would fit well in any no-makeup-makeup routine because it gives a flushed, plump look to the cheeks. It's not the most pigmented blush that we tried, which is a positive for those going for a barely-there look, but might not work for someone who's looking for a super bright pop of color from their rouge. Overall, Selena's adorable compact blush is truly a treat!

Price at time of publish: $22

Shades: 5 | Finish: Dewy | Size: 0.17 oz.

Best Cream-to-Powder: Victoria Beckham Beauty Cheeky Posh Cream Blush Stick

Buy on Bergdorfgoodman.com Buy on Victoriabeckhambeauty.com

Pros:

Dries to a natural, powder-like finish that's not at all drying
Stick design makes it easy to touch-up on the go
Easily blendable by using fingers or a damp sponge

Cons:

One of the more expensive options we tested

Stick-formula blushes are a convenient way to apply blush on the go and touch-up when you need to. This luxurious formula from Victoria Beckham Beauty is creamy and moisturizing without leaving an overly-dewy finish behind. In fact, after testing this blush out in our labs, we'd describe its finish as closer to a powder than a cream, although it's not at all drying as some true powders can be. The packaging is sleek and perfect for slipping in your purse and was easy to apply directly onto the cheeks with the help of fingers or a damp sponge to blend out.

This product's pigment starts out quite natural upon first application, but we found that it was easy to build up for a more blush-centric look without any clinging or streaking. With the texture of a cream and the finish of a powder, this blush truly does offer the best of both worlds! This is one of the pricier options on our list, but we think that the packaging and formula really do live up to the luxury feel that the price tag denotes.

Price at time of publish: $39

Shades: 5 | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.17 oz.

Things to Consider When Buying Cream Blush

Shade

The most important thing to consider when buying cream blush is the shade. Some people like to have multiple options on-hand to go with different outfits or makeup looks, but certain colors may complement your complexion more than others.

"For deeper skin tones, I recommend brighter shades like reds, plums, and peachy-orange tones," says Dedivanovic. "For lighter skin tones, I prefer slightly more muted shades of pink, mauve, or peach."

Pigment

Shade refers to a specific hue and its undertones, whereas pigment is about the intensity of the color. Some cream blushes, like the Makeup By Mario Soft Pop Blush Stick, offer full-color payoff in one or two dabs, and others may require multiple swipes. However, Dedivanovic says, "Don't be too intimidated by color when it comes to cream blushes, as most will apply a bit softer than they appear in the packaging."

Finish

You'll also want to think about whether you want a dewy, matte, radiant, slightly shimmery, or natural-looking finish. This is mostly a matter of preference, though it's important to note that luminous cream blushes are often preferred for a full-glam effect, and natural finishes, like the finish of the Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blush, are ideal for that no-makeup makeup look.

Blendability

Blendability is also key. Cream blushes containing hydrating ingredients tend to glide more easily onto the skin. Whether with a brush, a makeup sponge, or your fingertips, they should buff seamlessly with minimal streaks. According to Dedivanovic, sheer formulas are ideal because they're easiest to blend and offer a more natural-looking flush.

Cream Blush Testing — People/Tamara Staples

How We Tested Cream Blushes

We tried 28 cream blushes in our PEOPLE Tested lab to determine the best options on the market. After applying, buffing, and wearing them for six hours, each product was rated for texture, feel, pigment, and blendability. We mulled over other aspects as well, including how easy the blush was to apply, whether it came with a brush, the finish, and how many layers were necessary to achieve a full color payoff.

After testing in the lab, we brought our favorite products home with us to see how they work in our day-to-day lives. We wore these cream blushes at least three times a week for six weeks, collecting insights along the way. We noted how well it blended with our makeup routine as well as how it held up after six hours of wear. After considering all insights and the price of each product, we compiled this list of the products that scored the highest average ratings overall.

FAQs

Is cream blush better than powder blush?

Cream blush does have certain advantages over powder blush. Cream or liquid blush glides onto the skin easily and helps you achieve a more subtle, no makeup look. They also tend to be less pigmented than powder which makes them buildable and harder to overdo. Usually containing conditioning ingredients, cream blush is better for those with dry or mature skin. On the other hand, powder blush has more staying power, especially in the hotter weather, and is mattifying. In the end, it is a personal preference and can depend on the season and the look you want.

Do you apply cream blush before or after setting powder?

Apply your cream blush before setting powder. If you are wearing foundation, apply the blush after this step — although cream blush also works well on bare skin.

Which is better, liquid or cream blush?

Generally speaking there are two categories of blush — powders and non-powders. Within the non-powder camp, you'll find formulas with a range of consistencies from liquids and stains to creams and gels. Creams work well on dry skin while liquid suits normal to dry skin best. We recommend a synthetic brush to blend liquid formulas whereas most creams can be applied with the fingers.

Can you wear cream blush without foundation?

Yes, cream blush can be worn on bare skin or paired with a tinted moisturizer.

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don't stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we've awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

Want more product recommendations? Check out all of our PEOPLE Tested content.

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