The Best Cream Blushes for a Dewy, Radiant and Sun-Kissed Summer Glow
Skip the sunburn—these cream blushes fake the flush better than the real thing.
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If you’re on the eternal search for that dewy, radiant, lit-from-within glow, then it’s time to explore the wonders of cream blush. Cream blushes are one of the best ways to attain a makeup look with a natural flush, for that “just got back from the beach” aesthetic, even when it’s the dead of winter and you can’t remember the last time you caught a glimpse of the sun. That said, a sunburnt look is especially well-suited to the summer—that is, as long as you achieve it without the sun damage.
Cream blushes give a natural, dewy pop of color, and they typically don’t cake, unlike many of their powder blush counterparts. Cream blush tends to be lighter and more buildable, too, which makes it relatively easy to apply, even for a beauty novice, as well as a great option for more mature skin, since it doesn’t settle into fine lines like so many powder formulas do.
It’s all about finding the right cream blush formulation, of course; you want a product that’s sheer yet buildable, long-lasting and won’t slip down your face (or just disappear altogether) by the end of the day, and serious bonus points to all the cream blushes with moisturizing (but not greasy) ingredients. While I usually apply cream blush by tapping it in with my fingers, you can also use your favorite blush brush; one that has soft, long bristles is best.
If you still associate blush with a caked-on, aggressively overdone look of a different generation, just give cream blush a go—you’ll change your mind instantly, as long as you find the right formula. For those of us admittedly suffering from blush blindness, cream blush is the way to go—you can just keep layering it on, because some of us like to look like we spent a full day at the beach, but don't want to forgo the SPF! Now that you’ve surely been convinced that you absolutely must add a cream blush to your makeup repertoire, see our favorite cream blushes to try right now.
The Best Cream Blushes
- Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Blush Healthy Glow Stick
- Rhode Pocket Blush
- Merit Flush Balm
- Makeup by Mario Soft Pop Plumping Cream Blush Veil
- Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks
- Tata Harper Vitamin-Infused Cream Blush
- Sisley Paris Phyto-Blush Twist
- Glossier Cloud Paint Gel Cream Blush
- Saie Glow Sculpt Highlighting Blush
- Jones Road Lip and Cheek Stick
- Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip & Cheek Glow in Colour of Passion
- Patrick Ta Major Beauty Headlines Double-Take Crème and Powder Blush
- Jillian Dempsey Cheek Tint
- Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick
- Victoria Beckham Beauty Cheeky Posh Cream Blush Stick
- Chantecaille Cheek Gelée
- Ilia Multi-Stick
- Tower28 BeachPlease Luminous Tinted Balm
- Hourglass Vanish Blush Stick
- RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek
- Makeup by Mario Soft Pop Blush Stick
Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Blush Healthy Glow Stick
It's rare that a newcomer to a packed beauty category manages to stand out amid the crowd, but it's no surprise that Charlotte Tilbury came prepared. While the beauty brand does, in fact, already have a cream blush product (you'll find it later on in this list), the new Blush Glow Stick has already become my favorite beauty product of the summer. I tested this one out for a bit before it was officially released, and I'm utterly impressed. It's glowy, it's creamy, it's blendable—all the components of a beauty staple. It's incredibly easy to apply, and the highlighter-esque nature of the product means that you won't need to apply an extra glowy step if you don't want to. I'm partial to the berry hue, which lends itself to the perfect sunkissed glow.
Rhode Pocket Blush
Leave it to glazed donut queen Hailey Bieber to release one of the best blush products we've seen in a long time. Rhode's Pocket Blush is an ultra-dewy, creamy formula that really does leave you with a natural, glazed flush. It's super buildable, so you can go as sheer as you want or increase the color, though this is intended to be a more natural look. It's hydrating but not sticky or greasy, and comes in a newly expanded array of 11 hues. Toasted Teddy is a personal favorite; in the summer, it looks like you got the perfect little sunburn without the actual UV damage, while in the winter, it gives the illusion that you just ran through a snowy day.
Merit Flush Balm
Merit is all about a simple, minimalist beauty, and their Flush Balm has been a staple in my beauty routine ever since it first launched. The creamy blush is so lightweight that even oily skin types don’t need to shy away from trying it out; it goes on smoothly and is made without acne-triggering ingredients. The balm-like formula is incredibly easy to apply; you can directly pat the actual balm onto cheeks and then tap it in with your fingers, or use a brush, if you’re so inclined, for a long-lasting, glowy dash of color. The latter is probably your best move if you're super acne-prone; it's more sanitary, to be honest. If you want to complete your summer look, try the brand's incredibly easy-to-blend bronzer, too.
Makeup by Mario Soft Pop Plumping Cream Blush Veil
The Makeup by Mario Blush Stick is one of the celeb makeup artist's most well-known products (that attached brush does come in clutch when on-the-go), and while you'll find that particular item also in this list, don't sleep on the Soft Pop Plumping Cream Blush Veil, which is surprisingly weightless, comfortable and buildable—something not always true of this kind of packaging.
Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks
Everything about Gucci Westman's makeup product line is delightfully luxurious, from the minimalist chic packaging to the creamy yet natural formulas. The cult-favorite baby cheeks is a truly fantastic stick cream blush; I like to apply this one directly to my cheeks (just a dab or two will do, but you can add more if you prefer a bolder flush). It blends like an absolute dream, and the berry-toned Bichette (you might be sensing a trend when it comes to my blush preferences) is perfect for a sun-kissed summer skin look.
Tata Harper Vitamin-Infused Cream Blush
While Tata Harper is perhaps best known for their clean skincare, the cruelty-free brand also has a line of dreamy and nourishing antioxidant and vitamin-infused blushers. They do not disappoint, either; these blush shades are creamy and lightweight, and in my experience, didn’t irritate sensitive skin. This particular terracotta-peach shade gives skin a natural-looking, sunkissed-glow at any time of the year.
Sisley Paris Phyto-Blush Twist
Sisley’s dreamy cream blush stick is the best combination of creamy and powder, and leaves you with a luminous, radiant glow that’s super long-lasting and won’t cake. It's one of my top choices for travel and just throwing in my makeup bag for touch-ups, due to its incredibly easy application. It's a major splurge, yes, but sometimes, you just need to treat yourself.
Glossier Cloud Paint Gel Cream Blush
Don't let the paint-like texture of Glossier's cult-favorite Cloud Paint deter you from trying out this gel blush—it's actually surprisingly sheer (you can always build it out), and blends like a dream.
Saie Glow Sculpt Highlighting Blush
Saie's Glow Sculpt is a highlighter-blush hybrid, for those that want to go a step further with the ultimate radiant blush look. For a bronzier feel, try the bronzeglow color.
Jones Road Lip and Cheek Stick
Who doesn’t love a multitasking product? Bobbi Brown’s clean skincare line is all about that natural, no-makeup makeup look, like this nourishing Lip and Cheek stick, made with vitamin E-rich castor seed oil, that offers a subtle touch of color to liven up your face. It comes in several different blush shades, so you can pick depending on what feels best for your skin tone. You can’t go wrong with this mauve blush color, which gives a natural, barely-there cheek tint and lip tint.
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip & Cheek Glow in Colour of Passion
Celebrity-adored makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury never misses. While the CT Beauty Light Wand liquid blush is perhaps the most attention-getting blusher option from the brand, you shouldn't overlook the Pillow Talk Lip & Cheek Glow. This was one of the first cream blushes I tried, and helped convert me to the formula. The brand continues to release fresh colorways, including new shades that are more pigmented but don’t get cakey or look costume-y; instead, they give a luminescent yet natural glow, and also happen to function as a lovely lip stain.
Patrick Ta Major Beauty Headlines Double-Take Crème and Powder Blush
You don’t have to pick between cream and powder blush thanks to this delightful Patrick Ta blush duo, with lighter cream shades and a powder formula finish. The celeb-approved makeup artist also has a unique method to applying, as he recommends starting with the powder and then layering on the cream. It went viral on TikTok for good reason; just try the method, because you won't be disappointed. It comes in a whole range of hues, from various shades of pink for every type of undertone, to peachy tones, to more mauve, terracotta and bold reds.
Jillian Dempsey Cheek Tint
This vegan cheek tint is like a velvety balm; it’s super pigmented, blends so well and you only need one dab to get a lovely, long-wearing flush, though those who want even more color can always add another swipe or two.
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick
This Chanel blusher is ridiculously easy to apply; I like to directly dab it onto my cheeks (and anywhere else I want a little rosy flush and dewy finish). It has a bit of shimmer to it, which is perfect when you want more of a sculpting highlight, too.
Victoria Beckham Beauty Cheeky Posh Cream Blush Stick
These creamy blush sticks are up there with easiest applications for blush beginners; just directly dab it onto your cheekbones, or use a brush or your fingers if you prefer. The formulas glide on so smoothly, plus they don’t move down your face and add a fresh-faced, natural flush to your look.
Chantecaille Cheek Gelée
This creamy blush has a gel-like, almost liquid-y texture. It’s hydrating and goes on so smoothly; it’s another great option for cream blush beginners, as it’s incredibly easy to apply. It’s also another multi-use option, as you can use it as an eyeshadow, too. The baby pink is surprisingly versatile, even for those who don't usually go for such a hue.
Ilia Multi-Stick
Ilia is another solid clean beauty brand (they’re certified clean at Sephora, and all products are vegan and formulated without parabens, gluten and talc), and their multi-stick is the perfect choice for a natural hint of color. It works well when you want a minimalist rosy cheek, but it’s a true multi-use product, so you can also use it on your lips and even your eyes. It’s weightless and natural-looking, for a soft and subtle flush.
Tower28 BeachPlease Luminous Tinted Balm
You can’t go wrong with this multitasking tinted balm; the cream formula is sheer but entirely buildable, and gives such a good sun-kissed look. This one is great to keep in your bag, as it’s so simple to apply and touch up throughout the day, whenever you want a little extra color. If you have sensitive skin and have concerns over any pore-clogging with cream blush, this line is for you—it's allergy and dermatologist-tested, with all non-comedogenic formulas.
Hourglass Vanish Blush Stick
If you prefer a cream blush with a more matte finish, try this Hourglass formula. Don’t be intimidated by the pigmented shades, as it goes on sheer at first, but you can always add a few more layers, as it doesn’t get thick or sticky.
RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek
Not only will this lip and cheek tint add light and color to your face, but it’s also packed with amazing moisturizing ingredients like buriti oil, shea butter and coconut butter. This RMS Beauty blush is great for most skin types, though those with dry skin will especially benefit from the hydrating formula.
Makeup by Mario Soft Pop Blush Stick
You simply can’t go wrong with anything from celeb makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic’s beauty line, including the cream blush, which comes in similar packaging to the contour stick. It’s no surprise it’s a best-seller for the brand, as it’s sheer but buildable, and it comes with a buffing brush on the other end, so you can blend it out.
