The 19 Best Cream Blushes Byrdie Editors Tested and Approve for Glowing Cheeks

Cream blush is having a major moment, and we don’t think it’s going anywhere anytime soon. Unlike their powder counterparts, cream blushes are typically hydrating, glow-boosting, and super workable. “Our skin has more of a cream texture than powder, so naturally, a cream formula will mimic skin more,” says celebrity makeup artist Colby Smith. Many can even be applied with your fingertips, making them ideal for on-the-go makeup looks. 

Their popularity has led to an influx of fun, new formulas, so Byrdie editors tested 37 options to find the best ones for every skin type. We evaluated each blush based on its blendability, pigment, finish, and wear. Ahead, we’re sharing the ones we reach for again and again. 

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: Tower 28 Beauty BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Cream Blush
• Best Overall, Runner-Up: Em Cosmetics So Soft Blush
• Best Budget-Friendly: e.l.f. Cosmetics Putty Blush
• Best Splurge: Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
• Best for Dry Skin: Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks
• Best for Oily Skin: Makeup By Mario Soft Pop Blush Stick
• Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Merit Flush Balm Cream Blush
• Best Dewy: Make Beauty Heat Stroke Cream Blush
• Best Matte: Lys Beauty Higher Standard Satin Matte Cream Blush
• Best Sheer: Makeup By Mario Soft Pop Plumping Blush Veil
• Best Cream-to-Powder: Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed
• Best Duo: Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo
• Best Multi-Purpose: Ilia Multi-Stick
• Best Pigmentation: Kulfi Mehndi Moment Cream Blush
• Best Stick: Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick
• Best for Beginners: Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blush
• Best for Blurring: Ami Colé Desert Date Cream Blush & Lip Multistick
• Best Long-Wearing: Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Blush
  

Best Overall

Tower 28 Beauty BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Cream Blush

$20 at Sephora $21 at Walmart View on Tower28beauty.com

Finish: Radiant | Shades: 9 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When we think of a classic cream blush, this fan-favorite from Tower 28 comes to mind. It has a creamy, emollient texture that melts into the skin seamlessly, lending to a natural-looking flush with a glowy finish. The formula is easy to apply with your fingertips, a brush, or a sponge, and it’s suitable for all skin types, even those with sensitive or eczema-prone skin. We also love that it’s available in nine buildable shades, including neutral hues and fun pops of color. To top it off, the packaging is adorable and compact and the price tag is relatively affordable given the excellent quality.   

Caitlyn Martyn, commerce writer with oily skin: “I've loved this blush for a long time because of how blendable and easy to work with it is. I've worn it with nothing but SPF and have also put it on top of concealer and foundation, and I find that it works beautifully no matter what.” 

Best Overall, Runner-Up

Em Cosmetics So Soft Blush

View on Emcosmetics.com

Finish: Natural | Shades: 9 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The unique texture is what sets this cream blush apart from the rest. It’s both powdery and super creamy, making it easy to blend and giving it an impressive blurring quality on the skin. It’s great for all skin types since it has a natural finish, and comes in a wide variety of colors that range from baby pink to rich berry. Each one offers an impressive color payoff that can be sheered out for a subtle look or built up for maximum intensity. We were also thrilled to see that the color lasted on our cheeks all day long. 

Alyssa Kaplan, commerce writer with combination skin: "The texture of this blush is unlike anything else I've tried. It's somehow very creamy while maintaining a bit of a powdery feel, meaning it's easy to blend into the skin and never looks too greasy. I think it's a great choice for all skin types."

Best Budget-Friendly

e.l.f. Cosmetics Putty Blush

$7 at Amazon $7 at Ulta $7 at Target

Finish: Semi-matte | Shades: 8 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Those looking to dip their toes into the world of cream blush or test a new blush color without spending a ton of money should try this e.l.f. formula. It has a cream-to-powder formula that dries down to a semi-matte finish and locks in place all day without creasing or fading. Because it has a putty-like consistency, it’s not as smooth to blend as other options we tested, but with a little effort using a synthetic brush, you can certainly achieve an even finish. 

Holly Rhue, editorial director with combination skin: “I was thrilled to find that even without setting spray or powder, this blush stayed put all day. After a full day of commuting and touching my face throughout the day, my blush stayed right on the high points of my cheekbones.”

Best Splurge

Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick

$48 at Sephora $26 at Nordstrom View on Westman-atelier.com

Finish: Natural | Shades: 7 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

On the other hand, those looking to indulge in a luxury blush should try this one from Westman Atelier. The most obvious luxe component is the packaging—it’s weighted and has a satisfying magnetic cap. As for the product itself, we love that it's quite buildable and has a natural finish that isn’t too glowy for oily skin or too matte for dry skin. The texture is less emollient than many of the cream blushes we tested, which makes it slightly less blendable, though warming it up on your fingertips can help ensure a smoother application. 

Alyssa Kaplan, commerce writer with combination skin: "I love that this blush is rich in pigment and the formula isn't too creamy, making it suitable and long-wearing on my oily skin."

Bes for Dry Skin

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge For Lips And Cheeks

$36 at Sephora $36 at Ulta $30 at Walmart

Finish: Glowy | Shades: 9 | Cruelty-Free: No

Cream blush and dry skin are a match made in heaven, and this formula is our top choice for those experiencing dryness. It’s got a rich, slightly oil consistency (not overly so) that melts into the skin nicely, leaving it feeling hydrated. It instantly perks up a dull complexion, providing a wash of buildable color and an angelic, glowy finish. We also love that it can be used on the lips, making it a great option for achieving an easy monochromatic look. 

Jasmine Phillips, social media editor with dry skin: "This product blended in easily and played well with my skin tint. It's pigmented and a little bit goes a long way. It's also buildable so you can use as little or as much as you want."

Best for Oily Skin

Makeup By Mario Soft Pop Blush Stick

$32 at Sephora $41 at Walmart $32 at Kohls.com

Finish: Semi-matte | Shades: 10 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Cream blush can often be too greasy for people with oily skin, so finding one that isn’t overly hydrating or oily is key. While the brand markets this one as having a dewy finish, we actually found it pretty matte. It applies and blends easily into the skin, before setting down to a matte finish that doesn’t crease, fade, or get oily throughout the day. The pigmentation is quite buildable; the shades work beautifully across a range of skin tones. We also appreciate that the stick comes with a brush on the other side for the ultimate convenience. 

Shannon Bauer, associate editorial director with oily skin: “It worked well with my oily skin—it didn't immediately fade or get far too luminous throughout the day. It sets itself but also worked well with other powder products on top.” 

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Merit Beauty Flush Balm Cheek Color

$30 at Sephora $69 at Walmart View on Meritbeauty.com

Finish: Glowy | Shades: 9 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Those with sensitive or breakout-prone skin are all too familiar with how makeup can trigger flare-ups. Although we think this blush balm is great for anyone who wants to achieve a radiant flush, it’s particularly nice for people with acne-prone skin since it was created in partnership with celebrity aesthetician Biba de Sousa to mitigate acne. The formula is creamy and semi-sheer, which lends beautifully to everyday makeup looks. We wish it were a bit more long-lasting, but it looks beautiful and is a total breeze to blend, so we’re not mad about needing to re-apply once in a while. 

Hallie Gould, editor in chief of Byrdie: "The product is blendable and melts into your skin. It's like butter! I apply it along my cheeks, lips, and eyelids for a really beautiful, rosy monochromatic look. It works perfectly with my skin tint and foundation and never disrupts any other makeup."

Best Dewy

Make Beauty Heat Stroke Dewy Gel Cheek Tint

$30 at Amazon View on Makebeauty.com $30 at Revolve

Finish: Dewy | Shades: 8 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When it comes to a dewy blush that creates the ultimate glowy cheeks, this one is the cream of the crop (pun intended). It’s a unique gel-like stick featuring a creamy texture that makes blending effortless. It comes in eight shades that cover each blush color category; from fuchsia pink and fiery orange to deep berry and bronzy brown. Each one has the perfect balance of rich, buildable pigmentation with a hint of sheerness, so they work well across many different skin tones. 

Alyssa Kaplan, commerce writer with combination skin: “I’ve tested nearly 30 cream blushes but I always come back to this one. The gel texture takes only a few seconds to tap into the skin, but the results are next-level. My cheeks always look bouncy, radiant, and healthy while wearing this formula.” 

Best Matte

LYS Beauty Higher Standard Satin Matte Cream Blush

$18 at Sephora View on Lysbeauty.com

Finish: Semi-matte | Shades: 9 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Many cream blushes are radiant with balmy textures and glowy finishes, but this isn’t everyone's cup of tea. If you like the idea of using a cream product but still want a fairly matte, blurring finish, we recommend this semi-matte formula from Lys Beauty. It offers an opaque color in just one layer and sets down before locking in place all day. It can be minorly patchy during application (it’s not as creamy as other formulas and is a bit trickier to move around) Still, we’ve found that blending it with a synthetic blush brush gets the job done beautifully. 

Olivia Hancock, editor with dry skin: "This cream blush feels so smooth and buttery. It melts right into the skin and feels incredibly lightweight. The formula has a satin-matte finish and gives you such a natural, soft glow."

Best Sheer

Makeup by Mario Soft Pop Plumping Blush Veil in Barely Blushing

$30 at Sephora $30 at Walmart View on Makeupbymario.com

Finish: Radiant | Shades: 6 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you like a subtle blush look or prefer blushes that you can slowly build up, this Makeup by Mario blush veil is the one for you. It has a lightweight and creamy texture that’s sheer but buildable; one layer provides just a kiss of color while additional layers can create a more visible flush. It lends a skin-like radiance that makes your complexion look healthy and we love that it’s formulated with hyaluronic acid for a boost of hydration. 

Hallie Gould, editor-in-chief with combination skin: “It's super lightweight and comfortable to wear. I love the finish, the easiness with which it blends, and the ability to build up color to your desired saturation.”

Best Cream-to-Powder

Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed

$25 at Sephora View on Danessamyricksbeauty.com

Finish: Matte | Shades: 7 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Danessa Myricks is an innovator, and this unique blush formula is proof. It’s somehow emollient but also matte—starting out as a powdery cream and setting down to a blurring finish on the skin. We loved the buildable pigmentation. Each color offers intense opacity; the range is a great option for those with deeper skin tones. Once blended out, it lasted all day without creasing, fading, or becoming greasy. 

Star Donaldson, associate social media director with acne-prone skin: “This product is incredibly blendable. In the pan, it's buttery smooth and blends into the skin for an airbrushed, skin-like finish. It felt hydrating and didn't cling to any dry spots. It melted into my foundations and skin tints and didn't pile or cause patchiness.”

Best Duo

Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush

$38 at Sephora View on Kohls.com $38 at Kohls.com

Finish: Matte, glowy | Shades: 12 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This mega-popular blush has gone viral on TikTok, and we completely understand why—it’s fantastic. Available in 12 shades ranging from pale baby pink to a rich raspberry color, each comes with a matte powder and glowy cream formula. They can be applied alone or layered together for dimension and longevity. Both formulas are buildable and smooth on the skin, and the layering component allows us to customize our color payoff and finish. 

Shannon Bauer, associate editorial director with oily skin: "This product has ideal blendability. You can sweep, tap, swirl and it will soften all harsh lines and eventually melt into the skin to look like you're flushing from within. It does eventually set (especially if you add the powder blush on top) but doesn't become fully matte or flat."

Best Multipurpose

Ilia Multi-Stick

$36 at Sephora $30 at Walmart View on Iliabeauty.com

Finish: Natural, luminous | Shades: 12 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Multipurpose products are perfect for achieving a minimal makeup look in just a few minutes. This stick product from Ilia can be used on the cheeks and lips, thanks to the creamy (but not too creamy) formula that’s a breeze to blend. It’s available in natural and luminous finishes. Both are buildable and melt into the skin for a natural look. Testers with oily skin didn’t get the most longevity from this one, but it’s super easy to reapply, so we still highly recommend it. 

Jasmine Phillips, social media editor with dry skin: "I really like is product and see myself incorporating it into my routine. It's super easy to blend and melts into my skin. It's a perfect addition to my no-makeup makeup days."

Best Pigmentation

Kulfi Beauty Mehndi Moment Long-Lasting Radiant Cream Blush

$28 at Sephora View on Kulfibeauty.com

Finish: Radiant | Shades: 5 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The best blushes offer enough pigmentation without being so bold that they’re easy to go overboard with. This one is exactly that—each of the five shades packs a punch, but they’re easy to sheer out or build up for your desired color payoff. The texture is unique—it’s a fairly solid cream that’s a bit tricky to squeeze out of the tube, but once you melt it into your skin with your fingertips, it spreads easily. We also love that it’s long-wearing and provides a radiant finish that isn’t greasy. 

Star Donaldson, associate social media director with acne-prone skin: "The blush is surprisingly lightweight after application. It gives more of a dewy finish that lends itself to a no-makeup-makeup look. It didn't look oily at the end of the day and maintained a very strong pigment."

Best Stick

Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick

$24 at Sephora View on Walmart $37 at Walmart

Finish: Natural | Shades: 11 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Makeup that comes in a stick format is ideal for convenience. While there are other cream blush sticks on this list that we love, this one provides the ultimate travel-friendly convenience thanks to its super compact size. It’s about as tall as a little box of matches, making it easy to pop in your bag and apply on the go. Aside from the packaging, we love that the formula is pigmented, incredibly creamy, easy to blend, and provides a gorgeous skin-like finish. It also comes in 11 shades that vary in depth and undertone.

Caitlyn Martyn, commerce writer with oily skin: "It adds a healthy glow to my skin that I love and it just suits my skin perfectly. And it can be used on the lids and lips for a monotone look in a pinch."

Best for Beginners

Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blush

$22 at Sephora $40 at Walmart $38 at Walmart

Finish: Natural | Shades: 5 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Cream blush newbies often struggle to figure out the ideal application. Do you apply it with your fingertips? A brush? Underneath powder? The answer to those questions depends on the product you're using and usually takes some experimentation to figure out. The nice thing about this formula though, is that it blends seamlessly with other makeup and can be easily applied with your fingers. It has a creamy but thin texture that you can build up to your liking and provides a smooth, skin-like finish. 

Lauren Pardee, senior commerce editor with dry skin: “The formula is creamy and sheer and melts into skin nicely (living up to the name!). It layered well on top of my makeup and skincare, which included moisturizer, sunscreen, foundation, and bronzer.” 

Best for Blurring

Ami Cole Desert Date Cream Multistick

$44 at Amazon $22 at Sephora View on Amicole.com

Finish: Natural | Shades: 4 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Cream blushes that are too dewy, shimmery, or dry can emphasize uneven skin texture and pores. During testing, we found that this one did a great job of blurring bumps, breakouts, and enlarged pores, lending to a smooth, airbrushed finish. The texture is fairly creamy and the pigmentation is buildable, making it easy to work with. It also wore beautifully throughout the day with minimal fading. 

Shannon Stubbs, commerce writer with combination skin: "This product has everything I love in a blush formula: a creamy consistency that blends into a natural flush on the skin, a long-lasting finish, and shades that all complement my deep skin tone. I love that I can wear it without makeup for a sun-kissed look, or apply more when I’m going full-coverage."

Best Long-Wearing

Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Cream Blush

$32 at Amazon $32 at Sephora $32 at Ulta

Finish: Radiant | Shades: 6 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Emollient blush formulas with radiant finishes don’t usually last very long on the skin, but this stick blush from Anastasia Beverly Hills is an exception. The soft texture melts into the skin, creating a glowy flush of color that instantly perks up your cheeks. It’s lightweight and buildable, and we love that it comes with an attached brush for convenience. To our surprise, it lasted nearly 12 hours without creasing or fading.

Olivia Hancock, editor with dry skin: “I love that this formula holds up well. After a long day commuting to and from the office, my cheeks still looked radiant and vibrant.” 

Best Lighweight

Basma Beauty The Cream Blush

$28 at Sephora View on Basmabeauty.com

Finish: Radiant | Shades: 6 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you want to reap the benefits of cream blush but you’re sensitive to the feeling of heavy makeup on your skin, we highly recommend checking out this super lightweight option from Basma Beauty. The texture is the thinnest that we tried—it starts off a bit sheer but builds to offer intense opacity without ever feeling heavy. It gives the skin a bright, youthful wash of color and a gorgeous glow. If you have oily skin, it could get a bit too dewy throughout the day, so we recommend setting it with powder.  

Bella Cacciatore, news editor with combination skin: “This blush has a sheer texture that lets your skin peek through. That being said, it's very pigmented and still gave me a vibrant pink flush. It's thin and creamy and blends into the skin with a dewy finish.” 

What to Look for When Buying a Cream Blush

• Shade Range: It’s key to find a cream blush that comes in a wide range of shades so you can find one that complements your complexion and your makeup look.
• Finish: While a lot of cream blushes give the skin a glow thanks to their dewy finishes, there are plenty of options out there with natural and semi-matte finishes. The best one for you is ultimately a matter of preference, though people with oily skin might like one with a natural or matte finish to prevent looking greasy. Those with dry skin might enjoy a boost of radiance from a glowy option. 
• Buildability: You'll also want to opt for a buildable formula so you can customize your look. Even highly pigmented blushes can go on sheer at first for those who prefer a subtle effect and then allow you to layer slowly for a more vivid flush. 

Why Trust Byrdie

Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She has tested nearly 35 cream blushes (including more than 10 on this list) in her quest to find the best ones that give her complexion a glow without making her oily skin look greasy. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry as well as fashion business marketing. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty. 

Alyssa also consulted with multiple experts to learn more about what to keep in mind when shopping for cream blush. Those experts include:

• Colby Smith, a NYC-based celebrity makeup artist whose clients include Ashley Graham, Julia Fox, and more. 
• Glenn Brownell, a New York-based makeup artist who has worked on a variety of editorial campaigns.