Here are the 8 Best Cream Blushes, Tested and Reviewed by Editors

A best-seller that offers a hydrating, natural finish, PureWow executive managing editor Catrina Yohay had nothing but positive things to say about this cream blush from Westman Atelier. “I'll be honest, I thought the blush would have a creamier, softer texture/consistency, but I was impressed with how thick (in a good way) and pigmented it was. A little went a long way, which means I used less product overall and didn't have to spend a ton of time blending and layering until I found my desired flush of color (call me blush blind but...I love a lot!),” she says. “It couldn't have been easier to apply thanks to the stick delivery method: Just swipe on a small amount and blend either with your fingers or a brush (I used a brush). Due to its pigmentation, I was also impressed with how easily it blended into the skin. I didn't have to rush to do both sides for fear of it drying too quickly and looking splotchy.”

Another perk? It was a seamless part of her makeup routine. “It didn't slip, pill or disturb the foundation or bronzer I was wearing beneath it, and it layered nicely under my go-to highlighter. The petal shade—which is described as a ‘dusty nude rose’—is also so versatile and could be paired with really any look, whether you're going for no-makeup makeup or a fuller glam. I wore it for about 8 hours during a night out to an early dinner followed by a late-night concert. Every time I caught sight of myself in the stadium bathroom mirror, I was pleasantly surprised by how fresh and even the color looked—nothing bugs me more than a blush that disappears halfway through the day.”

Its staypower scores the blush extra points, offsetting any sticker shock over the price.”It's definitely an investment at $48 but a little goes a long way. Even if you start with the petite size ($26), I think it would last a long time,” she adds.

Over the years, Rhode has become a beloved beauty brand for many makeup enthusiasts, including editorial assistant Courtney Mason, who has fallen in love with the brand’s Pocket Blush. “The application process for this blush is pretty smooth. It's a swipe-on applicator rather than a compact, and the product is very buildable and blendable,” she says, adding that the packaging is convenient for taking on the go. Beyond that, “the formula is hydrating, lightweight and creamy, so it seamlessly meshes with the rest of my beauty routine. I wore it for about 8 hours.

The product is meant to leave a glowy finish, so it looked better as the day went on when some of my natural oils started peeking through. Some of the product did lift after a few hours of wearing, but the fade wasn't too noticeable. It was easy to reapply with just a few swipes.” The ultimate seal of approval? “I would purchase this blush again. I think it offers a decent amount of product for $24, and the formula feels great on my skin,” Mason says.

She did note one con: “I would like to see more shades added to this product. I'm eager to try out other colors, but I'm not sure how they would fare on my skin tone.” Aside from its dainty formula, this blush comes in four different versatile hues.

Mason also raved about the Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream blush from Fenty Beauty, though she says the application process had a bit of a learning curve. “I usually like to apply blush after powdering and bronzing, but for this blush, in particular, I try to apply it before powdering. I find that it can sometimes take the product off my face after powder steps, so in an attempt to fix this issue, I apply the blush with other cream products (after concealer) for a more seamless blend. The application process for this blush is a tricky one.

While the formula is non-greasy but creamy, I find it hard to pick it up with a brush. Sometimes it works, as well as using a sponge, but it seems that using your fingers to pick up product is the best approach, and it can be a little messy. When I can pick it up with a blush brush or sponge, it blends out nicely. The formula also dries down to a slight satin finish, as it's meant to leave a glow but also be water resistant.”

As far as the wearability goes, Mason writes, “the lasting power of this blush is one of my favorite things about it, as it's water-resistant and meant to last throughout the day. I can wear it for hours and rarely have to reapply this blush, but its small compact size also makes it easy to take on the go if needed. I have repurchased this blush already and would repurchase it again in the future. While it is a learning curve, once you get the hang of it, it is a great product to use in your beauty routine. I think the brand offers a large range of shades suitable for any skin tone, so it's easy to find a cheek flush right for you.”

Candace Davison, PureWow’s VP of Editorial Content, gave this Cheeky Posh cream blush from Victoria Beckham her stamp of approval for its natural finish and seamless blending process. “Cheeky Posh is remarkably easy to use. I was afraid the blush's color would be too intense for me (some require serious blending and careful application, so it doesn't look clownish on my very fair skin), but thankfully, it blended in very easily, offering a natural flush with minimal effort,” she explains.

“This is a foolproof addition to my routine, especially since I tend to spend 5 minutes or less on makeup. It's so fast to blend in and just looks natural, like you, only better. It stays fresh for most of the day, but I'd really at night for a more dramatic effect if I'm going out. This little tube will last me a while, but I'm now very interested in trying more colors. I saw a makeup artist online blend two shades to a stunning effect, creating a bronzy, multidimensional look, and now I'm eager to try it.”

PureWow’s Beauty and Cultures Editor, Chelsea Candelario, tested the highly sought-after Stay Vulnerable cream blush from Rare Beauty, and gave it a glowing review. “This blush works great alongside my makeup look. It's a great layering product and coexists with my foundation without looking too cakey or greasy,” she writes. It is a liquid/cream hybrid, so it blends seamlessly on the skin. It blends well with a finger or a brush (though I prefer the latter), but a little goes a long way. The blush is very pigmented, but in a good way so you'll definitely see the color on any skin tone. I wore the Love shade all day and found the color still looked pretty good. Also, as a combo skin girlie, I didn't deal with any oily areas by the end of the day.”

Warning: It may push you out of your comfort zone. “The pigment is out of this world, and it made me feel confident trying brighter colors on my skin,” Candelario adds.

Candelario also tested the Dew blush from Saie, giving props to its easy application and cream blending. “I really like the doe-foot applicator that makes it easy to add a pop of color to my cheeks. The formula is so creamy and blends nicely on my skin. This blush is the star of the show, and I don't mind at all, she says, explaining that “it blends well with my base and works in harmony to give a blurred look.” Even better, after hours of wear, it didn’t budge at all, she says, so she never needed to reapply it.

When asked if she would buy again, she exclaims, “Yes, yes and yes! Saie was one of the first brands that opened me up to the possibility that blush can look great on my skin tone. I tried many shades from the brand's collection, and I can't seem to pick a favorite, they're all so good!”

Senior Editor Dana Dickey adores Lashify cheek flush—and honestly, once you try it, you probably will too. The color gradually appears upon application, acting almost like a magic trick. “This is a cream stick, so I just swiped the stick back and forth on the apples of my cheeks, then rubbed it in a bit with my fingers,” Dickey explains. “Since it goes on colorless then reacts in a few seconds to your skin, you learn after the first application how much you want (i.e., a light swipe for a faint blush or a few crayon-type swipes for a heavier and brighter pink blush).”

While it can be used on your lips too, Dickey prefers more moisturizing formulas for her pout. Though it wasn’t as versatile for her, it was still incredibly effective as a cream blush. “Since this is a Ph-reactive product, it gives a warm glow that is in balance with your natural skin tone,” she says. “I'm a little orangey-pink naturally; this stick creates a natural flush that flatters that. [It’s] made for a ‘no-makeup look,’ according to the brand, and since that's my casual everyday look, it perfectly goes with my faint lip gloss or light eyeliner.”

Out of the cream blushes we tested, it wasn’t the longest-lasting though. Dickey said she typically needed to reapply by mid-morning. “I think that's inevitable with a natural-looking cream formula that blends right into the skin, but I would buy this blush again because I love the ease of application,  no-fail color and blendability,” she assesses. “If I opt to create a more dramatic look, like say, a plum color palette, I'd choose another blush for that, since this is available in one color and it’s natural (not dramatic) look is not for evening or fancy dress.”

Destinee Scott, PureWow's Associate Sales and Deals editor, has made this Lip & Cheek glow from Charlotte Tilbury her daily go-to. "I've tried my fair share of cream blushes, so you can trust me when I say the Charlotte Tilbury Lip & Cheek Glow is so buttery smooth you'll become an instant fan. When I tried it for the first time, I knew almost immediately that it would become one of my favorite cream blushes because it's super buildable. Unlike other cream blushes, there's no such thing as applying too much and looking like a clown. This formula blends beautifully into the skin and almost always looks natural," she writes, adding, "The blush stays put and looks great regardless, especially if you have a really good setting spray. I have the blush in the Pillow Talk color, and it's one of the most gorgeous, natural-looking shades I've ever encountered. It has the potential to look good on every skin tone, and who wouldn't want a cream blush that's easy to apply, stays on all day and can even be used on the lips? It's a win-win-win."