One should never underestimate the power of a good blush. And if you ask us, cream blushes don’t get as nearly as much praise as they deserve.
Cream blushes blend seamlessly to provide a sheer wash of colour with a hydrated, luminous finish that’s hard to beat. Even better, most achieve said radiance without an ounce of glitter or shimmer, so they won’t accentuate lines or pores.
How to apply cream blush
Whether they come in stick form or a pot, cream blushes can be applied with fingers or a brush; the choice is yours. However, if you are more of a brush person, we recommend a stippling brush for the best control and blend (we like the Models Prefer Stippling Brush, $19.99 at Priceline).
Start off slow and with very little product, until you become familiar with the depth of pigment. The good thing about cream blushes is they also layer really well, so you can always add more.
How to choose a cream blush
Just like powder blushes, cream blushes come in a wide range of shades. Use our guide to find the right blush colour for your skin tone or utilise makeup artist Nikki DeRoest’s tip to find a neutral blush that works for everyone.
Also consider the finish of your cream blush; some will remain dewy on the skin (the same as when you apply it), while others dry down to a satin finish.
The best cream blushes in Australia
Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge
Another great thing about cream blush? It can double as a lip colour. Bobbi Brown’s Pot Rouge is highly pigmented so a little goes a long way, and the shade ‘Powder Pink’ is universally flattering.
$55 at bobbibrown.com.au
Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm
The Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm is so easy to use, you could apply it with your eyes closed. The crayon slides across skin smoothly and blends like a breeze for a dewy, low-maintenance look. Our members love it too, giving it a 4.5 star rating from 16 reviews.
$46 at Myer
ulta3 Blush Sculpt Stick
For a more affordable cream blush stick, the ulta3 one can’t be beat. For under $10, you can achieve a natural-looking flush with a touch of shimmer to up the dewiness factor. Delightful.
$9.95 at ulta3.com.au
jane iredale Glow Time™ Blush Stick
If you really love a wet-look cheek with plenty of sheen, the jane iredale Glow Time™ Blush Stick is a winner. It’s formulated with jojoba oil for a hydrated finish, with golden hints of shimmer that’ll really make your skin glow.
$72 at janeiredale.com.au
Stila Convertible Colour
The Stila Covertible Colour is one of our editor’s all-time favourites. It’s incredibly creamy for an easy blend and has no hint of shimmer or glitter in it (so the hydrated finish looks oh so natural). Plus, a little goes a long way so the pan lasts for yonks.
$37 at MECCA
Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Blush Stick
If your skin is easily congested or irritated (making the idea of cream products daunting), this luxe buy is non-comedogenic and has been dermatologically tested. Yep, even sensitive skin types will get along with this highly pigmented stick.
$56 at Myer
*This article has been updated since its original publication.
Do you like using cream blush? Have you tried any of the ones we recommend?
I have tried the EA ceramide and the Stila in the past. Both good. The Arden great for dry skin and the Stila for oily skin. Got my eye on the Natio and lotto dreamin' the luxe Bobbi Brown!
I've never used a cream blush. I much prefer a powder blush for ease of application and a matte finish.
Love the colour of the Stila blush
I love blushes! The Jane Iredale look good.
Have never tried a Cream Blush before would like to try Natio Cream Blush – Dusk, it looks like a lovely Colour. Will buy some soon when I get to Priceline have always used a powder Blush have never tried a Cream Blush.
With my long narrow face, I can only wear the teensiest amount of blush. I apply some under my chin to shorten my face a little & it works. I'm currently using Revlon Insta-Blush, but I also like Benefit's Benetint.
Beautiful colours girls. Thanks for the interesting article.
I love the idea of a blush being moiturising for the skin.
As hard as I try I just cannot master the art of applying blush (and it looking good).
The best one ive found was given to me by a dear friend and its the Mac Orgasm one that comes in the tube. I found it was an excellent shade and perfect for travel.
Nudestix is also fabulous
I’ve owned both a Stila Convertible Colour and a Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge (can’t remember the shade). They were both lovely, but they were very expensive for what they were, and I don’t intend to replace them. I purchased a Mecca brand cream blush stick, and it’s great! It’s available in several different shades, including a highlight and a bronzer, and it’s affordable at only $18.
Not a blush user as I can't naturally blush, so it looks strange. Though love using pink cool toned highlighter (light hand) and looks fab instead (top part of cheeks and a bit where people place blush. This makes my cheekbones look even higher/plumper and "lifted", , as if I had fillers haha
I love the look of blushes but I rarely use them on myself
I've never tried a cream blush. I'm a little wary but one day I might give it a go.
The Bobbi Brown one is really good.
I use powder blush as well, I'm worried cream blush may not blend as easily
I want to start using more cream based products including blush
I have used the Clinique Chubby stick as well as Stila and they look beautiful and are very easy to blend
I love a beautiful creamy blush 🙂 I agree with the Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge have used it and love it.
My cheeks have a natural 'blush' that needs concealing more than highlighting
Some new ones on the list to try out…
I want to buy a cream blush but I need to use up my powder one first.
Cream blush I’ve never tried however open to it
I am a huge fan of cream blush and have also been known to use a lipstick or two also. They work just as well and it helps use up what I have with no waste.
Love the colours. Not tried any of them.
I don't use blush at all.
I mostly use a cream blush. Liquid lipsticks also work beautifully as a blush as well.
I love the Clinique Chubby Sticks 🙂
If that Lancome one was a lippie it would be a gorgeous colour
The EA ceramide looks good as I feel the ones in a tube would be open to more errors during application. Cream blushes are probably better for drier skin as they should provide some hydration.
These all look so good
lancome makeup is so underrated . i love a cream blush!
I like the idea of a cream blush but I’ve never found one that lasts on my oily skin
I like cream blushes but it has less longstay than a powder blush. They also tend to expire faster.
I find I don’t like the texture of powder blush. I love my Stila convertible colour because I wear it as lippy too!
What an excellent idea using as a lippy too
I have a Designer Brands cream brush. I prefer a powder blush.
I have never tried any of these cream blushes.
I have tried and love the Stila and EA cream blushes. Want to try Natio and the luxe Lancome.
Huge fan of Stila here! Bit boring as I’ve never strayed from Peony! 😂
I adore my Stila convertible colour in Peony, it’s been my go to for coming up to twenty years!
I wouldn’t mind trying the Clinique or Lancôme blushes!
I can get into an almighty mess with anything like this and the balance of right and left face leaves lots to be desired. I’ll stick to powder blushes but I admire those who manage any kind of application.
I’ve considered buying the Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge but I changed my mind because I’m not sure if I’d get much use from it before it expired. I have fair skin and I only use a faint hint of blush, so I usually buy powder blushes as they have a longer expiry date.
Clinic chubby stick on my wishlist.
These sound great. I tend not to use blush as I don’t like powder formulations.
I am the same -these sound amazing
love cream blush so much
Nars liquid blush in orgasm is hands down the best blush ever
Love to try the Lancôme one
I have never tried a cream blush but like the idea better than a powder and I like the idea of a dewy finish
I love a cream blush have and love 💕 Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge 💕
BB and Lancome look good, love shades featured. Would wear them on lips and eyes/upper cheek (tiny bit with translucent highlighter) to plump up and give that gazmic look