Introducing a Makeup Artist's Favorite Cream and Liquid Blushes
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I use cream blushes much more than powder blushes both on myself and in my work, because cream blushes always leave the skin with a beautiful radiance and a healthy glow that I love. Cream or liquid blush suits all skin types, because there is so much variety in textures. A cream blush no longer automatically means a greasy-feeling product or one that wears poorly on the skin — the blushes in this article prove those assumptions wrong.
Using cream blush is relatively easy. You can tap the blush onto the skin with your fingers or apply it with a brush or sponge. The key to application is tapping the product in place rather than rubbing it back and forth too strongly with your fingers or brush. By pressing and tapping, you get the color exactly where you want it and the shade blends evenly. If you rub the blush into the skin, the makeup underneath can easily move out of place and the result may be a patchy-looking cheek. For cream blushes, the best brushes are full and rounded. The brush should not be too large, so the blush does not spread over too wide an area. With liquid blushes, a brush often works slightly better than fingers, because the application is more even and faster. A sponge blends both cream and liquid products onto the skin with just a few taps.
On this list you’ll find my favorites, some of which I have used for years and others that are newer discoveries. I have used all of the products mentioned both in my own makeup and professionally when doing makeup on others.
CREAM BLUSHES IN POTS:
I’ll start the list with a classic: Kjaer Weis Cream Blush. You really can’t go wrong with this blush, and over the years I have bought several different shades depending on my preferences at the time. Blossoming, Reverence, Sun Touched, and Embrace are at least shades I recommend looking into properly. The texture is creamy enough for the blush to blend well, but after application it still dries down to a light, velvety matte finish on the skin. It is easy to apply by tapping with fingers or with a brush, and the product is very user-friendly. Another plus is that once you buy the blush in its compact, you can always buy a refill later, which saves on packaging material.
Alima Pure’s cream blushes are a relatively new launch in natural cosmetics, and a very successful one! The shades in these pots are beautifully done, with delicious colors that offer lovely options for every skin tone. The bright orange-red Pulse and deep berry Crush suit darker skin tones, or lighter skin if you want a strong pop of color. The soft peachy Wink and the fresh coral-pink Blossom bring a glow to lighter skin. The blushes are highly pigmented, and a small amount gives a beautiful flush. The texture is creamy and easy to apply. As it dries, it becomes velvety matte on the skin and wears well on all skin types.
TOWER28 BEACHPLEASE LUMINOUS TINTED BALM
Tower28 is an American color cosmetics brand that is still fairly small, but it is growing and taking over the market quickly. I have really fallen for the brand’s cream blush, bronzer, and highlighter. First of all, the transparent plastic packaging stands out in a good way — it is beautiful, light, and easy to use. The texture of the cream is wonderfully creamy, and the blush leaves a clear sheen on the skin. For those who love a radiant and especially fresh, dewy base, this is an excellent blush. The cream is also excellent for dry and mature skin that needs extra radiance. So far, I have only tested the shade Magic Hour, which is a warm brownish red and flatters many different skin tones.
Manasi 7 All Over Colour creams are very rich in pigment, yet wonderfully thin in texture. A little goes a long way, and the jar is practically endless. I like to tap this blush onto the skin with my fingers, because its fairly firm texture melts with the warmth of the skin and is very easy to press into place on the face. The blush leaves a subtle sheen on the skin, but because the texture is so thin it does not feel sticky or greasy. The texture makes this a cream blush for absolutely all skin types. It wears well and does not become patchy during the day. My own favorite shades are the sharp, cool pink Dianthus and, from the completely opposite end, the warm reddish-brown Gazania that brings beautiful warmth to the face. The shade range is very comprehensive, so there is certainly a suitable shade for everyone. Not all blushes that promise to work on the lips actually do, but Manasi’s cream works well on the lips too.
Rose Inc’s cream blush is genuinely creamy, very balm-like, and melts easily into the skin. It leaves a beautiful sheen on the surface of the skin, but once again does not feel uncomfortably greasy. The blush applies very easily with fingers, a brush, or a sponge. This texture is excellent for dry skin or whenever you want shine in your makeup base. There are several shades to choose from, and Rose Inc also gets a big plus because once you buy the blush in its compact, you can later buy refills. From the shade range, take a look at Ophelia, for example, a beautiful coral pink that freshens many skin tones, or the deep red Dahlia, which looks stunning on darker skin tones.
Alongside Kjaer Weis, RMS Beauty’s cream blush is surely a familiar classic to many. I have not been able to think of anyone this blush would not suit, because the texture is wonderful — creamy enough, yet light on the skin. The blush leaves a slight sheen on the skin, so it is an excellent option for anyone looking for radiance. The shades are very pigmented and, as the name suggests, also work on the lips as a light tint. My favorites include the cool pink shade Demure and the truly orange-red Smile.
Tata Harper’s cream blush clearly stands apart from the other cream blushes introduced above because of its finish. Each shade leaves a soft satin glow on the skin. The result is not shine caused by creaminess or a velvety matte finish, but a subtle, almost soft metallic glow. The cream reflects light beautifully and creates a lovely glowing flush on the face that still looks natural, so there is no need to fear overdoing it. The shade range includes beautiful options for all skin tones. My favorite is the muted pink shade Lovely, which brings both warmth and freshness to the face. Once dry, the cream blush feels dry on the skin, almost powdery, and it wears very well.
LIQUID BLUSH FAVORITES:
CHANEL LES BEIGES WATER-FRESH BLUSH
Chanel’s liquid, almost gel-like watery blush, launched last year, represents a very new kind of blush. The pigment micro-droplets in the gel-like cream base break down on the skin during application and give the skin a beautiful, very natural tint. I really like this innovation! This blush is for you if you want a very natural flush on the cheeks. It is at its best in a neutral, “no-makeup” look, because the skin shows through the blush and the product itself does not cover anything. Once dry, the blush looks like a natural flush coming from the skin rather than a separate blush product, and it does not feel like anything on the surface of the skin. It lasts very well and cannot simply be wiped off the skin. When applied, the blush feels watery-thin and very fresh. It also gives the skin a dose of hydration and adds the final fresh touch to a radiant makeup base.
Saie is an American newcomer that can also be ordered from Cult Beauty. I ordered products from the brand for testing only at the end of last year, and the Dew Blush definitely stands out among the best of them. The liquid blush is very easy to apply and beautifully pigmented. You can dispense the blush from the packaging onto your palm, or directly onto the face with the applicator. The texture is very soft and rich, but at the same time gel-like and flexible. The color spreads easily and evenly on the skin. The blush is fragrance-free and contains a nice amount of skin-caring ingredients, so it definitely belongs among makeup that also cares for the skin. So far, I have only tried the shade Rosy, which is a warm pink and flatters many people. The finish on the skin is radiant.
LUMENE NATURAL GLOW SKIN TONE PERFECTOR *
Lumene launched two new products in its blush category last year, and I was really happy about them. Skin Tone Perfector is a gel-like blush that, true to its name, brightens the skin tone. It gives the face a beautiful natural flush. Do not reach for this tube if you love an intense blush, but if you want a natural radiance on your skin, you will fall in love with it. The blush can be applied to the face with fingers, but I personally prefer a brush to ensure an even result. Once the blush dries on the face, it behaves very similarly to the Chanel blush introduced above: when dry, you can hardly feel it on the skin at all and the color looks as if it comes from the skin itself. Despite the natural finish and barely-there feel, the blush is very long-lasting on the skin. The range includes two shades: the bright coral 3 Coral Blush and the rosier 4 Berry Blush.
LAURA MERCIER TINTED MOISTURIZER BLUSH
Laura Mercier’s gel-like blush in a tube is very similar in style to Lumene’s, but this one offers a wider shade range. Both brands’ blush tubes can be found in my makeup kit, because in my work they create a really beautiful flush on the cheeks without the skin looking like it has any product on it. Laura Mercier’s blush is also easy to apply, but in my opinion a brush works best. With gel-like and liquid blushes, it is good to be fairly quick during application so the color spreads evenly and does not leave clear edges. Once dry, this blush also feels very imperceptible on the skin. The shade range is comprehensive; my favorites so far are Southbound and Corsica.
LUMENE INVISIBLE ILLUMINATION LIQUID BLUSH *
Lumene’s blush drops in a pipette bottle are among my absolute favorites. The liquid texture melts so beautifully into the skin and creates a gorgeous natural flush and glow on the face. At the moment, the drops are available in one shade, Pink Blossom, which is a beautiful warm pink and suits many people. The moisturizing formula cares for the skin and leaves a beautiful light-reflecting surface. These drops are for you if you like a natural blush and also want skincare benefits from your makeup. The liquid drops blend best onto the cheeks with fingers.
THE BEST BLUSH STICKS:
ILIA Multi-Stick is a cream blush in stick form with a glossier and more radiant texture. Its formula is excellent, for example, for dry, mature, and dehydrated skin when you want to add extra glow. Despite the radiance, the blush does not feel greasy on the skin, because the texture is very thin. This blush suits you if you are looking for a fresh finish but not an overly intense color. Some of the shades are even slightly translucent, so the color on the cheeks is not too intense. My personal favorites are the cool pink Tenderly and the warm reddish Whisper. The shade range is comprehensive.
I ordered some Victoria Beckham makeup to try in the autumn. I admit that I approach celebrity brands with curiosity and sometimes even skepticism, but so many industry professionals had praised VB’s products for such a long time that I decided to join in. And I’m glad I ordered them, because so far I have not been disappointed by any of the products! The brand’s products clearly have thoroughly refined textures and beautiful shades. Ease of use has been considered, as have the packages, and many products will be available as refills later. The cream blush stick is excellent. The thin, suitably creamy blush blends well and stays in place. Once dry, it is quite matte on the skin, so this is also an excellent cream product for oilier skin. The shades are very pigmented and a very small amount is enough, so the stick lasts a long time. Try the shade Rollerskate if you want a really bright coral shade on the cheeks. The brownish rose Playground imitates a sunny feeling on the skin.
WESTMAN ATELIER BABY CHEEKS BLUSH STICK
Makeup artist Gucci Westman’s products are definitely worth trying, especially the cream contour stick and this blush. The stick, which feels slightly gel-like, has a silky thin texture and blends very effortlessly. The finish on the skin is naturally matte, so this formula suits all skin types. The shade range includes muted rosy tones and browns, as well as a few stronger shades. Chouchette, which combines beige and peach, is a warm blush that flatters many and is one of my own favorites. I give the packaging a small minus, because I do not understand the heavy magnet in the cap and its purpose — in my opinion it gets in the way more than it helps. The product itself gets full marks.