How to Use Cream Blush

If you’re new to the world of cream and liquid blushes, let me say, welcome! I’ve been using these creamy products for years now and love them. Cream blush is an excellent alternative to powder blushes as they can easily add more pigment (and they don’t settle and crease into lines and dry spots) while giving you a natural flushed look. I also really love how easy cream blush is to “fix” for a flawless finish (without the headache). If you’re unfamiliar with applying cream blushes, not to fret. Here is an easy run down on how to use cream blush for a gorgeous, healthy flush!

How to Use Cream Blush

There are a few kinds of cream blush and that includes liquid blush. Cream and liquid blushes are one of my favorite makeup products for their ease and their natural looking flush. I’ll share what a cream blush is, the various types of them, and a general guide to applying all of them!

Cream blushes tend to provide more coverage than liquid blushes, but this varies on the product. I use these liquid blushes and love their buildability (and how little product you need). They provide great coverage for me. See how to apply liquid blush (hint: it’s very similar to using cream blush).

Cream blushes are great on drier skin but are fine for nearly all skin types. Liquid blush is ideal for oilier skin but, again, good for all skin types. Cream and liquid blushes are also better for aging skin as powder sits and creases into fine lines and wrinkles. It also can further dry out skin.

You can always use cream and powder blush together, you’ll just want to apply the powder blush over the cream, not the opposite.

What is a Cream Blush

Cream blushes are hydrating beauty products as compared with powder blushes. Where a powder might dry you out (powder absorb excess oil and moisture), cream and liquid blushes should not! Some clean beauty blushes also contain ingredients that help with hydration.

Ok. I’m about to get a little into the weeds in this section regarding safety. If you don’t want to read this, then just scroll down to the next heading!

Traditional blush is in a baked powder form. While many beauty companies use talc for the powder, talc is a no-go in the clean beauty world as it has a high likelihood of being contaminated with asbestos. Instead, clean brands use mica or kaolin clay.

Any kind of powder, however, poses inhalation risks (you don’t wear blush for it to go in your lungs), so many clean brands opt for cream-based blushes to minimize this issue. BUT these ingredients are still in cream blushes because that’s how the pigment transfers.

While mica is considered a safe ingredient, it has long been associated with extraction by child labor and in circumstances that are unhealthy for laborers. When a brand uses mica, you want to be sure that it’s fair trade and/or, hopefully, from mines Responsible Mica Initiative! If this seems like too much, don’t fret. I’ve done all the hard research for you and we’re here to talk about cream blushes.

How Long is Cream Blush Good For

As with any skincare or makeup product, it’s “shelf life” starts the second you open the container (not necessarily when you start using it). So it’s always a good idea not to “test” a new product before you’re ready to start using it.

There are helpful guideline – like makeup expiration dates too. But like expiration on milk, i use these as a guideline, not a hard/fast rule. Use the PAO (Period After Opening) symbol as a guide. It’s the symbol that looks like an open jar with writing (usually 3M, 6M, 9M, or 12M). These stand for the length of time (in months) the product is expected to function at its full capacity. You can still safely use cosmetics after the expiration date, you just may begin to notice it’s not “as great” as before.

We’re talking about cream blushes mainly, but if you notice that your product has started to separate, you can always shake vigorously to recombine ingredients. This is something you might

What do you Use to Apply Cream Blush

There are two ways to apply cream blush for whatever flush of color you’re looking for. You can use your finger to pat the product into place or you can use a cream blush brush to apply it. A cream blush brush is different from a powder blush brush in that is has lots more bristles that are very soft. And your blush brush should be angled! This one is my favorite cream blush brush.

One thing to note is the packaging style of your cream blush. Is it in a compact? Is it in a stick form? Is it in a tube with a wand for application? The packaging style will dictate how you can get the product onto your skin/brush.

My steps below for how to use cream blush are for use with a brush, but you can use the same ideas to apply it with your fingers (I recommend using your third or fourth finger).

I also like to use the back of my hand as a canvas or paint palette to get makeup onto my brush evenly. Cream and liquid blushes can be applied directly to cheeks and blended with the same blush brush or your finger – I just often feel it’s more product than I really want and it’s more work to blend out.

How To Apply Cream Blush Properly

Dab Blush Onto Back of Hand

This and the following step might be reversed, depending on the packaging of your blush. If it’s in a wand or stick form, put some on the back of your hand and then go to step two.

If you cream blush is in a compact, you’ll swirl your brush directly onto the compact to pick up the blush onto the brush – then swirl around the back of your hand to make sure the blush is evenly distributed on the bristles.

Swirl Brush to Evenly Distribute Product

Swirl cream blush brush in product on the back of your hand to evenly distribute on the bristles.

Tap Blush onto Cheek

Tap the blush along your cheek bones on both cheeks. You want to make sure the blush is even between each side. Wherever you tap blush first will have the most pigment.

Using gentle taps, distribute the blush along your cheek bone.

Blend Blush to Perfection

Blend the edges (or any spots with too much product) using short, gentle strokes with your brush OR your finger tip to blend to perfection.

How to Make Cream Blush Last Longer

Cream blushes can be set with setting powders to be longer-lasting. This loose powder is a great option (made with ethically sourced mica). You can use a loose brush or a sponge/puff. The former allows for a lighter dusting (better in areas of texture or with fine lines0. A puff distributes more powder, so you’re able to really “bake it on.” Both of these options will remove any sheen from a cream blush, however.

Setting sprays are another option, but true setting sprays aren’t “clean,” because they create a synthetic film over your face. If you use a setting spray, I’d just encourage you to take a big breath and hold it while spraying and a little after to prevent any inhalation issues!

The Best Cream Blushes

The Baby Cheeks Blush Stick by Westman Atelier was the first cream blush I ever tried and is my favorite true cream blush. Available in 9 colors, the stick form makes it easier to apply straight to cheeks or to the back of your hand. I wore couchette before, but there are a few shades I think would look good with my neutral-warm coloring. Westman Atelier makes a few wonderful makeup products, including the best natural mascara – buy it here (I buy the travel (“petite”) size – it lasts me a few months)!*

GenSee’s Clean Sheen Cheek + Lip Color is a great option for sheer to buildable coverage. Available in 8 colors, the small tube also makes application easy. GenSee makes one of my two ride-or-die mascaras (natural of course).

MERIT makes beautiful makeup that’s clean and ethical. Their Flush Balm cheek color is in a compact stick form for good application directly to cheeks or back of hand.

The Jones Road Miracle Balm is a favorite of my friend, who’s as picky about makeup as I am. It provides a beautiful, sheer, blendable sheen. And there is a lot of product int he package.*

Another clean beauty makeup brand I’ve worn in the past is ILIA. They have a multi-stick cream blush as well.

*I reached out to Westman Atelier, KOSAS, and Jones Road to verify that their mica isn’t sourced with child labor or unhealthy working condition. Other brand claimed to be as good on their site – or their products above don’t contain mica.So you just go look pretty and feel good about it!

My Favorite Creamy Makeup Products

On the topic of cream blushes and why creamy/liquid products can be so great, I thoguht I’d include a few other favorites of mine.

First, I use this primer. It looks and feels a bit like a moisturizer, which is great for a quick boost of hydration that helps makeup go on easily and set evenly.

Second, I ADORE this foundation. Until this foundation, I was adamantly opposed to wearing foundation, but this one is hydrating and so beautiful. Previously, I’d feel the weight of makeup and with this one, I don’t. I wear shade 2.5. It’ll look dark when you first put it on, but the color will cool in a few seconds to perfection.

After you apply my blush, I really like to do a bit of highlighter on top of my cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose, and occasionally on my cupid’s bow. This liquid highlighter PACKS the glow with just a little bit of product. I love the pink nectar. If you run neutral or cool, try the golden dew.

And I know people love a liquid eyeliner, but I’ve never been able to get it just right. I love a creamy eyeliner that glides on easily but doesn’t get so easily out of hand. I have this one in black and espresso (brown).

And if you’re a lip gloss fan, check out these clean natural lip gloss options. I’ve never enjoyed the ‘tack’ of a gloss, but I love this lip oil. It has that same ease of application while also providing hydration and a pop of color.

Since clean beauty is an important part of sustainable living (what we wash down the drain matters as much as what we put on our skin), be sure to check out:

Non Toxic Makeup Brands
Counter Review (previously Beautycounter)
Crunchi Review (skincare)
Crunchi Makeup Review
Clean Beauty at Nordstrom
Clean Beauty at Sephora
Clean Beauty at Target
Clean Beauty at Walmart
Clean Beauty at ULTA

Common items of interest include shampoo bar reviews and how to you use them? What natural deodorant actually works? Are there refillable deodorant options? What’s the best double edge razor blades (the best safety razor and how to use them properly). And the best makeup brush cleaner (on the cheap and easy)!

There are also great natural skin care products for men, including hair care! And you’ll want to check out these wonderful natural bar soaps as well as the answer to the ever popular question: what are skin toners for!