My love for cream blushes

Remember when your mom or your grandmother went to the Clinique counter at Macy’s to buy their usual stock of beauty supplies, and they got that free gift with purchase, like every single time they went. And then they didn’t want most of that, so they let you play around with it and try whatever samples they got. Well, there was always a blush in that pack, and I am talking about a powder blush with a tiny brush that couldn’t possibly apply blush in a way that works…

Because of this, I think blush was one of the first beauty items that I ever tried as a pre-teen; however, I think it was also the first beauty item I used, and then didn’t return to. And honestly, I think the only powder blush I have ever liked and consistently used was NARS Orgasm, which was the blush to have in college. But I was never really drawn to using blush like I was other products, probably because I couldn’t really ever figure out how to find the right application with my already warm undertone complexion.

In the same way, I get the feeling that a lot of people are scared to try cream blushes. Maybe because they can feel like face paint? Or maybe because it’s harder to control? Truthfully, they are much more intimidating to use, mostly because they are just better products in two ways: 1) you get more pigmented payoff, and 2) a little goes a long way, so they last much longer.

I am here to tell you to fear no more, and to share my love of cream and liquid blushes. They are seriously superior products, but knowing how to apply is key. You need the tiniest amount, and the best application is either with your fingers (the heat from your fingers will gently melt the product in), or a stippled brush that delicates buffers the shade in. Either way, I like to start with a pea-sized amount of product on the back of my hand. I blend that out, and that use either my fingers or the brush to apply from there, so the color is easier to blend out.

If you haven’t tried a cream blush, but you have always been curious, they are really quite easy to use once you get the hang of them. And I guarantee you will never go back to powder blush- it just doesn’t have the same pay off. These are pigmented, natural, and can leave you with a dewey or matte finish, depending on what you prep your skin with or wear as foundation underneath- some even specify the finish, like these gorgeous new shades from Rare Beauty, Selena Gomez’s new makeup line. I rarely set my face with a pressed powder (it’s just not for me), but you can use them over these if you want more of that matte finish. Here are some of my favorites:

I’ve tried a lot of cream blushes over the years, and more and more are coming into the beauty market. Anything that is a cream blush that comes out of a pot, like Fenty’s or Tower 28’s blushes, are going to be the easiest for a beginner who is scared of doing this wrong and looking like a clown- they operate much in the same as a powder blush where you can apply gently with blush brush, but have a dewier finish that looks so natural.

Cream blushes that are in more of a liquid formula, like the NARS or Glossier formulas, are where things can get tricker, but the key is to start with the tiniest amount, and gradually build. But like I said, these are super pigmented, and you need the tiniest drop to give you the perfect finish. You can even mix shades together to create your own.

Take half of a pea-size amount on the back of your hand, just dab your finger or stippling blush into the product, building a swatch palette on the back of your hand. Work quickly, as they will dry pretty quickly with the heat of your hand. From there, take your point and middle finger and dab into the palette, then dab gently onto your cheeks, and continue dabbing around with the flat part of your fingers (not the tips). This will gently melt the product into your skin, and you can gradually add more until you have reached the desire effect. Avoid rubbing, as this is going to transfer and pull away your makeup underneath.

Bottom line, do not be intimidated by these products. If you make a mistake and apply too much, it’s a super simple fix. Take your foundation or concealer brush and gently buffer around the edges of the blush on your cheeks (or even on top of it, gently, if you want it to be more transparent). The leftover product in your foundation brush will mellow out the blush so it appears less pigmented.

If you make the switch, let me know what you think! And if you want to see how I apply these blushes, check out my Instagram.