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The best cream blushes are your cheat code for a fresh, healthy-looking glow in an instant—just dab, blend, and go. Unlike most powders, these buttery cheek tints add a radiant sheen to skin that mimics the effects of an hour-long jog on the beach or a luxurious facial. On top of their dewy finishes, cream blushes tend to be more buildable (read: forgiving) than powder or liquid variations—so, if you suffer from blush blindness, a cream-based option is your key to a more natural effect. Curious to know which ones made the Allure cut? Keep scrolling to shop the cream blushes that have stolen our hearts (and our shelf space).
Our Top Cream Blushes
- Best Overall: Nars the Multiple, $40
- Best Splurge: Chanel Joues Contraste Intense Cream-to-Powder Blush, $55
- Best Blurring: Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed, $27
- Best Multipurpose: Tower 28 Beach Please Cream Blush, $20
- Best Matte Finish: Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand, $42
- Best Sheer Finish: Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm, $26
- Best Satin Finish: Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick, $48
- Best Dewy Finish: Basma The Cream Blush, $28
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- Is cream blush better than powder blush?
- How should I apply cream blush?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Nars the Multiple
Nars
The Multiple
Nars
Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann applying Nars’s The Multiple
Sarah Hoffmann
Why it’s worth it: Designed to complement the breeziest of beauty regimens, Nars The Multiple makes applying blush feel effortless. This 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner melts into skin with the tip of a finger, builds easily, and comes in 12 shades that deliver that just-right flush on cheeks, lids, or lips—hence the name. First launched in 1996, this icon has been revamped nearly three decades later with a new, skin-loving formula powered by nourishing peach kernel oil, antioxidant-rich rhubarb fruit extract, and soft-focus blurring powders. The result is a blurred finish that feels lighter, blends smoother, and packs more pigment—earning it our top overall spot.
Hoffmann before applying Nars’s The Multiple
Sarah Hoffmann
Hoffmann after applying Nars’s The Multiple
Sarah Hoffmann
Tester feedback from Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann
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“A Nars Multiple is one of the first beauty products I ever bought back when I invented being a Sephora teen in 2010. It cost at least a few evenings of babysitting and I was so excited about it I kept the box for months—I'm not kidding. The recent reformulation is everything a nostalgic shopper like me could want. It's the same buttery texture I remember, but now it's even more blendable, silkier, and glowier. I'm not sure how it manages to be the perfect texture and shade for both lips and cheeks, but the cosmetic chemists at Nars cooked up something truly special here.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: peach kernel oil, rhubarb fruit extract, silica and mica (blurring powders)
- Finish: natural
- Shades: 12
Best Splurge: Chanel Joues Contraste Intense Cream-to-Powder Blush
Chanel
Joues Contraste Intense Blush
Chanel
Ulta Beauty
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Chanel Joues Contraste Intense Cream-to-Powder Blush
Sarah Han
Why it's worth it: For those who can't quit a classic compact, Chanel Joues Contraste Intense Cream-to-Powder Blush delivers a wash of color in a convenient format. The formula is packed with buttery emollients and sage oil, offering the buttery feel of a cream blush with the extended wear of a powder. We like the smooth, seamless feel and have found that the color is customizable: Use your fingers to apply a bold pop, or buff it in with a brush for a sheer finish.
Han before applying the Chanel Joues Contraste Intense Cream-to-Powder Blush
Sarah Han
Han after applying the Chanel Joues Contraste Intense Cream-to-Powder Blush
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from Allure commerce editor Sarah Han
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"I'm pretty heavy-handed with my blush (not necessarily a bad thing) but I appreciate how truly buildable this Chanel formula is. Despite how intense the color looks in the pan, it applies sheerer than one'd expect (even with a relatively dense brush), so I can build it up to my desired level and not risk looking more sunburnt than sun-kissed. It's also sheerer in comparison to other cream blushes but you can still go brush-less and pick up pigment by swirling your fingers into it. True to its name, it leaves behind a powdery, weightless veil. It's not the most long-lasting on its own, so I'd wouldn't skip primer when using this." —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: chia seed oil
- Finish: radiant
- Shades: 5
Best Blurring: Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed
Danessa Myricks Beauty
Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed
Sephora
Kohl's
Danessa Myricks Beauty
Han applying the Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed
Sarah Han
Why it's worth it: Danessa Myricks Beauty's Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed is a follow-up to the brand's Best of Beauty Award-winning balm-to-powder foundation, so it's a given that we'd love this blush at first swipe. Just like its predecessor, this formula applies like a creamy balm and dries down to a powder-like matte texture, allowing for a more natural-looking flush. (We found that it works best applied with a brush instead of your fingertips, however, since it dries down pretty quickly.) The seven shades also deserve a shoutout for their vibrant pigments, which can be blended out for subtlety or layered for a more dramatic effect.
Han before applying the Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed
Sarah Han
Han after applying the Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed
Sarah Han
Allure associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey before applying the Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed
Annie Blay-Tettey
Allure associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey after applying the Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed
Tester feedback from Allure associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey
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"I was wowed at the amount of pigment I got from just a few taps in the blush pan and how it played with my foundation and concealer to create a seamless blend. Also, as pigmented as the blush is, it's not overwhelming. You can build it up for a bold flush of color or just add a subtle tinge of rosiness to the cheeks, which is what I like to do. Sometimes I’ll apply it as a finishing touch to reinforce my initial cream blush. Other times I’ll use it as my sole blush, applying it once after concealer as a cream blush then again when my face is near complete as a powder blush."—Annie Blay-Tettey, associate beauty editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: upsalite, squalane, hyaluronic acid
- Finish: satin
- Shades: 11
Best Multipurpose: Tower 28 Beach Please Cream Blush
Tower 28
Beach Please Cream Blush
Sephora
Credo Beauty
Allure social media manager Bianca Richards applying the Tower 28 Beach Please Cream Blush
Bianca Richards
Why it's worth it: Tower 28’s BeachPlease Cream Blush is basically summer in a compact—perfect for when you’re desperate for a little color in the dead of winter (or in general). The creamy formula comes in 10 shades that blend so effortlessly, you can tap them in with your fingers—no brush needed. It’s the kind of foolproof flush we stash in our work bags for touch-ups on the fly. Like all the best multitaskers, this blush works on cheeks, eyes, and lips, and has a satisfying slip and sheen, thanks to nourishing ingredients like shea butter, castor oil, and jojoba oil. Where it really shines, though, is in the sensitive-skin–friendly formula—hypoallergenic, dermatologist-approved, and clinically tested to be non-irritating—so that even those with reactive skin and eyes can swipe it across their lids without a second thought. The result is a sun-kissed glow that lasts all day.
Richards before applying Tower 28 Beach Please Cream Blush
Bianca Richards
Richards after applying Tower 28 Beach Please Cream Blush
Bianca Richards
Tester feedback from Allure social media manager Bianca Richards
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“I’ve hit pan on this cream blush more times than I can count (as you can see)—and for good reason! The color payoff from Tower28’s cream blush is unmatched. The shade Golden Hour gives the perfect sun-kissed glow that’s radiant and beautifully complements my skin tone.” —Bianca Richards, social media manager
More to know
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- Key ingredients: shea butter, castor oil, jojoba oil
- Finish: dewy
- Shades: 10
Best Matte Finish: Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand
Charlotte Tilbury
Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Allure content director Kara McGrath before applying the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand
Kara McGrath
Why it's worth it: If there's one blush that's taken over just about every Allure editor's cheeks, it's the TikTok-viral Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand. Unlike many of the ultra-dewy blushes on the market, this one has a mattifying finish and a formula that's spiked with radiance-boosting silica spheres for a skin-like effect.
Tilbury told us that you should apply it to the tops of your cheekbones to lift the face. "Never start too low," she said. “It pulls your cheeks down.” During testing, we were struck by how much punch this formula packs in just one tap. The cushion-tip applicator is a standout—it delivers the perfect dose of pigment exactly where you want it, so there’s no guesswork. You can dot on a single tap for a soft wash of color or build it up with a few more for extra brightness. Then simply blend it out with a brush or your fingers.
McGrath before applying the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand
Kara McGrath
McGrath after applying the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand
Kara McGrath
Tester feedback from Allure content director Kara McGrath
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"When I want a blush that’s going to melt right onto my skin, I reach for the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Beauty Blush Wand in Pillow Talk Pink Pop. Although it’s a matte formula, it plays well with creamy base products, blending easily to give me a pink-peachy glow."—Kara McGrath, content director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: silica spheres
- Finish: matte
- Shades: 4
Best Sheer Finish: Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm
Summer Fridays
Blush Butter Balm
Sephora
Summer Fridays
Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin applying the Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm
Shanna Shipin
Why it’s worth it: The Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm’s creamy formula is a dream on dry skin, as it leaves your complexion looking and feeling hydrated. How? It’s loaded with skin care-forward ingredients like plumping peptides, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and moisturizing shea butter. It imparts a fresh, dewy glow, like you spent just the right amount of time in the sun (whatever that might look like for you). Thanks to its flexible formula, you can build it up or sheer it out easily. And, as with many cream blushes on this list, this one looks just as good on the lips if you're into the monochromatic look.
Shipin before applying the Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm
Shanna Shipin
Shipin after applying the Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm
Shanna Shipin
Tester feedback from Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin
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"It is so rare for me to hit the pan for a blush, but I SCRAPE the beautiful bits of this blush when I get down to the end. I use this for everything and everywhere—of course as a subtle flush or wow-worthy pop of color on the cheeks, over the nose for a cute sunkissed look, and on the eyes for some pigment. One thing that may be underrated for this blush is that it is so, so great on the lips as well. I use a liner and the blush, and I'm set; it's multipurpose in the best way. I have eczema-laden skin, and it hasn't flared up over many months of use, it also doesn't accentuate any dry spots, and instead leaves the skin with a healthy, bouncy-looking finish.
This formula melts into the fingers and onto the skin, so you don't need to tug to get it to blend. It's simultaneously buildable and forgivable if you add too much. The shade range is great (Terracotta is my all-time favorite for my medium skin), and while you can use your fingers, I highly recommend the corresponding dual-ended brush—it is so versatile and even blends skin tint foundations like a dream." —Shanna Shipin, shopping director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: peptides, hyaluronic acid, shea butter
- Finish: dewy
- Shades: 6
Best Satin Finish: Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
Westman Atelier
Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
Nordstrom
Sephora
Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the Baby Cheeks Lip + Cheek Cream Blush in Bichette
Deanna Pai
Why it's worth it: Some makeup can accentuate fine lines and wrinkles—but not Westman Atelier's Baby Cheeks Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick. It has a creamy, satin finish that sits beautifully on top of the skin without settling into fine lines. How? It contains moisture-replenishing ingredients like jojoba seed oil, antioxidant-rich grape extract, and raspberry seed extract to firm and condition skin. They melt into skin on contact for a smooth, supple finish that’s never chalky or heavy.
Pai before applying the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Cream Blush
Deanna Pai
Pai after applying the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Cream Blush
Deanna Pai
Tester feedback from Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
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“While I'm a powder blush stan, there's nothing like this cream formula to give my skin the most natural-looking pop of color ever. The velvety texture melts into my skin and feels like nothing, and I love that I can dab a little on my nose and chin to make my skin look almost sun-kissed—like I just got back from a long walk. Plus, a tiny bit goes a long way, so this stick will last me forever.”—Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: jojoba seed oil, grape extract, raspberry seed extract
- Finish: satin
- Shades: 6
Best Dewy Finish: Basma The Cream Blush
Basma
The Cream Blush
Sephora
Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin applying the Basma The Cream Blush
Sarah Felbin
Why it’s worth it: We at Allure are never shy about a little radiance, which is why Basma’s The Cream Blush is a consistent editor favorite. Created by Rokael Lizama, makeup artist to Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande, and other red-carpet regulars, the formula is as versatile as it is flattering. It melts into skin seamlessly (even over powder), delivers a radiant finish without the sticky aftermath, and stays put from morning meetings to wedding toasts to actual red carpets. Credit for that lit-from-within effect goes to its ingredient lineup: soothing aloe vera for a cooling burst, apricot and avocado oils to lock in hydration, and rosemary extract for an antioxidant boost. The end result: A glow that feels as good as it looks.
Felbin before applying the Basma The Cream Blush
Sarah Felbin
Felbin after applying the Basma The Cream Blush
Sarah Felbin
Tester feedback from Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
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“I truly think this blush is foolproof. You can wear just a little for a light flush, or layer it for a bolder look. And I love how easy it is to blend out—it's never gone streaky or patchy on me. The finish has just the right amount of glow and the colors, even though they can look intimidatingly bright in the pan, sheer out beautifully. Fuchsia (pictured here) and Cherry Red are my go-tos.” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: aloe vera, apricot oil, avocado oil, rosemary extract
- Finish: dewy
- Shades: 7
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cream blush better than powder blush?
It's up to you, as cream and powder blush formulas both have their time and place. That said, cream blushes usually contain conditioning oils, making them more moisturizing than their powdery counterparts (take note, dry skin types). They also won't highlight textured areas of the skin or crease in wrinkles like powder blushes can, making them great for mature skin types. While liquid blushes provide similar effects, creams are more buildable, with sheer-to-medium coverage that isn’t as dramatically pigmented as liquids often are.
How should I apply cream blush?
First, finding a complementary shade to your skin tone is key for a natural-looking finish. As a rule of thumb, Los Angeles-based makeup artist Carissa Ferreri previously told Allure that she recommends using a cream blush (or gel) formula in rosy tones. Once you find your shade, it's time to dab it on. "Focus the blush a bit higher on the cheeks, like right under the eyes, and then diffuse any harsh lines," she explained. Joseph Carrillo, a makeup artist based in New York City, also suggests "smiling and applying the color in the center of the apples" before gently fading the edges.
While some come in stick form and others in pots, it's the same deal: Simply apply straight from the bullet and blend the product out with your fingers, a beauty sponge, or a stippling blush brush for more precision. Whatever you do, it's hard to mess up, especially considering most cream blushes are on the sheerer (but buildable) side. If you've gone overboard with the intensity, you can always use your brush or sponge to diffuse the color.
Meet the experts
- Allison Kaye, a Florida-based makeup artist
- Carissa Ferreri, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist
- Joseph Carrillo, a makeup artist based in New York City
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best cream blushes, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and professional makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we can fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
