Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of Allure editors and brandsSave this storySave this story
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: Rhode Pocket Blush, $25
- Best Sheer Finish: Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm, $26
- Best Semi-Matte: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush, $27
- Best Multipurpose: Tower 28 Beach Please Cream Blush, $20
- Best Drugstore: e.l.f. Cosmetics Monochromatic Multi Stick, $6
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: Rhode Pocket Blush
Save to wishlist
Rhode
Pocket Blush
Sephora
Rhode
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Rhode Pocket Blush in Toasted Teddy
Sarah Han
Why it’s worth it: Is it any surprise that Rhode Pocket Blush is an Allure Readers’ Choice Award winner for most viral product? Besides being perfectly portable for travel and on-the-go use, this top-tier blush stick is super easy to blend out without a brush—whether you’re just tinting your cheeks or spreading the love to your eyelids and lips for a cute monochrome moment. “I love to apply this with my fingertips—it leaves you with just enough of a sheer glow,” Jordon Tiller, a makeup artist based in NYC, attests. The result is a true satin finish, thanks to moisture-boosting glycerin, plumping peptides, and diffusing kaolin, a.k.a. a very well-balanced ingredient lineup.
The shade range keeps growing, too, so there’s truly something for everyone’s skin tone and preferences. (For the record, we think Toasted Teddy, Date Cake, and Candy Apple look especially beautiful on brown skin.)
Allure associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey applying the Rhode Pocket Blush in Toasted Teddy
Annie Blay-Tettey
Blay-Tettey after applying the Rhode Pocket Blush in Toasted Teddy
Annie Blay-Tettey
Tester feedback from Allure commerce editor Sarah Han
LargeChevron
“Beyond how uber cute these blushes are, they’re so buttery and easy to blend out. I actually like to use my fingers to dab the product in before using a brush to diffuse any harsh lines—but, in a pinch, just fingers also do the trick. If I want to build up the pigment (which I usually do), I’ll go in with a second layer by picking up some product directly with my brush and lightly tapping it in. Extra buildable? Heck yeah. They also come in the prettiest colors. I’d normally never reach for a bronze terracotta (I lean heavily into pinks) but Toasted Teddy just has that ‘je ne sais’ quoi factor I can’t get enough of. Leave it to Bieber to convince me to stray from my usual palette!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
Tester feedback from Allure associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey
LargeChevron
“I love a no-makeup makeup look, and when I need just a touch of color to bring my complexion to life, I reach for the Rhode Pocket Blush in the shade Toasted Teddy. I love how the dark terracotta shade complements my skin tone and gives me a pretty, sun-flushed look. Plus, the creamy texture is easy to blend out, and the pocket-size stick makes it great for on-the-go application.” —Annie Blay-Tettey, associate beauty editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: kaolin, glycerin, calophyllum inophyllum (tamanu) seed oil, peptides
- Finish: satin
- Shades: 13
Best Sheer Finish: Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm
Save to wishlist
Summer Fridays
Blush Butter Balm
Amazon
Sephora
Summer Fridays
Allure senior commerce 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 senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
LargeChevron
“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, senior commerce director
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: peptides, hyaluronic acid, shea butter
- Finish: dewy
- Shades: 6
Best Semi-Matte: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush
Save to wishlist
Best Cream Blush
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush
Sephora
Allure former content director Kara McGrath applying the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush in Happy
Why it’s worth it: Hello, award winner. Rare Beauty took home best cream blush in our 2025 Allure Best of Beauty Awards with the cream-to-powder Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush. If you love a soft-focus, blurred finish over a dewier one, this formula is the one. And trust, it’s on the airier side of matte finishes—thanks to plumping cacao seed and moisturizing fruit oils—so it won’t feel heavy, settle into fine lines by the end of the day, or worse yet, disappear when exposed to humidity and sweat. Whether you tap the product on with your fingers (the putty-like texture is so fun to play with!) or buff it on with your favorite brush, you achieve a romantic flush of color that truly looks like you’re blushing from within.
McGrath before applying the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush
McGrath after applying the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush
Tester feedback from Allure former content director Kara McGrath
LargeChevron
“When I saw it in the pan, I was worried that the shade Happy—a cool-toned peony pink—would be too intense for my complexion, but it goes on sheer and melts into the skin. If you’re looking for a brighter pop of color, adding a second or third layer ups the saturation without taking you into clown territory.” —Kara McGrath, former content director
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: cacao seed, pomegranate, papaya seed, and rosehip oils
- Finish: matte
- Shades: 7
Best Matte Finish: Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand
Save to wishlist
Charlotte Tilbury
Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
McGrath 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 McGrath
LargeChevron
“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, former content director
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: silica spheres
- Finish: matte
- Shades: 4
Best Drugstore: e.l.f. Cosmetics Monochromatic Multi Stick
Save to wishlist
E.L.F. Cosmetics
Monochromatic Multi Stick
Amazon
Walmart
Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin applying the e.l.f. Cosmetics Monochromatic Multi Stick in Glimmering Guava
Sarah Felbin
Why it’s worth it: What better representation of a brand name (e.l.f. Cosmetics) that stands for eyes, lips, and face, than the Monochromatic Multi Stick? Ringing in at just $6—and available at your local drugstore for the ultimate convenience—this blush stick is a dreamy deal. And with seven shades, you won’t feel the least guilty grabbing two. (Besides, how fun is it to mix and match different shades across your lids, cheeks, and lips?) This cream-to-powder formula gives you plenty of time to blend and build to your desired intensity before it sets into a natural finish.
Felbin before applying the e.l.f. Cosmetics Monochromatic Multi Stick in Glimmering Guava
Sarah Felbin
Felbin after applying the e.l.f. Cosmetics Monochromatic Multi Stick in Glimmering Guava
Sarah Felbin
Tester feedback from senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
LargeChevron
“I’m usually not a fan of stick blushes—they tend to go patchy on me. But e.l.f.’s pocket-size stick is super soft and creamy—it glides right onto my cheeks and lips and blends out in seconds. Plus, it’s pretty pigmented (I was pleasantly surprised the first time I tried it—you don’t need a ton of swipes to get great color payoff) and has the slightest bit of shimmer that gives me a nice glow. I love that it’s bright enough that I can wear it on its own or layer a powder blush on top for more staying power. Here, I’m using Glimmering Guava, but I’m already on the hunt for another shade or two to add to my collection.” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: shea butter, vitamin E
- Finish: natural
- Shades: 7
Best Blurring: Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed
Save to wishlist
Danessa Myricks Beauty
Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed
Sephora
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 is no stranger to Best of Beauty Awards. The Best of Beauty-winning Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed is a follow-up to a Breakthroughs winner (our highest honor, due to this category’s high standards around innovation), the 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—thanks a balanced combo of upsalite and olive-derived squalane—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 11 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
Blay-Tettey before applying the Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed
Annie Blay-Tettey
Blay-Tettey after applying the Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed
Tester feedback from Han
LargeChevron
“Like all Danessa Myricks products, this blush does not come to play when it comes to pigment payoff. My favorite shade (that I’m wearing above) is Primadonna, a hot pink shade that makes me feel extra cute and confident. All I need are a few taps to achieve a ‘wow’ factor—it’s one of those rare blushes that I don’t find myself always going in with a second layer. My combo skin also appreciates the brand’s signature upsalite, which helps absorb excess sebum that forms throughout the day and lends my skin a soft-blurred focus. We love!!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
Tester feedback from Blay-Tettey
LargeChevron
“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, and then again when my face is near complete as a powder blush.”—Annie Blay-Tettey, associate beauty editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: upsalite, squalane, hyaluronic acid
- Finish: satin
- Shades: 11
Best Multipurpose: Tower 28 Beach Please Cream Blush
Save to wishlist
Tower 28
Beach Please Cream Blush
Amazon
Sephora
Revolve
Allure social media manager Bianca Richards applying the Tower 28 Beach Please Cream Blush in Golden Hour
Bianca Richards
Why it’s worth it: Tower 28’s Best of Beauty-winning 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 in Golden Hour
Bianca Richards
Richards after applying Tower 28 Beach Please Cream Blush in Golden Hour
Bianca Richards
Tester feedback from Allure social media manager Bianca Richards
LargeChevron
“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
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: shea butter, castor oil, jojoba oil
- Finish: dewy
- Shades: 10
Best for Mature Skin: Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
Save to wishlist
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 Blush Stick. It has a creamy, satin finish that sits beautifully on top of the skin without settling into texture. How? It contains moisture-replenishing ingredients like jojoba seed oil, 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
LargeChevron
“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
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: jojoba seed oil, grape extract, raspberry seed extract
- Finish: satin
- Shades: 8
Best Natural Finish: Nars the Multiple
Save to wishlist
Nars
The Multiple
Nordstrom
Sephora
Ulta Beauty
Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann applying Nars The Multiple
Sarah Hoffmann
Why it’s worth it: Nars The Multiple is proof that you don’t always need to buy the latest and greatest. Well, almost—let us explain. First launched in 1996, this icon has been slightly revamped (similarly to its powder blush sibling) with an even more skin-loving formula powered by nourishing peach kernel oil, antioxidant-rich rhubarb fruit extract, and soft-focus blurring powders.
And, loyalists, do not be alarmed: The new iteration is clearly up to par with the original, as evidenced by its 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner seal. The finish is silky, slightly blurred, and all-around pretty close to perfection, and all 12 shades are super wearable—even the purple- and red-leaning hues.
Hoffmann before applying Nars The Multiple
Sarah Hoffmann
Hoffmann after applying Nars The Multiple
Sarah Hoffmann
Tester feedback from Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann
LargeChevron
“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
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: peach kernel oil, rhubarb fruit extract, silica, and mica (blurring powders)
- Finish: natural
- Shades: 12
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.
Leave a Reply