Happy Thursday! Lately I’ve been on a serious cream-blush kick and have been testing a wide range of formulas. In this post I’m sharing my favourite cream blushes — from hybrid cream-to-powder options to sticks and traditional cream pots. I’ve tried a lot and these are the ones I reach for most.
I used to be intimidated by cream blushes. I worried they would be tricky to blend or look overdone. When MAC launched their Glow Play range I decided to try a hybrid cream that powders down on the skin, which felt like an easy introduction. That turned out to be a great gateway product and opened me up to other textures and finishes.
I fell in love with the Glow Play blushes — they were my favourite blushes of 2020 and I now own most of the shades. They feel comfortable on the skin and don’t transfer easily to masks, which is a huge plus. That said, mask-wear affects creams differently: some transfer in patches, others simply soften and can be patted back into place. Overall, cream blushes give a healthy, dewy finish that I can’t get enough of. Below I break down the formulas I’ve tested, how they wear, and application tips.
SO, let’s get into my favourite formulas!
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KIKO VELVET TOUCH CREAMY STICK BLUSH – £8.99
Kiko is an underrated brand with many standout products, and their Velvet Touch creamy stick blushes are no exception. These sticks have a mousse-like texture—light but substantial—and they blend like a dream. They aren’t fully mask-proof and will transfer, but they last all day when not masked. I apply them with a dense small brush: tap the brush on the product, then stipple onto the cheeks for precise placement and seamless blending. The shades are consistent in formula, and they’re excellent value for the finish and wear.
MILANI CHEEK KISS CREAM BLUSH – £13.50
Milani’s Cheek Kiss is a thin, glossy-cream formula that feels almost like a lip gloss. Despite the sheer texture it’s surprisingly pigmented and gives a dewy, non-matte finish that stays luminous all day. It’s not transfer-proof, but it can be blended back in after light transfer from a mask. The shade selection is limited but includes tones suitable for a range of skin tones. The finish reads glossy rather than shimmery and isn’t sticky, so hair doesn’t cling to the cheeks.
NATASHA DENONA LOVE CHEEK DUO – £38
Natasha Denona’s cream blush in the Love Cheek Duo is thick and highly pigmented. A little goes a long way, so tap sparingly and build slowly. It’s slightly drier than some creams, so it needs a touch more blending, but the payoff is a vivid, professional-looking flush. This formula is long-wearing and resists transfer well; any marks on a mask are usually faint and the product stays largely in place on the skin.
ELF MONOCHROMATIC MULTI STICK – £4.50
Elf’s Monochromatic Multi Sticks are compact, budget-friendly blush sticks. Shade consistency can vary, but Dazzling Peony and Sparkling Rose are particularly flattering. The formula is thick yet blendable, buildable, and lasts up to 12 hours. One shade is quite glittery, so it depends on whether you want sparkle; otherwise, the range offers easy everyday shades that punch above their price point. They do transfer to masks, but a quick tap restores the finish.
MAC GLOW PLAY BLUSH – £24
MAC Glow Play blushes were my gateway into cream formulas. They start creamy and set to an almost powdery finish, offering fantastic blendability and a natural, glowy look. Wear time is excellent — around 14–16 hours on me — and many shades resist mask transfer. The range includes both subtle and bright colours; some shades contain a gentle sheen, but none have chunky glitter. These are forgiving, buildable, and suitable for many skin tones.
FENTY BEAUTY CHEEKS OUT FREESTYLE CREAM BLUSH – £19
Fenty’s Cheeks Out cream blushes are richly pigmented and blend easily despite a thicker texture. Shades include fun, modern colours like lilac and cool pink, and the formula layers well for a subtle wash or a bolder pop. Wear time is solid — roughly 12–13 hours before noticeable fade — and the finish is flattering across different skin undertones.
SWATCHES
Below are swatches that show how these formulas perform on the skin. Swatches can vary by lighting and skin type, but they give a helpful sense of finish and pigmentation.
There we have it — my favourite cream blush formulas. The list includes a range of price points, textures, and finishes, so there’s something for everyone depending on the look you want. I’m still exploring new formulas, but these are the ones I keep reaching for right now.
