I never ever thought I would be writing a post about how much I love cream blush! Aside from foundation, and maybe the occasional eyeshadow, I have never been one to reach for a cream face product. I always felt like a cream blush was for someone who felt way more comfortable with their makeup application skills than little ol’ me🤣 I would say that my newfound love of cream blush has actually been an evolution. It all started with a small obsession I developed with glowy blushes. That obsession is still going strong, but it has since evolved to including products such as cream blush sticks, traditional cream blushes in a compact and liquid blushes✨ I would even venture to say that I use more cream blush than powder blush nowadays!
I don’t know if it is my imagination but I almost feel as if powder products are making me look/feel more cakey and overdone. My skin is on the drier side as I am now in my mid 40’s, which is another reason I was willing to give cream blush a chance. I don’t want to look powdery…I want to look vibrant and nourished, you know…that beautiful, healthful goddess glow. Hence, where my obsession has taken me! I have 10 vegan and cruelty free cream blushes in my collection that I absolutely love! Keep reading for a few tips on how I have learned to apply cream blush products effortlessly and which 10 cream blushes helped me find my comfort zone💖
Tip #1 – Feel the Formula✌
While I am not one to use my fingers on the regular to apply makeup products, when I was first dipping my toe in the cream blush pool, it was the best way to understand the different formulas and how they react when warmed up against the skin. I was able to gauge the level of pressure to apply so as to not disrupt the foundation underneath, and the ease with which to blend out the edges. I have watched countless videos where I have seen someone taking a blush stick and swiping it directly on the skin. While this may be the preferred method for some, I personally feel this way is a little more intimidating when it comes to blending things out. The most important thing to remember with cream products is to not overwork them. The more you try to work with them, the larger the risk of starting to break down the foundation or complexion product underneath, especially if it is something with more of a light to medium coverage.
Tip #2 – Best Little Stippling Brush Ever🖌️
I found a brush that was a total game changer for my cream blush game. Actually, let me re-phrase…I was watching an Emily Noel video on YouTube where she talked about this tiny stippling brush from the brand e.l.f. cosmetics. She was raving about this little brush that made applying and blending cream products a breeze. I had to buy it, I was a woman on a cream blush mission! Once I opened my e.l.f. package and unwrapped that brush, I was pretty sure that I felt the same way she did about the way this magical brush helped her step up her cream product game. I have to say it, she was right!!! The e.l.f. Small Stipple Brush is the perfect makeup brush for any cream product, from blush to bronzer and highlighter. It blends beautifully and glides softly over the skin so it doesn’t wear away at any other products on your face.
Tip #3 – Do the Dew✨
Are you more of a makeup sponge lover? Not a problem! A beauty sponge is a great tool for applying a cream formula. I personally love the e.l.f. Cosmetics Total Face Blending Sponge. The extra moisture in a damp sponge is great for a a sheer, buildable formula. Bonus tip: Dampen your sponge in warm water before applying. The warmth of the sponge will help warm up the formula and help in the overall blending on the skin. Just be careful and really know your formula, because that added moisture could also make for easier breakdown of foundation/bb/cc cream, which is the one thing you don’t want to happen…You can always build up blush but once the foundation starts breaking down…Houston we have a problem!
Most Importantly – Do the Dirty Work💖
If I hadn’t just taken the plunge and started experimenting with cream blush, basically this entire blog post would not have been possible LOL🤣 Shop your stash and pull out all the cream products you have been skirting to the side because you were like me and just way too intimidated to take them for a spin. Make a pledge to try a new one everyday and try it with the three tips above. Each formula may work better with a different method of application. Get to know your cream products…use them, love them and add them to your arsenal of go-to make up items. Don’t have any cream products in your current make up collection? Not to worry!
Check out 10 vegan and cruelty free cream blushes I am loving in my collection🐇
Cream Blush Sticks
When it comes to cream blush sticks, I like going in with my magic e.l.f. small stipple brush right onto the stick and picking up some product. From there I like to stipple right onto my cheeks starting with the apples and working my way up towards my temples and also over the bridge of my nose🐽 You could also easily use the beauty sponge for the application with the blush sticks. I honestly feel like using the brush vs the beauty sponge is pretty interchangeable and really more of a personal preference.
- Au Naturale Anywhere Creme Multistick in Sweetheart – the perfect soft nude mauve ($35 retail)
- I also have a small tin sample of the shade Daiquiri, which is stunning!!!
- HAN Skincare Cosmetics All Natural Multistick in Bordeaux Glow – a beautiful burgundy rose ($16 retail)
- 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Lip & Cheek Tint in Cranberry Glow – a sheer true red ($27 retail)
Liquid Blushes
Liquid blushes were probably the most intimidating for me when it came to working with cream products. I definitely do not apply anything directly to the face. I like to start off by adding some product to my hand and going in either with the magic brush or my beauty sponge, and bouncing and blending in the same direction, starting with the apples towards the temples and over the bridge of the nose. Fair warning with the e.l.f. Jelly Pop Flush Blush…holy moly, that blush is pigmented! Start with a very, very small amount. Trust me it can easily go overboard and it is a little harder to blend than some of the others.
- Clove & Hallow Hydratint Blush Serum in Nakey – a soft ballerina slipper pink ($19 retail)
- Pacifica Beauty Cheeky Cherry Cheek Stain in Wild Cherry – a warm, glowing cherry mauve ($12 retail)
- e.l.f. Jelly Pop Flush Blush in Berry Pop – a rosy raspberry with lots of sheen ($6 retail)
Compact Cream Blushes
The compact cream blush is probably the most common type of cream blush on the market. Again, as with the stick and liquid versions, I think the stipple brush and beauty sponge are both great options. I know I didn’t mention this in either of the other two, but you could totally use your fingers as well. I personally liked using my fingers when I was first learning my way around a cream product, but now that I feel pretty confident with the different formulas I would rather use a tool that isn’t my fingers.
- Honest Beauty Creme Cheek + Lip Color in Coral Peach – a bright, warm peach ($16 retail)
- HAN Skincare Cosmetics Illuminator in Aphrodite – a juicy peach with soft gold shimmer ($18 retail)
- Habit Cosmetics Bright Lights Organic Creme Highlighter in Gatsby – a brilliant copper with multi-tonal shimmer ($28 retail)
- Beets & Blush Cream Blush in Athena – a warm rosewood (I received this in a Vegan Cuts Makeup Box, and it is no longer available – cannot find a retail price
BONUS #11 – Ciate London All About Moi! Miss Piggy Blush Palette – 4 different shades ($32 retail) I couldn’t help myself from buying a Miss Piggy vegan & cruelty free cream blush palette!!! It is totally adorable! 💖
- Flaunt It – a rosy red
- Fabulous – a red coral
- Diva – a terracotta rose
- Oh Kermie! – a golden peach
Your turn! Are you on the cream blush train with me??? Let me know in the comments😉 Do you have any tips or tricks? What is your favorite go-to cream blush right now???
Cruelty Free Lucy 