The Best Drugstore Cream & Liquid Blushes

Still using powder blush? Find out why cream and liquid blushes are making waves for their blendability and gorgeous finish.

Until the end of last year, I hadn’t used a cream blush in probably ten years. I had a couple cream blushes from MAC many eons ago, but never liked them much.

Maybe I wasn’t applying them properly or the formula wasn’t right, but I ended up tossing them and never looking in the direction of cream blushes again.

Now, years later, I decided to give cream blushes another go and I’m so happy I did! A good cream or liquid blush will blend seamlessly, not smear or smudge and won’t get greasy as the day goes on. Plus, cream blushes are wonderful for mature skin types, because blend into the skin and can help hide skin texture issues that some powdered blushes can bring out.

Below are some fabulous cream and liquid blushes that you really need to try this year. I also share my tips on how I like to apply my blushes for a seamless finish.

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1. e.l.f. Cosmetics Cream Blushes 

e.l.f. Cosmetics has a number of cream blush products to choose from for the makeup lover working on a budget. 

The beautifully bare blush (which has now changed over to the new Putty Blush) has been a long time beauty blogger favourite and comes in a cute jar that you can easily dip a stipple brush or your fingers into. 

They also have a four-shade Cream Blush Palette for pigmented blush on the go and you can find the brand’s original Monochromatic Multi-Sticks (which can be applied to the eyes, lips or cheeks) in select stores and on Amazon and Ulta.

RELATED READING: E.l.f. Cosmetics Poreless Putty Primer – Does It Work?

2. Rare Beauty Cream and Liquid Blushes

Rare Beauty is a new makeup line created by Selena Gomez and the brand’s stunning cream blush compacts have been all the range within the blogosphere and on Instagram. T

he Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream blushes , which come in five fabulous shades and promises a non-greasy flush of colour in a vegan, cruelty free formula.

If you prefer using a doe foot applicator to dot your blush on, go for the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, which promises a healthy radiant flush and comes in both matte and dewy finishes.

 

 

3.  Glossier Cloud Paint

I did a full review on the Glossier Cloud Paint I purchased here, but the quick review of it is that it’s a lovely, easy to blend liquid blush.

The Glossier Cloud Paint blushes last all day, have great pigment (a little goes a long way!), have a matte, but not flat finish and can be applied easily with a brush, a damp makeup sponge or your fingers.

With eight shades to cover all skin colours, it’s an awesome liquid blush to add to your collection. Just be careful not to squeeze out too much!

 

 

4. Maybelline Cheek Heat 

The Maybelline Cheek Heat gel-cream blush promises an oil-free, water-infused formula that provides a dewy flush of colour for your cheeks.

Six shades are available for you to choose from and you can mix colours for your own custom shade!

 

5.  NYX Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Jelly Cheek Tint and Sweet Cheeks Tints

NYX always has great blushes and thisNYX Cannabis Cheek Tint is infused with Sativa Seed oil has a water-based gel texture to keep skin hydrated. The formula is cruelty free and comes in six juicy shades! 

The NYX Sweet Cheeks Soft Cheek Tints have gotten rave reviews since their release. They are super lightweight, well pigmented and long lasting for a more natural flushed colour.

Like all NYX products,  it’s cruelty free and also vegan. It also uses a handy doe foot applicator to apply the product, which some might enjoy.

 

 

 

6.  Wet n’ Wild Megaglo Blush Makeup Stick

Wet n’ Wild has some of the best budget makeup items and their iconic Megaglo Blush Sticks are a drugstore makeup staple.

There’s only two shades available for this blush, which is a bummer, but it promises an easy to apply cream that is well pigmented with a natural shimmer.

RELATED READING: Under $10 Makeup | Wet & Wild

7.  Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Blush

The Milani Cheek Kiss blushes promises a lightweight, buildable formula with a long-lasting dewy finish. 

8. J. Cat Beauty Blush-Mallow Soft Blusher

The J.Cat Blush-Mallow blushers are perfect for those of you who love bright blush shades.

Retailing for only $5USD, these cream blushes have a lightweight, well pigmented formula that blends seamlessly into the skin for a gorgeous glow. 

9. Flower Beauty Blush Bomb Color Drops

These Flower Beauty Blush Bomb Color Drops are liquid blushes that provide a dewy, radiant finish that gives cheeks the look of a healthy glow. They are well pigmented and a little goes a long way, so these will last forever!

 

10. L’Oreal Infallible Longwear Blush Sticks

L’Oreal is one of my most favourite drugstore makeup brands and their Infallible Longwear Blush Sticks continue to add to their legacy.

These only come in two shades (why L’Oreal??) but promise long lasting cheek colour in an easy, glide on formula that borders on the glowy side. 

 

11. Morphe Wondertint Cheek & Lip Mousse

Morphe’s Wondertint Cheek & Lip Mousses come in four shades and are described by the brand as “goof proof” because they are so easy to apply with your fingers or a brush.

Reviewers of these mousses rave about the smooth, easy to blend texture and love the natural flush they provide to the cheeks. Bonus – you can apply some on your lips too to match!

12. Honest Beauty Creme Cheek Blush

Honest Beauty first hit my makeup radar when I heard how amazing their cream blushes were.

This clean beauty brand gives us a Creme Cheek blush that is lightweight, easy to blend and provides a glowy finish to the skin. 

 

 

Makeup Tips: How I Apply Cream Blush

I’ve been stippling on my cream and liquid blushes with the e.l.f. Cosmetics small stipple brush.

I usually dip the brush into a bit of the blush and then tap a bit onto the back of my hand to get rid of any excess. To avoid the crazy, overly blushed clown look, I like to add little bits of blush at a time, blend, and then add more as needed. You can also layer or mix cream or liquid blushes to get a custom blush shade, so do some experimenting!

Tip: Fingers are great for blending out cream products. The warmth from your fingers warms up the product, which allows it to blend into the skin more seamlessly.

 

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Cream and liquid blushes are a staple in my makeup collection and I hope they work just as well for you!

What are your favourite cream blushes?