Frequently asked questions
How to find your blush shade
To find your optimal blush shade, celebrity makeup artist Kasey Spickard recommends taking a look at your veins to determine your undertones.
If you have cooler-toned veins, you’ll want to reach for a blush that also has cool undertones (think: blues and purples). If your veins are warmer-toned, he recommends choosing a blush more on the orange to red side. If you have olive-toned veins, you can play around with both cool and warm shades, but sticking to something with neutral undertones (like browns) will look best.
Choosing a powder vs. a cream blush
The main difference between powder and cream blushes is that the latter will give you a glowing, non-cakey finish. “They melt into the skin more easily, and, in my opinion, look the most natural,” says celebrity makeup artist Katrina Klein. “They’re also more hydrating than powder blushes.” They usually leave skin with a dewy finish thanks to its moisturizing properties. They also tend to be buildable, so you can get more or less pigment, depending on how much you apply.
Applying a cream blush takes a few extra steps to ensure it lasts all day. First, start with a good makeup prep routine, including a hydrating gel moisturizer, SPF, and makeup primer. Then, apply your foundation of choice. To make sure the formulas don’t pill, choose a cream blush that has the same base as your foundation; both should be either water-based or oil-based.
Next, swirl the product on the back of your hand to warm it up. “Warming the product makes it blend more easily and melt into the skin for a really natural, glowy finish,” says Spickard. Next, tap the product into the apples of the cheeks and up the cheekbone with a dense blending brush (which has a more concentrated tip for a precise finish) or blush brush (which has a round tip for a softer finish). You can also use your fingers. “The key is to press the cream blush into the skin rather than dragging it across the surface, which can cause streaks,” says Ventre.
Afterward, you can set your cream blush with a light layer of powder blush. “Cream products naturally move with the heat of the skin, and setting them properly helps prevent migration, creasing, and the appearance of makeup becoming cakey throughout the day,” says Ventre.
How can you make sure your cream blush lasts all day?
Longevity starts long before the blush application itself, according to the artists we spoke with. “Proper skin prep is essential. Make sure your skin is well-hydrated, which will allow cream products to blend more evenly and wear better throughout the day,” says Ventre.
Spickard recommends trying a “blush sandwich” to ensure longevity. “First layer cream blush, then a layer of powder blush, followed by another layer of cream blush to give the skin luminosity and dew and a healthy glow,” he says. The powder will act as an adhesive to lock the blush in and make sure it lasts all day. Finish with a setting spray afterward to seal everything in.
Is cream blush better for older skin?
Cream blush is generally better for older skin, according to the makeup artists we spoke with. “For mature skin, it’s all about bringing hydration, moisture, and luminosity to the face. You always want to reach for cream formulas, and the finish should be soft and dewy, never flat,” says Spickard. It’s a fine line between luminous and highlighting texture on the skin, which is why you’ll want to avoid anything metallic. Instead, choose a cream blush that will give you a soft glow without looking sparkly or shimmery.
We tested cream blushes by looking at the following criteria: skin-boosting ingredients, glowy finishes, and long-lasting wear. The best cream blushes were packed with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, butters, and more that added glow and moisture to the skin without looking heavy or greasy. The ones we went for also featured soft matte or dewy finishes that weren’t sparkly or too thick. All the blushes we chose lasted from the minute we applied them early in the morning until we washed them off at the end of the day.
