How to Apply Cream Blush, According to Pro Makeup Artists

Mastering how to apply cream blush can add warmth to your skin and take your makeup from flat to lively. Unlike powders, cream blushes give you more flexibility and look more natural. “They allow skin to look like skin while adding color, freshness and dimension,” says Lauren D’Amelio Ventre, a bridal makeup artist based in New Jersey. They’re a great choice for leveling up your summer makeup routine; with a little setting powder, your look stays in place through humidity and sweat.

Here, we spoke with pro makeup artists for more tips on where and how to apply cream blushes for a long-lasting natural flush finish.

What exactly are cream blushes, and what are the benefits?

Cream blushes are what they sound like: cream formulas in pigmented hues to add depth, color, and flush to the cheeks. “A well-formulated one often creates a softer, healthier, and more youthful appearance,” says Ventre, whereas a powder blush by itself can sometimes appear too shadowy and stark.

You might want to choose a cream blush if you find that your makeup appears too matte or cakey and settles into fine lines. Cream blush will seamlessly blend into skin—and can be topped off with a powder blush to set it. “The goal isn’t to eliminate powder entirely. It’s to use just enough to lock everything in place without sacrificing the natural glow of the skin,” says Ventre.

Liquid blush is similar, though it requires a little bit more technique to apply. Cream blushes are a bit more forgiving. They play better with different skin tones and types, especially if you’re looking for full coverage to mask acne, dark spots, or wrinkles.

How to apply cream blush

Depending on the look you’re going for and your skin type, there are a couple of ways to go about application. But before we get there, starting with the right skin prep and tools can make all the difference.

Prep the skin.

Begin by massaging skin with a hydrating moisturizer and primer. “Well-hydrated skin allows cream products to blend more evenly and wear better throughout the day.” Use a primer with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides to keep dry skin or flakiness at bay. This will give you the ideal base.

Use a dense blush brush.

Next, apply the cream to the back of your hand. “Warming the product makes it blend more easily and melt into the skin for a really natural finish,” says Kasey Spickard, a NYC-based celebrity makeup artist. Then, pick up the product with a dense blending or blush brush, which will help press it into the skin (rather than sweeping it onto the face). This helps avoid the product smudging during application.

Apply your cream blush with the right technique.

As far as the right technique, makeup artists say it depends on your desired outcome. “I usually apply cream blush to the apples of the cheeks and blend it upward toward the temples for a more lifted effect,” says Brielle Pollara, a New Jersey-based makeup artist. The biggest tip, she says, is to start with a small amount and then slowly build the color. “This helps the blush blend naturally into the skin and keeps the overall look soft and seamless rather than overly intense.”

You can also go for a W blush shape, focusing the color across the apples of the cheeks and bridge of the nose and back to each side of the face. This will give you a just-got-back-from-the-beach glow. You can also pair this with a cream bronzer to add definition along your jawline and temples, and a highlighter along the bridge of your nose for radiance.

Set everything with a powder blush and setting spray.

Every artist we spoke with recommends setting cream blush with a powder blush to make sure it lasts all day. This can be particularly helpful if you have oily skin to keep your complexion looking soft and radiant, and nongreasy.

Spickard also recommends a “blush sandwich” technique for longevity. “First, apply a layer of cream blush, then a layer of powder blush on top. Next, add another light layer of the cream blush to give the skin luminosity and glow,” he says. The powder acts as an adhesive to lock in the blush and make sure it lasts. The key with this process is to use very light layers, as too much product might cause skipping and piling.

Ventre also adds that if you’re looking for maximum longevity, don’t think of cream and powder blushes as an either-or situation. “The most long-lasting applications often combine both strategically, allowing you to enjoy the natural finish of a cream with the staying power of a powder,” she says. After you build color to your desired look, finish with a setting spray to lock it all in.

What to avoid when applying cream blush

There are a couple of things to avoid when applying cream blush. While you want your skin to be hydrated, too much skin care with emollients may break down your cream blush as it wears, according to Spickard. This means you might want to skip layering multiple products that contain ingredients like ceramides, shea butter, oils, and squalane. Adding these ingredients on top of one another may lead to pilling and may make your cream blush skip and fade throughout the day.

Remember to use a light hand and a small amount of product, as cream blushes can be extremely pigmented and it’s much easier to start with less than to take anything away once it’s already applied.

Cream blush tips for mature skin

A mature makeup routine can highly benefit from cream blush because it won’t settle into fine lines and wrinkles. Ventre recommends a light layer of cream with powder on top to keep the product in place. “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,” she says. Applying them to the high points of the cheekbones will also give you a more sculpted look and avoid too much shimmer, as that will enhance fine lines and texture. “Cream blush gives the cheeks a healthy pop of color while still keeping the skin looking smooth and youthful,” says Pollara.

Meet the experts

• Brielle Pollara, makeup artist based in New Jersey
• Lauren D’Amelio Ventre, makeup artist based in New Jersey
• Kasey Spickard, celebrity makeup artist based in New York City