The Easiest (and Best) Ways to Apply Cream Blush

It’s no secret that as the seasons change, our makeup bag inevitability changes, too. In the winter, we lean on moisturizing face masks and lip colors with hydrating formulas to repair our dry skin. In the summer, it’s all about the glow. Anyone who follows makeup tips and trends will probably agree with the one product that we consider a staple year-round: cream blush. We love cream blush for its ability to give our skin a flush of color (here are so me of the best pink blushes to do just that) and provide that dewy finish, regardless of the season. The hardest part is just choosing the right blush for your skin tone.

Naturally, applying a cream versus a powder blush can be a little intimidating too, especially if you’re new to the formula. Luckily, here to give us all of his golden tips is professional makeup artist Kasey Spickard. “The goal of blush is to add flush and warmth back to the skin, which you may have covered up with your foundation and concealer,” says Spickard. “Cream blushes are fantastic because they are blendable and melt into the skin to give a true-looking flush without drying the skin.” To find out exactly how he applies cream blush, keep reading

1. Warm It Up

Unlike a powder blush, cream formulas can get a little cold in between uses, which makes them a little hard to blend. To make cream blush easier to use, Spickard says it’s best to warm it up. “Before applying to the face, I like to take my ring finger and swipe it into the cream blush in a circular motion, then swirl it onto the back of my hand to warm it up,” says Spickard. Warming up the product on the back of your hand will allow it to blend more easily and create a more natural finish. A blush we’re loving is the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Lip + Cheek Tint. The warm shades of this multi-use tint allow for buildable, dewy, color and instant hydration.

2. Buff It Out

When applying your cream blush, it’s super important to blend it out onto your cheeks and into your temples. “Smile, then lightly tap the product with your ring finger onto the apples of the cheeks and up the cheekbone,” says Spickard. Next, buff the product into your skin in circular motions using a brush like the Urban Decay Optical Blurring Brush. We suggest pairing this brush with the NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick Blush, as it’s formulated with hyaluronic acid to help hydrate your skin while creating a buildable, beautiful and natural finish.

3. Finish With Powder

“A great way to make your cream blush last throughout the day is to layer a powder blush on top of it to set it,” Spickard suggests. After you’ve applied your cream blush, set it with a powder of the same shade. We love the Maybelline New York Fit Me Blushes for the creamy powder formulas and large shade range that complements many skin tones. “It's the same idea as using a powder to set your foundation to make it last all day,” adds Spickard.

Photo: Chaunte Vaughn