How to Use Cream Blush for a Face-Lifting Flush
Now that warm spring days are among us, one of my favorite places on the face to play with more color, is on the CHEEKS! The cheeks are really an underrated area of the face that some women don’t realize how much vibrance and youthfulness a pretty flush of color can do to awaken the face. In today’s post, I’m sharing my quick and simple tips (and products) for How To Use Cream Blush For A Face-Lifting Flush – a look you can get yourself this spring and summer!
TL;DR
Jennifer shares tips and tricks for how to use a cream blush
Jennifer's product recommendations are shoppable via text links and image widgets
How To Use Cream Blush For A Face-Lifting Flush
1. Bust a cream blush myth
One type of blush that tends to benefit more mature women's faces is CREAM BLUSH, as opposed to powder blushes.
Contrary to popular belief, cream blush isn’t difficult to use - quite the opposite! It’s a versatile and simple product that can instantly give your face a lift and a youthful glow. It can add dimension and depth to your cheeks, while also providing a natural flush that looks like it comes from within.
Sometimes on drier skin, a powder blush can look too, well, powdery! It sits oddly and obviously on top of the cheeks. Drier mature skin can benefit from a cream formula that sinks into the skin for a more natural look.
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2. Choose the right shade and formula
The first step to achieving a facelift look with cream blush (or really any blush!) is to choose the right shade that complements your skin tone. If you have fair to light skin, go for a pale peachy or pinky shade. While those with deeper skin tones can opt for brighter, bolder shades like warm corals, magenta, or berry.
And cream formulas come in all shapes and sizes from cream sticks, cream pots, and cream tubes of color. Just play around with a few until you find your favorite. I personally prefer the sticks and tubes for less mess.
In today's post I’ll be using my favorite cream formula, the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid blush in shade “Grace,” $23. This shade is described as a bright matte rose mauve. It’s so gorgeous, I can’t recommend it enough!
A close second favorite formula of mine is the Milk Makeup lip + blush cream sticks, $24. They’re super easy to use, have zero mess, and have lots of pretty colors to choose from.
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3. Start Small
Start with a similar cream base of foundation and a small amount of product. When using a cream blush, it's always best if your face makeup is also of the cream variety. Or applied on moisturized bare skin if foundation isn’t your jam. Applying on top of a powder or powder foundation could be tricky when trying to mix a powder and a cream formula. That usually doesn’t end well and gets patchy.
I’m wearing the Urban Decay Stay Naked HydroManiac Tinted Glow Hydrator in shade 50 medium, $33, in this tutorial before the blush is applied. I do love the full coverage finish this gives while also looking lightweight.
Once you’ve got your foundation on, then it’s better to start with a small amount of your cream blush and then build it up gradually. This way, you can avoid the risk of overdoing it and ending up with the dreaded clown-like effect.
Especially with the Rare Beauty liquid blushes, a little goes a long way, so you can be conservative with your application and use very little product.
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4. apply to the right area
To create the most natural-looking flush, apply cream blush to the front apples of your cheeks, blending it upwards and heading towards the tops of the ears.
This technique will lift the look of your cheekbones and make your face appear more youthful. As we age, we lose some of the fat pads in the front of the face which makes our faces appear more flat. That’s why we need to keep the blush a bit more towards the front of the face and go upward, to give the illusion of filling those cheeks back up!
With this Rare Beauty blush, all I need are two dots of color before I start blending!
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5. Use your fingers or a brush
You can apply cream blush with your fingers or a brush, this is really your preference. I find that using a brush can help you achieve a more precise application and that cream blush doesn’t get as streaky as it does with fingers. But again, this is just for me personally and when I work with clients.
I’m using the elf cosmetics Putty Blush brush, $5, which has been a long-time fave tool of mine for cream bronzers and blushes. Its dual fiber bristles really do blend these types of products so beautifully and the small compact shape is perfect for small spaces on the face.
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6. blend, blend, blend (and highlight!)
The key to a facelift look with cream blush is blending! Make sure to blend the product well into your skin, so it looks seamless and natural. You don't want any harsh lines or patches of color left behind.
Extra bonus points, highlight!
If you want, you can then add a cream highlighter as well to give your cheeks even more oomph!! With this, I’ll usually just tap a tiny bit of product above the cream blush with my middle finger to give my skin a luminous vibe. The perfect product for this is the Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Highlighter wand, $42.
Now you have the tools and know how to use a cream blush to achieve the prettiest facelift look! By choosing the right shade, applying it to the correct areas, using the right tools, and blending it well, you can create a beautiful, youthful glow that will make you look and feel your best.
What are your thoughts on trying this combo on your cheeks or do you already use a cream blush??
Look details
Some of my other looks details are: this multicolored chain necklace from Loft ($44) that literally goes with everything in my closet | super soft white V-neck tee ($25) that comes in a bunch of shades | lip color is Maybelline lifter gloss in shade “Petal” | my statement gold ring from Sequin ($98)
In Case You Missed It
Yesterday, Beth and Kelly shared a perfect summer salad and how to add color and pattern to your summer outfit. Click the title or image below to read the article.
Jennifer…Love all your tips and tricks. I’m older and have dry skin and love cream blush. When I’m out and about and need a cheek refresher I often use a touch of my lipstick and it works in a pinch. 🙂 Have to say the lip beaded earrings you had on in one of your posts were so cute I had to hunt them down and they will arrive next week. So cute for summer! Keep the great posts coming and have a fabulous summer!!
Hi Melanie – I’m so happy to hear you got some lip earrings for yourself! They’re super fun. I appreciate you taking time to let me know you enjoy these posts – keep coming back for more makeup inspo!
I am a big fan of creme blush because I have very fair porcelain skin. I do use creme blush. I am so glad my mother told me to moisturize and use sunscreen at a young age, so that at 70, I have literally no wrinkles. So my make up musts are…blush, eyebrow creme, mascara and lipstick. I can literally go without anything else. Well, I still never go without under eye creme and mosturizer.
Hey Kathy! Yes, mother always knows best right??You are a lucky woman to have wrinkle free skin at 70 – my 74 year old mother is the same! Great genes too