The Gloss Report: Cream Blushers

Cream blusher is one the those products that makes your face look lively immediately. An instant pick-me-up, the right colour and formula can takes years off, not to mention cunningly disguise fatigue and help you get ready to leave the house in mere moments (smudge on, blend, go). Obviously you want the finish to be more cherubic than clown-like, so we road-tested a selection of cream blushers to find out which ones come up roses, and which were found wanting...

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The promise: “Colour, care and a healthy glow in a single transformative texture.”

We give it: 7/10

Review: “Technically a cream to powder formulation, Blush Twist joins Sisley’s ever popular zebra striped Lip Twist collection, and application is just as simple. The Sisley series were made for commutes, although very classy ones given the eye watering price tag.”

“The formula does, however, fuse the best of bost in terms of texture and finish- buttery and blendable at first, then natural looking and impressively long-lasting when it settles. If you find that cream brushes desert you come midday, this chunky option is a keeper. Dewy and slightly transparent, Sisley has nailed it in terms of believability, although for darker skintones Fuchsia is probably your only shade option of the three available. The fact that it’s got longevity in terms of wear and number of applications, plus is infused with vitamin E and nourishing, non-irritating plant oils, does make it worth a bit of a splurge, but handing over close to £50 to perk up the apples of your cheeks stings regardless. Knowing me I would because blusher is my cosmetic weakness, but if you’re not so into it...ouch.”

Reviewer: AH

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The promise: "Two products in one- apply to cheeks for a just-pinched look, or blot onto lips for a soft, stained finish."

We give it: 10/10

Review: “I've heard lots of rave reviews about this award-winning product and now I know what all the fuss is about. Firstly, it’s a great little compact with a handy mirror which just so happens to be the perfect size - big enough to see how you're applying your make-up, yet small enough so that it doesn't take up much space in your bag."

"Secondly, I usually only ever wear powder blushers but this creamy blush actually gave a much more natural looking flush of colour to my cheeks. It also doubles as a great lip stain and surprisingly worked just as well with my olive skin and dark hair as it did on a fair, blonde friend who tested the very same colour. A multi-purpose, natural looking, suits-all product with real staying power.”

Reviewer: KB

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The promise: "This sheer brightening cheek and lip color gives your look instant lift, shape and pop".

We give it: 9/10

Review: “This blusher was extremely easy to use and gave me a really nice pop of colour on the apples of my cheeks. Easy to blend, the mixture of colours allowed me to highlight and sculpt a little bit too, and it’s so lightweight and compact that it will certainly take up residence in my handbag as a great pick-me-up for when I'm on the go.”

Reviewer: AM

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The promise: "The creamy formula glides on smoothly to give cheeks an enviably dewy glow."

We give it: 8/10

Review: “In a chic compact complete with mirror, this cream blush looked soft and subtle; great for my very fair skin. The Camellia shade is the lightest of the range, with peachy undertones which once blended onto the apples of the cheeks almost disappears. I liked that I could build it up and smudge it around as much as I needed, though just a light layer was enough to give that lightly flushed and glowy complexion. Perfect for those wanting the natural look.”

Reviewer: JJ

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The promise: “The luxurious, cream-to-powder formula creates a naturally flushed, beautiful kiss of colour.”

We give it: 5/10

Review: “Easy to apply and compact, this particular blusher scores well in terms of practicality. Texture-wise, it applies smoothly and sheerly - but perhaps a little too sheerly for me. Its texture melts beautifully into cheeks when fine-tuned with fingers, however the finish is more subtle than the requisite ‘pop’ I look for in a blusher. Unfortunately, it didn’t have the necessary amount of pigment needed for it to stand out on my darker skin tone. So, while it would work well for those with a lighter complexion looking for a natural flush, I was unable to see these qualities first-hand.”

Reviewer: AM

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The promise: This quenching blush flushes the cheeks with a cool burst of watercolour for a long-wearing healthy glow."

We give it: 7/10

Review: "First and foremost, don't be put off by the alarmingly highlighter-esque colouring of this blusher- it does not make you look like a clown! In fact, quite the opposite as if you really want to see some colour you need to layer up. It delivers a very soft, sheer colour which can be built up to create a summery glow - the finish is a delicate flush. For me, I prefer a blush with more pigment when it's on the skin but for those with fairer skin types who want a subtle, healthy look, then this would be perfect."

Reviewer: SM

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The promise: "This totally intuitive blush turns cheeks the colour you blush."

We give it: 7/10

Feedback: “I was intrigued to try this blusher - it’s a tube of clear gel which glides on and claims to change into your natural blush colour when it comes into contact with the skin. The best bit about it is the texture - it really does feel like silk to the touch. It turns from clear to pink instantly, so quick in fact that you have to be pretty speedy to blend it how you want it before it dries to a super soft and fairly matte finish that doesn’t budge. I’m not sure it was my ‘natural’ blush that appeared - it was quite a bright and girly pink, but very pretty and perfect for spring. A cute idea, but one that needs a bit of precision and a lot of cleanser to remove once it’s on.”

Reviewer: JJ