BLUSHER - CREAM/GEL

We've always been big fans, at Beauty Bible HQ, for its ease of application and instant perkifying effect; we also like that gels and creams can be applied directly over moisturiser, unlike powder options, which really need a base of foundation to perform their best. We’ve grouped creams AND gel formula blushers in this section; the product descriptions should make their properties clear. (If you're looking for a powder blusher, click here.)

One of the advantages of cream blushers is their portability: they’re easy to slip in a handbag or make-up bag. But we think it’s always worth repeating our favourite application tip, in case you don’t know it: although one of the virtues of cream blusher is that they can be smooshed into skin with fingers, we’ve actually found that you get more long-lasting results from using a synthetic foundation brush to apply many of them. You’ll need to keep it for blusher only (otherwise there’s the serious risk of pink streaks as you blend your foundation!), but this technique delivers a great, natural result.

GOLD AWARD  Mii Cosmetics Cheek Veil Liquid Blush

A little pot of cheek-flushing wonder, applied via a dippable doe-foot wand, this is a sheer, featherlight, buildable formula that can be used on bare skin or over foundation; the wand ‘is designed for better control and more precise application, to create mistake-proof looks’, Mii tell us. It features skin-cherishing ingredients including raspberry oil, bilberry seed oil (for moisture and protection), while diamond light-reflecting powders give a silky, soft-focus effect. 

Mii, if you don’t already know, have an interesting way of ‘crowdsourcing’ product feedback, basing their innovation schedule around feedback from thousands of real women. Five shades available; our testers trialled Splendour, a soft tawny pink selected to suit all skin tones.

£22 for 7ml - click to buy 

OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:

‘I love, love, loved this blush and will be re-purchasing in other colours; great texture, blends effortlessly and lasts all day and into the night’ • ‘A few friends commented on how healthy I looked. It was very easy to apply, and the sponge applicator delivered just the right amount on the skin directly, for a very natural flushed effect’ • ‘Lasted all day; was very impressed I never needed to re-apply even if going out after work’ • ‘Gives a really lightweight, natural glow, long lasting and is really convenient to carry in your bag, so you don't need to carry a blusher brush around anymore. It’s my new favourite make-up essential! ’ • ‘It went on really smoothly, was so easy and quick to blend. It didn't leave any line or mark where I put it on, blending into a really natural blush. I would definitely recommend’ • ‘The cream blusher is super easy to apply and to blend’ • ‘100% would recommend; I absolutely love it – so easy to use and looks amazing. I'm sold – and I would never even have considered buying a blusher, actually; I don’t use them. But it blended seamlessly and was so smooth, it seemed to overwrite my underlying redness and make me look fresh instead’ • ‘A little goes a long way, it is long lasting and looks gorgeous’ • ‘Blended like a dream; adored the colour – an ideal match for my skin tone and I truly believe it would suit most people.’

£22 for 7ml - click to buy 

SILVER AWARD  Illamasqua Colour Veil

Interesting texture, here: a soft, jelly-like cream that allows for building up a fresh flush. As Illamasqua explain, these blushers ‘give you all the hydrating benefits of a cream blusher, but without a heavy residue…with zero caking.’ (They recommend applying with a round, fluffy brush, and building up in layers – though on the go, we reckon a finger’s just fine.) Illamasqua was originally created by Joe Corre, son of the late Vivienne Westwood, and has been known for innovation – and fun shade names – from the get-go. Tonic was the shade our panel put through its paces – one of six, in a gentle, warm, peach.

£20 - click to buy 

OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:

‘I was really surprised how natural it looked; not like a block of blusher, more like just a little flush of colour, which was nice. It felt really comfortable on my skin and set really well’ • ‘I took it with me for a girls’ weekend away – I suppose to see if anyone noticed and they absolutely did; they loved it’ • ‘I have tried different blushers as they've come and gone over the years but always gone back to my comfort zone, blush with brush! But this may be my new favourite: smooths on seamlessly, blends beautifully, looks natural, giving an instant flush of health to your cheeks so you just look fresher. It doesn’t sit in any lines or wrinkles and doesn't cake’ • ‘Illamasqua has transformed my opinion of cream blush; I will buy this again, no doubts at all, and recommend it to anyone. Great for dry and/or mature complexions’ • ‘Found that the blush stayed put and I didn’t need to reapply’ • ‘I’d buy again for the lovely soft colour and brightening finish. I feel much more polished and put together when wearing this’ • ‘Almost everyone I know said that I looked healthy and as if I was glowing (even after having the worse night's sleep ever, courtesy of a toddler!) This blusher has taken up a spot in my everyday make up bag.  I love how easy it is to use (after getting the hang of application!) and a little really goes a long way.’

£20 - click to buy 

BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD PIXI On-the-Glow Blush (Ruby)

Yet another format in this line-up of cream/gel blusher winners: a waterless swivel-up stick of hydrating colour that’s easy to sweep over cheekbones, before blending with fingertips. Founder make-up Petra also advises: ‘Try one shade on cheeks and lips to look pulled together instantly!’ The formula is vitamin-enriched for antioxidant benefits, paraben-free and (like all of the PIXI range), not tested on animals. There are three shades on offer; the Ruby tone that you can read comments on below looks scary in the tube – but in reality? The sheerness of the formula means it’s not at all, as our testers confirm.

£18 for 19g - click to buy 

OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:

‘I loved that this was so versatile; I used this not only on my cheeks but also on my lips for a lip tint effect. It made blusher easy – didn’t require a lot of building up and was even in its application. It also didn’t need a brush, making it great to use on the go and with just your hands, as a tool’ • ‘Super-emollient, with contains lots of ingredients that I would be happy to eat – ginseng, aloe vera, fruit extracts. Non-sticky, non-greasy, non-transferring, non-messy all-round - so important in the summer months. Easy to apply, quick and hassle-free’ • ‘A lovely colour and one that you could build up to your personal taste. It was a beautiful pink hue that seemed to melt into my cheek in all the right areas’ • ‘I was told I looked healthy which I feel is the main purpose of blusher! It gives an “alive” look to the face and extra dimension’ • ‘One sweep provided the perfect amount of coverage for a daytime flushed look. I applied a bit more for the evening to give me a more made-up effect’ • ‘This blush is in a nice generous size, which lasts for ages, because there is no need to apply that much’ • ‘I'm not the best at applying make-up and tend to stick to products which I am used to using and know how to apply. This is the first time I've used a cream blush, and this is a such great place to start.’

£18 for 19g - click to buy 

BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD and BEAUTY STEAL e.l.f. Cosmetics Luminous Putty Blush

It’s no secret that e.l.f. Cosmetics is one of our fave affordable brands, at Beauty Bible HQ – and we’re delighted to see this was a winner with testers, too. A lightweight, creamy formula, it morphs from a cream to a luminous powder finish, with a touch of shimmer and glow. For a boost of hydration, there’s argan oil and vitamin E in the formula. (We do slightly wish that e.l.f. didn’t call this ‘Putty’ – it sounds gummier than it really is.) Maui, the shade showcased here, is a peachy neutral; it’s one of six and if you want to see what they’ll look like on your skin, just use e.l.f.’s fab ‘Virtual Try-On’ feature.

£7 for 10g - click to buy 

OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:

‘Loved this; so easy to use with fingers or brush and will last ages as you use a small amount’ • ‘Texture is so smooth, and the colour is very flattering – I feel whatever your age, colour etc. it would suit you’ • ‘Love it! It made me look rosy, like I had just been outside or by a fire – very flattering’ • ‘Really loved this product.  It was like a holiday glow in a pot’ • ‘Really enjoyed using this blush, bow a new staple of my make-up routine. Small enough to fit in an already full make-up bag, and packs a punch with pigmentation’ • ‘Very easy to use, gives buildable coverage and lasts well. A little goes a long way’ • ‘I normally used powder blushers but am willing to switch to cream blushes after using this one, and would buy again’ • ‘Considering e.l.f. Cosmetics is a more budget brand, I think this is a great cream blusher – some of  the more high-end ones don’t have staying power, but this packs some colour and lasts an evening out – and with a little bit of sparkle to it, what’s not to love? ’ • ‘So easy to blend, isn't sticky and goes on really nicely – and I love that extra bit of sparkle! I have two nieces who would love it, too! ’ • ‘One of the best blushes I ever used. you can consider it to be a dupe for Nars, in my book.’

£7 for 10g - click to buy