How to Make Your Own Cream Blush at Home

Nothing pulls a fresh, youthful makeup look together quite like cream blush. Unlike powder formulas, cream blush blends effortlessly into the skin to deliver a soft, lit-from-within flush. Best of all, you do not need to splurge on high-end boutique cosmetics to get that dewy glow. You can whip up a custom cream blush right at your vanity using everyday skincare essentials and that nearly empty tube of lipstick you cannot bear to throw away.

Here is everything you need to create your own bespoke shade at home.

What You Will Need

• Leftover lipstick: The stub at the bottom of an old favorite tube works best, but cosmetic-grade mica powder or lip tint also works nicely.
• Moisturizing lotion: A light body or hand lotion to help bind the pigment.
• Daily face cream: Your go-to facial moisturizer will serve as the nourishing base.
• Small storage container: A clean mini jar, empty eye cream pot, or contact lens case.
• Mixing tool: A wooden toothpick, cosmetic spatula, or clean butter knife.
• Paper towel: To keep your workspace tidy.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cream Blush

1. Prep your workspace and rescue the pigment. Spread out a paper towel to catch any rogue pigments. If you are scraping the bottom of an old lipstick tube, submerge the sealed base in a bowl of warm water for a minute or two. The gentle warmth loosens the remaining wax, making it far easier to scoop out every last drop with your toothpick.

2. Add your color to the container. Place your lipstick shavings or pigment into your small container. Feel free to mix two compatible shades—such as a touch of coral with a berry pink—to craft your signature tone.

3. Incorporate your lotion. Add a tiny drop of moisturizing lotion into the container. Start small; this ingredient acts as a binding agent to keep the formula smooth, but too much can dilute the color payoff.

4. Blend in your facial moisturizer. Scoop in your face cream, using slightly more than the amount of lotion you added. Because this product sits on your cheeks all day, using a moisturizer your skin already loves guarantees a non-comedogenic, hydrating finish.

5. Mix until smooth and silky. Stir the mixture thoroughly using your toothpick. Keep blending until all lumps vanish and the texture becomes completely uniform. If the blush looks noticeably paler or chalkier than expected, simply add a sliver more lipstick to punch up the saturation. Once smooth, your custom cream blush is ready to wear!

Pro Tips for the Best Results

• Warm up the undertones: If you want a brighter, sunnier pink, swirl in a tiny crumb of bright red or poppy lipstick.
• Deepen the shade: If the mixture feels a little too bright for your complexion, a fleck of warm brown or terracotta lipstick will effortlessly ground the tone.
• Keep it fresh: Store your finished cream blush in an airtight container away from direct sunlight so the moisturizers do not dry out.
• Application note: Gently dab the blush onto the apples of your cheeks using clean fingertips or a damp makeup sponge, blending upward toward your temples. Always avoid direct contact with the eyes.