I’ve been trying my hand at making homemade makeup for quite some time now, experimenting with things like DIY concealer, highlighter, lip balm, and mascara. I have a powder blush that I love, but I’ve been getting requests to create a cream blush. After successfully creating a liquid foundation, I decided to focus on crafting a creamy blush formula.
This cream blush can be tailored to match your skin tone, offering a buildable tint. If you have warmer undertones, try adding a bit more cocoa powder or pigments with warm tones. I’ve included guidelines for the pigment amounts I use, but feel free to adjust them as you like.
Many store-bought cream blushes include ingredients like dimethicone, silica, and red 6, which I’m not too keen on. Though non-toxic options are becoming more available, making your own is usually more cost-effective. Cream blush tends to last longer and can be bolder and more versatile than its powder counterpart. A little bit goes a long way, and I also use a small amount to darken my natural foundation during summer.
Your blush can have either a matte or dewy finish, depending on the ingredients you choose. Cocoa powder gives the blush a warmer tone, while mica adds color and a hint of sparkle. You can start with either a pre-made lotion or a DIY liquid base for this recipe.
If you’re preparing your own base, you’ll need shea butter, aloe vera gel, and emulsifying wax. Beeswax won’t work here because we require emulsifying wax to blend the water and oil-based ingredients. This is similar to my liquid foundation recipe.
Aloe vera hydrates, and shea butter nourishes dry skin. You can add a little vitamin E oil for its antioxidant properties and to help extend the product’s shelf life. Although I love fresh aloe vera, it doesn’t last long in DIY skincare, so it’s best to use a pre-made, naturally preserved aloe vera gel.
The process begins with either cocoa powder or natural mineral makeup for color. Then, you can mix in mica powder for an extra pigment boost. I used a combination of deep berry and bright pink, but feel free to add bronze or mauve mica for a more complex color palette. Start with a small amount and gradually increase until you reach your desired color. The more pigment you add, the bolder the shade will be.
Finding a powder blush without titanium dioxide, which can be harmful if inhaled, is tricky. However, once it’s mixed into a foundation or cream blush, the toxicity concerns lessen. If you don’t already have a preferred powdered blush, opt for cocoa powder and mica. Ground beetroot yields a gritty texture and doesn’t provide much color on the skin.
I usually apply this with a blush brush, but it’s easy to use your fingers too. Dab a little on your cheekbones and blend it upwards to your temples in circular motions. Exact placement depends on your face shape and coloring.
If your skin is particularly dry, you might want to moisturize or apply a primer first. I find that the shea butter makes the texture creamy and moisturizing, which works well over foundation.
Ever tried cream blush? Feel free to share your thoughts!
