I’ve been experimenting with homemade makeup for years, from homemade concealers and highlighters to lip balms and mascaras. I have a powder blush that I really like, but I’ve also received requests for a cream blush option. After perfecting the liquid foundation recipe, I decided to tackle the creamy formula blush as well.
You can customize this cream blush to match your skin tone to build your shade. For warm tones, use a little more cocoa powder or warm pigment. I have included instructions on how much pigment to use, but you can adjust it to suit your preference.
cream blush
Many cream blushes on the market use ingredients such as dimethicone, silica, and Red 6, and other ingredients that I don’t really like. More companies are now manufacturing non-toxic options, but it’s usually cheaper to make your own.
Cream blushes have long-lasting power and are much bolder and more versatile than powder blushes. A little goes a long way. In summer, use a small amount to darken your natural foundation as needed.
Depending on the ingredients used, blush can have a matte finish or a dewy finish. Cocoa powder helps give the blush cream formula a warm tone, while mica adds color and glowing shine.
Ingredients to make the best blush
There are two options for this recipe. One uses a ready-made lotion and the other uses a DIY liquid base.
For a simpler version, use natural ready-made lotions as a base and add colors and pigments if desired. The DIY base takes a little more time and requires 5 ingredients, but since you’re making your own base lotion, you can customize it even more.
If you want to make your own cheek base, you will need shea butter, aloe vera gel, and emulsifying wax. Beeswax won’t work here because an emulsifying wax is needed to combine the water-soluble and oil-soluble ingredients. The basic ingredients are the same as my liquid foundation recipe.
Aloe vera moisturizes and shea butter nourishes dry skin. You can also add a small amount of vitamin E oil as an antioxidant and to extend shelf life. I love fresh aloe vera, but it has a very short shelf life in DIY skin care recipes. Pre-made, naturally preserved aloe vera gel is best used here.
Customize the color of your cream blush
This DIY starts with either cocoa powder or natural mineral makeup as the colorant. Then you can add mica powder as an additional pigment. I used a combination of deep berry and bright pink. To create a more complex color palette, you can also add a little bronze or mauve mica to the mix.
Start with a small amount and add more until you get the color you want. The recipe below lists the actual amounts used, but you can increase or decrease according to your preference. The more pigment you add, the stronger and bolder the color will be.
Use 1/4 to 1 teaspoon cocoa powder and 1/2 to 1 teaspoon mica powder. Alternatively, use 1-2 teaspoons of natural mineral powder in the color of your choice.
It is difficult to find powdered blush that does not contain titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide can be toxic if inhaled as a powder. If you mix it with your foundation or cream blush, it doesn’t seem to have the same toxicity concerns. If you don’t have a powder blush you like, use cocoa powder and mica options instead. Plant-based pigments, such as beetroot powder, produce grainy products that don’t add much color to the skin.
How to apply
I usually use a blush brush to apply this, but you can easily apply it using your fingers as well. Dab a little on your cheekbones and rub in small circular motions towards your temples. Exact placement depends on face shape and color.
If you have extremely dry skin types, you may need to apply a moisturizer or primer to your face first. The shea butter is creamy and moisturizing, so I think it can be worn over foundation.
homemade natural cream blush
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Active time 7 minutes
Total time 12 minutes
Yield: 1 oz.
Author: Katie Wells
For a simple version…just mix organic lotion with 1-2 teaspoons of mineral powder (or mica powder and cocoa powder) to get the color and consistency you want.
For a complete DIY: Melt the shea butter and emulsifying wax in a double boiler until completely melted.
Add the aloe a little at a time and whisk until completely dissolved and smooth.
Turn off the heat and slowly add the color. Add mica and cocoa powder little by little until you reach your desired color.
Dip the tip of a spoon into the mixture and let it cool for a few seconds. Test the color and coverage on your cheeks and backs of your hands to see if you have the right tone for your skin.
Spoon the mixture into the desired container and let cool.
You can use 1-2 teaspoons of all-natural mineral powder in place of mica powder and cocoa powder. Choose a powdered natural mineral blush in your favorite color.
additional tips
Check out this recipe for the powder version and check out my other homemade makeup recipes here. Adding color (mica powder and cocoa powder) to a ready-made lotion creates a super smooth blush/bronzer. Experiment with colors until you get the shade you want. When it’s made it looks much darker than it does on the skin. Adding more vegetable wax to your homemade lotion base creates a thicker, longer-lasting blush/bronzer. The more aloe you use, the smoother and more delicate the mix will be. Adding more reddish mica powder will give you a rose/pink tint like a blusher, while adding cocoa powder or bronze mica will create a bronzer or more tan mixture. Try my natural eyeshadow recipe for your eyes.
Have you ever used cream cheek? Let us know by leaving a comment.
