Merit Cheeky Flush Balm Cream Blush Review & Swatches

Cheeky

Merit Cheeky Flush Balm Cream Blush Merit Cheeky Flush Balm Cream Blush ($28.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a soft, medium plum with subtle, cool undertones and a glossy finish. It had sheer coverage, as marketed, that could be built up to semi-sheer to medium coverage for those preferring more coverage.

The texture was lightweight, thin, and very emollient that felt slippery and almost oily to the touch; it looked so “dry” in the pot but turned to a slip ‘n’ slide of a texture as soon as rubbed my finger over the dome! I was impressed that for all that slip, it actually applied evenly to my cheeks and spread well but not to the point where I lost coverage and precision. The formula didn’t dry down, so it remained movable and emollient to the touch throughout wear.

It applied well to my bare skin as well as layered on top of foundation by patting and blending out with fingertips. I didn’t notice it lifting up base products or creating cakiness. It wore well for six hours with a gradual fading/disappearing but didn’t slide around.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

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ILIA At Last (P, $34.00) is more shimmery, more muted, warmer (95% similar).
Patrick Ta Oh She's Different (Crème) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Sublimate (Shade) (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
Westman Atelier Petal (P, $55.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
ILIA A Fine Romance (P, $34.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Merit Raspberry Beret (P, $28.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Fenty Beauty Cool Berry (P, $20.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).

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Formula Overview

$28.00/0.31 oz. - $90.32 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to give a "transparent veil of color" with a "light, balmy finish" that is "long-lasting." It's one of the more emollient consistencies I've come across in cream blushes these days! It looks like a solid, dome-shaped balm, but as soon as I touched it, the texture had high slip and felt almost oily as a result. They delivered on the "transparent veil of color" with sheer to semi-sheer coverage that blended out to a more watercolored-effect on skin.

I was surprised--but in a good way--to find that it applied well over foundation and didn't seem prone to lifting up my base products as often, very emollient textures can interact more noticeably when layered over other things in my experience. It worked well over bare skin, too, and didn't "sink" into pores like some cream blushes have for me.

It didn't dry down and remained movable hours later, so the shorter-wear time (six to seven hours) wasn't a surprise. The product didn't feel tacky, just emollient throughout; I have more "normal" skin on my actual cheek area where I tested this formula (I'm drier near my nose and on my nose).

Browse all of our Merit Flush Balm Cream Blush swatches.

Ingredients

Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Poly (C6-14 Olefin), Polyethylene, Silica, Diisostearyl Malate, Synthetic Wax, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Cera Microcristallina (Microcrystalline Wax, Cire Microcristalline), Tocopherol, Methicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, BHT, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77492/77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 15850 (Red 7 Lake), CI 19140 (Yellow 5 Lake).

Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.