Time for a review and swatches of the new Natasha Denona Hy-Blush Cloudy Cream Cheek Duo ($42). Anyone try these yet? Natasha Hy-Blush is a new Spring 2025 hybrid blush formula that’s available in six shade selections. This formula contains two thin cream blushes one of which is a highlighter shade that promise a natural flush of color in a weightless formula that has a second skin feel. The formula contains moisturizing ingreidents like vegan squalene and sunflower wax which act to provide natural hydration.
A long time ago in a land not so far away we used to have the stunning Natasha Denona Diamond & Blush Palettes and later on launches like the Bloom Blush & Glow Palette. I feel like the idea of these new Hy-Blush Cloudy Cream Cheek Duos are pretty much identical to the cream blushes in those palettes. The main difference is we aren’t getting a powder in this new duo. Natasha loves pairing up a cream highlighter-like blush and powder together in a lot of her face and cheek palettes. This time around we’re getting two cream blushes. I realize at $42 each these weren’t exactly a cheap thrill and I didn’t technically need them as I do have my beloved Bloom Blush & Glow Palette which I can essentially produce the same look using as I could with this duo. But I was tempted anyway to grab one shade. I can see myself purchasing more of them if they go on sale but not at full-price only because they can be a little difficult to work with.
Natasha Denona Hy-Blush Cloudy Cream Cheek Duo arrived in a small hot pink metallic plastic case with a nicely sized mirror inside. The total size of the palette is 0.35 oz in size and $42 each shade. Each shade has its own well well but there is no protective plastic over each shade. Normally she does double seal the cream blushes but that’s only because they are housed with powders. In this case, there is no need for that extra protection.
I selected the shade Flirty Flush which contains a gold coral highlighter shade and a golden candy pink blush. This is such a me shade! I absolutely love this color duo! It’s stunning and it looks so fresh and pretty on cheeks. I will say it’s pigmented as hell so a little goes a very long way!
According to Natasha’s website these can be applied in two ways. They recommend a dense face brush (I don’t but I’ll explain more below), makeup sponge, or finger to apply the cream blush onto the apples of the cheeks. For the lift you’ll want to use the lighter highlighter shades on the points of your cheeks. They have another application recommendation which is the one I use and that’s blending the two shades together and sweeping onto cheeks. I also, use the shades individually on the apples of my cheeks as both are very pigmented so either will work alone as a blush.
The formula is cream and has a very thin texture. I do appreciate how thin they are as if they were super creamy and thicker you’d likely end up with major clown cheeks. But the thinness is also an issue as they feel almost dry and are super difficult to blend. I wanna say I’m really dry right now and that’s what’s causing the issue but nope, they are just a very frustrating formula to blend. I wouldn’t recommend a dense brush nor fingers for application. I’d go for a softer brush, something fiber with longer bristles. I feel like I can sweep the blush on when using a softer brush and I can build up easily without overdoing things. If I use a dense brush it feels like they set too quickly and I ended up with a blotchy, patchy finish. As soon as they hit skin it feels like they just settle on that area and refuse to move. There is a rather steep learning curve for application. I’ve heard them described as “ultra creamy” by Wayne Goss and I was shocked to hear him say that as I felt they were drier almost like a cream-to-powder formula with an instant set and no blending time.
Yes, the application is a pain in the ass. But after learning how to apply it correctly I can’t deny it looks super pretty on my cheeks not to mention very smooth and skin-like. It just melts right in so it isn’t clinging to drier areas or looking cakey. It lays completely flat and smooth on skin and almost airbrushed-like. And the wear? Crazy! It doesn’t budge, move, or fade. Even the beautiful glow lasts for hours and hours.
Natasha Denona Hy-Blush Swatches (Flirty Flush)
As much I loved the look I could get from the Natasha Denona Hy-Blush Cloudy Cream Cheek Duo I couldn’t truthfully recommend you run out and buy them. I think they may be nice item to have if you can get them on sale but not at full-price. The application and blending is a chore which makes me give them a lower rating. Beautiful, yes but easy to use? No.
Natasha Denona Hy-Blush Cloudy Cream Cheek Duos are a blush you really have to swatch and play with in stores before you commit to purchasing one. I can see myself getting more shades but only if I get some sort of great coupon or sale price.
Anyone try Natasha Denona Hy-Blush Cloudy Cream Cheek Duos?
Where to buy
Sephora Ulta
Natasha Denona Hy-Blush ($42) is a new six shade cream blush and highlighter available in six shades for $42 each. These blushes are a thin cream formula that are best applied using a fiber blush brush with softer bristles. They can be very challenging to apply and I find they set almost instantly on my skin making for patchy application. Both shades are very pigmented and a little goes a very long way. Once you do finally master application the blush gives a very beautiful second-skin finish with a gorgeous glow. They wear incredibly long without losing intensity or the glow. Unfortunately, the challenging application made them a little bit of a fail.
Beautiful glow.
Exceptional wear time.
Lovely packaging.
Very difficult to blend.
Sets super quickly.
Can go on patchy and splotchy due to the quick set.
Natasha Denona Hy-Blush is a great pick for true makeup artists as they’ll know the best way to apply this.
