Best & Worst of ColourPop Blush Stix

ColourPop Blush Stix
ColourPop Blush Stix

This week, ColourPop Blush Stix ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a new, cream blush in a twist-up format, which launched in 18 different shades. The formula is supposed to “blend effortlessly” with a “natural, skin-like finish” that can be layered or applied on bare skin. The brand recommends applying directly from the tube for heavier coverage and using a brush to pick up product for less coverage, though the coverage “easily builds colour to your heart’s desire.” They dry down to a semi-set finish–lightly dewy, definitely “natural, skin-like” in appearance, but not overly tacky or really wet-looking. I haven’t found that they migrate or move around much, so the formula is still longer-wearing at seven to nine hours with minimal movement. They have applied well and worn well over foundation thus far, too. They are not transfer-proof but are transfer-resistant; they won’t smear around with an inadvertent touch but aren’t fully locked down.

The pigmentation varied a bit from shade to shade, but most shades were semi-opaque to fully opaque when applied directly from the tube in one “swipe” motion, though I think mimicking this on cheeks isn’t quite as easily done as compared to my arm. I preferred picking up product on my fingertip, patting on the apple of my cheek and diffusing upward and outward, then using a clean fingertip to diffuse and soften the edges as needed. I appreciated that even the deeper hues didn’t seem to “sink” into my pores and were as easy to apply and blend out as very light, more my-skin-but-better (literally, my skin!) hues. I would describe the formula was buildable from semi-sheer to medium with semi-opaque coverage possible, but there’s enough slip in the formula that it starts to sheer out noticeably even when applied more heavily.

The consistency was lightly emollient, lightweight, and thin with good spreadability and movement; it didn’t lift up base products but still worked well over bare skin. I didn’t experience it lifting up or creating patchiness over time on top of foundation, even when I set the foundation initially, but I would recommend (same as I would for most cream-based cheek formulas!) to pair with a less-matte foundation for optimal results (the dewy finish plays well with a more skin-like base).

7 Comments

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Rebecca Avatar

Hello. I have a warm medium skin tone, and I purchased Wallaby. I love purple and Iove opalescent, so I really wanted it to work out. It’s pretty light on me, and when I try to blend it, it sheers out very easily so you don’t see much. I’m going to explore whether this will work as a highlighter. Just a little warning.

Genevieve Avatar

A stunning range, with excellent results. There are a few blush sticks that are quite similar to each other in the coral/pink range, but I guess that would be because of variations in skin tones. I would find it difficult to pick the right one for me as I think I would have to swatch them myself to see.
Thank you for the reviews Christine.

P Jill Avatar

I love cream blushes, so I picked up 4 of these: More is More is my least favorite. I didn’t find its peach shimmer flattering on me. Under Pressure is my fave, then Splash, and 25/8. They are certainly portable and take up little precious space in my cosmetic bag. I apply to hand and then use brush to blend, but longevity is not great.
For the 6$ a piece I paid for them I like them, but the quality does not compare to the richer pigments and creamier texture found in higher priced brands’ potted creams, such as ND, Chanel, and LM.

Seraphine Avatar

I have three (Mini Me, Flamenco, and More Is More). Mini Me is my favorite, with Flamenco being a close second. It might look too bright in the tube, but when Flamenco is applied lightly as a sheer wash, it’s gorgeous. I was less impressed with More Is More because it doesn’t go on as smoothly or stay on as long as the other two. Maybe it’s the finish. Overall, I’m very impressed with this formula.

Deborah S. Avatar

It is truly amazing how ColourPop can develop and market so many really wonderful products with few or any misses and at such a low price point. Whatever they are doing, they are doing it right. Mic Drop and Under Pressure are my favorites and I have cart at ColourPop so will likely place the order soon.

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