ColourPop 25/8 Blush Stix Review & Swatches
25/8
ColourPop 25/8 Blush Stix ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a soft, muted mid-tone pink-coral with warmer undertones and a natural sheen. It had buildable pigmentation from semi-sheer to semi-opaque; for most coverage with the least amount of effort, you’ll want to apply directly from the tube.
The consistency was lightly emollient–it had enough slip and glide to spread easily across my skin over bare cheek as well as dabbed over liquid foundation. The creaminess helped to soften and smooth out slight dryness/natural texture on my skin, too. The color stayed on well for eight hours before starting to dull down and move slightly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Dior Coral Flight (462) (LE, $48.00) is more shimmery, brighter (95% similar).
- Sephora Fascinated (P, $14.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Sleek MakeUP Newport Peach (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Love Glow (Glow Cream Base) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Warm (Winter 2016) Blush (LE, $60.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Torrid (P, $30.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ILIA Temptation (P, $32.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Milani Coral Beams #3 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Megeve (Blush) (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Just a Pinch (P, $31.00) is more shimmery, warmer, less glossy (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$8.00/0.33 oz. - $24.24 Per Ounce
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).
Oh, the caps have the names of the products, but the rest of the tube doesn't, so if you have more than one open, take care in getting the right lid back on!
Browse all of our ColourPop Blush Stix swatches.
Ingredients
Phenylpropyldimethylsiloxysilicate, Caprylyl Methicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Paraffin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Ceresin, Hydrated Silica, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Synthetic Beeswax, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Cetyl Peg/Ppg-10/1 Dimethicone, Lauryl Laurate, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Microcrystalline Wax, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Water, Hexylene Glycol, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Mica (CI 77019), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Red 27 Lake (CI 45410), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).
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.
“The creaminess helped to soften and smooth out slight dryness/natural texture on my skin.”
Love this! I hope this entire line up does well!
This is a promising start! I love the color.
I’m glad one of these got an A! I’m very curious about these and at this price point, I will probably get one plus a highlighter.
Beautiful! I can’t wait to get the ones I ordered.
Does it dry down or does it stay tacky after you apply? Thank you for the great swatches!
Please read “Formula Overview,” your question is answered there in detail: “They dry down to a semi-set finish–lightly dewy, definitely “natural, skin-like” in appearance, but not overly tacky or really wet-looking.” Followed by: “They are not transfer-proof but are transfer-resistant; they won’t smear around with an inadvertent touch but aren’t fully locked down.”
Anything inherent to the formula in general will be addressed in the Formula Overview so that I don’t repeat the same thing while having to find 18 different ways to say it!
This is a beautiful shade and I love it.
Wow, beautiful shade and affordable too! I can see myself going a bit crazy on these
I love cream blushes, so I’m glad Colourpop doesn’t disappoint… coral is not my color, but if the other shades are the same quality I will definitely get one or two.
What a pretty color and finish! I’m glad this rated well!
Beautiful, just enough shinyness going on and a perfect colour for me.
Can the blush stix be applied over powder?
Yes!
Very promising! A little early to say, but CP may have come up with another winning line here.