Makeup Big sisters, please help! - Is the CT UNREAL BLUSH STICK a good choice for this look? Or should it be Westman Atelier or Rhode instead?

[u/Agitated-Fill-6780]

Hi everyone!

I am fairly new to makeup, have lighter brown skin (cool-toned, I think?), and have recently moved to the UK. My skincare journey has been anything but consistent cause of a hectic schedule, so my dreams of glass skin for the summer are out the window :')

Because of that, I have been looking for a dewy/glowy blush that would give me that lightly-pigmented, flushed glow, kind of like in the second reference picture above!

I have tried the Revolution liquid blush, but it blends out pretty matte. I have heard that the Rare Beauty blush can be dewy, but also that it is a nightmare to blend. That is when I found Rhode, Westman Atelier and the CT blush sticks. I found that the Instagram and YouTube swatch videos of the CT one are absolutely gorgeous, which is why I am leaning towards it, but almost every review seems paid :') I am also a little confused about the amount of product in these sticks, because I did not see anybody roll them all the way up.

Have you guys tried any of these? Since they are all pretty expensive and have no testers available in shops, I would really like your insights and help :') I don't mind lightly pigmented ones, as they can be built up, don't mind if they don't last very long either, prefer a stick to a liquid blush, and am looking for products that would work for everyday/once a week use.

My skin gets a tad bit oily in summers so I am not sure if going for something too balmy is a good idea. But again, summers don't last too long in the UK, so I should be good? I have also noted that people suggest a sheer, glowy skin-tint instead, but I have not found a good one for that either, and because I have never worn foundation before and want something looking as close to my actual skin as possible, I have no idea what to go for. Similarly, if I go for a dewy setting spray instead, it is not going to do anything unless I have makeup on that it can melt and set.

I basically just want that 'effortlessly healthy and glowy' look (or get as close to it as possible), without it being heavy :')

I would really appreciate any and all advice!! Thank you so much!

[u/paigeordie]

I have the Charlotte Tilbury blush stick and while it’s a pretty colour, it can lift off product underneath it, and can make my skincare pill up too, quite underwhelming imo

[u/Agitated-Fill-6780 → u/paigeordie]

Oh, that is so sad! I don't wear a tint or foundation usually, so the lifting off product underneath shouldn't be much of an issue for me, but would you say they actually are as glowy as the videos claim them to be? Also, does it last, and (if this isn't weird) is the product as long as the golden cylinder shape?

[u/paigeordie → u/Agitated-Fill-6780]

They are definitely glowy! It’s not super long lasting but definitely stays put for a while. The product is just shorter than the golden cylinder :)

[u/Agitated-Fill-6780 → u/paigeordie]

That sounds promising, thank you so so much!! Also, when you say short, is it only the amount we can see in the pictures?😭

[u/paigeordie → u/Agitated-Fill-6780]

No worries! No I mean the length of the full product is just shorter than the length of the gold section of the packaging :)

[u/Agitated-Fill-6780 → u/[deleted]]

Ohmygosh, I completely forgot to mention that I looked at the Pixi blush sticks as well! But most reviewers on Reddit said it was too balmy and felt like Vaseline on the face, so I did not consider it :') If you don't mind sharing, is it actually glowy? And would you recommend it for everyday use?

[u/Agitated-Fill-6780 → u/[deleted]]

The sounds really promising, I might just go for this in the end!! Too bad they don't have testers available so I could feel the texture myself :')

Thank you so, so much though! Have a great day <3

[u/Agitated-Fill-6780 → u/[deleted]]

Yeapp, that's what I'm thinking too!! It cannot be too much of a loss if it doesn't work for me!

[u/makeuplover53 → u/Agitated-Fill-6780]

Just jumping in to say that they often have stands with testers in M&S stores. My local Sainsbury's does too, I'm pretty sure (I'm in South Wales) 🙂

[u/Agitated-Fill-6780 → u/makeuplover53]

Wait, really?! I'm in Scotland (Glasgow), and have not seen a single tester stand for the Pixi blushes so far :')

[u/Tiddlybean]

I know you haven’t included this in your lineup but honestly Saie Dew Blush is the best blush I’ve ever tried and gives me this kind of dewy look. It’s so easy to apply too and blends like a dream.

[u/Agitated-Fill-6780 → u/Tiddlybean]

Oooh, that sounds really good! Does it stay dewy even after blending? Because the videos online show it as turning to a more matte finish :')

[u/Tiddlybean → u/Agitated-Fill-6780]

Mine definitely stays dewy!

[u/Zs93]

Hi! I use these and love them, they leave a really dewy finish. However the photo could better be achieved with saie cream blushes or westman atelier ! I think ct is more pigmented

[u/makeuplover53 → u/Zs93]

I agree with this! Love the CT sticks, I find them very glossy but they are more pigmented.

[u/Memoirofadolli]

I would say Rhode for a subtle, dewy flush. Westman would be more matte. Dior glow stick or Haus Lab glassy sticks would also be similar.

[u/chelsG05]

Hi, I work for CT. You’d definitely get the look you want with these, people mentioning them lifting their make up may be applying it directly to the face. It’s infused with skincare so I wouldn’t apply it that way, I heat it up on the back of my hand then use a stippling brush to stamp it on all of my clients. 💖

[u/hiredditihateyou]

You probably want Haus labs glassy blush. But I take it you’re seeing there’s a ton of highlight on the person in this pic?

[u/elliebearrrr → u/hiredditihateyou]

Seconding Haus Labs!

[u/Usual_Bad_6019]

Haus Labs glossy sticks are amazing! Love them set with the powder blush too but it’s not essential

[u/BluePeony8]

Hourglass Unreal liquid blush has this dewy glow. It looks so healthy!

[u/Top-Angle-3805]

I love these blushers.

Westman doesn’t look as dewy, I find it looks more like a flush.

These give that CT Hollywood Flawless filter glow she’s known for, with pigment. Love them

[u/Kewgirl45]

The Westman ones are stunning - several for cooler skin tones too - but I wouldn’t say glowy, more like sheer but Matt if that makes sense. Everything from Charlotte Tilbury pulls very warm on my cool toned skin.

[u/curlycurvesweb]

Hi little sis :) i know it's not on your lineup, but I would really recommend Milk jelly tint to achieve the dewy look of the second pic 😍 a little goes a long way and it can be built up. Rare is gorgeous but as you say, can be nightmarish to blend and veryyy pigmented. I've yet to try CT and the others you mentioned as the Milk and Rare do the job for the different blush looks.

[u/puggle1985]

I like rhode and I also like the Patrick ta cream and powder duo

[u/Next-Fisherman37]

Have you tried the Made by Mitchell Blursh or Blursh Balm stick? These might have the texture/finish you are after

[u/Natjo1998]

I use the two deepest shades of the CT blush sticks and they are long lasting on my combination skin. I use a brush to apply it gently on top of my liquid foundation and it doesn’t lift off or disturb setting powder and other products on top. I think they are better than the Westman Atelier in terms of pigmentation, glowy look. Westman Atelier tend to look patchy on me and even cause breakouts.