Summer leans into unfussy swipes of makeup and the new Dior Backstage Rosy Glow Stick formula doesn’t deviate from that. Like all products in the Backstage line, this blusher was born at the Dior fashion shows – something that speaks volumes about the ease and speed with which you can apply this product.
Whether you opt to blend with fingers or a brush is up to you – either way, the gel-like finish is designed to deliver both a soft rosy flush as well as a dewy glow. But perhaps its most interesting selling point is that each shade adapts to the pH of the wearer's skin for a custom colour.
If this flips a switch in your memory, you'd be right to think this isn't the first time that Dior has introduced technology to its blushers that reacts to the skin's pH. The difference is, previously, the colour only reacted to the skin's cool undertones, whereas the Rosy Glow Stick now also takes on warm, coral undertones.
All of which is to say, it works on all skin tones while also allowing you to switch up your makeup look to suit your mood.
There are seven shades in the range including a punchy baby pink shade 001 Pink. Other shades that skew more cool-toned include the muted rose shade 012 Rosewood, a rich deep plum 006 Berry, and the icy lilac-tinged rose shade 063 Pink Lilac. Warm-toned choices include a bright red 015 Cherry, the golden pink hue 077 Candy, and a neutral beige in the form of 103 Toffee.
What's more, the formula is infused with Dior's signature cherry oil-infused formula (a little like the Dior Lip Glow Oil) for its skin-softening properties and promises 12-hours wear.
The GLAMOUR team has put the Dior Backstage Rosy Glow Stick through its paces but will we be using it on repeat this summer? Here's what our editors had to say when they tried it out…
Fiona, Associate Beauty Director
Shade: 063 Pink Lilac
When I first swatched the shade on the back of my hand, it read very cool and purple so I have to admit that I felt nervous about what it would look like on my cheeks. The pigment payoff is definitely rich but the formula is extremely nimble so it blends out easily. I've been using one swipe of this shade as a highlighter and then building it up with a couple more layers if I'm wearing it as blusher.
A lot of cream makeup formulas that I've applied in the past disappear on my skin after an hour or two without the grip that a base layer of foundation can offer. When I applied the Dior Backstage Rosy Glow Stick to bare skin, my immediate thought was that I liked the cool sensation of the gel-like formula and the fact that it wasn't sticky. As the day wore on, I became increasingly impressed with its staying power, despite using it on a hot summer's day.
I've never tried a lilac hued blush before but I really loved how after about half an hour, the cool tones had warmed up to suit my undertones. It was still a more interesting colour than run-of-the-mill pink, but it had melded with my skin for a more natural-looking flush. I really loved these (and the second looks I got on the bus when I pulled the luxe packaging out of my makeup bag).
Rating: 9/10
Dominic, Acting Beauty Editor
Shade: 015 Cherry
I’m not exactly a blushaholic, so I was definitely apprehensive when it came to Dior Backstage’s Rosy Glow Stick. Turns out I had nothing to worry about! The packaging is super cute and feels very summery – I love the transparent tubes that house the blush stick and can already see myself carrying it around in my purse. The product itself has the most amazing creamy texture and blends like a dream. The finished look is dewy with a flush that looks like it comes from within and it lasted all day long without going patchy. What’s not to love?
Rating: 9/10
Eilidh, European Design Director
Shade: 001 Pink
As an everyday blusher fan I have tried powders, liquids, tints and stains but not many sticks so I was keen to give the new Dior Backstage Rosy Glow Stick a try. The packaging, as always with Dior, looks and feels luxe and is the perfect size to slip into any bag. I found the product easy to apply and its lightweight balm texture was easy to blend into the rest of my makeup and build up to the intensity I wanted.
Overall I found the Rosy Glow Stick was ideal for a fresh, ‘no makeup’ makeup look with a great dewy finish that lasted all day.
Rating: 9/10
Esohe, Operations Manager
Shade: 006 Berry
I'm a real blush girl – I use cream as well as powder. The first standout with the Dior Backstage Rosy Glow Stick was the packaging. I'm not the type of person who applies makeup on the Tube but, if you are, this is definitely one of those products that you'll look forward to taking out of your bag as you'll want everyone to see how chic it is.
I love the fact that it's a rich, pigmented blush but you can use as much or as little of it as you like. Personally, I prefer using it for a little highlight on the cheeks and, if I'm wearing less eye makeup, I'll go a little heavier with the application for a more noticeable flush.
Rating: 9/10
Lian, Senior Manager, Audience Development
Shade: 012
These days a powder blush is typically my go-to for a buildable, subtle hint of colour, so a blush stick is admittedly new territory for me. That said, I instantly fell in love with the creamy, dewy texture of the Dior Backstage Rosy Glow Stick, while the shape of the product makes it a lot more travel-friendly than bulkier palette alternatives.
To apply, I swiped the balmy stick directly onto the apples of my cheeks and bridge of my nose for a sun-kissed look. The colour pay-off was immediate and came up as a delightfully rich, warm pink hue. The beauty of this blush is that each shade adapts to the pH of your skin, meaning it wears differently on each complexion for a more tailored final look.
On me, this translated to an effortless, flushed finish that felt lightweight on my skin and wore well through the day. Overall, I was impressed with how far a little of this product went, although in future I'd be tempted to use my finger to pat the product in rather than swipe it on straight away to allow for greater control.
As a non-sticky and buildable blush, I can see myself adapting the application for both a more natural look and likewise a full beat. It's a ‘yes’ from me.
Rating: 8/10
For more from Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR's Associate Beauty Director, follow her on @fiembleton.
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