If you’re plugged in to the online beauty community, you may have seen the Pixi On-the-Glow Blush Stick go viral. You may have even tried picking it up already, though it’s been sold out online for a few weeks now. At $18, it’s a bit expensive for your typical drugstore product… so is it worth the price and the hype?
The Pixi On-the-Glow Blush is a blush stick that adds a strong wash of color to the cheeks while also nourishing and hydrating the skin. The formula contains ginseng, aloe vera, and fruit extracts with skin-loving vitamins and antioxidants.
There are three shades in the line, my favorite being Ruby: a cool red that adds a doll-like flush and is flattering across most skin tones.
I’ll be completely honest with you: the first time I used this blush, and several times after that, I did not like this blush. The consistency is pretty stiff, so you’d have to really press it into the skin to apply color. It would drag your foundation out of place, mix with it and turn muddy, and become impossible to blend. Every time I used this, I had to pull out all the stops to fix the look.
I put them in a drawer and didn’t touch them for months. But then they became popular on social media, with everyone raving about them, and I decided to give them another go… with a different approach this time.
I decided to apply the On-the-Glow stick like I would a cream blush that came in a compact or jar: with a stipple brush. My current favorite is the AOA Studio F6 brush. Stipple brushes allow you to apply cream and liquid products in a very even and thin layer by tapping on the product. This application technique completely changed my opinion about this blush.
You can see above how much product is applied when you swipe it straight from the tube. It’s entirely too much, making it difficult to blend and achieve a softer look. It also ends up sitting on top of the skin, causing it to slide around and wear off quickly.
In contrast, the second swatch is applied with the stipple brush in one light layer. The amount of product is much more controlled, and starts out at a tint level that can be built up for more color. Working in thinner layers like this allows the blush to set onto the skin for a more long lasting performance.
Once I began to use the product this way, I fell in love with the formula. It makes my skin look so bouncy and fresh, and the color is gorgeous and long lasting. Whether I wear it more subtly or make it a statement, it compliments my skin wonderfully. It maintains a dewy (but not greasy) finish without feeling heavy or tacky on the skin.
I wish this blush came in a compact or jar, because I just don’t think it’s practical to apply as the brand intended. Not only is the formula not suitable for direct-to-skin application, but the shape of the stick is also pretty inconvenient to use that way. It’s flat and much too wide to swipe on unless you want color below the cheeks, too.
Final verdict? Yes, this product is definitely worth it, and the formula is elite when applied with a brush. It will also last you a long time without drying out. As mentioned, I had totally ignored this blush for months before picking it back up again, and the formula is still creamy and easy to work with.
Keep a look out for the Pixi On-the-Glow Blush stick— once it’s restocked, it’ll be flying off shelves again!
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