Vincent Longo Chiara Flush Stick In Ibisca

I'm always a bit perplexed by makeup products that have a core in a different color that's meant for a separate use. How exactly do you maneuver that? And as cool as it looks, why not design it as a two pan item to begin with? The same question goes for this Vincent Longo Chiara Flush Stick,  a blush with a built-in highlighter in the middle, that the Vincent Longo website insists can be worn individually. I don't know. It took me a couple of tries to figure out how to make the most out of this truly lovely blush as it is, so I never bothered dipping a separate tiny brush into the "shimmery pink quartz core".

Despite how it may seem from the above opening, I'm not actually cranky about this item. Questioable design aside, Vincent Longo Chiara Flush Stick in the color Ibisca is a terrific gel stick blush in a spring pink (peony? azalea? rhododendron?) that packs the pigment (see swatch above, done straight from the tube) yet has a sheer and glowing quality thanks to that quartz core. It's a perfect product for the current light and luminous looks that give the illusion you have almost nothing on, just good health and a positive outlook (of course, as I counted the number of products that went onto my face earlier today before going to lunch I was fairly amused at what "fresh and bare" actually means).

As you can see, the amount of color you get straight from the tube is massive and also very very pink. I can't pull it off in this form, so I've experimented by dipping my finger in and carefully layering the product until I get just the right amount of flush. You can also smear it on the back of your hand (kind of like I did for the swatch) and pick small amounts with a synthetic cream blush brush (my old Paula Dorf is good for that, as well as any small cream foundation brush. I also used damp sponges (the very tip of a Beauty Blender or a classic wedge sponge) with great success. As long as you keep the placement right and amount of pinkness under control you're golden (or rather nicely blushed).

As for the highlighter part, I have to admit that I can't detect any shimmering particles or an actual shine. Using both parts mixed together won't make your cheeks into disco balls or anything remotely resembling true shimmer blush. It's more dewy than anything else, and as I've mentioned, looks perfect on a cheerful spring day. This Vincent Long blush has actually exceeded my expectations in terms of longevity. I suspected that a slippery gel formula was not meant for lasting, but I've worn it for several long days and the color was as fresh and vibrant as when I stepped out of the house. I do use a light-reflecting powder (NARS or RBR) to finish off and ensure that everything is in place,s o that might have contributed.

Bottom Line: fun and effective.

Ingredient (pay attention if you're sensitive or clog-prone): Caprilc/Capric Triglyceride, Cera Microcristallina, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Mica, Polyethylene, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Oil (Jojoba Seed Oil), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)Butter Extract. May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77499). 

Vincent Longo Chiara Flush Stick In Ibisca ($34) is available from vincentlongo.com. The product for this review was sent by PR.