This Affordable Liquid Blusher Went Viral on TikTok – Is It Worth the Hype?
Main Image – Courtesy of writer
Sometimes you just want a product that’s cheap to buy, has no bells and whistles and does the job in one fell swoop. So I was hopeful about testing out Lottie London’s Sweet Blush Liquid Blush (£6.95/$6.99).
Honoured with a ‘TikTok Viral’ stamp on the Lottie London website, this liquid blush certainly looks simple. But how did it fare IRL? Keep scrolling to read my honest review.
The product details
Housed in 12ml a squeezy tube, Sweet Blush has a screw-on/off lid and skinny nozzle. It comes in four different shades – Blushing Pink, Soft Rose, Mocha Mauve and Flushed Fuchsia.
The formula claims to be non-drying, lightweight and buildable and is also vegan and cruelty-free.
First impressions
The product looked just as I had expected on the outside. A good size and the packaging is casual enough to be able to throw it in your handbag without having the worry of weighing it down or experiencing spillages.
I tested the shade Flushed Fuchsia, and when squeezing out the formula, first onto my hand, it came out in a slow, neat squiggle thanks to its thin nozzle. This made it pretty simple and mess-free, and I felt very much in control of how much I was squeezing out.
I squeezed out a tiny blob – no bigger than one of those pearly balls you decorate cakes with – then proceeded to blend it into the back of my hand. All I can say is, thank goodness I tried it on my hand first because – the pigment!
When I say a little goes a long way, I really, really mean it. The colour spread over my entire hand. In fact, it looked like I had really bad sunburn which made me even more thankful that I didn’t apply it to my cheeks first.
Next, I squeezed a bit more onto my hand and scooped up a teeny-tiny bit with my finger. Dabbing it onto my cheeks, I knew the amount I’d taken would be enough, if not too much even now. The colour spread easily around the apples of my cheeks and turned them a bold pink.
Image – Courtesy of writer
My results – you get what you pay for
Whilst this liquid blush applies onto the skin easily, you do have to be quick about getting it into the exact place you want it. It dries within seconds and quickly turns into a stained finish. Which is fabulous if you love a bold, stained cheek but not so great if you’ve taken too much product and you’ve covered more surface area than originally planned.
I don’t feel like much thought went into the finished formula – there are no skincare benefits for example. But, let’s face it, this is reflected in the price. It’s cheap and cheerful and I mean that with the very best intentions.
The pigment lasts and lasts (and lasts). Again, this is brilliant if you’re happy with the shade and where you’ve applied it. But if you’ve gone wrong or you’ve picked the incorrect colour, you may regret it as it’s tricky to remove without getting rid of your base underneath.
The overall finish is very matte (there’s not a hint of a creamy ‘glow’) and, actually, it’s a little too dry for me, even on my oily skin. Liquid blushers can be deceiving – it always feels like they are going to be hydrating and ‘glowy’. But this is a matte stain or nothing, with an impressive colour payoff.
The smell is a little synthetic too, which is also reflected in the affordable price. A bit vanilla-y but with a slight clinical after-smell which put me off a little.
However, I like the look of the shade options, particularly Blushing Pink which seems more sheer than my Flushed Fuchsia. I’m afraid I can’t quite get past the ‘sunburnt’ look it leaves on my skin. But perhaps it was too much of a daring colour choice for me.
Image – Courtesy of writer
What other users are saying
I hate to say I told you so, but Alice W agrees with me about applying too much. “A little goes a long way, easy to blend and looks lovely, just too easy to apply a bit too much.”
And then there’s the point about it drying quickly. “…seemed sticky and hard to move.” I totally agree with this – it’s not overly flexible.
However, this product does have plenty of rave reviews. “I buy A LOT of makeup. High end and drugstore,” says Janet Y.
“This liquid blush is outstanding! It will go head to head with Charlotte Tilbury, Saie and other high-end luxury brands. I bought all the colours!” and Avanda M writes, “absolutely love it. Would recommend to anyone!”
Overall value for money
It’s a no-brainer at £6.95/$6.99 if you like your pigment strong and you’re not specifically looking for a glow. It’ll perk up your cheeks nicely plus, you won’t need to use much per application meaning it’ll last a long time. Like I said, cheap and cheerful and as simple as it looks.
The takeaway
If you’re looking for a subtle flush on your cheeks, this product is definitely not for you, but I can see why it’s popular. It’s vibrant in colour, affordable, the functionality is simple and it’s easy to carry around.
Don’t think too much about it if you’re just looking for a quick dab of colour to carry around in your bag – ie no bells and whistles. But if you want skincare benefits or a dewy finish, look elsewhere.
Get Glowing!
