Holly HY / 02 July 2025 / Categories: Product and Brands, Brands, Make Up

Backstage Rosy Glow Stick in Berry an expensive treat

A new blush game changer for make up lovers £37

I finally bought the Backstage Rosy glow stick at £37. Yikes. Possibly my most expensive individual make item after my foundation which I actually found on a recycled site significantly cheaper than retail. The new blush stick from Dior I had to buy in store. It only came out two weeks ago. I’ve been in search of a blusher in a stick for a while for ease of application and a smoother application on older skin. I found my regular powder blush has started to crack. Not a good look. I’ve looked at and tried the Chanel blush stick and the Charlotte tilbury one. I’ve even checked out the Victoria Beckham version,

VB cheeky posh blush but like Goldilocks porridge no one had got the shade exactly right for me until I tried Backstage rosy glow stick in Berry. And I absolutely love it. Perfect in every way. Colour, ease of application and a finish that’s dewy with colour you can apply lightly with a tan and little or no foundation on vacation or build it in the winter or evening on a heavier make up look for more glam. It’s a wonderful product.

For cruelty free, peta certified leaping bunny status make up consumers it’s a jungle out there. Not only do you have to find the perfect product which when you are spending £37 rrp for the new latest and greatest only out two weeks ago; it was the middle of June when all the glossy magazine editors licked their pencils to share the new Backstage rosy glow stick was literally the best thing since sliced bread for make up junkies around the globe. Dior is still not considered cruelty free although the blanket yard stick, anyone selling into the Chinese market seems to be a blurred line as Charlotte Tilbury who do have leaping bunny status and do sell their products as vegan also sell in China.

Since 2021 China has relaxed its demands for brands to conduct third party animal testing on many make up products so selling in China is no longer a barrier for purchase for beauty lovers who love animals equally.

The Exemption Criteria for Animal testing on make up products in China. Companies seeking exemption from animal testing must meet specific criteria, including providing safety assessment results and holding a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificate. 

Regarding cruelty free status, Brands can now maintain a cruelty-free status when selling in China, provided they meet the criteria for exemption from animal testing. 

Ongoing efforts. While the changes are significant, the process of abolishing animal testing in China is ongoing, with further steps expected to be taken which are welcomed by anyone caring about the welfare of animals and factoring this in before making a buying decision.

The jury is still out on Dior. On the one hand I am

Delighted to find the blush I’ve been waiting and wishing for, on the other I’d love to see Dior and all the other longstanding make up giants join the animal lovers in solidarity and make the leap to cruelty free status consumers are waiting for.

I love my new blush but could love it more Dior.

There will be vegans and cruelty free advocates out there yelling at me for purchasing. I am not militant or perfect. I just do

my best to be conscious and try not to do harm. I also like to enjoy life. I think this is important. The last expensive branded blush I purchased was about 10 years ago. And have been watching and waiting for the perfect product since that expired some time ago now. Sometimes the market and the money are slow to adapt to consumer demands.

I trust that in 10 more years every make up brand will have recognised make up wearers would all prefer no harm done to animals. That’s just not beautiful.