I Tried LYS Beauty’s New Blush Stick and the Pigment Is Unreal

Danielle Sinay

LYS Beauty may still technically be a newcomer in cosmetics—the brand first launched in February 2021—but it’s already such a cult-favorite you would never know.

LYS, which stands for love yourself, and it’s range of makeup must-haves are beloved by professional makeup artists and TikTokers alike. In fact, the platform likely has much to do with its success: several of their products have gone viral on the app.

While they garnered most of its fanbase online, LYS is far from just another “buzzy” beauty brand. Founded by Tisha Thompson, an Atlanta-native and makeup artist turned entrepreneur, LYS Beauty is breaking industry barriers as Sephora’s first-ever Black-owned clean beauty brand.

What more, LYS Beauty’s continued success stems from a wide shade range catered to darker skin tones. TikTok beauty reviewer Golloria, whose content is largely dedicated to discourse around shade inclusivity pointed this out in a rave review of the No Limits Cream Bronzer and Contour Stick.

“When we talk about inclusivity, this is what we mean!” Golloria said after trying the contour stick, which is also a favorite of fellow influencers Meredith Duxbury and Mikayla Noguiera.

LYS Beauty’s contour stick is so beloved that it inspired LYS Beauty’s latest launch: the Higher Standards Glow Blush Stick. A hybrid of their MVPs, it combines the convenience of the contour stick, plus the luminosity of the liquid highlighter and pigmented cream blush in one product.

I was obviously eager to try when I received the new blush in a press mailer. And I’m so sorry to all of our wallets…but it’s already worth the hype. In fact, I’d go so far as to say this is the best blush I’ve ever tried.

LYS Beauty Higher Standard Cream Glow Blush Stick

$20.00, Sephora

For one, the signature LYS beauty triangle shape allows for seamless application, blending, and easy maneuvering around the face, nose, and cheeks.

Like the matte cream blush, the glow blush stick is available in several wearable shades that are ideal for all skin types and tones: Bubbly, a soft pink; Elite, a mauve; Curvy, a perfect peach; Unfazed, a berry plum; Outgoing, a watermelon pink; Courageous, a poppy orange; and Focused, a cinnamon pink. (I personally opted for Curvy, a peachy coral.)

LYS Beauty Higher Standards Glow Blush Stick swatch in Curvy.

And wow, the color payoff is real. Very little goes a long way. Obviously, I’m rather pale, but if this can make me look alive and rosy-cheeked, you know it’s good.

Also important to note: I’ve been having a strange skin-sensitivity issue, but my acne-prone and irritated complexion has no problem whatsoever with the formula. While it leaves me with a radiant, luminous glow—it almost feels like a highlighter and blush in one—it doesn’t clog my pores, break me out, enhance my skin texture, or make me look oily or greasy.

Wearing LYS Beauty Higher Standards Glow Blush Stick in Curvy.

Higher Standards Glow Blush Stick also applies well over a bare face, foundation, and SPF skin tints too, meaning it plays well with other products. Mine didn’t budge for a full day of work.

Finally, LYS Beauty’s Higher Standards Glow Blush Stick also stays true to LYS Beauty’s clean beauty standards—passing both Sephora Clean’s and Credo Clean’s criteria—and is formulated with skin-loving ingredients like green tea and watermelon seed extracts and rose-hip oil. It soothes, smooths, and hydrates your skin while reducing redness and irritation. No wonder my face is such a fan.

The Higher Standards Glow Blush Stick might have just dropped, but mark my words: This will go viral any day now. Fortunately, I know it already lives up to the hype.