If you’re anything like me, getting ready has become less about “full glam” and more about looking refreshed and feeling effortless. My skin has changed, and my routine has changed with it. I want makeup that blends fast, feels comfortable, and gives me that healthy glow without emphasizing dryness or fine lines.
So after hearing rave reviews about multitasking sticks, I decided to test two of the most talked-about ones: BOOM! Beauty’s Boomstick Trio and Thrive Causemetics’ Triple Threat Color Stick. Both promise simplicity, versatility, and a natural finish. But only one of them feels like it was truly made for women 45+ who want ease, confidence, and formulas that support how our skin actually behaves.
Here’s exactly how they compare.
If You Want Something Truly Made for Women 45+...BOOM!
This is the advantage that’s impossible to ignore. Thrive is designed for a wide audience, and while their pigments are lovely, the formula isn’t built around the needs of more mature skin. BOOM! is one of the only brands I’ve seen that openly celebrates pro-age beauty, meaning the products are designed to enhance what makes our skin unique today—not hide it.
The Boomstick Trio blends effortlessly, softens the look of fine lines instead of collecting in them, and leaves skin looking refreshed. Thrive’s stick, while pigmented, is less forgiving if your skin has texture or dryness. If you want makeup that feels like someone actually considered what happens to real skin after 45, The Boomstick Trio is the clear choice.
If You Want Multi-Use, Multi-Benefit Convenience...BOOM!
This is where BOOM! truly shines. Thrive gives you one product, and you’ll need a lot of it if you want it to work as blush, lip color, highlighter, etc. But The Boomstick Trio is a set: Boomstick Glo (a nourishing moisture stick), Boomstick Color (a universally flattering berry tint), and Boomstick Glimmer (a soft, pearlescent highlight).
Together, they cover your entire face; no brushes, no extra steps, no guesswork. Toss them in your bag and you’re ready to go. With Thrive, I found myself layering on moisturizer and separate highlighter just to get a similar effect. BOOM! is the easier, more complete system.
If You Want Clean, Nourishing, Skin-Loving Formulas...BOOM!
Boomstick formulas are creamy, yes, but they’re also packed with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, sea buckthorn oil, Vitamin E, olive oil, beeswax, and honey. It’s skincare-meets-makeup that feels good going on.
Thrive’s stick uses more traditional long-wear pigments and synthetics. It looks pretty at first swipe, but doesn’t feel quite as soothing, especially if your skin runs dry. With BOOM!, it genuinely feels like you're treating your skin while you wear it.
If You Want Pigment Variety and Bold Color Options...Thrive
Here’s where I’ll give it to Thrive: their shade range is more extensive. If you’re someone who loves bold tones or experimenting with color, their stick offers strong color payoff right out of the gate.
That said, I still prefer the Boomstick Color experience. The universally flattering berry tone is perfectly balanced, neither too warm nor too cool, and looks good with everything. I don’t need 15 shades when one looks great in every setting. But for those who want bold options, Thrive takes this one.
If You Want a Natural, Lit-From-Within Glow That Lasts...BOOM!
The Boomstick finish isn’t shimmery, it’s just that fresh, healthy brightness we all want. As a trio you have a stick that preps everything to melt in beautifully, a stick that gives you that balanced flush on cheeks and lips, one adds soft light (no chunky glitter).
What surprised me most? The wear time. Even though the texture is creamy, it lasts for hours without settling into fine lines or fading into patchiness. Thrive’s formula needed more frequent touch-ups, especially mid-day.
Final Verdict
Sure, the Thrive Triple Threat Color Stick is a decent product with vibrant color options and strong pigment. But for women 45+ who want ease, glow, skin-nourishing ingredients, and makeup that naturally smooths and softens fine lines, the Boomstick Trio wins on every major point.
It’s designed for mature skin, simplifies your routine, and gives you that long-lasting glow without ever feeling heavy. At $79 for the trio, it’s a product you’ll actually use every single day—not one that sits in your drawer.
Glow for it—your skin will thank you.
