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By Sophie Joaman • August 20, 2024 • 7 mins read
Foundation sticks have been around for decades, but in 2024, they are rapidly revolutionizing the makeup industry. Convenient, easy to use, and perfect for on-the-go, mess-free application, they deliver incredibly flawless results. While they’re not drastically different from liquid foundations, foundation sticks require fewer tools, as they essentially serve as their own applicator.
Whether you’re looking for natural, understated elegance or full-coverage glam, there is a foundation stick out there for you. We’ve got the lowdown on everything you need to know about foundation sticks, including how to use them to get perfect results and the best ones to buy right now. Keep reading to find out which ones are worth the money and which ones have your name written all over them.
Foundation sticks are a type of creamy-based foundation that come packaged in a ready-to-go applicator, usually in a cylinder form. Compared to liquid foundations, the stick format allows for a more precise application of your foundation. They’re also easier to transport, making them ideal for doing your makeup on the go.
Not only do foundation sticks provide a flawless complexion, but they’re also a versatile tool, suitable for highlighting and contouring depending on the shade. Foundation sticks are perfect for all skin types and are especially ideal for those who value ease of use. With foundation sticks, you have full control over your makeup application, ensuring that it works for you effortlessly.
Although foundation sticks have a creamier formula, modern versions offer various finishes depending on the look you want to achieve. Contrary to popular belief, they can be used by everyone, regardless of skin type—whether dry, oily, or combination. Here are the different finishes you can choose from:
Dewy Finish: If you’re aiming for a radiant, glowing appearance, a dewy finish is ideal. This finish is perfect for dry, dehydrated, or mature skin, as it leaves a healthy, luminous glow. Look for foundation sticks with hydrating ingredients to keep your skin fresh and plump throughout the day.
Natural Finish: For those seeking a balance between matte and dewy, a natural finish is a great option. This finish provides a healthy lift without being overly shiny or flat, making it suitable for combination skin or for everyday wear.
Matte Finish: Matte foundation sticks are excellent for anyone with oily skin or oily areas like the T-zone. These formulas help control shine and keep your makeup looking velvety and fresh throughout the day.
Foundation sticks are super easy and straightforward to use. All it takes is a few simple steps to complete your perfect look.
The best way to achieve flawless results is to properly prep and prime your skin. That starts with a clean and moisturized face. Apply a gentle cleanser first to rid the skin of any dirt, impurities, or leftover makeup residue and wash well with warm water. Exfoliating can also help even out the skin’s surface, leaving it fresher and brighter.
After cleansing, apply your moisturizer to help keep your skin hydrated underneath your foundation. Finally, apply a primer and allow your skin to fully absorb it. This will give you a smoother base for your foundation to glide over and lock it into place.
Using your foundation stick, swipe the product across your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. Apply a light layer to begin with and build up if you are looking for more coverage or need coverage for certain areas. You can apply it in streaks or dot a little across your face.
Using your makeup brush or sponge, blend the foundation into your skin. Start by blending outward, ensuring even coverage all over your face. Make sure you are blending into your hairline and into all the creases of your face.
Setting your foundation is essential for ensuring it stays in place throughout the day, preventing issues like transfer, melting, fading, or drying out. If you have particularly oily skin, use a setting powder to avoid shine. If you’ve got dry skin, use a setting spray to keep your foundation looking fresher, hydrated, and more radiant, and to stop it from creasing into fine lines.
There are many incredible foundation sticks out there worth your attention. We picked a few of our favorites to share with you—those we think are definitely worth the hype.
Bobbi Brown reigns supreme when it comes to foundation sticks, delivering a flawless, skin-like finish with their expertly crafted formula. Their foundation stick provides buildable medium-to-full coverage, making it ideal for days when you want a bit more coverage. Additionally, it doubles as a spot concealer, offering versatility in one product. It’s the perfect foundation stick for every skin type and feels utterly lightweight on the skin too.
Makeup without a trace is Tom Ford’s ethos here. The Traceless Foundation Stick gives a skin-like finish, whether you are looking for medium or full coverage. It also doubles up as a concealer, banishing imperfections quickly and easily, almost as if they were never there in the first place.
If luxury is what you are looking for, then luxury is what you will get from the Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick. This foundation stick takes care of your skin, treating it to a boost of good ingredients such as Berryflux Vita Extract, coconut oil, Camellia Seed Oil, and vegetable-derived squalane. Your skin will stay more hydrated throughout the day and look incredibly radiant thanks to the satin-like texture of the foundation.
The Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation Stick offers up to 24 hours of flawless wear, ensuring your makeup stays impeccable from day to night. Its silky texture blends seamlessly into the skin, delivering a perfect complexion. For added convenience, the foundation stick features a built-in sponge, making it ideal for on-the-go makeup with a smoother, mess-free application.
For makeup and skincare all rolled into one foundation stick, the Ilia Skin Rewind Complexion Stick is a good choice. This multitasking product is full of skincare and anti-aging ingredients, giving you a flawless complexion. If natural is what you are going for, then this is a great light-to-medium coverage foundation for everyday use. It also offers a dewy finish for extra radiance.
There is nothing minimalist about Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick, at least in terms of what this product can do. Its buildable coverage offers a lightweight, breathable, satin-like finish that also replenishes moisture and locks it in for long-lasting results. It also contains sea daffodil extract, which works on areas of pigmentation or dark spots to help diminish their appearance. Basically, it works with your individual skin, and that’s all we can ever ask from our foundation!
Huda Beauty’s Faux Filter Skin Finish Foundation Stick is perfect for achieving a filter-like flawless finish. Whether you are looking for medium coverage for day-to-day wear or wanting to amp it up for full-coverage glam, this foundation stick does it all. The creamy texture certainly gives you the flawless, radiant complexion you have been searching for.
Not only are foundation sticks easy to use and perfect for on-the-go application, but they are also suitable for every skin type. They give off flawless results and can even double as concealers and highlighters/contours. That’s why we’re singing their praises and highly recommend them if you’re in the market for a new foundation. So why not switch it up this summer?
