Despite having a pretty hefty makeup stash and enjoying the ritual of applying it all before a night out or a special occasion, on a daily basis, my makeup routine is decidedly pared-back. And whilst some of that is down to time constraints, a bigger part is due to the fact that I'm just too lazy to spend any more than a few minutes putting things on my face in the morning. These days, I don't even really have a makeup bag to speak of—I prefer to opt for multipurpose sticks that tick a few boxes at once. Whether that's face sticks that blur the line between foundation and concealer or colourful crayons that pull multiple shifts as blusher, eye shadow and lipstick without missing a trick, these products are hardworking to say the least.
"Sticks are so versatile," explains celebrity and fashion makeup artist Brooke Simons. "I love cream-based formulas anyway, so multipurpose sticks are a firm favourite in my kit. I love the soft, balmy texture of them and the natural finish that a stick formula offers."
I'm certainly no expert in the field of makeup application, but multipurpose makeup sticks have become a staple for me thanks to their easy-to-use nature. In most cases I just scribble them directly onto my face and blend with my fingertips. And Simons seems to be in agreement with me.
"Finger blending works so well with stick products as they're so soft and buildable," she says. "When using stick products, don't worry too much about placement—they diffuse into the skin really easily." There are no rules when it comes to makeup sticks. "Don't be afraid to experiment," says Simons. "I have stick blushers that I use across my cheeks, eyes and lips to create a monochromatic look that ties everything in together."
Tempted by a more minimalist approach to your makeup routine? Ahead, I've rounded up 11 of the best multipurpose makeup sticks to try.
Shop the Best Multipurpose Makeup Sticks:
1. Milk Makeup Mini Lip + Cheek
Easily one of my most-used makeup products ever, Milk Makeup's Lip + Cheek sticks might be teeny but they really deliver on pigment. Formulated with avocado oil and mango butter, they're incredibly creamy and work best when swept straight onto skin from the twist-up stick and blended in with fingertips. The shade Smirk (a shimmery, dusty rose) is my current obsession, but there are are an array of versatile shades to choose from.
2. Fenty Beauty Match Stix Shimmer Stick
Fenty Beauty Match Stix come in a few different finishes from matte to colour-correcting, but I love the versatility of the shimmer iterations. They can be used as highlighters, blushers, eye shadows and lip colours, and I love that you can wear them super-sheer or layered up for a more intense wash of colour.
3. Merit Beauty The Minimalist
Merit Beauty claims that this "perfecting complexion stick" isn't a foundation or a concealer, but that it will replace both in your makeup bag. Since getting my hands on this, it's pretty much the only base product I use on a daily basis. I just swipe it under my eyes, scribble it onto my skin then blend it out with a brush. Speaking of which, the brush that Merit Beauty sells to go with it really is brilliant. The Minimalist definitely doesn't provide full coverage, but it does a decent job of minimising dark circles, toning down spots and making skin look healthy and fresh.
4. Nudestix Nudies Bloom
Since Patti Dubroff, Sofia Richie Grainge's wedding-day makeup artist, revealed that quite a few of these multipurpose makeup sticks helped to create that glowy bridal look, Nudestix has been having a major moment. In fact, it made me dust off these dewy sticks from my stash and reminded me just how versatile they are. I like to press them over foundation using my fingers then use the stippling brush on the other end to blend out the edges. There are so many beautiful and unusual shades to choose from, and they work brilliantly all over the face.
5. Makeup By Mario Soft Pop Blush Stick
Simons recommends these Makeup By Mario sticks for all-over use and says they have a gorgeous satin finish. The dual-ended sticks also come with an angled buffing brush at one end so you can blend out the creamy pigment with ease.
6. Jones Road Lip and Cheek Stick
These multipurpose sticks blur the lines between makeup and skincare, offering up a formula enriched with castor seed oil and vitamin E to boost collagen and improve the appearance of pigmentation and fine lines, all whilst imparting a wash of colour. Pretty smart, no? They are so comfortable to wear and mesh seamlessly with skin for a really natural flush on lips, cheeks and eyes—and though they aren't the longest-wearing sticks I've tried, they're easy to throw in your bag for touch-ups when you're out and about.
7. Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
I've had one of these Westman Atelier blush sticks in my makeup bag for as long as I can remember. Not only is the packaging super chic, but the formula practically melts into the skin and can be used on the cheeks, eyelids and lips.
8. Ilia Multi-Stick
If natural makeup is your thing then these multipurpose makeups sticks from Ilia will appeal. Available in 12 sheer colours, the twist-up sticks are packed with shea butter and plant oils for a beautifully melty texture that leaves a luminous finish on eyes, lips and cheeks.
9. Barry M Multitude Lip & Cheek Pen
These clever stacking makeup sticks from Barry M are so affordable and contain four different colours to play with, so you really can get rid of the rest of your makeup bag. Although they aren't as creamy in texture as some of my other multipurpose favourites, the colour pay-off is decidedly impressive for the price and I love the travel-friendly packaging. The chic neutral hues make Honey Honey my favourite set, but there are brighter options available if you prefer more of a pop of colour.
10. Refy Lip Blush
This product has been designed purely for use on the lips. It's a really subtle balm that enhances your natural lip tone with a flush of colour, and it also moisturises dry patches and blurs over lines. However, I think this also looks so pretty when worn on cheeks for a really natural-looking blush. And thanks to its sheer finish, you can apply it haphazardly (I've even been known to slap it on without a mirror) and it still looks pretty.
11. Charlotte Tilbury Easy Lip & Cheek Wand
Unlike a lot of my other picks, this Charlotte Tilbury stick is a soft matte finish, so I prefer to opt for this when I'm seeking a more long-wearing makeup look or for evenings out. Like many of the brand's products, this is packed with skin-friendly ingredients like vitamin E and fruit extracts to boost hydration and moisturise the skin, but it's the rich, creamy texture and longevity that I really adore about this multipurpose stick.
This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
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