Foundation (much like mascara) can be a very personal thing. Some prefer a liquid or powder formula, while others thrive by using a quick swipe-and-blend method with a trusty stick. I will tell you one thing. Celebrity makeup artists and beauty editors alike happen to use foundation sticks the most. Why? Well for starters, celebrity makeup artist Judi Gabbay considers them the easiest and most effortless way to apply a base.
Editors and makeup artists also agree that using a beauty sponge is key when applying a product like this. It helps create a gorgeous, seamless finish no matter what level of coverage you're looking for. If you're now itching to try one for yourself or are looking for some new favourites to add to your rotation, keep scrolling! I've rounded up a comprehensive list of editor- and makeup artist–loved foundation sticks below.
Application Tips for Stick Foundation
Celebrity makeup artist Judi Gabbay has a few application tips for when you're applying a stick foundation. First, she loves that it's so user friendly since you can apply it from the stick itself. "A lot of people say to use your fingers, but I don't believe in that," she says. "Stick foundations are a little bit creamier and greasier than a normal foundation so you're just going to add more oils if you use your fingers. I recommend using a brush when you apply it or a wet beauty sponge to blend it out."
"You can also use different shades on different parts of your face—that's why I love foundation sticks. Applying straight from the stick is your best bet. If you apply it onto the back of the hand it can get too warm after a while. You can buff it out better with a brush like the It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush #7 or the AOA Studio Paw Paw Wonder Blender—I love those!"
The Best Foundation Sticks
- Best overall foundation stick: Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick (£49)
- Best full-coverage foundation stick: Westman Atelier Vital Skin Full Coverage Foundation Stick (£62)
- Best lightweight foundation stick: Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick (£34)
- Best affordable foundation stick: No7 Stay Perfect Stick Foundation (£15)
- Best hydrating foundation stick: Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint (£43)
1. Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick
This is a foundation stick I always keep on hand personally and celebrity makeup artist Allison Kaye can back me up on how magically it applies.
"The Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation Stick comes in so many shades so there is definitely a perfect shade for everyone. I like Hourglass products because they are all creamy and this foundation stick is as well! Hourglass products are also long-lasting so this foundation won’t budge once applied."
Pros
- Long-lasting finish
- Creamy formula
Cons
- On the expensive side
2. Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick
"For a versatile product, try Bobbi Brown's Skin Foundation Stick," says Gabbay. "For either spot concealing or more full coverage, this multiuse product is also great for the gal on the go. With an extensive 40-shade range, it's easy to find a close match."
Pros
- Multi-use stick
- 40 shades available
Cons
- Can settle in fine lines
3. Westman Atelier Vital Skin Full Coverage Foundation Stick
Who What Wear UK beauty editor Eleanor Vousden cites this full-coverage stick from Westman Atelier as a favourite because the "creamy texture glides onto the skin to deliver a suede-like finish that retains the glow that you find across all of Westman Atelier's products," she says.
Pros
- Blends seamlessly
Cons
- Expensive
4. Clé de Peau Concealer Stick
"Even though this is technically a concealer, I use it like foundation," says McLintock. "The trick is to swipe it on in problem areas. (For me, that's my T-zone, which is where my rosacea pops up.) Then I take a damp Beautyblender and blend it out using a blotting motion. I add a little bronzer and blush over the top, and my redness is covered all day long."
Pros
- Multi-use product
Cons
- Limited dark shade options
5. Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick
This multi-use stick from Merit is a favourite among the Who What Wear beauty team. The coverage is a bit on the lighter side, but I love the way it blends and how lightweight it is on the skin.
For freelance beauty editor, Jazzria Harris, Merit's Minimalist foundation stick is the perfect summer base. "This is my go-to foundation to travel with as it's so easy to pop in my carry-on, without fear of it taking up any of my precious liquid allowance, and it gives the perfect level of lightweight coverage."
Pros
- Lightweight yet buildable coverage
Cons
- Some may prefer a heavier coverage
6. Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick
No creasing or caking here—this foundation stick from Dior offers a medium coverage and boasts 24 hours of hydration. The result? A foundation that feels lightweight on the skin while easily blending and blurring blemishes.
Pros
- Hydrating formula
- Blurs skin for an airbrushed look
Cons
- May be too creamy for oily skin types
7. Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick
Tom Ford's Traceless Foundation Stick is another that's designed to provide sheer, medium, or full coverage. It creates a second-skin look and even adds a hair of luminosity IMO.
Pros
- Buildable coverage
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited shade range
8. Ilia Skin Rewind Complexion Stick
I'm a big fan of Ilia base products, so when I saw that they did a complexion stick, I already knew that I would like it. It features a long-wearing, buildable, natural-matte formula that contains lots of skin-loving ingredients such as a ceramide-peptide complex to strengthen your skin barrier.
Pros
- Lightweight, buildable finsih
Cons
- Matte finish may not suit all tastes
9. No7 Stay Perfect Stick Foundation
No7 is one of my go-to brands for affordable yet effective formulas, and the Stay Perfect Foundation is a favourite of mine. So, you can imagine my excitement when I learnt that the liquid foundation also comes in a stick formula. If you want a seamless finish, I recommend giving this a go.
Pros
- Affordable
- Contains squalene for added hydration
Cons
- Limited shade range
10. Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blur + Smooth Tint Stick
Fenty Beauty's Skin Tint Stick is great for those of you who like a lighter finish. The light, buildable formula melts into the skin for a hydrating feel.
Pros
- Creamy formula
- Extensive shade range
Cons
- Not for you if you want full coverage
11. Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Foundation Stick
New from Charlotte Tilbury, this foundation stick is ideal for a "no makeup" makeup look. The hydrating formula is infused with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E and offers light (but buildable) coverage.
"When I want a fuss-free, glowy foundation base, I always gravitate towards Charlotte Tilbury's foundations," says Jazzria Harris, freelance beauty editor." While Charlotte's Beautiful Skin Foundation is my holy grail, this easy-to-use stick is ideal for popping in my handbag for on-the-go touch-ups. I simply apply directly from the bullet and press it into the skin with my fingers for a flawless application."
Pros
- Infused with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid
Cons
- Limited shade range
12. Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint
This innovative formula combines both skincare and makeup benefits to deliver a natural-looking glow. Similar to the above option, it offers sheer coverage that can be easily built upon.
Pros
- Lightweight finish
- Infused with skincare ingredients
Cons
- Limited shade range
- May not cover some blemishes
Why Trust Us:
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
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