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.
A Makeup Artist's Best 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 To Buy Now:
- Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick
- Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick
- Westman Atelier Vital Skin Full Coverage Foundation Stick
- Clé de Peau Concealer Stick
- Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick
- Milk Makeup Flex Foundation Stick
- Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick
- Ilia Skin Rewind Complexion Stick
- No7 Stay Perfect Stick Foundation
- Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blur + Smooth Tint Stick
- Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Skin Finish Foundation Stick
- Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Foundation Stick
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint
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."
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."
3. Westman Atelier Vital Skin Full Coverage Foundation Stick
Who What Wear Beauty Director Erin Jahns cites this full-coverage stick from Westman Atelier as a favourite because the "coverage is stunning and it glides onto the skin and blends like butter."
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."
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.
6. Milk Makeup Flex Foundation Stick
No creasing or caking here—this foundation stick from Milk Makeup offers medium coverage and boasts skincare ingredients like marshmallow-root extract, blue lotus, and chamomile. Each work together to calm, soothe, and deeply hydrate the skin.
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.
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 longwearing, buildable, natural-matte formula that contains lots of skin-loving ingredients such as a ceramide-peptide complex to strengthen your skin barrier.
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.
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.
11. Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Skin Finish Foundation Stick
Yep, Huda Beauty's popular #FauxFilter foundation comes in a stick formula for easy application anytime, anywhere. It's long-wearing, waterproof and sweat-resistant so it's a perfect option for spring and summer.
12. 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.
13. 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.
This post originally appeared on What Who Wear US.
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