Top 10 Foundation Sticks

FORMULA FACT

More than just a foundation, this innovative stick works overtime as a lightweight tint, blurring primer, and skin-smoothing complexion enhancer all in one. The cream-to-powder formula uses soft-focus mineral pigments to blur the look of texture, blemishes, and fine lines—without ever feeling heavy or cakey.

WHO’S IT FOR

If you’re after that your-skin-but-better finish with minimal effort, this multitasking stick is for you. Ideal for anyone looking for light-to-medium coverage that evens tone, diffuses imperfections, and leaves skin looking naturally radiant. Bonus: its mess-free packaging makes it a go-to for travel and on-the-go touchups.

WHAT TO LOVE

Milk Makeup's Flex Foundation Stick offers crease- and cake-free coverage. Its formula has moisturizing blue lotus, calming chamomile, and lavender. Choose from 14 different shades.

HOW TO USE IT

Apply your favorite primer, then swipe on a layer of the Flex Foundation wherever needed (such as the chin or under-eye area). Then, use your fingertips or a sponge to blend to perfection.

WHAT TO LOVE

While Lancôme’s Teint Idole Ultra Longwear Foundation Stick isn’t the most affordable pick on our list, it does have one of the best formulas for oily skin. Claiming to offer 24 hours of coverage, this foundation stick features an oil-free formula that provides silky coverage while controlling shine. It also features a built-in kabuki brush for easy application. 

WHAT THE REVIEWS SAY

A couple themes from the “pros” column of the reviews section for this product are that it feels lightweight (but still provides ample coverage), and that it is a good option for mature skin. 

WHAT TO LOVE

Fenty's Eaze Drop Stick is formulated with murumuru butter to create a creamy foundation that melts into the skin. It features color-true pigments that won't fade even after prolonged wear. True to Fenty form, the Ease Drop Foundation Stick is available in an inclusive range of 25 shades.

HOW TO USE IT 

For light coverage, apply this foundation directly to your cheeks, forehead, chin, and nose and blend it in with your fingertips. For more buildable coverage, load the foundation onto a liquid brush and press and blend where needed.

WHAT TO LOVE

According to reviewers, the Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick has staying power. Promising up to 12 hours of coverage, this foundation contains double the amount of pigment a traditional foundation offers.

WHAT REVIEWERS ARE SAYING

"This foundation stick is one of the best products for full coverage. It matches well with my skin and stays on the whole day. It also doesn't dry me out or make me oily!"

WHAT TO LOVE

Looking for a foundation that'll give you a glowy finish? If so, Charlotte Tilbury's Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Foundation Stick is the one for you. Packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E, this foundation helps dull skin return to radiance.

HOW TO USE IT

You can use this to conceal and cover as you would any other foundation stick, or you can swipe it on top of your makeup for a quick touch-up.

WHAT TO LOVE

Bobbi Brown’s Skin Foundation Stick is designed to be undetectable to anyone but the wearer. Its award-winning formula features a unique transparent base that evens out your complexion with a single swipe. The results? A natural finish we weren’t sure foundation sticks were capable of.

WHAT THE REVIEWS SAY

Let’s hear from a professional: “I’m a model, and I wear the Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick literally anytime I put on makeup. I don’t even have to use a concealer for areas of my face where I have blemishes from old breakouts. It goes on perfectly smooth and reminds me of a gentle matte. It feels really light as if I had no makeup on, which I love!”

WHAT TO LOVE

Those with mature skin will love Ilia's Skin Rewind Complexion Stick. As the brand describes it, this product "...looks like makeup, acts like skincare." It contains a range of anti-aging ingredients that help diminish signs of aging, plus it can conceal flaws and create a great base for a full makeup look.

WHAT REVIEWERS ARE SAYING

"I love this foundation. I apply it with a dense foundation brush, and it looks flawless. It covers up my redness without making me look cakey. This stick goes on easily, lasts all day, and is great for mature skin with a few wrinkles."

WHAT TO LOVE

With a clean, vegan, cruelty-free formula, The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick is a valuable addition to any makeup bag. It provides light to medium coverage that feels lightweight, and the formula contains sea daffodil extract to diminish the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots. 

HOW TO USE IT

The Minimalist Stick is a part of Merit's Five Minute Morning routine. Use it as a concealer and a base before applying blush, highlighter, mascara, and brow pomade.

FYI: There's no reason to pay full price—grab a Merit Beauty Discount Code before checking out. 

WHAT TO LOVE

Makeup that benefits your skin? Yep, you read that right. The Vital Skin Foundation Stick features a formula of vegetable-derived squalane, berry flux vita, camellia seed oil, and coconut oil. A team of clean ingredients yields a combination that works together to combat redness, calm irritation, and boost moisture. 

WHAT REVIEWERS ARE SAYING

"I absolutely love this foundation stick and I have tried many. it looks super natural yet hides all my rosacea and flaws without looking overdone. It's also gentle on my very sensitive and delicate skin."