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Nothing has streamlined my beauty routine more than the introduction of makeup sticks. Picture this: It’s 8 A.M. and I’m getting ready quickly to head to the office for a meeting. The last step before heading out the door is tossing on some makeup. I reach for my foundation as usual, but while squeezing the liquid onto my face, a few drops land on my crisp white T-shirt. Not even a Tide To-Go pen can save this—bummer. So I swiftly change my top and eventually complete my five-minute face. Even hours after making it to work, I can’t stop thinking that if I had used a stick foundation, maybe I could have avoided this minor wardrobe malfunction altogether.
Then, I recalled other scenarios where a stick formula has come in handy. When I want to create a quick smokey eye to go from day to night after work, I’ve popped Laura Mercier’s Caviar Eye Stick in my handbag, ready for swift application before girl’s night. For a dewy glow at a recent beach day, I pulled Mango People’s highlighter stick from my tote and tapped the formula onto my cheeks. Ahead of a duffle-bag-only weekend getaway, I saved room in my makeup bag by opting for Merit’s complexion stick—instead of carrying a separate foundation and concealer. I quickly realized how handy these compact little sticks were; allowing me to have my favorite goodies on hand.
There’s something so satisfying about streamlined, mess-free, tool-free applications. Clearly, brands are having similar revelations—new stick formulas are hitting my inbox constantly nowadays. Are they trending, or am I just late to the game? To find out, I turned to the pros.
“I think they are absolutely trending and for good reason!” says celebrity makeup artist Kirin Bhatty, whose looks have been worn by Sandra Oh, Ayo Edebiri, and Laura Harrier. “They are easy to use on multiple parts of the face, easy to keep clean, and also easy to store!” Pro makeup artist Fiona Stiles is a fan of them for the versatility and flexibility that makes them easy for beginners—they don’t require makeup brushes and often boast multi-use benefits. “This not only lightens the weight of your makeup bag, but also lets you get creative,” says Bhatty. They could even save you a few dollars by not shopping for multiple products.
How to Apply Makeup Sticks
Perhaps my favorite part of makeup sticks is the simplified application—in most cases, you can just use your fingers. “The warmth from your hands and fingers helps the products melt into the skin more easily,” Stiles instructs. “If you do love a makeup brush, reach for synthetic brushes as they work better with the oils that are in cream products, helping you blend more effectively.”
With this in mind, read on to discover a collection of makeup sticks to consider—from rosy blushes to skin-soothing complexion saviors.
Best Contour Stick
Contour sticks are the easiest means to lift and sculpt the face in seconds. Just swipe it atop the cheekbones, nose, forehead, and jaw then blend, blend, blend. Stiles is a fan of Westman Atelier’s because they’re sheer enough to blend seamlessly bare-faced or with foundation; whereas, we’re partial to Fenty Beauty’s Match Stix—a collection of nine cream-to-powder matte hues beloved by Rihanna (of course), Lexi Underwood, and Sofia Wylie. If it s a more bronzed look you’re going for, options by Rare Beauty and Milk Makeup are TikTok-approved.
Best Highlighter Stick
You might be tempted to tap on that powder pigment, or glimmering liquid, but a highlighter stick works just as well, particularly for those interested in a natural-looking sheen. We’ve long been fans of Chanel’s highlight balm—tapped on the high points of the face for a lit-from-within dew, though the Baume Shine by French makeup maven Violette is another makeup bag favorite.
Best Concealer Stick
One can veil, brighten, and blur with the best concealer sticks, too. Stiles recommends Merit’s because it melts seamlessly into the skin. “The brand has a good selection of different undertones in the concealers, which is especially helpful in the deep and fair ends of the spectrum,” she notes. Jillian Dempsey’s stick is handy too, she says, particularly to conceal breakouts. “The formula allows the product to stay on the offending spots, versus sliding off as a more emollient formula does.” Clé de Peau’s multitasking stick is creamy, full-coverage, known to last forever, and Bhatty’s favorite, while Bobbi Brown’s is a classic, natural-finish formula that expertly hides dark circles and spots.
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Best Blush Stick
A blush stick is the perfect way to amp up your glow on the go. Beloved by both our experts, Ilia’s Multi-Stick is enriched with shea butter, avocado oil, and orange peel wax to soften and nourish skin wherever you place it. Stiles would also recommend the Nudestix blushes, as there’s a shade or finish to suit any skin tone. The possibilities are endless with these sticks; feel free to tap the blush to the eyes, lips, or cheeks to your liking.
Best Stick Foundation
When we think of the best foundations, the stick formulas top our list. Hourglass’s pigment is long-wear, weightless, and waterproof, blending into an undetectable natural finish. Lancôme Teint Idole is a top pick of Stiles’s for its “oil-free, matte formula that can be buffed down to a sheer application, or layered for more coverage.” One could also pick up BLK/OPL’s vitamin-enriched elixir for full-coverage wear, or Fenty Beauty’s recently-launched stick that’s making waves for its blurring benefits.
Best Eyeshadow Stick
“For eyes, a good swipe on the lids either directly from the product or using a brush or fingertip is always great,” Bhatty instructs. Effortless eyeshadow swatches are, after all, part of the 2023 makeup look. Think: shimmering glitters, powdery pastels, or latte-esque browns courtesy of Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier, Charlotte Tilbury, or Surratt Beauty.
