From Blush to Foundation, Makeup Sticks Are Becoming the Most Popular Way to Apply Your Makeup

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.

Fenty Beauty

Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick

Rare Beauty

Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Sticks

Milk Makeup

Matte Cream Bronzer Stick

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.

Chanel

Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick

Violette_FR

Baume Shine Universal Highlighter

Mango People

Dewy Glow Cream Highlighter Stick

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.

Merit

The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick

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.

Pat McGrath Labs

Divine Blush: Legendary Glow Colour Balm

Nudestix

Nudies Cream Blush All-Over-Face Color

Ami Colé

Desert Date Cream Blush & Lip Multistick

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.

Hourglass

Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick

Lancôme

Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation Stick

BLK/OPL

True Color Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation SPF 15

Fenty Beauty

Eaze Drop Stick Blur + Smooth Tint Stick Foundation

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.

Bobbi Brown

Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow Stick

Charlotte Tilbury

Colour Chameleon Eye Shadow Pencil

Surratt Beauty

Smokey Eye Cream Powder & Pencil Baton