In the realm of base products, stick foundations are about as multifunctional as they come. The chic portable tubes are incredibly convenient (throw one in your bag and go), sleekly packaged, and can easily serve as not only as a foundation but also in lieu of your usual concealer or contouring wand, too. The application couldn't be simpler, either. Swipe here, swipe there, and blend out with your fingers, your go-to beauty sponge, or a brush — they all can do the trick. Stick foundations are especially ideal if you're someone who travels a ton or who is constantly on-the-go and generally prefers to get ready while in transit or at the office. It's for the aforementioned reasons that makeup artists and beauty editors (Allure staffers included, of course) are so obsessed with them. Now, if you're interested in learning about our favorites and potentially picking up one for your own makeup bag, we've got a lot of strong recommendations.
Flesh Beauty Firm Flesh Thickstick Foundation
Available in a whopping 40 shades that cater to all skin colors and undertones, this chubby stick base from Linda Wells's brand-new Flesh Beauty checks all the boxes. With a dewy finish and buildable coverage — meaning you can get away with wearing it light, medium, or full — it's a foundation that can work with every skin type. Those with redness or acne can swipe it on to diffuse blemishes and impart a healthy sheen. But really, it doesn't matter what state your skin is in because regardless, it's able to enhance it in a beautifully natural way. Makeup artist Robin Black got her hands on some items from the line and was incredibly impressed by this product, in particular: "They come in a brilliant range of shades and blend seamlessly into the skin — and they also double as a natural-looking contour or lightweight concealer," she says. "Plus, the small size is travel, desk, and cross-body bag friendly."
$18 (Shop Now)
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation
Make Up For Ever is renowned for its best-selling Ultra HD Foundation, a fan-favorite liquid formulation adored by beauty editors and bloggers for its longevity, flawless finish, and skin-like feel. Inspired by the original, this creamy stick version delivers the same stunning, high-definition results, along with the convenience of being in a slim tube you can tote around for touch-ups. Basically, it's the perfect product for bringing with you on vacation, to weddings, or wherever you might fancy a midday foundation fix.
$64 (Shop Now)
Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick
Two Allure editors swear by this stick foundation from Hourglass, and they're not the only ones who sing its praises. Makeup artist Allan Avendaño says it's one of his favorite products. "Its creamy and emollient texture is so easy to blend, gives you full coverage — if needed — and doesn’t start to crease by the end of the day," he explains. Avendaño also points out its impressive shade range, which features 32 colors.
$46 (Shop Now)
Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick
Our senior staff writer, Brennan Kilbane, apologizes for the high cost of this Tom Ford foundation, but vows the designer base is just that good. Black agrees, telling Allure it's been a staple in her kit since it first launched: "The coverage is medium, but can easily be applied to create a full coverage look that somehow still looks like skin," she explains, adding that it's one of her favorite formulas to use on-camera. Her only complaint is the shade range, which she says could use deeper shades with additional undertones and depth.
$85 (Shop Now)
Nars Velvet Matte Foundation Stick
Our resident makeup editor Sable Yong says this dual-ended foundation stick from Nars is a winner for two reasons: "It’s super creamy and easy to blend with buildable coverage, and the sponge tip on the end makes application handy anywhere." Avendaño adds that this one is especially ideal for those with oily complexions, as it has a true, soft matte finish, which helps keep excess sebum at bay. Plus, according to Avendaño, this formula is so lightweight that it feels like you're wearing nothing — despite giving some damn good coverage.
$45 (Shop Now)
Burberry Fresh Glow Foundation Gel Stick Foundation & Concealer
This beaut from Burberry is a favorite of both Black and Avendaños thanks to its ability to act as a foundation and concealer in one. "The multitasking formula is seamless for when you want to touch up quickly in the afternoon or evening since it melds into the skin so beautifully," says Avendaños, who adds that its light-to-medium coverage is perfect for those days when you want a "no makeup-makeup" look. Black loves its radiant — not dewy — finish that she says makes skin look "impossibly good" (sort of like a my-skin-but-better effect). Similar to her Tom Ford pick, her only qualm is the shade range, which she says could use a few deeper options.
$48 (Shop Now)
Black Opal True Color Stick Foundation
If you're someone who likes SPF in their foundation, a matte finish, and affordable prices, you can't go wrong with the True Color Stick Foundation from Black Opal. The line was developed specifically for dark to deep skin tones, which is worth noting because some foundations — as you may have noticed — are sadly lacking in this department, though you will find some lighter shades of this pick, too. And to sweeten the deal, it won't cost you more than 10 bucks.
$9 (Shop Now)
Dermablend Quick-Fix Body Foundation Stick
If you're someone who has scars, cystic acne, or tattoos and wants to cover them up, this foundation stick from Dermablend is outstanding. It features noteworthily high coverage, though somehow still manages to blend onto the skin easily with a natural-looking finish. Plus, just a little goes a long way, which means it'll basically last you well up until its expiration date.
$29 (Shop Now)
Maybelline New York Fit Me Shine-Free + Balance Stick Foundation
For just seven dollars, you get a great drugstore foundation that reduces shine with its cool mattifying core, stays put for hours on end, and features a finish that looks like your skin just minus all the greasiness.
$7 (Shop Now)
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