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9 of the best foundation sticks — according to our Beauty Editors
Hourglass, we see you
If you're yet to try a foundation stick, what have you been doing all this time? Your life is about to get a whole lot easier. Allow us to briefly explain what you've been missing out on.
You may swear by your trusty liquid or powder, but what you probably didn't know is that these hybrids sit somewhere in between - so you really do get the best of both worlds.
They can be incredibly light-weight and silky on the skin, plus it's easy peasy to blend them in. Depending on which one you choose, they can have amazing shine stopping abilities. ALSO, you can double a stick foundation up as a concealer too which is real handy if you're travelling and running out of space in your makeup bag.
There's a variety of formulations to choose from, so if you were thinking it's just thick, full coverage, think again (and prepare to have your head turned. By all means, if it's a matte, full coverage finish you're looking for you'll love Lancôme or L’Oreal. But if you're after something that'll leave a dewy, sheer finish for your complexion you'll wanna bag Milk or Tom Ford.
Honestly, there's nothing to not love about a stick foundation – they're just so damn quick and convenient to carry/use/apply - why wouldn't you want that in your life?
Scroll down to see the ones that are ready to take up a spot in your beauty stash, baby...
Benefit Hello Happy Air Stick Foundation
If you're an OG Benefit fan you'll no doubt remember their discontinued Play Sticks, aka the original stick foundation.
Fear not because their Happy Air Sticks are just as loved with a 5 star review rating on Look Fantastic.
Providing a medium, weightless coverage, these little guys are designed to even out your skin without leaving it looking cakey.
Celebrity makeup artist Gucci Westman's debut makeup line is loved by industry insiders thanks to her formulas that are truly undetectable on the skin.
If you like the convenience of a stick foundation, but struggle with them looking cakey, this would be our recommendation thanks to the addition of squalane to hydrate and plump.
Good news: you don't have to break the bank for one of these foundations. Nope, L'Oreal's savvy little stick comes in at under a tenner and still has all the base building abilities of its spennier counterparts. It's especially good if you're a sucker for a shine-free complexion, cause it's super matte.
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation Stick
Lancôme's oil-free formula is perfect for oily skin types who are looking for a more skin-like matte finish.
It's also the only touch up product you need to pack in your handbag, thanks to the ultra pigmented formula that can double as a concealer.
We know it's hard, but try not to let the price deter you - this super stick is really worth it. How comes? For starters it comes in 32 versatile shades, boasts an impressive 12 hours of waterproof wear and even goes as far as changing with your body temperature to keep your skin evenly covered at all times. SO GOOD.
You can bet your base will lap this up. With 36 versatile shades to choose from, each savvy stick contains hydrating and calming ingredients that will leave your skin with a natural looking, velvety veil. Blend with fingers to create a softer, sheerer finish, or layer up for heavier coverage that's never cakey. Dream.
Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick
Oldie but a goodie - Bobbi's original badass stick formula has carried us through thick and thin, and is one that we always go back to. Gloriously creamy, swipe on for a sheer finish, or build up for high coverage with a light-weight feel. It's water and sweat resistant, too.
Faux filter by name faux filter by nature. This is the stick foundation for you if you don't want anything too full coverage. The formula is pretty lightweight but is waterproof, sweat-resistant and humidity stands no chance.
Spenny? Yes, but if you're in the market to treat yourself to a new foundation stick we are here to enable you. This one from Tom Ford has a velvety soft matte finish and offers sheer to medium coverage if buffed out but can be layered up to full.
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
Gaby is the Senior Beauty Writer here at Cosmopolitan.com/UK. Her favourite hobbies include sleeping, eating cake till she can't move and uncontrollably hoarding beauty products.
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