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Life hack alert! Did you know you could pretty much do a whole face of makeup using just a couple of stick foundations? Seriously, you can use a stick foundation for everything— spot concealing, contouring, bronzing, full coverage, light coverage, etc. Whether you're a dewy or matte foundation lover, a no-makeup makeup devotee, or are after cloud skin, there's a stick foundation to help you achieve the look you want. I should know, I've tried a lot of 'em.
Our top picks for the best stick foundations of 2025:
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If you're not sure where to start when it comes to navigating the world of stick foundations, don't worry: I've done all the testing and scrolling for you. Of course, I'm not just here to tell you what stick foundations worked for me and my skin type (combo-dry, if you must know), so I also consulted with my fellow Cosmopolitan editors, got insights into their fave formulas —from Hourglass to Fenty—and read countless reviews online to come up with a list of the 9 best stick foundations because we all deserve a secret weapon in our makeup kits.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint
Dry, dull skin that's looking a bit meh? This balm is the dewy lift that it needs. No it's not going to cover spots or blemishes but it'll give your skin the perky lift it needs and help to even out skin tones.
Shades: 16
Finish: Natural
Coverage: Light
Glowing Customer Review: "I've been wearing this on and off for the last 2 weeks or so when I want a lighter makeup day and it's really lovely, leaves a great finish with or without powder on top, and I love that its in a stick formula. It melts into the skin so well."
Fenty Eaze Drop Blur + Smooth Tint Stick
Calling all our oily skin peeps! Mattifying stick foundations are tricky because they can dry out quickly. This one from Fenty Beauty is great because it comes in an airtight container. (Pro tip: keep the plastic cap to keep your product fresh for longer!) Packaging aside, this foundation is a must for Cosmo US Beauty Editor Beth Gillette and Cosmo UK Senior Ecomm Beauty Writer Clare Stephenson, especially on oily days. "It seriously smoothes the texture on my skin and doesn't look cakey or feel too greasy on my face after a few hours," says Beth.
Shades: 25
Finish: Natural-matte
Coverage: Light
Glowing Customer Review: "This foundation is perfect for me because of how lightweight it feels and it has a light to medium coverage. It's definitely buildable, so it's great for days where I want a super light makeup look and also days where I want something heavier."
The Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick is a best-seller for a reason: it's that good. Cosmo US Associate Editor Siena Gagliano, a beauty expert who literally tests foundations for a living, calls this her "all-time favorite." A little goes a long way with this one, so she just puts a few dots over her face and buffs it out with a brush. "The result is incredibly good coverage that hides all my redness and breakouts like a dream," she says.
Shades: 32
Finish: Matte
Coverage: Full
Glowing Customer Review: "The foundation stick is one of the best products that gives full coverage, matches well with my skin, and stays ON the whole day. It doesn't dry me out or make me oily either! LOVE IT."
I'd been waiting to try Basma's foundation stick for a while, and now that I have my hands on it, it's all I want to wear. I can't believe how good the shade match is, and how easily it blends with a dense brush. It's surprisingly thin, so you can layer for added coverage without it getting cakey or pilling—and it still feels like you have nothing on.
Shades: 40
Finish: Natural
Coverage: Sheer-Full
Glowing Customer Review: "What truly sets this foundation apart is its incredible longevity. I put it through a full day of work, errands, and even a night out, and it didn't budge! The coverage is just perfect—it's buildable yet lightweight, providing a natural, radiant finish that enhances my skin without feeling heavy or cakey. It blurs imperfections while allowing your skin to breathe, which is a rare find."
Personally, I find the Merit foundation stick a little small—I have a giant face and I just hate feeling like I'm using a ton of product to get the coverage I want. However, I love using this little guy as my touch-up foundation throughout the day. The small tube packaging makes it ideal for travel, and all you need for a quick refresh is a little dot and a finger to blend it out.
Shades: 30
Finish: Natural
Coverage: Medium
Glowing Customer Reviews: "This is my favourite makeup product at the moment, it looks like my skin but better. I use it with a full face of makeup or alone to just cover my acne. It blends really easily. It's perfect to take in your purse."
DIOR Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick
A little luxury never hurt nobody! This Dior Forever Skin Perfect Stick is just that luxurious. The thick, creamy formula is absolutely decadent and super easy to blend, so it's going to look good no matter what your makeup expert level is. This one is a bit thicker, meaning it'll cover up breakouts or blemishes, but it also feels a little heavier on the skin, so it might not be for those who prefer light, airy coverage. But if you love to go full glam, it's definitely worth a try.
Shades: 18
Finish: Natural-Matte
Coverage: Medium-Full
Glowing Customer Review: "I'm obsessed with this foundation stick! I'm honestly usually just a tinted moisturiser girl, but I like having the stick for days I want a little more coverage. The formula is light and goes on smooth. I just apply it straight to my face and then blend with my beauty blender."
Ilia Beauty Skin Rewind Complexion Stick
If you want your skin to look hydrated and fresh, you're going to want to try Ilia's Skin Rewind Complexion Stick. This stick foundation contains a ceramide-peptide complex that helps strengthen the skin barrier and keep it hydrated. Plus, the formula also has squalane for added hydration.
Shades: 42
Finish: Natural
Coverage: Medium
Glowing Customer Review: "This product is amazing! Beautiful coverage and doesn't irritate my skin. I always get so many compliments on my 'beautiful skin' when I wear it because it doesn't look like you're wearing makeup."
Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Foundation Stick
Charlotte Tilbury's Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Hydrating Foundation Stick is ideal for those that prefer sheer, almost imperceptible coverage. The formula glides on thin, but what it lacks in coverage, it makes up for in glow. There's no glitter in it, but there's something about this formula that catches the light and makes your skin glow like you just got out of the shower and it's kind of magical.
Shades: 20
Finish: Dewy
Coverage: Light
Glowing Customer Review: "I actually love this product so much. I think it does exactly what it claims to do. Sheer, glowy finish! I wouldn't recommend this if you're wanting a lot of coverage, but if you love the flawless filter glowy vibe, this is perfect for you!!!"
Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick
This product is true makeup classic – I literally remember using my mum's (who is about four shades lighter than me so go figure) when I was a teen and it's still a staple for us both but now I have my own! The formula is super creamy and doesn't settle in fine lines and wrinkles making it the perfect choice for those of us untouched by anti-wrinkle injections.
Shades: 42
Finish: Satin
Coverage: Medium to full
Glowing Customer Review: "I've been wearing this on and off for years. I love it especially in the summer or on the weekend. I put my moisturizer and spf on and then swipe this in my T zone and under eye. Sheer it out with my fingers or a brush and voilà. Dab some rouge pot on cheeks and lips, one coat of mascara and I am ready to go! It looks so natural, it evens out my skin, blurs out pores, under eye circles and lines. I look like a more polished, less tired version of me!"
How to choose the best stick foundation for you
Finding the best stick foundation for you will depend on a few things: 1) your desired coverage, and 2) your skin type.
Determine your coverage goals
The best stick foundation for you all depends on your coverage wants, so before you go shopping, you need to decide if you want full, medium, or light coverage. Stick foundations tend to be somewhere in the light-medium coverage range, but they can vary. Once you know what amount of coverage you need, you've already cut out some options!
Shop based on your skin type
Your skin type will ultimately determine what stick foundation formula is right for you. If you have oily skin, you might want to look for a foundation that is mattifying or feels a bit dryer on the skin. If you have dry skin, look for moisturizing ingredients and a formula with more slip.
Is a brush or sponge better for a stick foundation?
In theory, one of the benefits of stick foundation is that it's easier to apply than liquid or powder, but if you're used to a liquid, it can raise a few questions. Most obviously: do you blend a stick foundation in with a brush or a sponge?
When to use a brush with your stick foundation:
Using a brush with a stick foundation will ensure you get the most coverage out of your product, and will help blend out any harsh lines or dots if you apply the stick directly to your face. it's also easier to grab extra product with a brush than a sponge, so you don't have to let the stick touch your face if you don't want to. I recommend using dense brushes to really blend in any stick formula, like this one from It Cosmetics or this buffer brush from Real Techniques.
When to use a sponge with your stick foundation:
Using a sponge with your stick foundation will help sheer out your coverage and help the formula sink into the skin. That said, some stick foundations stay where they're placed unless buffed out. I recommend only using a sponge on thinner, more malleable stick foundations. I also like to go over my face with a damp beauty sponge after buffing out my stick foundation to erase any harsh lines, brush strokes, and really help the formula sink into the skin.
Why trust Cosmo?
Olivia Truffaut-Wong is an editor at Cosmopolitan with over 10 years of experience writing about culture and beauty. She is a makeup lover who can be found writing about everything from the best sandalwood perfumes to hydrating face masks. She loves trying out new beauty and body care products and has a not-so-secret addiction to moisturizer.
Olivia Truffaut-Wong is an editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers beauty, entertainment, and lifestyle. She loves finding and testing the best skincare products to recommend, like the best tinted sunscreens, and is always researching the best cat accessories for her fur baby. She has over 10 years of experience as an entertainment and culture writer and editor, and her work has been featured in The Cut, Refinery29, Teen Vogue, Polygon, Bustle, and more.
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