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6 best makeup sticks: From foundation to contour, meet the easy-to-use formulas that simplify your routine
These may look simple, but they’re some of the hardest-working formulas on the market
If your makeup routine needs streamlining, sticks are where it’s at! From foundation and contour to blush and highlighter, swipe-and-go formulas are designed to be easy to use, effortless to blend and perfect for applying exactly where you need them.
Better still, many of them double as all-over multitaskers, meaning they can be used on the cheeks, lips and eyes. You thought AI was handy; meet the makeup of the future...
ICONIC London Shape and Shade Sculpting Stick Shade
ICONIC London Shape and Shade Sculpting Stick Shade
Pros
- Self-setting formula transforms from cream to powder-like finish
- Easy to blend – no harsh contour lines here, folks!
- Adds warmth as well as definition
- Works well on bare skin and layered over foundation
Add natural definition and a sun-kissed bronze with a few swipes in the hollows of the cheeks, across the forehead and on the jawline and sides of the nose.
Pros
- Budget-friendly!
- Has buildable pigment – from diffused flush to bold colour
- Creamy, blendable texture
- Enriched with castor oil and vitamin E for a nourishing feel
Glide this multi-stick across your cheeks and/or lips for an all-over flush. The best part? No tools are needed! Just blend with your fingers for a natural finish.
Pros
- Place on high points of the face for a catch-the-light sheen
- Lightweight, non-sticky formula feels comfortable on skin
- Versatile! Can be used on the brow bone, cupid’s bow or décolletage
Glossy, glazed-doughnut skin is the goal with this stick – no glitter, no fuss; just natural glow! Hailey Bieber, eat ya heart out!
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Luminous Skin Tint Stick
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Luminous Skin Tint Stick
Pros
- Hydrating and luminous – think: foundation but with skincare benefits
- Provides light to buildable coverage
- Sweat-, humidity- and waterproof
After a natural-looking skin tint with super-fast application? Look no further than bareMinerals' recently released Skin Tint Stick. Read us wax lyrical on it, here.
Pros
- Best blended with a brush or sponge
- Medium-to-buildable coverage, depending on your desired look
- Super long-wear, airbrushed finish without liquid mess
- Up to 42 shades for inclusive matching
This full coverage foundation stick gives a filtered, skin-perfected finish with customisable coverage. Read our full review of why it's one of the best full-coverage foundation sticks, here.
Pros
- Multi-hyphenate stick can be used all over the face
- Super blendable
- Vibrancy and pigment is unmatched
I like to think of myself as a smart-lazy girl (IYKYK), and NARS' The Multiple stick enables me to do so. Just a few swipes across the cheeks, lips and eyes and I'm good to go!
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
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