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The best foundation sticks for an easy, flawless base

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By Tiarne Blackwell

Content Producer / November 27 2023

Gone are the days where stick foundations were known for making skin look cakey, fake and heavy (early ‘00s we’re looking at you).

These days, it's really easy to achieve a flawless look. Some full-coverage sticks will give you a dewy finish without leaving you looking shiny, while others will nourish your skin just as much (if not more) than a good moisturiser. Others will do all that and more…

Not only do these sticks pull triple duty as all-in-one foundations, concealers and contour sticks, but their super convenient format is perfect for quick, mess-free application.

Foundation sticks also tend to have higher coverage than your typical cream, power and liquid foundations, mainly because they give you way more control. And you can gradually build coverage, so it’s never been easier to conceal and cover concerns like dark spots, blemishes, scars and discolouration.

Sure, there are still plenty of duds out there (we won’t name names). But, there are just as many gems waiting to kick your other foundations to the kerb. To help narrow them down, we’ve put together a few of our favourites.

Eye of Horus Ritual Skin Foundation Stick

If you like your foundation to give you superior coverage, a radiant finish and an enhanced natural complexion (is this a trick question?), we'd strongly suggest the Eye of Horus Ritual Skin Foundation Stick. Rich in nourishing organic ingredients, this innovative formula is more than just a foundation. The star ingredients rejuvenate the skin, while helping to reduce redness, pigmentation and fine lines.

$68 at a-beauty

Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick

Yes, it’s pricey, but it’s so worth it. This unique cream formula contains the nourishing Tom Ford Infusing complex to create a flawless, smooth finish. The portable stick achieves versatility in application for sheer medium or full coverage, and is always beautifully natural and undetectable. Added bonus? It can also be used as a concealer to swiftly banish those pesky imperfections.

$145 at Myer

Napoleon Perdis Foundation Stick

There’s no doubt about it, with just a few simple swipes of this baby, your skin will absolutely beam. The Napoleon foundation stick is a creamy, versatile formula that offers sheer or full coverage. Ideal for quick in the car touch ups, the featherweight formula isn’t messy or hard to apply. Great at concealing imperfections and working to blur blemishes, you can keep this handy tube in your bag and easily grab it whenever and wherever you need it.

$65 at Adore Beauty

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Stick Foundation

Protecting your skin and achieving a flawless base has never been easier. Offering long-wearing protection, this unique cover stick allows you to build up your look to the finish you love. The colour pay-off lasts all day long, and you even use it to contour, highlight, cover, or as a solid base for the rest of your makeup. Super lightweight and comfortable, this formula has a cream to powder finish and blends beautifully into all skin types.

$48.75 at Adore Beauty

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick

Did someone say second skin? Designed to look and feel like your own skin, this award-winning foundation isn’t something you want to walk (or scroll) past. It’s formulated with a unique transparent base and is expertly calibrated to your undertone to even out and correct the complexion in one simple step. Featuring a blend of emollients like olive extract and shea butter, the formula moisturises wherever skin is dry.

$81 at Myer

Natio 2-in-1 Cleverstick Foundation

If the name doesn’t give it away, this foundation stick is pretty darn clever. A full-coverage foundation and concealer in one, the Cleverstick quickly and effortlessly delivers a silky-smooth complexion. Formulated with coconut oil to help skin's hydration levels and kaolin clay to naturally control shine, its non-drying formula naturally delivers smooth coverage and all-day performance.

$20.95 at Myer

Designer Brands Stick Foundation

Whether you love light coverage or something more intense, this foundation’s got your back (or face). Suitable for all skin types (even those with dry skin), you’ll love all the shades. Buildable and hydrating, the formula won’t stick to dry patches and blends into the skin easily. Designed to be super nourishing for skin that’s lost its lustre, you can keep this stick foundation in your pocket or purse and pull it out when you need a mid-afternoon touch-up.

$18.99 at Adore Beauty

Kryolan TV Paintstick

A big favourite amongst makeup artists, the Kryolan TV Paintstick has gained cult status for its extraordinary pigmentation and high-definition finish. Offering buildable coverage from light to full, this cream foundation delivers a natural satin finish with supreme longevity that's ideal for stage, film, TV, or any special event you’ve got coming up.

$52 at Adore Beauty

Image credit: @laisribeiro

Create the perfect base for your foundation with our round-up of the best moisturisers.

Tiarne Blackwell

Tiarne is BEAUTYcrew's Content Producer. Between crafting narratives about all things beauty, you might catch her indulging in an endless stream of TikTok videos and obsessing over her dog. Her words have also appeared across other mastheads such as Better Homes & Gardens, New Idea, Now To Love, Bounty Parents and more.