Best Foundation Sticks of 2025

Lisa Bechard Avatar
Lisa Bechard
Last Updated: Jan 6, 2025

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Foundation sticks are a versatile and convenient makeup product that can be used for a flawless and natural-looking finish. They come in a variety of shades and formulas to suit different skin types and preferences. Foundation sticks are easy to apply and blend, making them ideal for on-the-go touch-ups or full-face coverage. They can be used to cover blemishes, dark circles, and imperfections, as well as to contour and highlight the face. With their compact size and mess-free application, foundation sticks are a must-have in any makeup bag.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free + Balance Stick Foundation Cover #TOP 1
Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free + Balance Stick Foundation
ftb score rating icon 9.9
wet n wild Photo Focus Matte Foundation Stick Makeup, Classic Ivory Cover #TOP 2
wet n wild Photo Focus Matte Foundation Stick Makeup, Classic Ivory
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Revlon Foundation Stick, PhotoReady Insta-Fix Face Makeup Cover #TOP 3
Revlon Foundation Stick, PhotoReady Insta-Fix Face Makeup
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Foundation Sticks

#TOP 1

Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free + Balance Stick Foundation

041554332872
220 NATURAL BEIGE
1 Count (Pack of 1)
Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free + Balance Stick Foundation Cover
Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free + Balance Foundation Stick, Multi-Use Face Makeup and Contour Stick For Natural, Matte Coverage, Natural Beige, 1 Count

Maybelline Balance Stick Foundation is a foundation that provides natural coverage while allowing your skin to breathe. Its exclusive translucent base and lightweight pigments ensure that your skin's natural highs and lows show through. This foundation is perfect for those who want to achieve a fresh, natural look. The foundation's lightweight formula makes it easy to apply and blend, providing a shine-free finish that lasts all day. With Maybelline Balance Stick Foundation, you can achieve the perfect balance of coverage and natural beauty.

What We Like
Natural coverage
Lightweight formula
Allows skin to breathe

wet n wild Photo Focus Matte Foundation Stick Makeup, Classic Ivory

853B
Classic Ivory
1 Count (Pack of 1)
wet n wild Photo Focus Matte Foundation Stick Makeup, Classic Ivory Cover
wet n wild Photo Focus Matte Foundation Stick Makeup, Classic Ivory | Vegan & Cruelty-Free

wet n wild Foundation Stick is a vegan and cruelty-free foundation that is suitable for normal, dry, and combination skin. Infused with Argan Oil and Sunflower Seed Oil, it moisturizes the skin while providing a matte finish. In a controlled environment, a panel of women tested the foundation stick under seven different lighting scenarios with professionally applied foundation, concealer, and powder. The results showed that it performs well under different lighting conditions. Moreover, the foundation stick is gluten-free, talc-free, fragrance-free, and cruelty-free, making it a perfect choice for those who care about animal welfare and their skin.

What We Like
Matte finish
Suitable for different skin types
Vegan & cruelty-free
#TOP 3

Revlon Foundation Stick, PhotoReady Insta-Fix Face Makeup

0309976414607
Medium Beige
Revlon Foundation Stick, PhotoReady Insta-Fix Face Makeup Cover
Revlon Foundation Stick, PhotoReady Insta-Fix Face Makeup for All Skin Types, SPF 20, Longwear Light-Medium Coverage with Natural Finish, 160 Medium Beige, 1 Oz

Revlon Insta-Fix Foundation Stick is a light to medium coverage foundation that comes in 9 high resolution shades. With its light-filtering technology, this foundation stick instantly creates a retouched and perfected look. It is suitable for all skin types and has SPF 20, providing protection from the sun. Its natural finish gives you a flawless and radiant complexion. This foundation stick is perfect for those who want to achieve a natural and effortless look without compromising the quality of the product.

What We Like
Light-filtering technology for a retouched look
9 high resolution shades
SPF 20 for sun protection
#TOP 4

BLANC Cream Stick Foundation by ELROEL

ELROEL
202 Natural
BLANC Cream Stick Foundation by ELROEL Cover
BLANC Cover Cream Stick V w/Detachable Brush - Korean Skin Care Concealer Stick Cream Foundation Makeup Stick w/Collagen, Desert Plant & Flower Oil Extracts (202 Natural Stick Foundation, 0.45 oz)

The ELROEL Cream Stick Foundation features a unique balm-to-cream formula that starts off white and adjusts to match your skin tone, providing smooth and even coverage. You’ll appreciate its non-greasy texture that hydrates your skin for up to 50 hours, ensuring you stay fresh and comfortable throughout the day. The built-in detachable brush makes blending a breeze, reaching fine lines and pores effortlessly for a flawless finish. This versatile concealer also helps minimize the appearance of imperfections, such as dark spots and textured skin, giving you a polished look with ease.

What We Like
Moisturizing balm-to-cream formula
Long-lasting hydration
Detachable blending brush
Minimizes imperfections
#TOP 5

Black Radiance Color Perfect Foundation Stick

6822
Beautiful Bronze
1 Count (Pack of 1)
Black Radiance Color Perfect Foundation Stick Cover
Black Radiance Color Perfect Foundation Stick with Soft Brush Applicator Duo – Buildable, Blendable Versatile Pigment-Rich Formula - Beautiful Bronze

Get ready to serve face with BR Foundation Stick! This pigment-rich stick comes with a soft brush applicator on the other side, making it easy to apply and blend. Inspired by the contouring trend, the BR Foundation Stick is perfect for sculpting and adding dimension to your face. With a wide range of cosmetics for darker skin tones, BR has pursued its vision to be the #1 trusted expert and resource for black beauty for over two decades. Empowered beauty is the key to BR's products, which combine high style with the latest technology. Highlight your strength and beauty with luxurious, affordable cosmetics.

What We Like
Pigment-rich
Sculpting tool
Wide range of shades
#TOP 6

Well People Supernatural Complexion Stick

16 Light Neutral
Well People Supernatural Complexion Stick Cover
Well People Supernatural Complexion Stick Foundation + Concealer, Buildable, Light-to-Medium Coverage, Soft Matte Finish, Lightweight + Hydrating, Multi-Use, Vegan & Cruelty-Free, 16 Light Neutral

The Well People Complexion Stick is a versatile makeup product that combines foundation and concealer in one easy-to-use stick. Its lightweight formula provides buildable light-to-medium coverage, making it perfect for both touch-ups and full coverage. You will appreciate how it helps balance skin moisture, absorb excess oil, and brighten your complexion over time. Additionally, the stick format allows you to apply it directly to your skin, and you can easily blend it with your fingers or a brush for a smooth, soft matte finish. With plant-powered ingredients, it’s a clean beauty choice you can feel good about.

What We Like
Multi-use foundation and concealer
Lightweight and hydrating
Easy on-the-go application
Plant-powered ingredients
Vegan and cruelty-free
#TOP 7

L'Oreal Paris Infallible Longwear Shaping Stick Foundation

071249369364
Sand
L'Oreal Paris Infallible Longwear Shaping Stick Foundation Cover
L'Oreal Paris Makeup Infallible Longwear Shaping Stick Foundation, 405 Sand, 1 Tube, 0.32 Ounce

L'Oreal Paris Infallible Longwear Shaping Stick Foundation, also known as L'Oreal Infallible Shaping Stick, is a stick foundation with SPF that provides buildable medium to full coverage for up to 24 hours. Its creamy, glide-on formula melts into the skin without weighing it down, leaving a weightless, long-lasting coverage. L'Oreal Infallible Shaping Stick is professionally formulated for an expert look that lasts for hours on end. This foundation is perfect for those who want to achieve a perfectly sculpted look with a natural finish. L'Oreal Paris Infallible Longwear Shaping Stick Foundation is available in different shades to match different skin tones. It can be used with other L'Oreal face makeup products such as BB creams, blush, highlighter, and contouring makeup to complete your look.

What We Like
Buildable medium to full coverage
Lasts up to 24 hours
Creamy, glide-on formula
#TOP 8

Ogee Sculpted Foundation Stick - Aspen 1.0W

Sculpted Complexion Stick
Ogee Sculpted Foundation Stick - Aspen 1.0W Cover
Ogee Sculpted Complexion Foundation Stick (Aspen 1.0W - Fair, Warm Undertones) Full Coverage Foundation Makeup - Instantly Balance & Even Complexion - 70% Organic Ingredients

The Ogee Foundation Stick offers a flawless, second-skin finish that enhances your natural beauty. It uses pure mineral pigments to help you achieve an even and balanced complexion, making your skin look healthy and vibrant. With its lightweight formula, this stick provides breathable, blendable, and customizable coverage, allowing you to build the perfect look for any occasion. Additionally, it includes powerful anti-aging ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen, and Elastin to promote firmer, hydrated skin, supporting your long-term skin health. Safe for all skin types, this foundation is made with 70% organic ingredients, ensuring a gentle application.

What We Like
Flawless, natural finish
Customizable, buildable coverage
Anti-aging benefits
Safe for all skin types
70% organic ingredients
#TOP 9

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation Stick

1 Count (Pack of 1)
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation Stick Cover
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation Stick - Full Coverage Foundation & Natural Matte Finish - Up To 24H Wear - 210 Buff Neutral

Lancôme Foundation Stick is a multitasking, 24-hour wear, oil-free cream-to-powder formula foundation stick that comes with a built-in kabuki brush. Its transfer-resistant feature provides a natural matte finish and helps control shine all day. The lightweight texture allows for seamless application and effortless blending into the skin, giving you a "second skin" feel. The 5-in-1 multitasking format comes with a built-in kabuki brush to conceal, contour, cover, highlight, and blend anywhere and anytime. With 22 foundation shades available for all undertones, you can enjoy full coverage and a natural matte finish that lasts all day.

What We Like
24-hour wear
Transfer-resistant
5-in-1 format
Lightweight texture
Comes with built-in kabuki brush
#TOP 10

No7 Stay Perfect Foundation Stick

No7
42-09-885
Calico
No7 Stay Perfect Foundation Stick Cover
No7 Stay Perfect Stick Foundation - Medium Coverage Long Wear Cream Foundation for All Skin Types - Contains Squalene for Hydrating Foundation Makeup - Calico, (10g)

The No7 Foundation Stick delivers a creamy, non-drying, medium coverage for up to 18 hours of wear. It comes in 18 shades that are developed with Skin Expert technology for a true-skin match. The hydrating squalane oil adds intense hydration for all skin types, making it an excellent foundation for dry skin. This stick foundation is perfect for those who prefer medium to full coverage and can be used on-the-go. It pairs well with contour sticks and other products in your routine such as concealer stick. Get the coverage you like with No7 Foundation Stick.

What We Like
18-hour wear
18 shades
Hydrating squalane oil
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are foundation sticks better?

Foundation sticks offer more control during application, making them ideal for targeting specific concerns like acne, acne scars, or extreme discoloration. They can build more coverage where needed, providing a customizable solution for achieving a flawless finish.

2. Are stick foundations good for mature skin?

Stick foundations are excellent for mature skin. They are travel-friendly and versatile, often doubling as concealer. Creamy stick formulas, like the top pick from Merit, provide buildable coverage and may even contain ingredients that help reduce the appearance of dark spots.

3. Are foundation sticks better than liquid?

Foundation sticks are generally preferred over liquid foundations for several reasons. They tend to look better as they are worn, offer full coverage to conceal blemishes, and minimize the risk of creating a shiny or cakey appearance. Stick foundations are particularly beneficial for those who want a flawless finish without compromising on coverage.

4. Is a brush or sponge better for stick foundation?

The choice between a brush or sponge for applying stick foundation depends on the formula's consistency. Sponges work well with lightweight liquid formulas or stick foundations, while creamy and thick foundations are better applied with a brush. Using a brush allows for better blending and a more natural finish, especially when buffing out the edges.

5. What color foundation stick should I use?

To select the right shade for your skin tone when using a foundation stick, it's recommended to match it to your collarbone rather than your face. This technique ensures that your face, neck, and body will all have the same shade, creating a seamless and natural look.

Editor's Notes

During our foundation stick research, we found 48 foundation stick products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 182,931 customer reviews through our big data system to write the foundation sticks list. We found that most customers choose foundation sticks with an average price of $13.01.

The foundation sticks are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of foundation sticks, including MAYBELLINE, wet n wild, REVLON, ELROEL, Black Radiance. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 176 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Lisa Bechard Avatar

Lisa Bechard is a skin therapist with 12 years of working experience in the beauty industry and also an experienced beauty writer who has expertise in skincare, medical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery, and wellness. Her writing skills are excellent and all her content is very persuasive and insightful.