The Best Stick Foundations in Canada
When it comes to makeup, a standard package includes a liquid foundation, a concealer and a loose or compact powder (The Best Beauty Essentials). While it is a universal set, that helps to create a flawless look, it often lacks one versatile product. A foundation stick is a multifunctional and portable makeup component that can be applied either as a foundation or a concealer (if you get a darker tone then you can even use it as a contouring stick).
Makeup artists, beauty bloggers and other enthusiasts consider foundation sticks the base of their kits. Simple in application and easily blendable, a foundation stick is the best choice for travelling due to their compact, slim package. You can carry it in your purse and fix your makeup while at work, or tuck it into your carry-on and not worry about it spilling all over your clothes.
However, just like with any other makeup product, (especially if you have never used a foundation stick), it might be confusing and time-consuming to find the perfect product. To make the shopping process less disorienting, we selected the best foundation sticks in several categories, including products for oily, dry and combination skin types, as well as luxury or drug-store brands.
What To Look For
Coverage level:
The main difference between a liquid foundation and a stick foundation is density. Stick foundations are compressed and packed into cylinder-shaped tubes. That means the coverage levels would be much thicker than a liquid foundation. For instance, if you are looking to achieve medium to full coverage then a foundation stick is right for you.
At the same time, stick foundation works best for those with normal-to-combination skin, simply because they do not provide the same level of moisturizing as the liquid foundation does. However, with properly moisturized skin you could achieve a flawless look even with a stick foundation.
Application:
A foundation stick is not designed to be applied completely over a face. Only the areas where coverage is needed have to be targeted with a stick foundation. Otherwise, a thick texture can build up in fine lines and create a cakey texture. To control the level of coverage and gradually build up a foundation on the skin, both reviewers of foundation sticks and makeup artists suggest using a brush for better blending.
According to a makeup artist interviewed for NewBeauty, “get three colours of their favourite stick foundation: light, medium and dark for their skin tone. That way you can contour with the darkest shade, as well as change the shade if you need, depending on your colouring during the seasons”.
However, if you decide to use a foundation stick as concealer, aim for a lighter shade than your skin tone. While covering blemishes or hiding dark under-eye circles, use a fine concealer brush for a more precise application.
Skin tone:
The main factor to keep in mind when choosing a foundation stick is that it is thicker and less flexible compared to the liquid type. To select a matching colour, go one tone lighter than your liquid foundation shade, or test it out on your collarbone instead of your face.
Why Trust Us
Makeup foundation should not only cover imperfections and even skin tone, but also blend in with your skin tone and type perfectly. To help you find the right product we spent numerous hours researching available options, cosmetic brands and comparing prices.
Moreover, we based our selection on customers’ reviews, rating for each foundation stick and fashion magazines opinions (Glamour, Allure, Cosmopolitan and other).
The Best Luxury Foundation For Oily Skin
Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick
Bobby Brown Skin Foundation Stick is one of the most popular and highly rated makeup product. It is no wonder, for despite middle-market price of $65 CAD, (compared to $115 CAD Tom Ford Traceless Stick), this foundation provides a luxurious coverage and feel.
Designed to look like skin, Bobby Brown foundation stick combines a transparent base that easily blends in with your skin undertone, correcting and brightening up. Bobby Brown’s foundation stick is formulated with olive extract and shea butter. Those components are responsible for moisturizing. At the same time, this foundation is resistant to water, sweat and humidity, which makes it an ideal choice for anyone with oily skin type. Overall, you can expect to see matte, satin-like and even finish.
While this foundation is preferred by anyone with oily skin, if you have normal or dry skin type, you can still expect a smooth coverage, only make sure to exfoliate and moisturize your face and neck prior to makeup application.
Pros
- Ideal for oily skin.
- Nourishing formula.
- Resistant to water, sweat and humidity.
Cons
- Might look cakey on dry skin.
The Best Affordable Stick Foundation
Maybelline Super Stay Multi-Use Foundation Stick
If you are looking to test out a foundation stick for the first time and do not feel like spending much on it, yet want seamless coverage, give a try to Maybelline Super Stay. It can be used as a concealer, contour or foundation, and comes with a blender sponge for a flawless, easy application.
Another idea for this affordable foundation stick is to keep it in your work cosmetic bag or your car for quick touch-ups whenever you are on the road.
Maybelline Super Stay foundation stick features a creamy texture and a smooth matte finish, which is a preferable choice for anyone with oily skin.
Pros
- Long-lasting coverage.
- Matte finish.
- Suitable for all skin types.
- Affordable.
Cons
- Some might find this foundation hard to blend.
The Best Luxury Stick Foundation For Dry Skin
Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick
Tom Ford Traceless foundation stick is as luxurious as it can get. Surely, the price is rather high compared to such brands as Bobby Brown or Westman Atelier. However, most reviewers of this foundation stick say it is worth the price.
“I have never liked stick foundation, it is usually dry, cakey, patchy and hard to smooth on, but this is a game changer,” noted a satisfied reviewer. It lays beautifully on her skin tone, and goes on so smoothly, either straight from the tube or with a sponge or a brush. The foundation never oxidizes or cakes or patches, it stays on through a full day of work, she added.
The formula is easily blendable, and even after building up layers, creates a skin-like texture. It feels comfortable to wear throughout the day.
Pros
- Skin-like natural coverage.
- Suits every skin type.
- Long-lasting wear.
Cons
- Expensive.
The Best Drugstore Stick Foundation For Dry Skin
Wet’N Wild Photo Focus Stick Foundation
Dry skin is one of the most challenging types to work with whether you are a makeup artist or do your own makeup. If not moisturized properly it can resolve in a cakey, patchy texture, even when using liquid foundation. That is why choosing a foundation stick with hydrating formula is crucial for dry skin type.
Wet’N Wild Photo Focus foundation stick provides long-lasting coverage that comes in twenty-one shades. The foundation is infused with Argan and Sunflower Seed oils—ingredients that allow seamless application and a silky finish.
A reviewer who had never tried a stick foundation before, but read they were often more hydrating, more likely to give a dewy finish and offered more coverage, tried Wet’N Wild Photo Focus Stick Foundation. All true in the case of this product, she noted. Her dry-combination skin is infatuated. She continues explaining that she can even buff it under eyes because it is so hydrating.
Pros
- Suitable for all skin types.
- Argan oil infused formula.
- Vegan and cruelty-free.
Cons
- The colours are darker than expected.
The Best Foundation Stick For Mature Skin
Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick
A new addition to the makeup market—Westman Atelier Vital Skin foundation stick is a creation of Gucci’s makeup artist. The formula is so lightweight and hydrating that it is barely noticeable on the skin. At the same time, it provides long-lasting coverage without creating cake texture.
The reason many users with mature skin choose Westman Atelier Vital Skin foundation stick is because of its nourishing components like Berryflux Vita and Vegetable-Derived Squalane that moisturize skin and give it the most natural look.
As per many reviewers who struggle with irritated skin, this foundation stick did not seem to increase that issue, and instead covered flawlessly any imperfections.
Pros
- Nourishing formula.
- Does not clog fine lines.
- Gentle on irritated skin.
Cons
- Expensive.
The Best Lightweight Foundation Stick
L’Oreal Paris Infallible Shaping Stick Foundation
Speaking of lightweight foundation sticks in an affordable, drug-store price range, L’Oréal’s Infallible Shaping Stick is a creamy, glide-on product. Compared to the heavier texture of the Bobby Brown foundation stick, this one melts into the skin. Despite a weightless finish, L’Oréal’s Infallible Shaping Stick provides long wear coverage. As per many users of this foundation, the build-up coverage lasts up to twenty hours.
One of those reviewers was pleasantly surprised. L’Oréal’s Infallible Shaping Stick blends so well and is easily buildable, she noted. Yes, it is dewy, but more satin dewy. As someone with a brown skin tone, it is not easy to find the right shade, she continued. The reviewer wished she had found this before spending hundreds of dollars on expensive brands that did not work.
Another one found this stick as the best coverage for the dark circles under eyes and sunspots on her cheeks. It stays on during hot Texas summer days and even still looks great after swimming in a pool, she added.
Pros
- Affordable.
- Lightweight, melting formula.
- Satin, natural-like finish.
Cons
- Some reviewers said the coverage did not last as long as advertised.
The Best Foundation Stick For Combination Skin
Milk Makeup Flex Foundation Stick
Those who struggle to find a foundation for a combination skin might easily fall in love with this Milk Makeup Flex stick. It is another popular product on our list that is a vegan, cruelty-free formula which provides a seamless, silky finish whether you apply it on dry or oily parts of your skin.
The Milk foundation stick formula is enhanced with moisturizing blue lotus and calming chamomile.
A satisfied user said that she had used this product for about three weeks and had grown to love it. She has dry combo acne-prone skin and while using Milk Makeup Flex Foundation Stick, she did not notice any dry patches. “Be conservative with application and build as needed because it can get oily and separate after 10hrs wear,” she suggested.
Pros
- Vegan, cruelty-free formula.
- Works on acne-prone skin.
- Hydrating components.
Cons
- Not the longest lasting foundation.
The Best Matte Foundation Stick
Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick
Have you been searching for a waterproof foundation that would stay on your skin while swimming in a pool or a sea? This Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish foundation creates long-wear, natural-looking coverage.
The formula is free of parabens and mineral oils, and can cover up blemishes and imperfections for up to twelve hours. Besides, Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish adjusts to your body temperature which is especially useful in the summer heat.
However, as per a few reviewers, keep in mind that while Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish foundation gives a good coverage, it can feel a little heavy.
Pros
- Waterproof.
- Long-lasting coverage.
- Parabens-free formula.
Cons
- Some reviewers complained that a foundation does not stick to skin properly.
The Best Hydrating Foundation Stick
Nudestix Nudies Tinted Blur Stick
Moisturizing your skin before applying makeup is essential. However, to increase the level of moisture choose foundations with a hydrating formula.
This particular Nudestix Nudies Tinted Blur Stick is a lightweight formula that blurs pores and covers imperfections. Makeup artists say that if you often use CC cream and prefer glowy natural makeup, you will love the coverage of Nudestix Nudies Tinted Blur Stick. It is a versatile product that could be used as concealer or contouring tool.
Enhanced with Vitamin E, this foundation stick nourishes and hydrates, while Green Tea improves skin tone and texture creating a youthful-looking complexion.
Pros
- Hydrating formula.
- Ideal for natural looking makeup.
- Affordable.
- Available in 11 colours.
Cons
- The stick may easily fall out of the tube.
Questions and answers about stick foundation
How to use a stick foundation?
The beauty of a stick foundation is in its versatility. First, you can use it as a concealer to cover dark circles, blemishes, and imperfections. Second, use it as a contouring tool (buy a darker shade) to highlight cheeks and jawline.
Liquid vs stick foundation?
Liquid texture is meant to provide complete coverage from light-to-full, while foundation stick works best for medium-to-full coverage of blemishes due to its thicker texture. Because you apply liquid foundation all over the face and neck, it can cause cakey texture after a few hours (compared to stick foundation, liquid one is not as solid and long-lasting). Moreover, a foundation stick is more versatile and can be used as a concealer or a contour.
How do I choose a foundation stick shade?
When you buy a foundation stick at a store, test a few different shades on your collarbone. Applying it on the collarbone can reveal whether the foundation matches your neck perfectly. Keep in mind that compared to liquid foundation, stick foundation is thicker which means a much fuller coverage. Hence, you want to go for one tone lighter.
Does stick foundation work for oily skin?
In fact, oily or combination skins are two types that would benefit most from using foundation sticks. This type of foundation offers thicker and longer-lasting coverage, blends well and creates a matte, natural-looking texture. Foundation sticks are typically oil-free formulas that control natural oil discharge throughout the day.
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