Stick Foundations: The Winter Secret-Weapon You Will Love

How To Get A Brighter Complexion
Ruby Feneley

Beauty & Health Writer

Jun 18, 2019

There is something childishly easy about applying a stick foundation. It brings back satisfying memories of pre-school magic glue sessions. However, the technology behind stick foundations formulations is far from child’s play. Cream foundation is one of the oldest varieties of complexion products, coming right after the deadly powders of centuries past. Greasepaint was popularised in the 1800s when stage actors mixed mineral powders with literal grease to produce a base so thick it had to be removed with butter (this is why you will never hear me complaining about oil cleansing!)

Stick foundations are better than ever, and as cream formulations are sympathetic on dry winter skin, providing moisture and slip that matte liquid and powder formulas can’t match, we thought we’d offer our top picks.

The Gamechanger: Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation Stick

The Hourglass Vanish Foundation Stick provides full coverage and long wear.
Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation Stick, $70.00, Mecca

The star of countless Youtube contouring videos The Hourglass Vanish Stick Foundation re-energized the category when it launched in 2016. With a satin matte finish and complete, opaque coverage (Hourglass launched it as a foundation that packs double the opacity of standard full-coverage foundations) this foundation is so unique because it blends like a dream over dry and oily skin types while providing a seamless satin finish. It’s ergonomic design – that iconic little triangle – makes it that much easier to fit into nooks and crannies.

The Multi-Shade Wonder: Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick

The Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick Provides Full Coverage and a creamy, hydrating finish.
Bobbi Brown, Skin Foundation Stick, $70.00, Bobbi Brown

Full coverage, and a hydrating, seamless finish this foundation is what dry-skinned girls dreams are made of. Bobbi Brown calls it “smart hydration technology” – all I can tell you is that it feels comfortable on the skin all day long while providing long wearing, believably skin-like coverage. It’s hydrating enough to use under the eyes without looking dry and creasy. Even better they have extended their already comprehensive shade range to 43, so your bound to find your colour.

The We-Cant-Believe-They-Did-It-Formulation: bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Stick Foundation SPF 25

The Bareminerals Complexion Rescue Foundation Stick is lightweight, water based, and contains SPF25.
bareMinerals, Complexion Rescue Hydrating Foundation Stick, $49.00, Mecca

bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturiser is one of the most popular tinted moisturisers on the market. Providing sheer coverage, an ingenious water-mineral based formulation and SPF30 it’s not surprising. When bareMinerals announced, they were bringing out the formula in a stick. Sticks are traditionally heavy coverage with a creamy formulation. I was unsure how they would manage to bring the qualities everyone loves about bareMinerals’ cooling gel formulation to a stick product. Somehow they’ve done it! The formula is more opaque than its gel counterpart but remains a water-based, lightweight, hydrating, SPF option. Composed of 30% charged mineral water, the foundation provides a medium to full coverage and feels deliciously soothing as you swipe it on. It offers cocooning coverage for cracked winter skin while feeling weightless.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

By Ruby Feneley

Beauty & Health Writer

Ruby Feneley is The Carousel Beauty contributor. Her obsession with makeup and skincare started when she modelled in her teens. While she studied English Literature at Sydney University she pivoted from front to behind the camera – receiving her Diploma of Artistry and working as a makeup artist, assisting industry leaders across multiple top brands. In 2017, she moved to New York where she worked as a copywriter for celebrity children’s wear label Appaman Inc. Ruby is now combining her love of makeup and skincare with her passion for writing. She has an encyclopaedic knowledge of makeup and skincare – she can spot a Nars lip from 30 feet and recommend skin creams and treatments from chemists to La Mer at a glance. She is always looking for the next big thing in beauty whether it’s an “unsung hero” product, a highlighter hack or a technological innovation to accelerate your anti-ageing regimen.

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