We’ve seen the return of velour tracksuits, micro minis, low-rise jeans – and now stick foundations. Finally, a Y2K resurgence that I can embrace without shame. I have always loved a stick as much as any border collie, but did not expect to be wowed by one from Charlotte Tilbury, a brand I like for almost everything except foundation. But with Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Foundation(£35, pictured) she has smashed it.
If you have dry, dull skin, little time for blending and no love for full and matte coverage, this will make you happy. It scribbles on and blends out (with brush or fingertips) in seconds, leaving a very sheer, noticeably glowy, relatively lasting veil of coverage. It won’t cover spots or mask significant redness (jobs done better with concealer anyway), but it will leave skin looking like skin, only dewy, radiant, almost juicy-looking. Its near-transparency and buttery texture make it impossible to botch application.
My only issue is that it is no more a foundation than a five-denier stocking is a cardigan, and its wilful description as such serves the algorithm more than the consumer. It’s a skin tint – and on that basis, brilliant. Still, I would not recommend it for anyone on the oilier side.
For them, there’s Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Beauty Balm (£42), which has the same near-nonexistent coverage as the Tilbury product but less shine and glow. This looks much like a stick deodorant and applies in much the same way, followed by a quick buff with a brush to blend. It looks soft and natural, and feels light and comfy, but has more of a blurry, almost powdery final look (more pronounced around any flaky skin, where it can cling) and after-feel that oilier skins will appreciate and dry skins may not.
If the idea of fast, swipe-on application appeals, but the ultra-sheer modern sticks offer too little coverage for your needs, consider some that were nailing it before the trend took off. For oilier types, Fenty Beauty Ease Drop Blur (£28) and Ilia Skin Rewind Complexion Stick (£48, pictured) have a light but useful level of coverage while remaining natural looking (neither blends brilliantly on dry skins).
Makeup For Ever Ultra HD Stick Foundation (£35) is rarely spoken about, but is among the all-time greats. Its finish on all skins except oily is even, moist but not greasy, extremely comfortable and buildable in coverage. It’s loved by more big makeup artists than I could count.
