14 Best Foundation Sticks of 2024 Loved by Experts

Recommended by both makeup artists, Butler and one of our editors, it's safe to say this Hourglass foundation stick is widely loved by experts. They note that it offers full coverage and can also be great for oily skin (one of our editors who had oily skin in high school swore by this product to keep shine at bay).

Butler adds that "it's highly blendable and just a few dots of the product on the face give skin a perfected look." You can expect a smooth, satin-matte finish with this stick, Butler advises. Though it's on the pricier side, it lasts a long time, so it's a good investment.

A well-priced pick, this foundation is a multitasker that can act as concealer too, making it an even smarter buy. GH Beauty Director April Franzino recommends this product, sharing that she uses it "as a concealer and loved how seamlessly it blended." She adds that it felt very silky and hydrating on her skin. An online reviewer finds it looks greasy on their face, so consider setting it with a face powder if this happens to you.

Both makeup artists love this foundation stick; Badro even recommends it specifically for mature skin, noting that it "offers a natural finish" that some mature skin types prefer. GH editor Stephanie Dolgoff also uses this one, sharing that she has "lines, and somehow this stick doesn't accentuate them." She also finds that it's "not heavy or thick and can be used under my eyes without getting cakey and creased when I smile." Take note that some online reviewers find that it doesn't blend well.

Two GH staffers with sensitive skin use this foundation stick. GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann loves using it "like a concealer where there is redness or to even skin tone," she says, and she even uses it under the eyes as well.

GH staffer Lis Engelhart, who also has sensitive skin, uses it as a concealer as well; she shares that "it's lightweight and buildable, which is great for me since I prefer a 'no makeup' look. It goes on easily and I just blend with my fingers, so it's perfect for on-the-go." Online reviewers with dry skin said it accentuated dryness and texture, so this can be better for oily and combination skin types.

Mented's foundation stick includes skin-friendly ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe leaf extract and grapeseed oil. Achieve hydrated, natural-looking skin and customize your coverage level with the buildable formula that reviewers find blends evenly and smoothly. Reviewers with oily skin claim it's great for mattifying and smoothing without triggering breakouts, but note that one GH Beauty Lab tester noted it "may be too heavy for dry skin."

Those with oily skin often are also dealing with large pores, so finding a foundation that minimizes the look of pores is a must-have. Butler loves "the blurring ability of this tint stick and how it conceals my pores!" Like many other picks on this list (and something that's important for any foundation stick), she also shares that "it glides on skin so smoothly and blends effortlessly." It leaves a soft finish and offers medium coverage. According to some online reviewers, it comes off of skin easily, so it's not the most long-lasting product.

Thanks to what Badro calls "skin-loving ingredients" and a nourishing formula, this foundation stick is a great choice for dry (or even sensitive!) skin. Along with Badro, Greenberg and Butler also recommend this medium coverage product. It "has a creamy texture and contains a blend of oils including squalane and camellia seed," says Butler. "It feels a bit heavier but more moisturizing than other stick foundations. I love how it melts into skin and looks very natural."

Non-irritating ingredients are great for combination skin: Greenberg likes that this foundation stick includes marshmallow root and chamomile, so "it will soothe your skin while giving great coverage," she says. She also likes that it's not prone to creasing and adds that "Milk has a great selection of shades too, so you can find your perfect match." While online reviewers love how convenient this product is for on-the-go, some do say they need to touch up their makeup throughout the day since it can rub off the face easily.

For a lit-from-within natural look, reach for this wallet-friendly buy. Greenberg says this Joah foundation stick "looks like a gorgeous second skin." Though it's lightweight, she finds that the glowy formula is "buildable and provides the perfect amount of coverage without being too heavy." Note that this stick can also be used as a highlighter, so if you're looking for something with fuller coverage, this likely isn't the one for you.

From dark circles to blemishes to scars, this foundation can hide it all. It provides full coverage with a velvety finish, according to the brand. A reviewer raves that "it blurred so much of my texture. I did not need a primer or powder, but I did use a setting spray."

Another reviewer who says they've been using the product for more than 15 years adds that "when it says total coverage, believe it. This foundation covers everything." Plus, it has SPF to protect your skin from the sun. Note that some online reviewers find that the online shade match offered isn't always accurate, so it may be easier to go into a store to find the right shade in person.

Between its famed long lasting formula and its built-in kabuki brush, Lancôme couldn't make it any easier to contour with this foundation stick. Badro loves it for contouring, noting that "it's full coverage and will allow for sculpted cheekbones."

The rounded tip also makes contouring easy, and you can just flip it around to the brush side to blend out. However, online reviewers also love it as a regular foundation, so you can use it for both, depending on the shades you buy. Some online reviewers found it hard to find a color that matched them well and hope for a more expanded shade range.

Make Up For Ever is well known for its ultra long lasting foundations, with some of the formulas even performing very highly in GH Beauty Lab testing. This foundation stick is no different: Greenberg calls it "very long lasting and super buildable." While some long-wear foundations can feel sticky, this one "provides full coverage without being too heavy, so it still looks very natural," Greenberg adds. A few online reviewers do find it a bit cakey and difficult to blend, though.

There's no denying that this is a pricey foundation stick, but it was recommended by both of the makeup artists we consulted. Greenberg highlights the formula, calling it "super creamy, very silky and luxurious on the skin." She adds that "it adheres well to the skin," which is important when you want to your makeup to last all day. "It's also very buildable and leaves the skin looking fresh and glowy while still giving whatever level of coverage you need," she adds. Plus, Badro loves that you can use it on "dry, combo and normal skin," she says.

Make wearing your sunscreen even easier with this bargain foundation stick from drugstore icon L'Oréal Paris.

Badro loves that this product contains SPF in it, though it comes in the form of octinoxate (important to note if your skin gets irritated by chemical sunscreen). With nearly 4,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, consumers agree that it's a great buy, often noting that a little goes a long way and enjoying the higher coverage it provides. "Soft, smooth, fast and easy to apply," one reviewer simply writes.

While foundations can provide a small amount of protection, you likely won’t apply enough to get the SPF listed on the package. Remember to apply a face sunscreen of at least SPF 30 to protect your skin, and apply foundation on top.