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The best stick foundations have a lot going for them.

Photo: Courtesy of Ilia
For starters, theyre buildable and hydrating and can even double as concealer for spot treatments.
Bearing in mind that everyones makeup needs are different, below weve highlighted 10 of our favorite foundation sticks.
Its also important to be mindful of ingredients that agree with your skin.

For dry or dehydrated skin, seek out formulas with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or squalane.
If your skin is acne prone, opt for lighter, noncomedogenic ingredients like rose-hip oil and green-tea extract.
For sensitive skin, choose soothing formulas with ingredients like peptides, ceramides, or other calming agents.

So you definitely dont want to use anything that might irritate your skin or exacerbate skin issues.
What Are the Benefits of Stick Foundations?
Theyre fantastic for contouringjust choose a shade darker than your skin tone, Mellinger says.

If you want a more sheer finish, use less product and blend it out with a damp sponge.
However, anyone can use a stick foundationjust keep your skin pop in in mind when adjusting the coverage.
This helps prevent the foundation from emphasizing lines or other skin imperfections.

From there, apply more to areas where you need extra coverage.
Mellinger likes to use a fluffy synthetic brush for this.
I apply the foundation directly to the brush and then blend it around the face.

From there, use small circular motions on your face to create a more natural finish.
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