Today, many drugstore brands make stick foundations. To help you choose the best, we have got you the 13 best drugstore stick foundations below. Check them out!

Top 13 Best Drugstore Stick Foundations In 2022

1. Best Multipurpose:NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Wonder Stick – Light

This NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Wonder Stick (Light) is a multifunctional drugstore product that works as a foundation, concealer, highlighter, and contouring stick. The rounded tip of this makeup stick foundation allows for precise application to define your facial features while also ensuring good coverage. You can swipe the deeper shade from ear to mid-cheek, along the hairline, and sides of the nose. And apply the lighter shade on the cheekbone, bridge of the nose, and forehead. If you want a detailed review of the product, make sure to take a look at this video. Pros

Duo stick Affordable Blends well Travel-friendly Super creamy Decent coverage Can be used on a daily basis

Cons

You may have to use a setting powder for a long-lasting result.

2. Best For Sensitive Skin:Maybelline New York Fit Me Foundation Stick – Classic Ivory

This Maybelline New York Fit Me Foundation Stick is a shine-free plus balance stick foundation. This gel foundation has an anti-shine powder core that dissolves excess oil quickly to deliver a natural matte finish on your skin. It has a creamy texture and is easily blendable. This ultra-lightweight formula’s oil-absorbing and shine-reducing properties make it one of the best drugstore stick foundations for oily skin and combination skin. Apply this foundation on your skin and blend using your fingers, sponge, or brush. You can also check this YouTuber’s detailed review to know more about the results after using this product. Pros

Blendable Creamy texture Allergy-tested Fragrance-free Medium coverage Non-comedogenic Dermatologist-tested Suitable for sensitive skin

Cons

May not be suitable for skin tone with cool undertones

3. Best Semi-Matte Finish:wet nwild Photofocus Stick Foundation – Soft Ivory

Get an appropriate light-diffusing complexion with this wet n wild Photofocus Stick Foundation in Soft Ivory shade. This drugstore stick foundation has been tested under 7 lighting conditions and passed the consumer test for no-filter Insta-worthy selfies. It contains argan and sunflower seed oils that provide intense moisture to dry skin and ensure flawless blendability to reveal a semi-matte finish that lasts for long. You can directly apply this foundation to your face for full coverage and blend it with your fingers. Pros

Lightweight Affordable Easy to carry Cruelty-free Long-lasting coverage Delivers flawless semi-matte finish Multi-dimensional breakthrough formula

Cons

May not be work well for skin tone with cool undertones

4. Best Water-Resistant:Dermablend Professional Quick-fix Body Stick Foundation – Caramel

With all-day hydration and SPF 25 protection, this Dermablend Professional Quick-fix Body Stick Foundation in Caramel hue works like magic. You can achieve a natural, non-cakey look with this long-wearing, full-coverage stick foundation that doubles as a concealer too. This smudge-proof, transfer-resistant stick foundation features a high concentration of high-performance pigments. Its creamy texture provides smooth application to cover skin imperfections such as birthmarks, blemishes, dark spots, scars, and bruises. Plus, it helps to cover tattoos too. For best results, you can use setting powder and achieve a flawless finish. Pros

16-hour wear Water-resistant Dermatologist-tested Suitable for sensitive skin Allergy-tested Non-comedogenic Non-acnegenic Fragrance-free

Cons

May not be suitable for light complexion

5. Best Buildable Coverage:L’Oreal Paris Infallible Longwear Shaping Stick Foundation – Ivory

Shape and contour your face instantly with this L’Oreal Paris Infallible Longwear Shaping Stick Foundation in Ivory shade. It comes with SPF 27 that protects your skin from the harmful UV rays. All while the creamy texture of this formula melts into your skin without caking or flaking, which helps define and enhance your features. Plus, it feels weightless on the skin. This drugstore stick foundation conceals skin imperfections and creates a perfect base for the rest of your makeup. Pros

Long-lasting Smells good Moisturizes skin Value for money Buildable coverage Easy to apply and blend

Cons

May be slightly greasy for oily skin

6. Best For Dark Complexions:Black Radiance Color Perfect Foundation Stick – Bronze Glow

The Bronze Glow shade of this Black Radiance Color Perfect Foundation Stick is perfect for darker complexions. It comes with a pigment-rich foundation stick on one end and a soft brush applicator on the other. This foundation shade works wonders on skin tones with warm undertones and helps sculpt and add dimension to your face. This stick is also a good option for contouring. Once applied, you can blend the product with the soft brush attached to the stick, or use your fingers to sweep and pat the skin. Pros

Affordable Easy to use Decent coverage Creamy texture Easily blendable Smooth application

Cons

May not be long-wearing

7. Best Transfer-Resistant:Milani Conceal + Perfect Foundation Stick – Light

This Milani Conceal + Perfect Foundation Stick in Light shade has a creamy texture that glides on effortlessly to conceal under-eye circles, blemishes, and skin discoloration to lend you a flawless appearance. This drugstore stick foundation is infused with bamboo powder that absorbs excess oil and lily extract that lightens the look of pores. It is super blendable and helps cover skin imperfections and correct skin tone to deliver a natural matte finish. Pros

Vegan Cruelty-free Full coverage Transfer-resistant Water-resistant Lasts up to 12 hours

Cons

May not be suitable for dry skin

8. Best For Instant Touch-Ups:Max Factor Pan Stik Foundation Stick – True Beige

This old and classic brand is still winning hearts in the market. Max Factor Pan Stik Foundation Stick (True Beige) gives you a flawless finish by covering imperfections, blemishes, pigmentation, birthmarks, and under-eye bags with ease. Whether you want to use it as a highlighter or as an all-in-all foundation, you can rest assured that it will glide smoothly on your skin and provide amazing coverage to give your skin a dewy glow. Also, you would never have to use any filter to get Insta-worthy pictures. Pros

Blendable Easy to apply Makes skin soft Excellent coverage Rich and creamy foundation Perfect for instant touch-ups Reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles

Cons

May not be suitable for oily skin

9. Best Hypoallergenic:BLK/OPL True Color SPF 15 Stick Foundation – Truly Topaz

This BLK/OPL True Color SPF 15 Stick Foundation in Truly Topaz shade is perfect for highlighting, contouring, and providing natural-looking full coverage. This pore-blurring and creamy formula is enriched with vitamins C and E and sunscreen that protects and nourishes your skin. This drugstore stick foundation blends seamlessly on your skin. Use this foundation to correct skin imperfections and mask under-eye circles, or sculpt your cheekbones and define your features. Pros

Affordable Long-wearing Hypoallergenic Paraben-free Cruelty-free Easy to use Ideal for all skin types

Cons

May be slightly greasy

10. Best Non-Comedogenic:Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Foundation Stick – Natural Beige

This Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Foundation Stick can be used as a contouring product, concealer, or foundation. It offers a buildable medium to full coverage to hide all your skin imperfections and delivers a smooth, dewy finish. This super-blendable, weightless stick foundation does not settle into fine lines or leave a cakey finish. Formulated with purified hyaluronic acid, this formula smoothens, refreshes, and moisturizes your skin. Plus, it’s oil-free so you don’t have to worry about it clogging your pores. This natural Beige hue is ideal for medium complexions. Pros

Easy to apply Hypoallergenic Value for money Non-comedogenic Dermatologist-tested Creamy formula Buildable foundation

Cons

May not work well for dry skin

11. Best Non-Oxidizing:Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Foundation – Tan

This Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Foundation in Tan shade is buildable and has a creamy texture that delivers a natural-looking, demi-matte finish. This multipurpose stick foundation is highly pigmented and can also be used as a highlighter and contour. It is ideal for oily skin and is perfect for travel and on-the-go touch-ups. This foundation provides light to full coverage and can be used on face and body. Pros

Paraben-free Sulfate-free Phthalate-free Easily blendable Non-oxidizing Easy to apply Fragrance-free

Cons

May not be ideal for extremely dry skin

12. Best Lightweight:W3LL PEOPLE Stick Foundation – Fair Golden

The creamy texture of W3LL PEOPLE Stick Foundation (Fair Golden) instantly melts into the skin, giving you a fresh, radiant glow. While balancing skin tone and diminishing imperfections, this weightless formula delivers a satin, soft-focus finish that does crease or feel greasy on your skin. This mess-proof stick foundation is made of natural and organic ingredients and is free from harsh and artificial chemicals such as paraben, sulfate, petrochemicals, and propylene glycol. Pros

Affordable Cruelty-free Gluten-free Non-comedogenic Does not contain fillers EWG verified for non-toxic health & safety

Cons

May not be suitable for cool undertones

13. Best Long-Wearing:Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick – Ivory

This Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick is not greasy and feels weightless on your skin, just like a powder. It has the creamy consistency of a liquid and offers coverage of a concealer that holds up well throughout the day. This drugstore stick foundation blends effortlessly and melts into the skin. With no touch-up needed, it offers full coverage that lasts for 12 hours straight. It’s most suited for normal, combination, and oily skin types. Pros

Vegan Long-wearing Highly pigmented Waterproof Easy to use Super blendable Full coverage

Cons

Expensive May not be suitable for dry skin

Given below are guidelines that will help you choose the best drugstore stick foundation and steps on how to apply it the right way.

How To Choose The Best Drugstore Stick Foundation

Finding the perfect drugstore stick foundation is a task and sometimes the shade that you bring home may not match your skin tone. Therefore, here are a few points to consider before purchasing the right one:

Skin tone: To avoid shade differences, you need to know your skin’s natural undertones, which is the natural color underneath the surface of your skin. Shades with yellow or peach-based undertones work well for a warm complexion, while pink undertones are perfect for those with a cool complexion. And people with neutral tones have more options to choose from because their undertones do not differ from their actual skin tone. Not aware of your skin’s undertone? Check the color of your veins on the wrists. If it is olive, you probably have a warm undertone, purple or blue veins mean a cool undertone, and blue-green veins indicate a neutral undertone. Skin type: To buy a perfect stick foundation, you must know your skin type — whether you have dry, oily, normal, or sensitive. For dry skin type, you need to purchase foundations that nourish and moisturize your skin. Oil and water-based products work best for dry skin. On the other hand, oily skin types need the opposite. You should go for foundations that have matte or powder finish and can control shine. Normal skin types are the luckiest as they have a wide range to select from, while sensitive skin types should consider hypoallergenic and fragrance-free foundations to avoid discomfort or irritation. Coverage: Another important point to consider while purchasing a stick foundation is what kind of coverage you need. If you want to show your freckles, then go for a light coverage foundation. For an airbrushed look, select a medium coverage foundation, and if you have redness or acne, opt for a full coverage stick foundation.

What Is The Best Way To Apply Drugstore Stick Foundations

Applying a foundation seems like an easy task, but you have to follow a process if you want a flawless look.

Choose the right foundation: It is extremely important to know your skin type and skin tone. Choose your stick foundation according to your skin type. Similarly, pick a shade that matches your skin’s natural undertone, whether it’s warm, cool, or neutral. Remember, the right foundation should complement your complexion. Prep your face: Use a gentle cleanser to clean your face and also, wash your hands. Then, apply a small amount of your favorite lightweight moisturizer on your face. It helps the foundation blend easily and prevents it from drying out your face. Apply primer before foundation as it keeps your makeup from smudging, especially if you live in a humid climate. Apply foundation: Twist-up the stick a little, but not farther out as it may snap or break. Then, swipe it once across your forehead, on the bridge of your nose, under both eyes, your chin, and cheeks. You could also apply a little near your jawline and blend the foundation down to your neck. Now, use your clean fingers to sweep and pat the makeup. Here’s a tip: Always blend it outward, toward the edges of your face. Lastly, set your foundation with powder and apply the rest of your makeup.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

The author, Chaitra Krishnan, is a makeup enthusiast, and she trusts only high-quality products. So, she browsed online to check the details about each product listed above. She also went through hundreds of reviews to curate the list of the best drugstore stick foundations. These foundations help you get flawless skin. The creamy texture of the foundation blends well. What skin type is best suited for a stick foundation? Stick foundations work best for those who do not want to deal with messy liquid. A stick foundation is thicker and has a cake-like structure. Stick foundations are best suited for normal to oily skin types. For dry skin types, it does not work that well as it’s a thick formulation and may end up caking or flaking. How long do foundation sticks last? Most foundation sticks last for up to 10-12 hours. But the wearability may vary from one brand to another. Can you mix a stick and liquid foundation? You are advised not to mix stick and liquid foundation together. If you apply a stick foundation, then you do not need to apply the liquid one over it. However, once you apply a liquid foundation, you may use the stick as a concealer. Are stick foundations better than liquid? Foundation sticks are the best for those who want a flawless look in minutes. Plus, they are also better than liquid formula if you want to avoid a messy and time-consuming process of applying and blending liquid foundation. Moreover, you can carry stick foundations in your purse without worrying about it leaking or spilling. Is it bad to use stick foundations every day? If you choose a good quality foundation stick, then there is no harm in wearing it every day. In fact, nowadays, most stick foundations contain serum and other nourishing agents that help improve your skin. Which foundation is better for oily skin – stick or liquid? Stick foundations are the best for oily skin. They absorb the excess oil and offer the right coverage and blend well into the skin. They have smooth textures that make the makeup look natural. Can I use a foundation stick as a concealer? Yes, you can use a stick foundation as a concealer too. When you don’t have much time to do your makeup, try stick foundations that are much easier and quicker to apply.

Best-Selling Drugstore Full-Coverage Foundations Best Drugstore Foundations For Mature Skin Over 50 Best Cruelty-Free Drugstore Foundations