Editor Tip: The buttery formula makes it easy to blend the foundation out on the go using your finger (although brushes are always welcome).
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, glycerin, carnauba wax, sea daffodil extract | Number of Shades: 20 | Who It’s For: People with acne-prone skin
Best Splurge: Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick
Why It’s Worth It: Allure contributor Brennan Kilbane apologizes in advance for the high cost of the Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick but vows the designer base makeup product is just that good. Black agrees, explaining that it’s been a staple in her kit since its launch. “It’s medium coverage, but can easily be applied to create a full coverage look that somehow still looks like skin,” she says, adding that it’s one of her favorite formulas to use on-camera. Her only qualm is with the shade range, which she admits could use darker shades with more sophisticated undertones and depth.
Editor Tip: Apply this product in wide strokes, starting from the center of the face and working outwards, using your fingers to blend.
Key Ingredients: Japanese knotweed extract, noni fruit extract, caffeine, calcium aluminum borosilicate | Number of Shades: 9 | Who It’s For: People with mature skin
Best for Dry Skin: Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Stick
Why It’s Worth It: Napoli is a diehard fan of Make Up For Ever’s HD Invisible Cover Stick. “The shade range, which has 18 hues, is so versatile and the formula reliable and easy to work with,” he tells Allure. It’s medium to full coverage, goes on smoothly, and lasts all day. Word to the wise, the brand recommends using different, specialized brushes depending on how you plan to use the product. For example, if you’re using the stick as a concealer, opt for the Make Up For Ever Artisan Brush 226.
Editor Tip: Napoli recommends and personally loves using lighter shades as a natural highlight.
Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl palmitate, carnauba wax, evodia fruit extract | Number of Shades: 18 | Who It’s For: People with normal to dry skin
Best Light Coverage: Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Foundation Stick
Why It’s Worth It: So it turns out that “#FauxFilter” is the new “#NoFilter.” The Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Foundation Stick mimics the look of your actual skin, so cakiness is never an issue. With a wear time of up to 10 hours, this formula is fragrance-free, waterproof, transfer-proof, and humidity- and sweat-resistant to boot. We should also mention that there are 39 shades, so no skin tone gets left behind.