It’s been a long time since I used stick foundations but I was curious to try them again because I love the ease of them. Just swipe it on the skin, blend it out and that’s it. I don’t have to worry about using a mixing palette or the back of my hand to dispense the product and then apply it onto the face. Stick foundations are so easy to use but not all are suitable for mature skin. Since stick foundations are a solid texture rather than a cream or liquid, there is a chance that it could be too heavy, too dry and perhaps more likely to show texture, lines, etc.
I decided to begin testing a few in order to share my thoughts on which ones I loved. After using and wearing a handful of different stick foundations, I have found four formulations that I really enjoy and wear regularly. My skin has changed so much these past few years so finding a stick foundation that works on mature skin took some time but I definitely think these are worth trying.
Best Stick Foundations For Mature Skin
Dior Forever Skin Perfect Stick Foundation
The Dior Forever Skin Perfect Stick Foundation is designed to give the skin a natural finish while blurring imperfections and delivering up to 24 hr wear. The 24 hr wear claim is absolutely insane and one of my biggest pet peeves about makeup brands but I can confirm that it does stay put ALL DAY LONG until I remove it. For me that is usually 8-10 hours but I am sure it would last longer though I am hesitant to say it would last a full day. It’s a hydrating formula but not in a intensely dewy or glowy way. It’s creamy, smooth and keeps my skin looking the same at the end of the day as when I applied it first thing in the morning.
The Dior Forever Stick Foundation gives a true natural skin finish. Not too dewy, not too matte. It does manage to be the perfect blend of both to leave the skin looking natural and radiant in a subtle way. It stays looking natural throughout the day and doesn’t get increasingly shiny or dewy. My skin type is closer to dry and slightly mature so I wasn’t sure I would like something without a glow but I absolutely LOVE this. And the blurring aspect to it is truly impressive. It really does give a smoothing filter like finish to the skin.
Ilia Skin Rewind Blurring Foundation and Concealer Complexion Stick
Ilia beauty is known for creating makeup/skincare hybrid products that perform well but also have added skincare benefits in them. This Rewind Complexion Stick is no exception. It is a complexion stick designed to give medium coverage, a natural matte finish and provide a slight blurring effect to the skin. The formula is said to be long wearing and help to provide anti-aging benefits over time such as smoothing and firming the skin. My skin is a bit more normal to dry now so I wasn’t sure I would love the natural matte finish but it was creamier than I anticipated which was nice. The creamy finish and blurring aspect was noticeable immediately though I definitely feel this is a summer foundation for me more than a winter one. The natural matte finish is great for the heat and humidity and it manages to feel weightless on the skin.
Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick
This is a complexion stick that you can use as a foundation or a concealer or just spot treat where you need it. I personally use it all over my face as a traditional foundation which means it will probably run out a bit sooner than my other stick foundations which is a downside but the formula is so great that I would be willing to repurchase it even with this issue. The Merit Minimalist Complexion Stick gives a creamy satin finish to the skin and is very easy to blend. It provides sheer to light coverage but it spreads nicely so you can cover a large portion of the face with just one swipe.
Even though I have dry skin, this formulation works beautifully on me and doesn’t require a ton of skincare prep to ensure it looks seamless and skin-like. If you have more oily or combination skin, this would be a great option since it has a natural satin finish. For the sheer coverage, I wasn’t expecting it to be incredibly long wearing but it surprised me and wore beautifully all day long.
Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick (discount code: 10MAREE)
I was not a huge fan of Westman Atelier makeup a few years ago when I tried a handful of things from the brand. Everything felt a bit too emollient and dewy for my slightly combination skin at the time. Fast forwards to today and my skin type and texture have really changed and I LOVE Westman Atelier products now. While I love all the foundations listed in this group, the Westman Atelier Vital Stick Foundation is my favorite. It manages to look even more skin-like than any of the other formulas and is almost undetectable on the face. It gives light coverage that can be built up a bit but blends in seamlessly and makes you skin look like it’s just had a facial. It’s fresh and dewy but not glowy or greasy. It is truly the perfect embodiment of a complexion product making your skin look like skin.
It looks nearly perfect after I first apply it, but it manages to look better as the day goes on! I have rarely ever found a complexion product that looks better the longer it is on my skin but this is definitely true for the Westman Atelier Vital Stick Foundation. If you have oily or combination skin, I still think this would work but may require a setting powder or light dusting down the t-zone to help prevent shine. If you have normal or dry skin, this is an absolute DREAM! Truly one of the best complexion products I have ever used.
My skincare routine is one of my favorite things to do every single day. Both my morning and evening routines are so relaxing and enjoyable and are something I make a priority every single day. I know I’m not a board certified dermatologist LOL but after doing this for so long I feel I have a good understanding of skincare and what products work best for my specific skin type (which is slightly dry and mature).
My focus for my morning skincare routine is to protect my skin and prep it for wearing makeup. While I will switch out products here and there, there are two types of products I always have in my morning skincare routine. A vitamin c serum is a must for me because it contains antioxidants that help to protect the skin from environmental damage as well as sun damage. Another non-negotiable for me in the summer months (but also year round) is sunscreen to protect against UV rays. Sun exposure is fine but remember that sun damage can take many years to show in the skin. I have dark spots that didn’t show until my 30s but my dermatologist told me it was sun damage from my teens. YIKES!
I have more time in the evening so I will often do a more extensive routine. I focus on more active ingredients such as resurfacing acids or retinols and try to repair/treat any issues while also nourishing my skin with a great moisturizer or face oil. Evening is also when I will use masks and/or skincare tools. Just know that you do NOT have to use this many products in your routine to treat your skin well. The most important steps of any skincare routine are proper cleansing, a good serum that targets your main concerns and a nourishing moisturizer suitable for your skin type (and of course SPF if it is morning).
Face masks aren’t something that I use every single night but will use them when I feel my skin needs it. These are the few that I rotate between to treat all of my current concerns. I will normally apply a mask after I have finished cleansing and toning but before I apply my essences/serums/moisturizers.
I use a few skincare tools in my routine and use them after I have cleansed and toned. The LED masks are my most used skincare tools because of how easy they are to incorporate into my routine and take little to no effort on my part. Just put them on, turn on the timer and they turn off after 10 minutes. So easy yet so effective! I use the Ziip once or twice a week if I want to add a sculpting/firming treatment. And after everything is done, I will use my LED growth helmet every night.
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