In the realm of base products, foundation sticks are about as multifunctional as they come. The chic, portable tubes are incredibly convenient (throw one in your bag and go), sleekly packaged, and can easily serve not only as a foundation but also in lieu of your usual concealer or contouring wand, too. The application couldn’t be simpler, either. Swipe here, swipe there, and blend out with your fingers, your go-to beauty sponge, or a brush — they all can do the trick. 

Los Angeles-based makeup artist Robin Black considers foundation sticks a hero product in his kit. “They are the greatest because of how simple they are to apply, how convenient they are to travel with, and how great they are for touch-ups and how blendable they are,” she says. And we agree that stick foundations are especially ideal if you’re someone who travels a ton or is constantly on the go, especially because the majority of them can double as concealers since they have so much pigment and are great to get ready with while in transit or at the office.  “You can tuck them into your carry-on or pack them in your checked luggage without fear of spillage. They are ideal for throwing into your bag for touch-ups on the go or a quick, back of Uber, day to night transformation,” says Black. It’s for the aforementioned reasons that makeup artists and beauty editors (Allure staffers included, of course) are so obsessed with them. 

Not only are they convenient but according to New York City-based makeup artist Tommy Napoli, most formulas are skin-compatible across almost all skin types and do not disrupt or compromise the skin underneath. “Foundation sticks look better as they’re worn and are also full coverage enough to cover blemishes, while liquid foundation can exacerbate texture, become shiny, or make skin start caking,” he adds.

If you’re interested in learning about our favorites and potentially picking up one for your own makeup bag, we’ve got a lot of strong recommendations below (some you can snag on Amazon, Sephora, and Ulta Beauty.). Keep scrolling for the 15 best stick foundations on the market.