My favourite cream stick foundations for natural and long-lasting makeup!

Moonshot Face Perfection Matt Stick, $49 from Sephora

1/4

Absolutely adore the sexy second-skin smoothness bestowed by this Kool Korean offering, which comes in a chic charcoal-hued canister that’s incredibly Instagram-friendly to boot. 

Pretty packaging aside, this luxe balm lends my skin a lustrous luminosity and a super supple finish that reads as “real”, even up close. By the magic of makeup –it goes from cream to powder in seconds – this superbly satiny potion permeates my face with a flattering “day” glow, even in the dead of night. 

Here’s a top trick: If you want complete coverage that doesn’t look like you’re wearing a mask on your mien, pat a thin layer all over, then go back in and focus on your areas of concern, such as redness around the nose and mouth. This targeted second coat is essentially doubling up as a concealer of sorts, quick’n’dirty style.

One last thing: This more than makes good on the matteness implied in its monicker, too. The Face Perfection Matt Stick’s sebum-sopping prowess is pretty powerful indeed – a smidgen of the spectacularly smooth salve was plenty to sop up gunk and grease throughout the day. As far as stick foundations go, this K-Beauty winner is #fighting. 

Za Cosmetics Cream-to-Powder CC Stick, $16.90

2/4

This delightful drugstore darling is an excellent economical option for OLs on their first job assignment. 

Why? For starters, special stretchy polymers in the product promise to “plug” your pores for a perfectly porcelain finish – and by golly, it works like a dream. Then there’s the “lazy girl” appeal, too. Save on time and skip your usual unguents because this subtly tinted ambrosia alone is hugely hydrating – perfect for off-duty days when you can’t be arsed with a seven-step regime. 

Oh, it does double duty as a concealer as well. Simply swivel the stick, pick up a tiny bit of product using the tip of a brush, then dot onto offending spots and blend outwards to blur the boundary between blemish and surrounding skin. Easy-peasy.

Finally, I’ve found that a dusting of translucent setting powder, sans primer, is all I need for this hard worker to stay put for an entire day in the office. So yes, I’ll repurchase in a heartbeat!

Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick, $125

3/4

Exquisite exterior aside – this baby comes in a burnished bronze bottle that’s beyond beautiful – what I really love about this stick is the incredible incandescence it lends my skin.

The buildable formula is fabulously flattering, with a superbly satiny finish that’s just dewy enough to read as “real” skin. The difference is dramatic, but not disproportionately so: My skin still looks like my own, only better. This discreet touch-up tool – you can spot-correct by dabbing it directly onto blemishes to disguise discolouration – will be indispensable on say, Sunday champagne brunches, when you want to look presentable without being preternaturally polished.

This terrific Tom Ford foundie works hard for its money, too – in my case, a good eight hours of wear that did away with the need for primers plus powders. Portable perfection in a purse, if you ask me.

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisble Cover Stick Foundation, $72

4/4

Clearly targeted at tech-savvy young’uns – and that means you, dear herworldPLUS reader! – this camera-friendly perfector promises skin that’ll pass the strict scrutiny of “ultra high-definition” smartphone screens (that’d be four times more unforgiving than full high-def, thank you very much.)

Parched skin is perfectly pampered thanks to a thirst-slaking surge of timed-release hyaluronic acid spheres – no flakiness on my end. Coverage-wise, this foundie flirts on the edge of sheer and medium for almost-nude skin that’s yours, only better – in other words, you stay matte, not flat.

I experienced no creasing, crinkling or pooling into pores, either, so hurrah for that. A featherweight foundie that functions as an Instagram filter on standby? Yes, please. But don’t take my word for it – check it out at your nearest MUFE counter, stat.

Right, then. Made your choice? Congrats on successfully laying the “foundation” of any makeup and skincare routine. Cheers, and #HappyShopping!