9 multipurpose make-up sticks to use and travel with this summer

multi-purpose makeup stick

Credit: Courtesy of brands

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9 multipurpose make-up sticks to use and travel with this summer

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3 min read

Create a capsule make-up bag by including products that can do two or three jobs.


Can we hear a little commotion for the hardworking products in our make-up bags, please? Whether it’s the waterproof mascara that doesn’t budge but for a rainstorm, the have-you-been-away? bronzer that gets religiously repurchased or the buttery cleansing balm that melts it all away. These products are personal classics for a reason – we know and trust that we can count on them in a time-pinch or when we’re away from home. They’ve won their place in our make-up routines and, for that, they must be applauded. 

However, occasionally a beauty product comes along to displace an old favourite. And when it does more than one job, it’s (at least) doubly impressive – and that’s how we feel about multipurpose make-up sticks.

Designed to be used on multiple areas of the face or body, multipurpose make-up sticks do the job of two or three separate products. Some work as a blusher, lip colour and eyeshadow. Others can be used as foundation and concealer. A few are highlighter-primer duos.

The USP of multipurpose make-up sticks is that you get more bang for your buck and can cut down on a product (or three) when out and about. So, if this sounds like something you could use, whether you’re looking to trim down your make-up supply or speed up your morning routine, keep reading below to see Stylist’s favourite finds.


Ilia Multi-Stick

Ilia Multi-Stick

Home to minimalist make-up products, Ilia is a go-to for a more natural style. Use across both the cheeks and lips, and sometimes even the eyes for a dewy pink shadow for an instantly put-together no-make-up make-up look.

Shop Ilia Multi-Stick at Sephora, £38

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Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick

Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick

The Fenty Beauty Match Stix are famous among beauty buffs for ease of application and how they handily stick together with magnets. Working as both a foundation, contour and concealer, you may want to opt for this one in a variety of shades to use it in a whole host of ways. 

Shop Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick at Boots, £23

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Huda Beauty Cheeky Tint Blush Stick

Huda Beauty Cheeky Tint Blush Stick

Monochromatic make-up is one of the easiest (and fastest) full-face looks to create, and this handy lip and cheek stick is sure to help you achieve it within seconds. 

Shop Huda Beauty Cheeky Tint Blush Stick at Cult Beauty, £23

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Chanel Baume Essentiel

Chanel Baume Essentiel

Chanel’s Baume Essentiel is a bestseller for a reason. Working as a hydrating highlight balm, it can be used on the face, lips, eyes and body to add a dewy-skin glow to any area. 

Shop Baume Essentiel at Chanel, £36

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Nudestix Nudies Bloom

Nudestix Nudies Bloom

Thanks to Sofia Richie, who used the product in her minimalist wedding day make-up look that trended on TikTok (she’s now the brand’s beauty director), the beauty industry is keeping a close watch on Nudestix as it makes a strong case for the multi-purpose beauty stick. Working as both a lip and cheek colour, it makes light work of monochromatic make-up looks and even has a brush at the base for easy application.

Shop Nudestix Nudies Bloom at LookFantastic, £30

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Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick

Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick

Merit seems to be the make-up brand of the moment with many people giving it rave reviews. Working as both a foundation and a concealer, it reduced the need for both in your make-up bag. 

Shop The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick at Merit, £40

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Jones Road Lip and Cheek Stick

Jones Road Lip and Cheek Stick

Yet another lip and cheek stick, this creamy Jones Road option is great for those with dry skin. Packed with castor seed oil, it deeply hydrates while washing with colour. 

Shop Lip and Cheek Stick at Jones Road, £34

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19/99 Beauty Cream Highlight Stick

19/99 Beauty Cream Highlight Stick

19/99 Beauty excels when it comes to bright, bold colour, but for something more subtle, this make-up stick is one of our favourite finds. Working as a creamy highlighter, it effortlessly glides onto the face, illuminating cheekbones, eyebrows and the tip of the nose but we also use it as eyeshadow and sometimes under our foundation to give our skin an illuminating glow.

Shop 19/99 Beauty Cream Highlight Stick at Cult Beauty, £28

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Pat McGrath Labs Divine Blush

Pat McGrath Labs Divine Blush

Although it’s technically designed as a blush, pick the right shade of this Pat McGrath product and you’ll have yourself a bronzer, highlighter and, of course, a lipstick.

Shop Pat McGrath Labs Divine Blush at Selfridges, £27

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Images: courtesy of brands

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