High-end Stick Foundation Collection For Pale Skin
If you have pale skin, you know the struggle of finding a foundation that matches your skin tone, and this debacle becomes even more challenging when brands come out with stick foundations. I am a huge fan of stick foundations because they are easy to travel with and I find that they usually blend out a lot better than liquid foundations. They are also less messy because as someone who usually needs a mixer to lighten foundations, the back of my hand always looks like a hot mess after I have done my makeup.
So on today's slate I have three high-end stick foundations that I have used and tested again and again and I have some pros and cons about each of them. Each of these foundations can be found at Sephora now and I will include all pertinent information about each of them as well as swatches, and at the very end I will rank all of three of them. Also, just so I don't have to say this later, I am in the lightest shade possible in all of these foundations.
Foundation Number 1: Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation Stick
My shade: Blanc ( it comes in 26 shades total, which is pretty amazing)
Size: .25 oz
Price: $46.00
Finish: satin
I have to say, I didn't want to like this foundation because of the price, but Hourglass never seems to fail me. The color matches my skin very well and it blends out quickly. Hourglass claims that you only need a few dots for your full face and well I don't play by those rules. And, if you are looking for a more medium to full coverage then a few dots is not going to get you there if I'm being honest.
Without flash/with flash
I find that with this foundation it is more of a medium coverage, not full. With one layer you can still see some of my skin discoloration from previous acne and sunspots, but you can build it up in the areas you need without it looking super cakey. It also works as a great concealer for spot concealing if necessary. I have used this with both a foundation brush and a beauty sponge and the brush definitely gives higher coverage whereas the sponge gives a little less. However, I actually prefer using a sponge with this one and I go back in with the foundation wherever necessary after. I find that other products sit very well on top of it and I have never had any issues blending as long as my face is well hydrated. That leads me into the one issue that I have with this foundation: it can cling to dry patches. I have combination skin and can get really bad dry areas and this foundation can emphasize them, but if I use a really intense moisturizer, than I don't have that issue. So key point here: moisturize ya face.
On a more positive note, it has a wonderful satin finish just like Hourglass says and I absolutely love the way it makes my skin look. I actually get the most compliments whenever I wear this foundation. Does it wear all day? No, but rarely do I have a foundation that makes it from morning to night without blotting and powdering. I do get oily in my t-zone and this foundation can look shiny after a few hours, but after blotting, it goes back to looking beautiful. CoverFX has a great mattifying primer that I find works really well with this foundation in helping with it's longevity, so if you have issues with oily skin, I suggest that you try it out.
Overall, I love this product and I think that if you struggle with finding a foundation to match your pale skin, than this one should be perfect for you.
Foundation Number 2: MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation
My shade: Y205 (20 shades available)
Price: $43.00
Size: .44oz
Finish: Natural
After being a huge fan of the liquid form of this foundation, I anxiously awaited the arrival of the stick form of my shade. For reference, my Sephora Color IQ number is 1Y01 (the lightest shade) and I am also Y205 in the liquid form. Originally when this stick foundation was released, the full color line was not made available. I believe the lightest shade was Y117, but at the time there was so much hype regarding this product that I couldn't possibly wait to try it out. It was incredibly dark for me, but I loved everything about it that I didn't mind so much. I looked orange for a bit, but I mean we all have to make sacrifices eventually.
With flash/without flash
As we can probably all tell from this picture, this foundation is my perfect match (it looks even better on my face), which makes me one happy gal. It definitely has a very natural finish to it, almost satin, but not as satin as the Hourglass one. I have applied it with both a foundation brush and a beauty sponge and I have never seen a huge difference in the level of coverage to be honest. I also seem to go to the sponge first for most all of my foundations and I find that this foundation blends out like butter. The coverage is more of a medium coverage but it can be built up. I usually don't like to use more than one layer of foundation, but you totally can with this one without an issue.
Products also work really well with this one, especially concealer. I have yet to find a concealer that doesn't mesh really well with this one. As far as lasting power, this one is one of my longest wearing foundations. You certainly wouldn't think so because it feels rather hydrating when applied (YAY no sticking to dry patches), so you would assume that it would melt off by the end of the day, but it holds in there really well. I do have to say, however, that the liquid foundation lasts even longer on me, but it catches on dry patches, so just choose your battle I suppose.
Would I recommend this foundation? A million times yes! I use it almost every single day. And it works wonders for those of us who are essentially as translucent as our setting powders.
Foundation Number 3: Tarte Clay Stick Foundation
My shade: Fair Neutral (12 shades available. I got this from tarte's website and according to the site, fair neutral is the lightest, but on Sephora's site, fair beige is, so I don't know which one is actually the lightest shade)
Size: .32 oz
Price: $39.00
Finish: Matte
Here is my latest addition to the foundation family and the final foundation in this review. Now I just want to begin by saying I first fell in love with tarte because of there liquid amazonian clay foundation, but it was so damn dark on me. I bought it on the way back to the train station after my internship one day in the city and an employee said it matched me well...she lied. But I continued to use it because with full makeup you can make just about anything work. The unfortunate thing about tarte's shade ranges is that they miss both ends of the spectrum on most all of there face products. As we will see with this one, the issue has yet to be resolved.
Without flash/with flash
This foundation is a dark one, but it is not as horrendous as it appears on my arm. Once it is blended out on my face with some blush and bronzer, it really doesn't look that bad, and it blends out so nicely, so like I can't get mad at it. I just wish it was a tad lighter, just like a little bit. I also wish it was a bit more neutrally toned like the name implies because it pulls rather yellow on me. If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I had a bit of an issue with shape tape a few days ago. I had ordered the apparent "best concealer ever" - according to the internet - and I payed the ultimate price. The full coverage concealer broke a girl out, and the concealer (both yellow-toned and still too dark for me even though it was in the shade fair) made me look like I had severe jaundice. I also found it to be too high in coverage for my liking, so I don't know if I will be using the concealer again any time soon.
Anyways, back to the foundation. As far as the finish of this foundation, I don't quite understand how it is matte to be honest. I get more of a natural glow from it, but it is by no means matte. I have worn matte foundations before (the Kat Von D Lock-it Tattoo Foundation) and this one can't possibly compare. The liquid form of tarte's foundation was definitely more mattifying. I suppose if you used a mattifying primer, you may see some different results. I have not been able to use anything super matte and drying lately because my face is still recovering from the shape tape incident, but I will try the combo out and keep you all updated on that one.
Lastly regarding staying power, it does hold in there really well. I have worked out while wearing this stuff and it stays put without making me any oilier. So would I recommend this foundation, yes, but if you are as pale as me or lighter, than just be aware that you are going to need a mixer.
Final thoughts
Just for a point of reference, here is all three swatched together (top--> bottom: Make Up For Ever, Hourglass, Tarte)
If I had to rank these foundations, I would say that the MUFE foundation takes the cake for me, Hourglass comes in a very close second, and tarte comes in last. This is not to say that the tarte won't work on others with darker complexions, but if you are a pale princess than I would be cautious regarding making a purchase. None of these foundations are cheap, but if you are in the market for a higher end foundation, than I would certainly give any of these a try.
Hopefully you found this little compare test/review helpful. If you have any further questions of comments, I would love to hear from you! Feel free to write me and/or subscribe to my blog. Thank you for stopping by my site!
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