Clean Beauty Foundation Stick Guide: Reviewing 8 Natural Brands

When it comes to foundations, they can take many shapes and forms! Liquids, creams, powders…and sticks (oh my)! So I thought it would be fun to do a specific deep dive on STICK foundations in the clean beauty world.

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This post contains affiliate links. I purchased most of these products myself (some were gifted by brands) and this post reflects my honest thoughts, as always! I may earn a commission on purchases made through these links which directly help support the blog.

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Foundation Sticks 101: Pros & Cons

First things first, why use a foundation stick over the other forms? Well, there are pros and cons and it might depend on your preference!

Stick Pros 👍

• Less mess
• Easy to travel with
• Can double as a concealer
• Usually are waterless and concentrated
• Super quick and easy to swipe directly onto skin
• You can use two different shades for a natural contouring or highlighting effect
• You don’t necessarily need a brush or beauty blender; you can just blend with your fingers

Stick Cons 👎

• Not always the most ideal for drier skin types
• Might need to warm them up on skin before they glide easily
• They can sometimes be chalky or cakey and require more skin prep
• Not as hygienic since you are constantly applying the stick directly onto skin

Skin Prep & How to Apply Stick Foundations

First, I highly suggest prepping your skin for the smoothest application. Since sticks are solid, they can be more troublesome for dry skin and cling to patches or texture. In general, make sure your skin is exfoliated and well moisturized. Additionally, using a facial oil and primer helps too! Basically, you want your skin to be “lubed up” (for the lack of a better term) so that the sticks go on like butter. Otherwise, they can be stubborn to apply or look crepey.

After that, it’s not complicated! Just draw a few lines around the main areas of your face: cheeks, forehead, chin, and nose (not all over!). Then blend to your heart’s content.

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Testing ALL the Clean Foundation Sticks!

I dug around to make sure this list included all the clean beauty foundation sticks out there! If you know of any others, drop them in the comments. But all of these use ingredients that meet my (somewhat strict) standards.

P.S. All of the foundations in this post are gluten free, cruelty free, and phenoxyethanol free! You can learn more about ingredients to avoid in cosmetics here.

Click to jump to a specific review:

• Attitude Oceanly Foundation Stick
• Axiology Skin Loving Mushroom Fungdation
• Ilia Skin Rewind Complexion Stick
• Merit The Minimalist Complexion Stick
• Ogee Sculpted Complexion Stick
• Well People Supernatural Complexion Stick
• Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick
• Zao Organic Foundation Stick

Attitude Oceanly Foundation Stick (🌎 Eco-Friendly)

Price: $35 for 12 g (0.42 oz)
Shelf Life: 12 months
Shades Available: 6
Coverage: Light coverage, soft skin-like finish
Packaging: Plastic-free push-up tube and cap made from 100% recyclable and biodegradable FSC-certified paper
Samples: No
Other Notes: Vegan, cruelty free, gluten free, made in Canada, silicone free, contains coconut (MCT), EWG verified

I’m not crazy about this foundation, to be frank. I’ll start with the good parts: it’s breathable, contains zinc oxide for some sun protection, and the coverage looks natural with a bit of a glow.

While I appreciate the zero waste aspect of this, one drawback of the tube is that you have to use your finger to push up the foundation as you apply it; otherwise, it can fall back in.

Next, it takes a while to melt and get going when you start applying it, and not much swipes on at once, so you might have to make multiple passes in the same spot. The coverage isn’t enough to conceal big blemishes or imperfections, and it can also look like it sits on top of skin with some crepiness and creasing.

Lastly, the shade range is majorly lacking. I wear shade Nude, which matches me okay, but it’s slim pickings.

Would I repurchase? No. I respect the earth-friendly packaging, but the application and coverage could be better.

Shop Attitude Foundation Sticks Here

Also available here on Amazon.

Axiology Skin Loving Mushroom Fungdation (🌎 Eco-Friendly)

Price: $42 for 11.3 g (0.4 oz)
Shelf Life: 24 months
Shades Available: 15
Coverage: Light to medium coverage, satin finish
Packaging: Plastic-free push-up tube and cap made from 100% recyclable and biodegradable FSC-certified paper
Samples: No
Other Notes: Vegan, cruelty free, gluten free, palm oil free, silicone free, ethically sourced ingredients, contains potential coconut derivative (caprylyl glycol), handmade in USA

To be candid, I was surprised when I got this in the mail because it looks pretty tiny 🫢 However, looks can be deceiving, and it’s 11.3 g, which is actually MORE product you get than most foundation sticks. It’s a little different than your traditional stick, and most others have twist-up packaging and various plastic parts—but Axiology foregoes all the excess pieces, which makes it appear smaller (and the fact that it’s wider).

Because of that, it presents the same issue as Attitude’s foundation stick: you need to constantly hold the tube in place while applying it. Additionally, it sometimes feels like it might pop out. But I’ve found that I can also swipe a makeup brush directly onto the foundation and then apply it to my skin.

The finish of this is very nice, though! It feels hydrating (thanks to snow mushrooms which hold up to 500 times their weight in water) and nourishing (from reishi which enhances moisture retention). There is almost a bounciness to it, and it looks natural on skin with a touch of luminosity. I wear shade 3.

One thing I’ve noticed is that it seems to sink into skin the longer you wear it, so it looks better after an hour or more of wear, in my opinion! I have experienced some minor creasing in fine lines like my crow’s feet, though.

Would I repurchase? Yeah! The application experience isn’t perfect, but the sustainable packaging makes up for it IMO, and I enjoy that it’s not too drying or cakey. I also like that it has dimension and doesn’t look flat on my skin.

You can use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount at Axiology 🏷️

Shop Axiology Fungdation Here

Ilia Skin Rewind Complexion Stick (🌟 Reader Favorite!)

Price: $48 for 10 g (0.35 oz)
Shelf Life: 6 months
Shades Available: 42
Coverage: Medium coverage, natural matte finish
Packaging: Plastic twist-up tube and cap (curbside recyclable)
Samples: Not from Ilia, but you can sample it via The Detox Market
Other Notes: Vegan, cruelty free, gluten free, made in Canada, silicone free, contains coconut (MCT)

There was tons of hype around this when Ilia launched it, so you know I had to see what it was all about. And when I polled my readers for their favorite clean foundations, this was the most popular stick! Overall, it’s good stuff, but it did take some trial and error to figure out the best application method. I wear shade 5C Pine which matches me well; I appreciate that Ilia made cool-toned options for this stick (the shade range is HUGE!).

The coverage is buildable and looks quite natural once applied. It has a unique matte finish that still looks skin-like while feeling comfortable. Plus, it’s long-lasting and still looks fresh towards the end of the day!

However, if you have dry skin or patches, I wouldn’t recommend this one, as it can accentuate them or appear to sit on top of them. I also suggest blending as minimally as possible and using shorter brush strokes.

Would I repurchase? Yep! I don’t love that the second ingredient is polyethylene (it’s safe, just not a natural ingredient), and I wish the ingredients were purer overall. But I like that it has more coverage, and the matte finish plays well with my combo skin. It reminds me of the Au Naturale foundation stick I used before it was discontinued.

Shop Ilia Complexion Sticks Here

Also available here on Amazon, Credo, The Detox Market, and Sephora.

Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick

Price: $38 for 6.5 g (0.23 oz)
Shelf Life: 12 months
Shades Available: 30
Coverage: Light to medium coverage, natural finish
Packaging: Post-consumer recycled plastic twist-up tube and cap
Samples: No
Other Notes: Vegan, cruelty free, gluten free, contains coconut (MCT), contains silicones, made in South Korea

So, I intentionally did NOT have Merit on this list for the longest time because the complexion stick contained ingredients I prefer to avoid, such as BHT. I was pleasantly surprised to see Merit update the formula and remove the major reg flag ingredients. While I still don’t consider this the cleanest (I’d say clean-ish because it has a lot of silicones and synthetics), it’s a popular option, and I wanted to share my thoughts.

I do like how this applies easily and blends with minimal effort, and it holds up well even after hours of wear. That’s likely due to the silicones, which provide a smooth, glidey feel and improve makeup longevity.

One thing to note is that it’s only 6.5 g, which is less product than most foundation sticks! I wear shade Dune.

Would I repurchase? Probably not! It performs decently, but I prefer purer ingredients and would pick other brands before Merit. If purity isn’t a priority for you and you’re more interested in performance and long-lasting wear, you might like this.

Shop Merit Complexion Sticks Here

Also available here at Sephora.

Related post: “Is Merit Beauty Actually Clean & Non-Toxic? Let’s Review!“

Ogee Sculpted Complexion Stick (Purest Ingredients)

Price: $48 for 9.7 g (0.34 oz)
Shelf Life: 6 months
Shades Available: 20
Coverage: Light to medium coverage, second-skin finish
Packaging: Plastic twist-up case and cap with a magnetic hold
Samples: No
Other Notes: Cruelty free (not vegan, contains beeswax), 70% organic ingredients, non-GMO, gluten free, contains coconut (MCT), silicone free, made in USA

So I initially tried this years ago and wasn’t a huge fan, but I think Ogee slightly changed the formula (and a lower price!), and it works way better for me now! It used to pull and tug on my skin as I applied it, but the formula seems to be much creamier now, yay!

I like that the coverage looks really natural and melts into skin nicely without being too greasy. Also, the ingredients are impeccable. It’s lovely!

Thankfully, Ogee has expanded its shade range since first launching because the closest shade, Linden 1.25, was too yellow for me. Now I wear Birch 0.25N, which is a match!

Would I repurchase? Absolutely! I love how clean Ogee’s ingredients are, and this looks like your skin, but better.

Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA15 for a discount at Ogee 🏷️

Shop Ogee Complexion Sticks Here

Related post: “Ogee Brand Review: Luxury Organic Makeup with Pure Ingredients“

Well People Supernatural Complexion Stick (💰 Budget Option)

Price: $26 for 8 g (0.28 oz)
Shelf Life: 12 months
Shades Available: 15
Coverage: Light to medium coverage, natural finish
Packaging: Plastic twist-up case and cap
Samples: No
Other Notes: Vegan, cruelty free, silicone free, gluten free, contains coconut (MCT), made in China, EWG verified

Well People recently revamped this! It now has slightly less coverage and doubles as a concealer and foundation. You can build it up to medium coverage, but it might take an extra layer or two. Plus, it has a rounded top that gets into smaller crevices more effectively (it used to be flat).

It also seems to glide on easier than before; the old formula was kinda stubborn. The lowered price point doesn’t hurt either!

I’m glad Well People expanded the shade range because the closest match for me used to be too yellow. I now wear shade 16 Light Neutral which is perfect and not as golden.

Would I repurchase? Yes! While I typically prefer more coverage, it’s a solid 2-in-1 product that’s affordable. You can usually find Well People products at Target, and it’s a convenient in-store option.

Shop Well People Sticks Here

Also available here on Amazon and Ulta.

Related post: “23+ Affordable Clean Beauty & Organic Skincare Brands to Start Your Low Tox Journey“

Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick (Best for Dry Skin)

Price: $68 for 9 g (0.31 oz)
Shelf Life: 18 months
Shades Available: 20
Coverage: Medium coverage with a radiant, natural finish
Packaging: Plastic twist-up case and cap with a magnetic hold
Samples: No
Other Notes: Vegan, cruelty free, silicone free, gluten free, contains coconut (MCT), made in Italy

I was so curious to try this for the longest time! The packaging is beautiful (even though it’s plastic) and Westman Atelier seems like a super-luxe brand, albeit not the cleanest on the market (lots of [safer] synthetics and polymers; would love to see more natural and organic ingredients for this price). The first thing I noticed with this one is how beautifully it swipes onto my skin. It’s front-loaded with lots of emollients and moisturizing ingredients so that makes sense. It’s DEFINITELY creamy and silky. Maybe even velvety. If your skin leans dry, this might work best for you.

I wear shade Atelier 0 (neutral with rose undertone) but could go darker in summer. It’s supposed to look like your skin, but enhanced, and I do feel like that’s true! It does have gorgeous, even coverage and doesn’t appear patchy or sparse on me at all.

If I use a setting powder on top of this one, it holds up well throughout the day and still looks fresh even hours later. I only notice slight creasing on deeper lines, like on my neck (where powder was not used). If I don’t use a setting powder, I notice that it can kind of fade away on areas like my nose and chin.

Would I repurchase? No, it’s too expensive for what I’m willing to spend. The foundation is pretty nice and I’d consider purchasing it again if it were cheaper. But I feel like you’re just paying for the brand name and not the quality of ingredients, and it doesn’t perform that much better than others in this guide.

Shop Westman Atelier Sticks Here

Also available here at Credo.

Zao Organic Foundation Stick

Price: $45 for 10 g (0.35 oz)
Shelf Life: 12 months
Shades Available: 14
Coverage: Medium to full coverage, natural powdery finish
Packaging: Bamboo outer case, twist-up inner plastic cartridge (refillable)
Samples: No
Other Notes: Vegan, cruelty free, gluten free, silicone free, contains coconut (MCT), made in Italy, Cosmos Organic Certified by ECOCERT

This one is super interesting! It’s creamy but not very dense and feels more like a powder after it’s on your skin. One of the first things I noticed was the smell! It kind of reminds me of a sunscreen with hints of vanilla. I like it, but if you’re sensitive to scents, it could be bothersome for you.

Zao goes on smoothly and is fairly easy to blend (heads up, the stick is quite chubby!). It honestly looks sooo pretty on my skin and I like that I can get a fuller coverage with it. It evens out my complexion and has a soft finish, but it doesn’t feel dry at all. I wear shade 773 Sand Beige which suits me well.

However, my tip with this one would be to make sure you are not OVER blending because it can start to look crepey if you do. I’m not sure it would work well on drier skin types, either.

Since this one is made in Europe, it’s hard to find US stockists that carry it! Even the Zao website doesn’t have many shades available (I bought it from The Organic Bunny store, but she doesn’t offer refill cartridges, FYI).

Would I repurchase? It depends! If I wanted something fuller coverage, then yeah. However, I don’t tend to wear fuller coverage makeup often, so this isn’t my first choice. I also wish more stores in the US sold it with refills.

Shop Zao Foundation Sticks Here

Other Clean Beauty Foundations (Not Sticks!)

If you’re interested in other clean foundations that are NOT a stick, you’ll surely wanna check out this guide:

Top 8 BEST Clean Beauty Foundations of 2025 (According to My Readers!)

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Have you tried any of these sticks? Which one are you most interested in? Thanks a bunch for checking out this post, and I hope it was helpful! 💚