12 stick beauty products that’ll make applying makeup on the subway seriously easy
Applying makeup on your morning commute takes a level of skill akin to professional makeup artists. From the over-stuffed makeup bag, brushes flying and the cracked eye shadow carefully balanced on your leg, you’re juggling more than just a smoky eye on a jerky subway. For beauty on-the-go, you need to simplify, forget about the makeup brushes, ease up on the application (you think Kim Kardashian crafts those expertly chiseled cheekbones using a rearview mirror on her way to work?) and invest in beauty products designed for effortless application. We’re talking beauty in stick form.
Skincare and makeup companies are jumping on the bandwagon and producing everything from eye cream to cheek tint in easy-to-apply and easy-to-pack tubes. Whether you’re travelling, assembling a well-stocked gym bag, or carrying products for day-to-night touch ups, stick applicators will save you major space and time, not to mention perfect application. Read on for a full skincare and beauty regimen, all in stick form.
1. Boscia Charcoal Deep Pore Cleansing Stick
This charcoal-based cleanser is perfect for your gym bag or travel. After wetting your face, apply the cleanser stick directly to your face, massaging it in a circular motion until you achieve a creamy lather. Gently massage it further with your fingers to activate the cleanser to scrub deep into your pores, and rinse with water. Cap the cleanser and it’s safe to toss back in your bag. You’ll never have to worry about leaks with this solid cleanser!
Boscia Charcoal Deep Pore Cleansing Stick ($35, Sephora.com)
2. Cake Rush Brush Dry Shampoo
The clever design of this dry shampoo makes for fool-proof application, without any risk of powder streaks. A brush head lets you work the powder right into the roots of your hair, soaking up grease and adding a healthy sheen. Plus, it’s so small, it fits easily in purses or makeup bags, so you can touch up roots through the day.
Cake Rush Brush Dry Shampoo ($22, Cakebeauty.com)
3. Consonant Dealkalizing Deodorant
Your coworkers won’t notice if you forget to apply mascara in the morning, but they will notice if you forget to apply deodorant. Consonant’s 100% natural deodorant is odourless and safe on skin. Buy two (one for your home, and one for your office desk…just in case.)
Consonant Dealkalizing Deodorant ($12, Consonantskincare.com)
4. Tony Moly Panda’s Dream So Cool Eye Stick
You’ve overslept, you’re short on time. Makeup is out of the question, but if you have any hope of making it through the day without the dreaded, “Are you OK? You look tired.” you’ll need a major dose of hydration. Address your puffy, tired eyes with the adorable Tony Moly Panda’s Dream Eye Stick. It’s loaded with a bamboo extract serum that cools and brightens the delicate skin around eyes. And the stick formula is easy to apply with a quick swipe. It’s a no-brainer, even when you’re functioning with half a brain.
Tony Moly Panda’s Dream So Cool Eye Stick ($12, Urbanoutfitters.com)
5. Clarins Sun Control Stick
With a sunscreen stick, all excuses against wearing SPF go out the window. This non-greasy, no-mess 100% mineral-based sunscreen stick by Clarins is perfect for everyday wear, when you’re not in direct sunlight for hours on end, but need protection nonetheless. Swipe it on sun sensitive areas (your nose, brow and cheekbones, and the back of your neck) and reapply easily as needed through the day.
Clarins Sun Control Stick ($34, Murale.ca)
6. Make Up For Ever Cover Stick Foundation
If you haven’t experienced the wonders of a foundation stick, you haven’t lived, my friend. A foundation stick lets you build coverage gradually, as opposed to slathering skin and blending frantically until it’s all worked in. Foundation sticks are perfect for a low-maintenance beauty look, and provide easy touch-ups through the day.
Makeup Forever Cover Stick Foundation ($50, Sephora.com)
7. Tarte the Sculptour Double-Ended Contourand Highlighter
When assembling an on-the-go beauty bag, two-in-one products save space and weight (meaning you can squeeze in one more tube of lip gloss). This double-ended stick has a contour pen on one end and a highlighter on the other. Use the pen to sculpt and chisel, blending with your fingertips for a natural finish.
Tarte the Sculptour Double-Ended Contour and Highlighter ($29, Sephora.com)
8. Josie Maran Argan Colour Stick
I’m obsessed with colour sticks, a) they don’t require a brush, so that’s one less tool in your arsenal, b) you won’t risk cracking a powder while you’re out, opening up a purse to discover a powder explosion and c) the application of a colour stick versus a powder is fresh and dewy. It leaves your cheeks flush with rosy colour.
Josie Maran Argan Colour Stick ($26, Sephora.com)
9. Nars Velvet Shadow Stick
For a subtle daytime eye, this shadow stick glides right over your lid, easily blends and sets for the entire day. Use it to highlight your eyes, just under the brow line, or layer it for a fuller shadow. It’s the easiest eye shadow application you’ll ever find.
Nars Velvet Shadow Stick ($35, Murale.ca)
10. Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm
There’s a reason this lip balm has a cult following, Clinique’s chubby stick does double duty with a moisturizing formula that softens and smoothes lips while applying a natural sheen. The colour is subtle enough to apply without a mirror and won’t leave you looking overdone for daytime.
Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm ($19, Clinique.ca)
11. Clean Shower Fresh Roller Ball Perfume
When you’re rushing between work and post-work drinks, a makeup touch up may be out of the question, but you’ll always have time for a quick spritz of perfume. Roller ball sticks are so small and lightweight, and many perfumeries make travel versions of your favourite scents.
Clean Shower Fresh Roller Ball Perfume ($22, Murale.ca)
12. Dr. Hauschka Neem Nail and Cuticle Pen
Here’s one for the nail biters in the group. This cuticle pen releases a natural oil to soften and moisturize cuticles, so you won’t be tempted to pick. Keep it with you at all times (in your purse, at your desk and by your bed) and you’ll beat that bad habit in no time.
Dr. Hauschka Neem Nail and Cuticle Pen ($24, Well.ca)
 and invest in beauty products designed for effortless application. We're talking beauty in stick form.
Skincare and makeup companies are jumping on the bandwagon and producing everything from eye cream to cheek tint in easy-to-apply and easy-to-pack tubes. Whether you're travelling, assembling a well-stocked gym bag, or carrying products for day-to-night touch ups, stick applicators will save you major space and time, not to mention perfect application. Read on for a full skincare and beauty regimen, all in stick form.
1. Boscia Charcoal Deep Pore Cleansing Stick
This charcoal-based cleanser is perfect for your gym bag or travel. After wetting your face, apply the cleanser stick directly to your face, massaging it in a circular motion until you achieve a creamy lather. Gently massage it further with your fingers to activate the cleanser to scrub deep into your pores, and rinse with water. Cap the cleanser and it's safe to toss back in your bag. You'll never have to worry about leaks with this solid cleanser!
Boscia Charcoal Deep Pore Cleansing Stick ($35, Sephora.com)
2. Cake Rush Brush Dry Shampoo
The clever design of this dry shampoo makes for fool-proof application, without any risk of powder streaks. A brush head lets you work the powder right into the roots of your hair, soaking up grease and adding a healthy sheen. Plus, it's so small, it fits easily in purses or makeup bags, so you can touch up roots through the day.
Cake Rush Brush Dry Shampoo ($22, Cakebeauty.com)
3. Consonant Dealkalizing Deodorant
Your coworkers won't notice if you forget to apply mascara in the morning, but they will notice if you forget to apply deodorant. Consonant's 100% natural deodorant is odourless and safe on skin. Buy two (one for your home, and one for your office desk...just in case.)
Consonant Dealkalizing Deodorant ($12, Consonantskincare.com)
4. Tony Moly Panda's Dream So Cool Eye Stick
You've overslept, you're short on time. Makeup is out of the question, but if you have any hope of making it through the day without the dreaded, "Are you OK? You look tired." you'll need a major dose of hydration. Address your puffy, tired eyes with the adorable Tony Moly Panda's Dream Eye Stick. It's loaded with a bamboo extract serum that cools and brightens the delicate skin around eyes. And the stick formula is easy to apply with a quick swipe. It's a no-brainer, even when you're functioning with half a brain.
Tony Moly Panda's Dream So Cool Eye Stick ($12, Urbanoutfitters.com)
5. Clarins Sun Control Stick
With a sunscreen stick, all excuses against wearing SPF go out the window. This non-greasy, no-mess 100% mineral-based sunscreen stick by Clarins is perfect for everyday wear, when you're not in direct sunlight for hours on end, but need protection nonetheless. Swipe it on sun sensitive areas (your nose, brow and cheekbones, and the back of your neck) and reapply easily as needed through the day.
Clarins Sun Control Stick ($34, Murale.ca)
6. Make Up For Ever Cover Stick Foundation
If you haven't experienced the wonders of a foundation stick, you haven't lived, my friend. A foundation stick lets you build coverage gradually, as opposed to slathering skin and blending frantically until it's all worked in. Foundation sticks are perfect for a low-maintenance beauty look, and provide easy touch-ups through the day.
Makeup Forever Cover Stick Foundation ($50, Sephora.com)
7. Tarte the Sculptour Double-Ended Contourand Highlighter
When assembling an on-the-go beauty bag, two-in-one products save space and weight (meaning you can squeeze in one more tube of lip gloss). This double-ended stick has a contour pen on one end and a highlighter on the other. Use the pen to sculpt and chisel, blending with your fingertips for a natural finish.
Tarte the Sculptour Double-Ended Contour and Highlighter ($29, Sephora.com)
8. Josie Maran Argan Colour Stick
I'm obsessed with colour sticks, a) they don't require a brush, so that's one less tool in your arsenal, b) you won't risk cracking a powder while you're out, opening up a purse to discover a powder explosion and c) the application of a colour stick versus a powder is fresh and dewy. It leaves your cheeks flush with rosy colour.
Josie Maran Argan Colour Stick ($26, Sephora.com)
9. Nars Velvet Shadow Stick
For a subtle daytime eye, this shadow stick glides right over your lid, easily blends and sets for the entire day. Use it to highlight your eyes, just under the brow line, or layer it for a fuller shadow. It's the easiest eye shadow application you'll ever find.
Nars Velvet Shadow Stick ($35, Murale.ca)
10. Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm
There's a reason this lip balm has a cult following, Clinique's chubby stick does double duty with a moisturizing formula that softens and smoothes lips while applying a natural sheen. The colour is subtle enough to apply without a mirror and won't leave you looking overdone for daytime.
Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm ($19, Clinique.ca)
11. Clean Shower Fresh Roller Ball Perfume
When you're rushing between work and post-work drinks, a makeup touch up may be out of the question, but you'll always have time for a quick spritz of perfume. Roller ball sticks are so small and lightweight, and many perfumeries make travel versions of your favourite scents.
Clean Shower Fresh Roller Ball Perfume ($22, Murale.ca)
12. Dr. Hauschka Neem Nail and Cuticle Pen
Here's one for the nail biters in the group. This cuticle pen releases a natural oil to soften and moisturize cuticles, so you won't be tempted to pick. Keep it with you at all times (in your purse, at your desk and by your bed) and you'll beat that bad habit in no time.
Dr. Hauschka Neem Nail and Cuticle Pen ($24, Well.ca)){kind=link}