Live Tinted's New Complexion Stick Is a Dream Foundation for Skincare Lovers

As a young teen, I was always hesitant to try makeup. At the time, I was a much bigger fan of all things skincare. Even now, I tell people that if I had $500 to spend, I'd use 80% of it on skincare before I even look down the makeup aisle of a beauty store. Eventually, I did start to explore more with makeup and gravitated specifically toward eye makeup. I loved mascaras that made my lashes pop, and bold, shimmery eye shadow palettes were my best friend.

The one thing I always steered clear of? Foundation. I had somewhat of an irrational fear of having a cakey finish that would inevitably clog my pores and lead to breakouts. That said, I also didn't know at the time that there were dozens of top-rated foundations out there, along with some handy alternatives. These days, I don't shy away from the occasional foundation-based look. I'm all about dewy skin, so I typically reach for cream formulas over powder or liquid foundations. It’s also why I was super excited to see that Live Tinted was releasing a new Complexion Stick.

Not only is it available in 20 shades, but the Huestick Complexion Stick also promises medium-to-full coverage that's buildable, blurring, and multitasking. It can be used as a concealer, brightener, bronzer, contour, and, of course, foundation. It’s truly a five-in-one game changer. Wondering if it lives up to the hype? Read on for my full, honest review.

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How I Used the Live Tinted Huestick Complexion Stick

Using the complexion stick was straightforward. I knew I wanted to create a golden hour-inspired glowy finish, so I started by prepping my skin with the Tatcha Dewy Milk Moisturizer (which I’ve reviewed extensively as well). I did my brows while I let the formula absorb before applying a small amount of concealer under my eyes, around my nose, and over any blemishes that were popping up.

Then, I reached for my complexion stick in shade 11 and began the application process. Side note: It typically takes me a while to get a shade matched because of my olive skin tone, but it literally took less than three minutes to find the perfect shade. I was genuinely shocked. I swiped the product across my cheeks, down my nose and chin, and across my forehead and temples. I went in with my Elaina Badro foundation brush and gently worked the product into my skin, making sure to really blend everything out for a smooth and even finish. To achieve the final look, I contoured my face slightly using the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer in the shade Medium.

Live Tinted

Huestick Complexion Stick

Pros: Smooth application, long-lasting, hydrating ingredients, diverse shade range

Cons: None

The Results

I'm a sucker for products that are designed to feel like a second skin, especially because I'm not the biggest fan of full coverage, so I loved how lightweight and buildable this product was. The shade I was matched with was incredibly spot on, which meant that I didn't have to compensate with other products to make it work for me. It gave me the glow that I wanted, but it didn't make me feel greasy or oily, which is something I'm typically mindful of because I have combination skin. Plus, the formula is very creamy, but it's not messy. Because it's so blendable, a little bit of product goes a long way.

I initially tested this product on a day when I only needed the coverage for about three hours. I also tested it later during the week for an event where I wore it for eight hours, and it still looked just as good throughout the day despite being outside in the heat. During my second day of testing, I layered on my favorite blush from Glossier and found that the complexion stick created a perfect base for layering on other cream and liquid-based products.