10 Multi

While a full glam is always appreciated, right now, we’re leaning into a your-skin-but-better minimalism that feels lightweight and effortless. Thankfully, the rise in multipurpose makeup stick and pigments make achieving the look that much simpler.

Whether you want a return to office makeup routine that takes just a couple of minutes or you’re preserving precious space in your carry-on—meaning you must parse your beauty regimen down to just a few TSA-friendly products. In either case, a versatile product makes all the difference in applying a wash of color across your cheeks, lips, or eyes.

“As someone who is always on the go, a single product that works three ways is ideal for speeding up my beauty routine!” says celebrity makeup artist Jen Tioseco. Perfect for the minimalist or lazy, effortless makeup, these will surely work overtime in your regimen. Tioseco is a fan of cream formulas and notes that they can be seamlessly used in multiple ways—like the best cream blush you might already be accustomed to.

Even more, warmer temperatures offer ample time to experiment with weightless, dewy coverage as opposed to powder or matte formulas—especially because the pigments are typically formulated as creams or liquids that can be blended without beauty tools. “I personally love using my fingers to apply a cream stick as it helps warm the product up for an effortless application!” Tioseco notes. Though if you are more of a makeup brush person, she’d recommend a dual-sized makeup brush. “You can use the larger side for the cheeks and the smaller side for your lips and eyelids!”

And voila, a wash of color wherever you’d like, simple enough that anyone could master. Read on to discover the all-purpose pigments to consider all spring and summer.

Ilia’s Multi-Stick is certainly a Vogue editor and industry favorite. Available in 12 shades and infused with a blend of botanical oils, the formula offers blendable color sans makeup brushes. Fashion market editor Madeline Fass considers this one of her favorite makeup products for subtle eye color. Did we mention Brooke Shields and Diana Silvers are fans too?

Vogue’s beauty director Celia Ellenberg calls the Jones Road Miracle Balm “the only pre-Zoom pick me up you need.” Whether you’re prepping for time on camera or venturing out IRL, the balm, crafted by Bobbi Brown, is sure to impress.

Tioseco often recommends this Westman Atelier makeup stick to clients, notably the Bichette shade. “It is the perfect berry to add a flush to the cheeks, a fruit bitten lip stain and a haze to the eyelids,” she says of the barely-there formula packed with nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil and berryflux vita.

Any well-executed no-makeup makeup look could benefit from Merit’s Flush Balm. We’d consider it our go-to balm for creamy, translucent pigments that rival a sunkissed glow or from within blush. Because it applies like skin, expect this to appear like you aren’t wearing anything.

Chanel’s Baume Essential Stick exceptionally pairs hydrating glow with creamy color. With just one stroke, you’re left with a youthful-looking radiance atop makeup or on its own.

Freck Beauty’s Cheekslime is a great pick for those who live for a high-performance blush, but want to apply the color all over. The vegan, liquid blush dries down quickly and blends with ease.

Designed for the cheeks, eyes, lips, or body is Nars’s multipurpose stick that can be used for basically anything. Perhaps its a velvety lip, shimmering highlight, or a myriad of other applications.

A makeup novice might opt for this multitasker by Kaja, which pairs the best of eyeshadow and blush. With a doe foot applicator, one can easily dot the sheer, whipped formula across the eyelids or on the cheeks.

Though you might think Fenty Beauty’s beloved Match Stix is reserved for a luminous cheek highlight, actor Tati Gabrielle reaches for an iridescent purple shade for an eye-catching shimmer on the eyes.

This multi-stick is the kind of product you’ll want to keep stashed in your purse for spontaneous reapplications. The fact that it’s formulated with sunflower oil, frankincense, myrrh, and lotus is an added bonus.