Tom Ford Just Dropped a New Multi-Use Foundation Stick for Airbrushed Skin—And I Tested It First
I have thoughts.
I'm bringing the best news on this cool New York City morning: Tom Ford’s Multi-Use Foundation Stick is back and better than ever. Well, to be fair, I didn’t get to try the previous formula before it was discontinued, but I’m pretty well-versed in stick foundations in general, and I can already tell you this is an A+ launch.
Whereas previous foundation stick options I’ve tried have been dry, hard to blend, and ultimately left me looking like a cakey mess, it’s like Tom Ford has mastered all of the best parts of all my favorite liquid foundations—ease of use, lightweight on the skin, lasting power—and has simply transferred this philosophy over to a new component. That’s no easy feat, since the product has to be heated to be made into its stick form. Formula integrity? Unmatched.
We’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg on why I enjoy this foundation so much, since I’ve had a few weeks to play around with the formula. Long story short, this is now my gold standard for stick foundations. Intrigued? You should be, because I’m convinced everyone who loves makeup needs one of these little sticks of goodness. Keep reading for my full thoughts on the relaunch, plus more Tom Ford products to round out your makeup bag.
What Makes the Tom Ford Multi-Use Foundation Stick Different?
My favorite thing about this foundation is how well the brand seems to have mastered the formula's sensorial element. When I say this little stick glides onto the skin like butter, I mean it. Even with my textured skin, I don’t feel like I have to pull and drag the product across my face to get the coverage I want, something that has annoyed me (and my skin) in the past.
On top of that, this foundation layers phenomenally, so if you want to cover up any particular blemishes, you don’t have to turn into a chemist to find the best acne formula that works with your foundation. This stick is the epitome of seamless and easy to use, exactly what my convenience-loving heart desires.
How Do I Use the Tom Ford Multi-Use Foundation Stick?
Using this foundation is pretty straightforward—just pull off the cap, twist up the component, and apply it either directly to your face or to the back of your hand, then use a brush to blend it over your face. I prefer using this formula with a denser brush, like Violette_FR’s kabuki brush or Westman Atelier’s liquid blender, rather than my hands.
Do note that different skin types may experience wear time differently. Without any primer and just skin prep, I notice some of my natural oils peeking through around hour three of wear, but a proper mattifying priming routine, or using blotting sheets ny midday, will take care of that with no issues. That said, even though it dries down to a velvet-matte finish, I think this product may be best suited for combination to dry skin, especially when you take proper skin-prep steps before application. This is thanks to one of the key ingredients, hyaluronic acid microspheres, which keep the formula hydrating and help with the glide you’ll feel when applying. As a result, you won't skip over dry patches, and your face won’t feel tight throughout the day. For very oily skin, use sebum-controlling primers so excess shine doesn’t show through the formula throughout wear.
Is the Tom Ford Multi-Use Foundation Stick Worth It?
Since I haven’t stopped reaching for it, I would say the Tom Ford Multi-Use Foundation Stick is absolutely worth adding to your makeup routine. I would like to see more shades added to the lineup and made more readily accessible (there are only 23 available right now), since I mix 14.5 and 15 to get the shade I’m going for. Still, if you love a makeup product that you can just chuck into your bag and have on hand at all times, you really can’t go wrong with this one. Yes, $60 isn't cheap for a foundation product, but consider it can act as concealer in a pinch (or as a contour/bronzer if you also buy a deeper shade to sculpt with) I feel like you're getting your money's worth.
Planning on picking it up? Keep scrolling for a few additional Tom Ford products that you’ll fall in love with, too.
More of My Favorite Tom Ford Products
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