Like every face product I’ve tried from Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty makeup line so far, the Match Stix Matte Skinsticks, which are $25 cream-to-powder concealers (available in 20 shades), create a lightweight skin-perfecting makeup look.
When I use it, I think my face just looks…better. Like I’ve been drinking LOTS of water, eating spinach salads for lunch, getting enough sleep, doing burpies and forgoing all brainless TV. So, basically, clean livin’ all around. Even if someone is close enough to count your nose hairs, it still looks great. It’s as close to perfect skin as I think my skin can get.
You can see a little light bouncing off your skin when you wear this concealer. The finish looks natural, whether I wear this on its own or layer it on top of the Fenty primer or foundation.
When I set it with powder and apply it on top of primer and foundation, it sticks around for about eight hours (or five hours by itself).
I think it’s important to mention again that the coverage level is straight-up medium, so if you’re looking for opaque, heavy-duty concealing that will hide that hella ripe pimple or discoloration, this won’t be enough.
Granted, you could build it up to full coverage if you piled it on, and I was able to conceal Julian the pimple completely, but it took FOUR LAYERS of Wheat ON TOP OF foundation. Yeah, the coverage still didn’t look thick or heavy, but I could’ve gotten away with using less of something like NARS Soft Matte (and, now that I think about it, this concealer is like NARS Soft Matte, but less pigmented) or It Cosmetics Bye Bye Breakout Full-Coverage Treatment Concealer.
You can also use it as an under-eye concealer, but I’m not crazy about that. I’m 42, so I have fine lines in my under-eye area, and this dries down to a powder… And that powder then settles into those fine lines. And, really, does anyone want fine lines that look MOAR OBVIOUS? Nooooo.
Normally, I like using as little powder as possible under my eyes — only enough to set my concealer — because when I wear too much powder there, I think it makes me look older.
Mind you, I feel like I’m Sophia Petrillo most days (complete with sarcastic quips and a penchant for clutching my purse), but my under-eye area doesn’t need to reveal that. Also, and this is just a personal preference, I like it when a little light reflects off of my skin under my eyes and in the inner corners. When those areas are matte, I feel like even a soft matte concealer like this one ages me.
So I’m not crazy about this as an under-eye concealer, but I think it’s completely on point as an overall face concealer.
The Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Match Stix Matte Skinsticks are available now exclusively at Sephora in 20 shades for $25 each, and, like everything in the line, they’re cruelty-free.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Thank you for this timely post. I’ve recently discovered your Blog and have been enjoying reading. Enjoy your sense of humour. Are you going down the alphabet for your pimples, similar to the way they name hurricanes? I’m older than you are by a decade, so it’s interesting to hear what you have to say about settling into fine lines, etc. Keep it coming, lady. Moi from Canada
Soooo, the concealer sounds great but how are you managing this healthy lifestyle you describe (I want to lose 20 lbs, but 10 is probably more realistic)? I get pretty bad craving and am not generally a fan of salad. Also have a hard time drinking water when I’m not thirsty, although I drink a lot more than I used to. Just thinking about burpies makes me tired. I need motivation!
Girl… I’m so not doing all those things. I really should be and wish I was, LOL! I meant that the foundation makes you look like you’re doing those things, even if you aren’t. 🙂 I try to but am not always successful.
Honestly, the only way I can get myself to do anything is straight-up bribery. I make a calendar and mark the days that I workout/drink water/eat healthy. If I do X amount of days in a set period, I reward myself with something that I’ve been wanting, like a workout pants, or a piece of makeup, or a meal at my fave spot.
There are other ways to get in veggies besides salad. (I get bored of them too.) You can always roast veggies, or puree them into a soup. I think the trick is getting enough protein and healthy fat with your veggies/fruit/fiber. That way you don’t get too hungry in between meals!
Oooh I like the calendar idea. I just bought a new planner and am being picky about what to write down since it’s so pretty. I need to think of some things to bribe myself with. Thanks Karen!
Hi Karen – is Wheat a good match for you? I am a NC35 and I want to try one of these and I thought this would be a good match but you say you are a NC42? Hmm it’s quite hard to choose online
This sounds quite lovely! I’m using Mac Matchmaster and the BB instacover but when I ran out I will check this one out. Also I do spot concealing more than anything else, so not sure it’d be a must have for me x
About the only place I ever use concealer anymore is in the under eye area so that’s not promising. I’m currently kind of line free so who knows!
Hi! I’m currently wearing the Bamboo shade as undereye concealer and it’s the best I’ve found for me. I’m 53 and I’ve got no issues with it. It doesn’t cover up sun spots though and since you mentioned the Nars concealer is more pigmented, I just might have to pick that one up soon!
Thanks! Say hi to Tabs & the Beautiful Babe for me!
hi, i found the nars stick to be a lot softer and the fenty one was kind of dry… would you agree?
I’m a black woman and I found your blog because we share the same skin tone. I really love your reviews and find them super helpful and also accurate! I’m going to get the Fenty Matte Skinstick foundation — can’t wait!