Since it’s big launch in 2017 it’s no doubt that Fenty Beauty has vastly become one of the most sought-after and most followed makeup brands in the beauty industry. Created by the renowned Singer and now Beauty Mogul, Rihanna, the efficiently sleek and well thought out designs of the products have already carved out a separate avenue for the brand. Creating an inclusively individual image that empowers women around the world to enhance their truest selves and inner beauty with their unique formulas, this including the Match Stix sets that launched together with the revolutionary Pro Filt’r Foundation back in September of 2017.
In this post, I will be reviewing the Fenty Beauty Matte and Shimmer Match Sticks.
Skin & Shimmer Match Stix by Fenty Beauty
Product’s Claims:
Meet the magnetized longwear makeup sticks that come together in two light-as-air finishes and a shade lineup to satisfy your every need: MATTE Skinsticks conceal, correct, and contour. SHIMMER Skinsticks highlight, blush and enhance—so you can mix and match, magnetize and multiply.
With Match Stix MATTE Skinsticks, conceal, correct, and contour in 20 shades obsessively fine-tuned and tested to look good on the full spectrum of skin tones.
Made to layer, the buildable cream-to-powder formula is weightless and super easy to blend but also stays put. No creasing and caking when you apply it—so even the delicate undereye area is fair game.
REVIEW
Texture & Finish: Matte (go figure)
MATTE SKIN STIX:
The Fenty Beauty team we’re telling no fibs when they brought out their matte matchsticks, as the finish of these truly are what it says on the tin. The texture of the (matte) matchsticks is really like nothing else I had tried before. When swatching them I couldn’t help but think “gee, have they truly invented an entirely new makeup product?” I kid you not.
With these, you just cannot help but compare them to foundation sticks as they are for skin coverage. And like most foundation sticks we’ve been introduced to over the years, you’d expect the texture of these to just feel like foundation on your skin.
What Fenty Beauty did with this was try to eliminate that feeling of texture on your skin – like second skin. It does take a bit of getting used to, but it’s only now that I could really understand the purpose of this product. A lightweight feeling matte skin stick that can flawlessly cover-up and sculpt your face in a way that looks like your skin. Genius. Depending on the shade you pick up, you can use this as a foundation, contour, under-eye brighter or concealer – works nicely either way.
Dry Skin Tip: Prime well with a good regular moisturiser and you won’t face issues with the finish of these.
SHIMMER SKIN STIX:
The texture of these beautifully opaque highlighters is also like nothing else I’d seen before. The closest comparison I could give I guess would be the Stila putty highlighters texture wise. Because of this, it actually makes the shimmers blend well and melts so seamlessly into the skin. You have more control to either go natural with a little applied, or luxurious without it looking blotchy of which sometimes, some highlighting powders can do that. This, I would call safe for anyone who wants to get into highlighting, but doesn’t need to look too exaggerated. It’s a very flexible product that can be perfect to wear, no matter the reason or season.
Coverage: Medium to Full
MATTE SKIN STIX:
(As a concealer) Using matte skin sticks will make your concealer process easier than ever. I say this because by warming up the product onto your hand first, you enable the product to go on your skin with a fuller opaqueness. Therefore you have no need to keep applying it like the hassle you may with liquid concealers sometimes. You will also be pleased to know you have more control over the type of coverage you want with this. After getting used to how the product worked, I found it pretty easy for me to achieve full coverage with a minimum of two swipes.
SHIMMER SKIN STIX:
Depending on how much shimmer you like, it can easily go from being a clean and fresh glow to a vibrant and pearly shimmer. Both are beautiful results, Its really all up to your preference. Same goes for the shimmery blush skin sticks.
Best Application Method
MATTE SKIN STIX:
This may be an ironic suggestion, but I truly learned how the product worked by watching Rihanna’s Vogue tutorial. I suggest this because there’s no better person to show you how these products actually work, than the creator of the product themselves. She first warms up the product on her hand, applies a swipe underneath the eyes and pats in the product as she blends – this is key. I tried and perfected the exact same techniques and since then I’ve loved the matchsticks since.
SHIMMER SKIN STIX:
Apply the product to your brush first, then blend it onto cheeks/cheekbones. This will give you a flawless result without looking too overdone allowing yourself to add more as you go. Or even apply some onto the back of your hand, then take the shimmer from there.
Lasts Up To 10 Hours (maximum)
MATTE SKIN STIX:
Just like any other product, it works differently for everyone when it comes to lasting. I do believe that if the product is well blended, you shouldn’t have any issues. But, I would suggest to any glasses wearers if you’re using this: double set under the eyes (Sides of the nose area, avoiding the slope) with powder to prevent movement after a few hours.
SHIMMER SKIN STIX:
I’d say that the shimmers will last you up to about 8-9 hours if you’re lucky. This also depends on whether you applied it first or last in your makeup routine as it will naturally fade over time. It’s not too noticeable to the point of disappearing though, you’ll still be glowing.
Pros:
- Nice shade range
- Lightweight in feel and texture
- Beautiful formula
- Easy to apply once practised
- Compact and very easy to travel with
- Lovely coverage & finish (it is matte however depending on how you prime, anyone can use this)
- Has a beautiful colour range of shimmers
- Very versatile to use – for example, eyeshadow, highlight, lipstick etc.
- Easy to clean, keep and maintain
Cons:
Can have trouble lasting very long depending on how it has been blended in
[Matte] Can separate if applied like a regular concealer (read my application method suggestions to help avoid this.)
Final thoughts
What I find simply amazing about the Match Stix is that they’re so, incredibly versatile to use. The variety of looks you can create with these alone is just endless. And as a makeup artist, I’m so appreciative of the fact that their compact and magnetic design makes it much more convenient to collect, pack and travel with. Depending on which shades you choose, you’re free to use these as your foundation, concealer, contour, blush, eyeshadow and even lipstick. What’s not to love?
This is just an example of innovative makeup creativity with thoughtfulness put into it. Thank you to Fenty Beauty for believing in that from the get-go as it truly shows.
If you have not viewed Rihanna’s 10 Minute Glam Video with Vogue already, below is a link to her guided tutorial on how she applies the Match Skin Stix:
https://youtu.be/KONe4SNFA64
To shop the single Match Stix retailing for £21, click here.
To shop the TRIO SET retailing for £46, click here.
(The TRIO SET includes the Concealer, Contour & Highlighter in the shade of your choice all in one package.)
Shop and browse the full Fenty Beauty Match Stix range in all shades & shimmers by clicking here.
