OK, so this isn’t a technical term, but there’s a certain style of foundation that we’d call swipe, smoosh, GO!, for its sheer ease of application.

And this is a fantastic recent entry to this category. SO fantastic that apparently, it managed to notch up a waiting list of 25,000 before its launch. So, here’s everything this foundation stick has going for it, from our POV.

1) Forget everything you thought about the fact that foundation sticks are gummy and sticky and hard to blend. ILIA Rewind Complexion Stick glides on and smooshes in easily, whether you use fingers – super-easy – or blend with a brush. Results are seamless, either way. (Haven’t tried a sponge, NB.)

2) Coverage is good from the get-go AND buildable. If you’ve redness or imperfections like sun spots, as we do, this has fantastic concealing power. And if one application isn’t enough? Touch the tip of the swivel up stick to the area of concern, dot, and blend again.

3) The finish is just brilliant for this time of year – a natural, not-completely-matte and velvety result. We haven’t yet put it through its paces in warmer weather, but the staying power has been fantastic, so far; ILIA promise 12 hours, and we reckon that’s fair – for spring, at least, NB.

4) There are lashings of skin-caring ingredients, which are behind the nurturing and non-drying texture: a ceramide-peptide complex, kelp extract, butterfly lavender extract (that’s the kind of lavender that has those ‘tufty’ ears). We think they’re probably over-egging the pudding slightly when they call it ‘the fountain of youth in a foundation stick’ – but certainly there are goodies in there that elevate it above many foundation formulations.

5) The shade range is amazing (see photo top). 42 in all, and something for everyone. To find yours, there’s a useful online shade finder with photos of different complexion colours, and we certainly found it easy to identify a spot-on shade.

6) And one last thing? We also like the ergonomic indentation in the packaging, by the way – which you can see above – which further helps the ease of application.) 

Honestly, we could go on. But we’ll ‘stick’ (sorry) at that.

£42 – buy here

Prize Draws