I Tried “Invisible Foundation” and It Made My No-Makeup Makeup Dreams Come True

As an unapologetic beauty enthusiast (fine, hoarder), you’d think I’d be someone who wears a full face of makeup every day, but that’s honestly not my style—who has the time? And while I do love a good full-coverage look every now and then, I prefer to save certain products, like foundation, for special occasions or for the five days each month I get a cluster of breakouts between my brows (thanks, hormones!). Which is why, when the new Milk Makeup Blur Stick came across my desk, I did a double take.

The product claims it can be used as an “invisible foundation,” giving you the same benefits of the stuff without appearing visible or covering too much. Genius? I had to find out. The stick comes in one universal color and is supposed to work as a primer that helps mask large pores while imparting a smooth, matte finish. For the sake of accurate “before” and “after” photos, I skipped using any other face makeup with it, but since my skin is still recovering from my holiday sugar binge, I’ll use a little concealer over the stick if I need it.

Here’s how I apply: Starting off with clean, moisturized skin, I rub the stick around my face. After that, I blend it with my fingers, making sure to cover my lids and cheeks since it’s a good base for eye makeup, concealer, and blush. Then I wait a minute or two to let it settle into my skin. In seconds I look more even, and my redness isn’t as noticeable. After that, I go about my makeup routine as usual, which on a normal day consists of cream blush, neutral eyeshadow, brow pencil, mascara, and lipstick. Then I’m out the door and I don’t have to think about it all day.

With so many celebrities opting for a natural makeup look (ahem, Kim Kardashian), I’m excited to see brands releasing innovative formulas that encourage women to improve their face, not cover it up. The no-makeup makeup look has always been something I’ve wanted to nail, but nothing I did ever seemed effortless enough for me. Now I’ve got this little $36 stick to help me out. And just in case you’re into the look, we found even more natural-looking products, and we uncovered the best ways to get skin that doesn’t need any makeup at all.

Now that you’re acquainted with the Milk Makeup Blur Stick, check out:
-I Haven’t Worn Foundation in Months Thanks to This Magic Color Corrector
-I Tried a “Photo Fluid” on My Face, and I Might Never Use a Filter Again
-The 12 Best Foundations for Every Skin Type—and Every Budget