Honestly, the makeup world moves way too fast. One week everyone is obsessed with liquid blushes that look like watercolor paint, and the next, we’re all supposed to be using "cloud skin" techniques that require five different powders. It’s exhausting. But in the middle of all this noise, the Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick just... stays. It’s been years since Rihanna first dropped these hexagonal magnets, and while other brands have tried to copy the formula, there’s something about the original that remains unmatched. It isn't just about the hype or the celebrity name attached to it. It’s about how it actually works on a Tuesday morning when you have ten minutes to get your life together.
The Reality of the Formula
Most people think a matte stick is going to be dry. Draggy. Like trying to draw on your face with a crayon you found at the bottom of a backpack. Some matte products really are like that. But Fenty did something different here. The Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick uses a cream-to-powder technology that feels weightless. It’s light. It’s buildable. If you swipe it directly onto your skin, you get a decent amount of pigment, but the real magic happens when you warm it up on the back of your hand first.
I’ve seen professional artists like Priscilla Ono—who literally does Rihanna’s face—use these sticks in ways most of us wouldn't think of. They aren't just for a sharp contour. Because the formula is so intensely blendable, you can use it as a base for eyeshadow or even to neutralize redness if you pick the right shade. It’s longwear, too. We’re talking "surviving a humid day in New York" longwear.
Is it actually "dry"?
Let’s address the elephant in the room: some users complain it’s too stiff. If you have very dry skin, yeah, you might struggle if you just drag it across a bare face. That’s the truth. But that stiffness is exactly why it stays put. It doesn’t migrate into your pores or slide down your cheeks by noon. The trick is skin prep. A good moisturizer or a gripping primer makes all the difference. Or, honestly, just hold the stick against your skin for five seconds before moving it. The heat from your body softens the waxes in the formula, making it glide like butter.
Finding Your Shade in a Sea of Colors
When Fenty launched, the 40-shade foundation range was the headline. But the contour and conceal shades in the Match Stix line were just as revolutionary. Before this, "contour" usually meant one muddy brown shade that looked orange on pale skin and ashy on deep skin. Rihanna gave us options.
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For contouring, people usually gravitate toward "Amber." It’s a cult favorite for a reason. It has those cool, greyish undertones that actually mimic a real shadow. If you’re using a warm bronzer to contour, you’re just making yourself look tan, not sculpted. "Amber" creates bone structure out of thin air. For deeper skin tones, "Suedish" or "Espresso" provide that same depth without turning red or chalky. It’s about nuance.
How to choose:
- For Concealing: Pick a shade that matches your skin tone exactly. These are great for "spot concealing" because the matte finish mimics the texture of skin better than a shiny liquid.
- For Contouring: Go for the cool tones. Look for the "suede" or "cool" descriptors in the shade notes.
- For Correcting: Shades like "Peach" or "Rose Quartz" work wonders for dark circles before you put on your actual concealer.
The Magnet Controversy
Remember when everyone was obsessed with the fact that these sticks are magnetic? You could click them together like Lego bricks. It was satisfying. It was tactile. Then, some people started worrying that the magnets would somehow mess up their credit cards or electronics in their purse.
Look, unless you’re rubbing your Match Stix directly against the magnetic strip of an old-school credit card for an hour, you’re probably fine. Most modern cards use chips anyway. The magnets are there for organization. It keeps your "trio" together so you aren't hunting for your highlight stick at the bottom of a messy bag. It’s smart design, even if it feels a bit like a gimmick to some.
Beyond the Basics: Unusual Ways to Use It
If you’re only using the Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick to draw lines under your cheekbones, you’re missing out.
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One trick I love is using a darker shade as a lip liner. Because it’s matte and long-wearing, it stays better than a lot of traditional lip pencils. Dab a little gloss in the center, and you’ve got a 90s supermodel lip that won't budge.
Another thing? Eyeshadow base. If you have oily eyelids and your shadow always creases, try a light layer of a Match Stix in a neutral shade. It acts like a primer but with more coverage. It evens out the veins on your eyelids and gives the powder something to grip onto. It’s a game changer for anyone who deals with "disappearing eyeshadow" by 3 PM.
The Sustainability Factor
We have to talk about the packaging. It’s sturdy. Like, really sturdy. You can drop these on a bathroom floor and they won't shatter like a pressed powder would. In an industry that produces a terrifying amount of waste, having a product that you actually use until it’s a tiny nub matters. Fenty has also been moving toward more eco-conscious practices, though the Match Stix themselves aren't refillable yet. That’s a critique worth noting. Many users wish they could just buy a refill cartridge for their favorite "Amber" stick instead of buying the whole plastic component again.
Comparing the Competition
How does it stack up against the Westman Atelier Face Trace or the Rare Beauty Bronzer Stick?
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Westman Atelier is much creamier, almost oily—which is beautiful for a dewy look but doesn't last as long on oily skin. Rare Beauty is very pigmented and blends out incredibly fast, but it’s definitely a bronzer, not a contour. The Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick sits right in the middle. It offers the most control. If you’re a beginner, you might find the Rare Beauty one easier to blend because it’s so "liquidy," but if you want precision and longevity, Fenty wins.
Technical Application Tips for 2026
Since we’ve moved away from the heavy "Instagram makeup" look of 2016, the way we apply these has changed. We aren't drawing giant triangles under our eyes anymore.
- The "Dot" Method: Instead of long stripes, just put three small dots along your cheekbone. Blend upward with a dense synthetic brush. This keeps the lift without the cakey look.
- The Palm Warm-up: Take the stick and draw a circle on your palm. Use a damp beauty sponge to pick up the product from your palm and bounce it onto your skin. This gives the most natural, airbrushed finish possible.
- The Nose Sculpt: Don't draw lines down your nose. It’s too hard to blend. Instead, take a small eyeshadow brush, rub it on the top of the Skinstick, and then lighty map out your nose. It’s much more subtle.
The beauty of this product is its versatility. It’s a concealer, a contour, a corrector, and a base. It’s the ultimate "no-makeup makeup" tool if you use a light hand. Or, it can give you a full-glam, red-carpet sculpt if you layer it up. Rihanna knew what she was doing. She built a system, not just a product.
Taking Action with Your Match Stix
If you've had one sitting in your drawer because you couldn't figure out how to make it work, try this tomorrow: skip the foundation. Just use a good SPF or moisturizer, and use the Skinstick only where you need it—under the eyes, around the nose, and a tiny bit for shadow. Use your fingers to blend. The warmth of your skin is the best tool for this specific formula. You’ll notice that it doesn't look like makeup; it just looks like you have a really great bone structure and slept ten hours.
Check your shade in natural light. If it looks orange, you're using a bronzer, not a contour. Switch to a cooler tone like "Amber" or "Amber Suede" for that true sculpted effect. Finally, remember to keep the cap on tight. Since it’s a cream-to-powder formula, it can dry out over a long period if exposed to air, though I’ve had some in my kit for over a year that are still performing perfectly. Clean the top with a quick wipe of a tissue every now and then to keep it fresh.