I always try to pack as little as possible, which I can attribute to one thing: a fateful (perhaps traumatic?) trip through Heathrow airport security. I – plus a full-size foundation and mini body lotion – fell victim to the airport’s strictly enforced “one clear bag” policy. Since that day, I’ve been paying close attention to new ways to reduce the amount of liquid I carry with me and organize my makeup bag.
The makeup product I came across that seems to solve both of these problems is Subtl Beauty’s Portable Makeup Subtl Staks ($36). This makeup set includes just about everything you need to do your makeup on the go—a flip-top mirror, a makeup case of your choice, and a brush base. Plus, all makeup products are available in cream or powder formulas, allowing you to bypass the dreaded liquid policy. This seems like the perfect way to keep my makeup routine in one place, no matter where I go – traveling, hitting the gym, or just a night out. So, of course, when the opportunity arose, I had to give it a try.
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Check out my review of Subtl Beauty Stak and see why it’s become one of my favorite products.
About Subtl Beauty Stak
- Subtl Beauty’s custom and pre-made makeup Staks come in a variety of products and shades. Products include: concealer, dual-purpose lip and cheek powder, oil-control powder, high-gloss cream, dual-purpose eye shadow, bronzer, blush powder, highlighter powder and lip balm.
- Piles come in individually packaged, stackable layers. To assemble the tower, twist together the mirror layer, makeup layer, and brush layer.
- These cosmetics are cruelty-free, vegan, gluten-free, fragrance-free and paraben-free.
Why I like Subtl Beauty Stak
First and foremost, I’m impressed with how pigmented the products in Stak are. My premade Subtl Stak is part of the brand’s Road Trip collection, which includes Golden Gimlet (a shimmering golden nude) highlighter powder, Guava Getaway (a rose brown) lip and cheek powder, and Apricot Avenue (Apricot Avenue) blush powder. Soft Peach Pink) – All the shades appear on my skin in just a few swipes with a brush or fingertips. Each of these products goes a long way, especially the lip and cheek combo, which I layer underneath the powder blush. This color combination creates a very shiny yet natural sun-kissed look that I would wear even in the winter.
The quality of the makeup is definitely in line with my favorite full size, but what I love most is that it fits easily into my carry-on, gym bag or even a small shoulder bag. With my fingertips and the brush in the little tower, I feel like I can touch up or apply makeup anywhere. I also reduced my makeup bag from eight individual products to five, which left me with only three liquid makeup items in my bag (tinted moisturizer, mascara, and brow gel) and freed up space for other important liquids , such as sunscreen or body lotion. Overall, the Stak is the convenient, space-saving, travel-friendly solution I’ve been looking for.
(Note: The Road Trip collection is sold out, but individual shades listed above can still be included in personalized Staks.)
What to consider before trying Subtle Beauty Stark
I chose the pre-made Stak, but after using it a few times I personally found myself wanting to order more layers. For this reason, I recommend taking the quiz on Subtl Beauty’s website to find out which stacking configuration makes the most sense for you. However, you can always add more products to Stak later. My original premade tower had a blush, highlighter, cheek, and lip duo, but decided to add a bronzer layer to better complete my face makeup routine.
It’s also worth noting that not all products can go into your Stak. If you’re like me, you probably find yourself carrying tinted moisturizer, brow gel, mascara, and eyelash curlers to top it off. But that’s no problem for me because Stak organizes my makeup bag anyway.
Who is Subtle Beauty Stark best for?
Subtl Beauty’s makeup Staks are perfect for those who wear makeup on the go. Instead of carrying multiple products with you, you can store most of your items in a small tower. It’s also great for travelers, especially those who like to travel with a carry-on and need to reduce the amount of liquid in their bag.
Where can I buy Subtl Beauty Stak?
You can create a personalized stake on the brand’s website, or purchase a pre-made stake on Amazon.
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Alida Araica is POPSUGAR’s Communications Manager, where she oversees and executes editorial and client email strategy and production. Sometimes she uses her expertise to write product reviews. Alida has over five years of marketing experience in digital media.
