All the things is best on a stick. Give it some thought — ice cream is best on a stick; hot dogs are arguably higher on a stick; foundation (though you wouldn’t think it) is lowkey higher on a stick, and types appear to agree — Fenty and Ilia have each launched complexion sticks. The most recent, Ami Colé is joining the fun with its newest launch: the Ami Colé Skin Enhancing Stick.

Let’s rewind to 2021, the Skin Enhancing Tint was the brand’s foray into complexion back. I wasn’t the most important fan of that formula resulting from how heavy it felt — seems I wasn’t the just one. After taking feedback from their community Ami Colé learned that those with oily skin found the Skin Enhancing Tint “intimidating”. With that, they got down to create a recent complexion product suitable for all skin types. “We went with the stick format due to its accessibility, convenience, and skill for use on the go,” says Ami Colé founder Diarrha N'Diaye-Mbaye.

You’re probably used to seeing foundation shades go from lightest to darkest but that order is flipped for the Skin Enhancing Stick because Ami Colé stands on business relating to their commitment to the Black community. The 16 shades go from darkest (100) to lightest (340), which at face value doesn’t seem that expansive (given the 40-plus shade ranges that exist available on the market). Nonetheless, N’Diaye-Mbaye was very intentional in curating this range to make sure there could be a shade for everybody. “We did our homework on this one, as we do all of our products,” says N’Diaye-Mbaye. “We discovered that the present favorites within the stick foundation category are inclined to veer too yellow or red, flashing brightly on the skin.” With that in mind, crafted a formula that’s flexible and “fills within the gaps,” relating to undertones.

The medium-coverage formula features African power ingredients including Baobab Seed Extract, hibiscus flower extract, and shea butter, which is an “emollient wealthy in vitamins A, E, and F that gives a skin-softening effect,” says cosmetic chemist Ginger King.

I tested out the muse stick in 90-degree humidity under the scorching African sun during my recent trip to Ghana and it truly held up under the conditions. My perfect match is the shade 150 but I also found that shade 140 makes for an incredible concealer. For this primary try, I swiped the stick directly onto my face and was pleasantly surprised by the buttery smooth texture. I used the Ami Colé Complexion Brush to mix it out with ease. After ending off my makeup with a touch of concealer, blush, and the Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder, I used to be seriously impressed with how beautiful the coverage of this foundation is.