When you think about stick products, deodorant and lip balm probably come to mind first. Both require a solid or semi-solid stick formulation in a package that often has a twist-up mechanism to dispense the product.
Polite Society is one of many brands offering ‘beauty sticks,’ like its Pop Blush.
Now, “beauty sticks” are popular for all types of cosmetic products, and it’s a long-lived trend that’s here to stay.
Stick products make it easy to achieve a foolproof application. They’re convenient to travel with and hygienic to use. Plus, a stick product requires less packaging than a product in a bottle with a pump and actuator, making them eco-friendly by design. They’re a win-win for both consumers and brands.
Brands are launching hair balms, sun care, and all types of makeup in stick formats. Blush, foundation, contour products, and highlighters as stick products are especially popular.
“Stick packaging has evolved beyond traditional deodorants to include body care, skincare, and hair treatments,” says Melanie Gaudun, Business Development Manager at Viva Healthcare Packaging.
“The demand is driven by the consumer’s desire for convenience, sustainability, and aesthetics,” Gaudun explains. Viva manufactures stick packaging in North America, offering numerous sustainable options with high-end decorations for brands looking for innovative designs.
Emma Narayan, Marketing Manager at PKG Group, also mentions the user-friendly aspect of stick packaging and says it’s a major reason for its increasing popularity. “Stick packages offer a sleek, convenient solution for compact solid formulations—and they have rapidly emerged as a game-changer in the beauty packaging industry,” Narayan says. “Designed for ease of use, stick packaging allows consumers to effortlessly apply products directly onto the skin.”
Many packaging suppliers offer stick packages as “recycle-ready” solutions because they’re mono-material designs. “A standout trend is the move toward making sticks more sustainable. Mono-material designs are in greater demand, like our Teardrop Stick in PP,” says Narayan. “Some brands are replacing materials like POM with PET in some stick package components, such as the inner cup that holds the product,” she explains.
Packaging suppliers are fulfilling demands from beauty brands by offering all types of stick packaging, in various shapes and sizes, with many eco-friendly features. Some are short and compact, while others are double-ended designs with an applicator on one side. Decorations, including metallic gold or soft-touch coatings, can make a stick package look and feel luxe.
Note: Polite Society’s Powder Pop Blush Stick is shown in the photo with the models above—see our Q&A with Polite Society’s founder, Jerrod Blandino
Read on for more about stick packaging trends, their growing appeal—and the latest offerings from suppliers to inspire your next launch.
The Growing Demand for Sticks
Younger beauty consumers are drawn to stick makeup, reports say, due to the minimalist makeup trend—and multi-use sticks are especially appealing. A report at Market Research Future states, “Foundation sticks and contour sticks are gaining popularity for their convenience and portability.”
According to a report at Market Research Intellect, the blush sticks market size has grown rapidly in recent years, and continued growth is expected. Forecasters say the market size will double from 2025 through 2032, growing at a CAGR of 10.4%, to reach $6.2 billion. The report categorizes all types of complexion makeup sticks, including contour products and highlighters, as a blush stick.
Suppliers say the market reports are on track with what they’re seeing. “Sticks are our fastest-growing packaging segment,” says Viva’s Gaudun. “We provide over 20 options for stick formats, including 100% recycled polypropylene (PCR) for both external and internal parts.”
The team at ICONS/ICS is also feeling the effects of the market demand for sticks. “Last year, we experienced a significant surge in the demand for stick packaging, specifically for pansticks and slimline lipsticks. We expect the demand to continue throughout 2025,” says Dana Peterson, Director of Marketing and Communications at ICONS/ICS.
“We feel an increased interest in hybrid formulations driving the demand for stick products, as well as the convenience and travel-friendly aspects,” Peterson adds.
UK Pack’s Marketing Manager, Allen Chen, says, “We have noticed a growing interest in stick formats over the past year, especially for sunscreens, foundation makeup, and blush.”
Chen attributes the rising demand to the fact that sticks are convenient for on-the-go use. “We believe this shift towards stick packaging reflects a broader trend—a move toward products that deliver convenience and portability,” he explains.
PKG Group’s Narayan also notes the rising demand, and says oval-shaped sticks for body care and skincare products are more popular than ever.
“Beauty brands are increasingly embracing stick packages due to their convenience, portability, and mess-free application. Stick formats are becoming especially popular for body products such as illuminators and sunscreen products,” says Narayan.
Suppliers Offer All Types of Stick Packaging Solutions
We spoke to packaging suppliers to find out what’s available in stick packaging. Here’s a roundup of some of the newest and most in-demand packaging options for beauty sticks.
ICONS/ICS’s chubby mono panstick collection.
Chubby Sticks from ICONS|ICS—and More Designs
If you’re looking for a cute compact-size stick package, take a look at Chubby Sticks by ICONS/ICS.
The supplier says its mono-material chubby pansticks for lip and cheek products are “one of the hottest trends.” The supplier specializes in designing tooling for custom packaging and says it partnered with several brands recently to create one-of-a-kind looks for its chubby sticks.
“The sticks were designed with form, function, and aesthetics in mind, using recyclable mono-material designs, ultra-smooth mechanisms, and minimal yet eye-catching silhouettes,” Peterson says.
ICONS/ICS offers a wide selection of stick packaging, in eco-friendly designs available as stock packages, including refillable formats.
“A brand can produce these in mono-material PP or PET, and they can be made with PCR,” Peterson says. “We offer all types of stick packaging, including pansticks and slimline lipsticks, in various shapes, sizes, and filling options. Some have built-in brushes or sponge applicators, and we offer double-ended designs,” she adds.
Innovative Beauty Group/Roberts’ Dual-Ended Designs & More
The team at Innovative Beauty Group/Roberts Beauty says it specializes in cutting-edge stick packaging solutions that combine innovative designs, customization options, and sustainability features.
The supplier’s Drop Stick is a mono-material stick package available as a stock item. Designed with an innovative bullet shaped like a tear drop, the Drop Stick is ideal for luxury products. It features a discreet propel/repel dial mechanism that’s retractable.
“Our Drop Stick is ideal for high-end foundation makeup or skincare balms. It delivers a precision application and an elevated consumer experience,” explains Stephen Corsi, vice president of packaging development at Roberts Packaging. “Brands can increase the PCR content to meet their sustainability goals,” he says.
The Brik Stik, another design available as a stock package, reduces plastic usage due to its compact size. “It has a 10% higher product-to-package ratio compared to traditional formats, and will reduce shipping-related carbon emissions,” says Corsi. “It’s one of the most compact and versatile stick delivery systems on the market, and has a patented propel/repel mechanism,” he explains. The Brik Stick is ideal for contouring products, highlighters, or skincare.
For brands looking for custom design, the company’s Dual-Ended Stick can be paired with a custom cap. Decorate it with a unique finish, such as a soft-touch or metallic coating, and add embossing or debossing, the supplier suggests.
UK Pack’s Makeup Stick with a Brush—& Patented Sunscreen Design
UK Pack’s innovative stick package design.
UK Pack’s stick packaging offerings include an innovative Sunscreen Stick designed with a patented rotating base to ensure a smooth and precise application.
It can be produced in PP or PCR plastic. “This package is specifically tailored for sunscreen products, making it easy for brands to create a standout sunscreen stick. It delivers a compact, ergonomic solution that’s perfect for on-the-go use,” Chen says.
UK Pack’s Foundation Stick is compact and ergonomic—and makes it easy to touch up makeup on-the-go with its integrated brush.
“It has a sleek look, and delivers both convenience and functionality. The built-in soft, fine nylon brush ensures even blending and precise application, delivering a flawless finish every time,” Chen says.
Related: Makeup Applicators & Brushes Designed for Superior Product Performance
The Foundation Stick’s patented rotating base is designed to lift up the product smoothly before application. It is easily customizable, in different styles and finishes for an elevated look. It is ideal for several types of makeup products, including foundation, concealer, contour, blush, and highlighters.
UK Pack’s Blush Stick is a compact design that features a convenient twist-up mechanism for an effortless application. It is produced in PP, and a brand can incorporate PCR. “It’s compact and lightweight—and perfect for on-the-go use,” says Chen. It is also customizable. “This stick packaging solution, ideal for blush makeup, offers brands a sustainable and stylish way to stand out in the market,” he says. UK Pack offers low MOQs of 10,000 units.
Viva’s stick—with a convemnient handle—for Will Perform Epsom Salt Shower Stick Sore Muscle Massager.
Viva Elevates Personal Care
The team at Viva has been busy fulfilling requests for a growing segment of the deodorant category, whole body deodorants.
“A deodorant stick has a self-care aspect and a new luxury appeal. It offers a cleaner, more controlled application. A stick format is also TSA-friendly, spill-proof, and easy to apply. Unlike creams and liquids, sticks eliminate the need for travel-size adjustments,” Gaudun says.
Viva’s sticks with in-mold label decorations stand out on shelves. “IML provides 360-degree, high-definition artwork around the barrel and cap that won’t peel off like a sticker,” says Gaudun. “IML decoration can include clear, metallic, and soft-touch elements,” she says.
Viva also offers a premium decoration option, its Water-Transfer Deco. It’s an option for stick caps, allowing for a wood-grain or marble look—or intricate pattern effects,” says Gaudun.
Viva offers its Round Sticks and Oval Sticks in a bottom-fill or top-fill style. “Our top-fill can be configured for solid or semi-solid formulations. The semi-solid format includes a screen with a 3-slot orifice pattern to evenly evacuate the formulation,” Gaudun says. The stick packages are also available in PCR and refillable formats.
The team at Viva specializes in designs and decorations that offer brands an eye-catching presence, on shelf. One example is its cap that has a handle, created for Will Perform Epsom Salt Shower Stick Sore Muscle Massager.
Viva also gives Dr. Squatch deodorant an upscale look with its decoration that simulates wood grain. The supplier offers undecorated sticks starting at 15K units, and decorated sticks at 30K units per artwork.
PKG Group’s Eco-Airtight Stick
PKG Group Offers Specialized Features for Sticks
PKG Group offers a range of luxury stick packaging options, in both Twist-Up and Twist Dial styles in round and oval shapes. The supplier offers many stick designs as stock packages that can be customized using various decorating techniques, including anodizing, heat transfer labeling, and hot stamping.
“As a full-service turnkey company, we’re equipped to support your brand from ideation all the way to commercial launch, ensuring your vision comes to life seamlessly,” Narayan says.
One of PKG Group’s newest packages is its Stick OV, in 100% PP. It is ideal for hair styling wax and sunscreen. Pair it with one of two cap options, full-length or a half-cap design. “This design is a perfect blend of form and function,” Narayan says.
Another one of PKG Group’s newest designs is its Eco Airtight Stick. The round airtight twist-up stick is made from PP. It is ideal for any air-sensitive makeup or skincare product, including sunscreen.
PKG Group’s Tri Stick has a unique triangular shape, which makes it easy to apply a product to the face with precision. “This innovative shape delivers a smooth, controlled application, and works especially well around the nose and on the cheekbones. It is perfectly suited for contour, highlighter, blush, or foundation makeup,” Narayan says.
Cosmogen’s 100% Paper Stick
Cosmogen’s Paper Stick
Cosmogen offers a 100% paper stick package called The Paper Stick. The twist mechanism, also made of paper, is an innovative design.
Cosmogen says it launched The Paper Stick to meet the growing demand for packaging anhydrous cosmetic formulas in a high-end way. The package was recognized at PPW/PCD this year as an Innovation Award winner.
Final Tips from Suppliers—Compatibility is Crucial
When a brand partners with a supplier to launch a product as a stick format, compatibility between the formulation and package is crucial, suppliers say.
If you don’t get this right, the user won’t enjoy the easy application experience that sticks are designed to deliver. Instead, the product may be too firm to deliver color onto the skin—or, a stick can be susceptible to cracking and breakage.
The team at ICONS/ICS says brands need to work closely with suppliers to find the perfect marriage of formulation and pack. “The stick fill method combined with the cup and spine configuration are key and need to be compatible,” Peterson says.
“Choosing the right configuration will help prevent issues by ensuring bullet retention to deliver a smooth application and prevent breakage. We offer a variety of options with top-fill or back-fill capabilities, and airtight designs,” Peterson explains. “For formulations that require hot pour filling, the packaging must be compatible with high temperatures. Our mono-material PP stick packaging is an ideal solution.”
The team at UK Pack emphasizes the importance of testing. “It’s important to ensure the compatibility of the formula with the stick packaging’s twist-up mechanism,” Chen says. “If a stick blush breaks during use, it might not only be due to the formula being too soft, but could also relate to how the product is being used—such as twisting it too high or applying excessive pressure,” he explains.
Chen notes that spending enough time on testing will prevent these issues. “Brands should test their stick formulations extensively to make sure the consistency of the product suits the stick format—and that the package’s design can fully support the product.” Chen advises, “Testing during the product development phase can help avoid these issues and ensure an enjoyable user experience.”
|
Numerous brands offer products in stick formats—here are a few that caught our eye. 
|
Read Next
Next-Level Packaging for ‘Swipe ‘n Go’ Beauty Sticks
Feel-Good Color Packed in Luxe New Shapes