Fun fact: While I am an over-packer when it comes to my travel wardrobe, I actually hate packing a lot of makeup with me on trips. Unless I’m traveling for a special event, I usually stick to very simple makeup routines when I’m away from home. I like being able to swipe on, blend with my finger or a sponge, and get on with my day. With that said, even easy-to-apply products can make a beauty bag bulky. Owning a Subtl Beauty Stak has solved all of my on-the-go makeup gripes, with straightforward products and incredibly travel-friendly packaging.
Subtl Beauty is a woman-owned indie makeup brand that focuses on sensitive skin friendly formulas that are vegan, cruelty free, fragrance free and talc free. Aside from the clean aspect, the real draw is the refillable and stackable products. A “Stak” is what’s created when you twist each product together, creating a palm-sized makeup collection that can be applied virtually anywhere.
The first time you design your Stak, the pans of product will come with the purple casing that allows them to twist together. After that, you can just order the refills and swap them out. The products range from $12-18 the first time you purchase, and $10-16 for refill pans (typically $2 cheaper without the packaging).
Subtl Staks are completely customizable. You can order any number of layers, whether you just want to streamline a few steps or house your entire routine in the Stak. Even if you only order one product, it will come with a base and lid to twist the pan into, plus a mini brush that fits conveniently in the base.
I’ve configured my own Subtl Stak to take care of nearly my full makeup routine for travel. My layers include:
Cream Concealer ($14 with packaging / $12 for refills): I use the shade N007, which is perfect for my neutral undertone. This is a very lightweight cream formula that spreads very easily, so you can either use it to spot conceal, or blend all over the face in lieu of foundation. It offers medium coverage and a natural radiant finish. The Coffee Seed Oil in the formula helps de-puff, too!
Powder Bronzer ($14/$12): The brand only has a powder bronzer formula, but it still blends smoothly over the cream concealer. It’s silky smooth, and doesn’t look orange. I use the shade Latte.
Lip & Cheek ($14/$12): This cream formula works as a blush or lip color, and feels hydrating with Jojoba Oil and Shea Butter in the formula. I have the shade Runway to Rose, which is a great everyday mauve. I do find on the lips, they don’t offer as long lasting hydration as the Lip Glaze.
Cream Highlighter ($18/$16): Even though the cheek formula adds radiance, this cream highlighter gives your skin that extra beaming glow that still doesn’t look too makeup-y. I use the shade Rosé, which is a pink champagne.
Eyeshadow Duo ($18/$16): The brand’s eyeshadow duos are incredibly versatile. Most come with one matte and one shimmer, though there are a couple double-matte options. I love the shade Jelly, which comes with a matte rosy brown and a pink champagne shimmer. The shades are pigmented enough if you want to create a soft glam look, but can also blend sheerly for a more subtle vibe. (Pun intended)
Shine Control Pressed Powder ($12/$10): If you want to tame the dewiness, or just extend the wear of the concealer a bit, the pressed powder is a must for your Stak! It’s super lightweight and doesn’t cake up.
Lip Glaze ($18/$16): The newest release from Subtl, this lip formula offers more color than the Lip & Cheek and a glossier finish with Jojoba Oil, Shea Butter and Castor Seed Oil nourishing your lips for hours. It’s not sticky at all, and can be built up or worn sheer. I typically carry the shades Iconic— a rosy neutral– or Magnetic — a medium pink– with me.
I am also strategic about the order I twist these together. The Lip Glaze and Shine Control Powder are near the top, as they are the layers I am most likely to reapply throughout the day. But otherwise, these products have lasting power. 8 hours in, I’ve experienced only minimal fading from the concealer (when powdered), and no noticeable fading or separation with the powder or cream complexion products. Watch the video above to see how the look comes together, and what it looked like at the end of the day.
Subtl also has their 3-in-1 Brow BFF, which is a brow pencil, spoolie brush and brow gel all in one. While it’s separate from the Stak, it still maintains the overall concept of the brand by being a multitasker. The pencil is pigmented and blends easily, and the brow gel offers good hold without stiffness or a visible cast.
Aside from the Stak and the Brow BFF, I’d really only need to include mascara as the missing step in my travel makeup bag. Perhaps, if I felt like I needed a little more coverage, I would throw in a foundation stick and still, I’ve condensed a bulky makeup bag tremendously.
The brand also offers travel friendly makeup brushes and tools, though I find the included brush enough for the powder formulas and use my (clean) fingers for the rest of my routine. I may pick up their Retractable Lip Brush, though, for touch ups when I’m out and about.
Above, I tried out their Powder Blush in Pink in a Pinch and Powder Highlight in Golden Gimlet. On the lips, I used the Lip Glaze shade in Magnetic. Despite the powder formulas, my skin still looked radiant.
I’m going on several trips this year, including an international adventure to Scotland this June. I’m going to need to pack intentionally, and I will 100% be bringing my Subtl Stak with me. Outside of traveling though, I’ve also been reaching for it regularly at home for casual plans as it’s so easy to grab versus rummaging through my makeup drawers. Especially with the “clean girl aesthetic” still trending in 2025, my Stak is perfect for achieving a quick and current fresh faced look.
Do you think the Subtl Stak could replace your makeup bag?
– Miranda
