DIBS Beauty Review: Can This “Fast Face” Stick Really Simplify Your Makeup Routine?

Hello, lovely readers!

Let’s be honest. How many of us have the time for a full, 12-step makeup routine every single morning? Between school runs, work deadlines, and just trying to get out the door on time, my makeup routine often gets squeezed into about five minutes. I’ve come to value simplicity and efficiency above all else.

I’m always on the lookout for products that can help me look put-together quickly, without needing a huge bag full of brushes and pots. And that’s when I kept hearing about DIBS Beauty.

You might have seen it all over TikTok and Instagram. It’s this sleek, silver stick that promises to be your foundation, concealer, and contour all in one. The brand, founded by influencer Courtney Shields, calls it the “Fast Face in a Stick.” Its entire philosophy is built on making makeup easy, portable, and uncomplicated.

But as we all know, a clever idea and great marketing don’t always translate to real-life performance. Can one single product truly deliver a flawless base? Is it worth the investment, especially for us here in the UK?

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I decided to find out. I’ve been rigorously testing the DIBS Beauty Duo (the iconic stick and their custom Blender Brush) for the last month. I’ve put it through its paces on good skin days, bad skin days, rushed mornings, and even on a weekend trip to Cornwall where packing light was essential.

This is my comprehensive, honest, and detailed review from a UK perspective. We’ll dissect what it is, how it works, who it’s for, and most importantly, whether it can truly simplify your life or if it’s just another passing trend.

What Exactly is DIBS Beauty? Decoding the “Fast Face” System

Before we get into my results, let’s understand the product and the brand ethos. DIBS isn’t just another makeup stick; it’s a specific solution to a modern problem.

The hero product is the DIBS Single. It’s a multi-use cream complexion stick designed with a unique, buildable formula. It’s marketed as a:

• Foundation: To even out your skin tone all over.
• Concealer: To cover dark circles and blemishes.
• Contour: To add definition and shadow to the face.
• Blush: To add a flush of colour (when using a shade like Desert Dipped).

The concept is minimalist: you can create a complete, dimensional base makeup look with just one product by using different shades for different functions. Alternatively, you can use one perfectly matched shade for a quick, uniform wash of coverage.

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To complement it, they sell a dual-ended Blender Brush, specifically engineered to work with the stick’s texture and to fit the contours of the face seamlessly.

The brand is certified cruelty-free, and the products are designed to be intuitive, reducing the need for multiple tools and products.

First Impressions: Unboxing the Luxury

The unboxing experience feels premium. The stick itself is housed in a weighty, metallic silver case that feels expensive and satisfying to click together. It has a magnetic closure, which feels incredibly luxurious – a step above most high-street packaging.

The Dual-Ended Blender Brush is equally impressive. It’s designed to be the perfect partner: one end is a large, densely packed fluffy brush for blending foundation, while the other is a smaller, tapered brush for precision work like concealer and contour. The bristles are synthetic, incredibly soft, and don’t shed.

My immediate thought was its perfectio for travel. It could easily replace a foundation bottle, a concealer, and a contour stick, freeing up precious space in your liquids bag.

The Deep Dive: Putting DIBS to the Test for a Month

I tested the DIBS Single in two distinct ways to truly gauge its versatility: as a true “one-shade wonder” and as a multi-shade kit for a more sculpted look.

Experiment 1: The One-Shade Wonder Technique

For this approach, I used a shade that was a very close match to my skin tone (Shade 2: Maybe Later).

The Process:

1. Skincare First: I started with my usual routine, using a hydrating moisturiser like CeraVe Moisturising Lotion to ensure a smooth canvas.
2. Application: I drew stripes of the product directly onto my face – on my forehead, down my nose, on my cheeks, and on my chin. I then used the larger end of the DIBS Blender Brush in a stippling and buffing motion.
3. Concealer: Using the same stick, I dotted a little more product under my eyes and on any redness around my nose, blending with the smaller brush end.

The Results:

• The Good: The speed was unbeatable. My base was done in about 60 seconds. It provided a light-to-medium, buildable coverage that effectively evened out my redness and imperfections. The finish was a natural, skin-like satin – not overly matte or dewy, just healthy. It felt lightweight and comfortable.
• The Limitations: As expected, using one shade flattened my features. My face lacked dimension. I absolutely needed a separate cream blush (like my trusty Glossier Cloud Paint) to add life back into my cheeks. For significant blemishes, the coverage wasn’t enough.

Experiment 2: The Multi-Shade Sculpting Technique

To test its full potential, I ordered a second stick in a darker shade (Shade 5: Cancelled Plans) for contour.

The Process:

1. Base: I applied my skin-tone shade (Shade 2) all over as a foundation.
2. Contour: Using the darker shade, I drew lines under my cheekbones, along my jawline, and lightly on the sides of my nose.
3. Blending: I used the DIBS brush to meticulously blend the contour lines, ensuring there were no harsh edges.

The Results:

• The Good: This delivered a far more polished and defined look. The contour shade blended out effortlessly, melting into the foundation shade without turning orange or muddy. It looked natural and added real depth.
• The Considerations: This method was undeniably more effective but also less of a “one product” solution. It required purchasing multiple sticks and more time, skill, and thought during application. The “simplicity” claim is more relevant to the single-shade use.

Analysis: The Pros, Cons, and Who It’s Really For

After a month of use, here’s my balanced and detailed assessment.

The Pros (What Truly Impressed Me):

• Unbeatable Speed & Efficiency: This is the fastest base application method I have ever encountered. It’s a game-changer for rushed school runs or when you’re late for work.
• Ultimate Portability & Hygiene: The stick format is genius for travel. It’s compact, solid (so no leaks!), and incredibly hygienic as you’re not dipping fingers into pots.
• User-Friendly for Beginners: The stick format is intuitive and less daunting than liquid foundations. The blending brush is designed to be foolproof, making it ideal for those new to makeup.
• Beautiful, Natural Finish: The formula delivers a truly skin-like, second-skin finish. It doesn’t look or feel heavy, cakey, or mask-like.
• Buildable Coverage: You can easily layer the product from light to medium coverage without it appearing patchy.

The Cons (Important Considerations):

• Sheer to Medium Coverage Only: If you have acne, scarring, or significant hyperpigmentation, this will not provide enough coverage on its own. You will need a potent concealer like the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer for spot-concealing.
• The UK Cost Factor: This is the biggest hurdle. The DIBS Single costs $38 (approx. £30) and the Blender Brush is $34 (approx. £27). With shipping to the UK at $15 (approx. £12), a starter kit of one stick and the brush lands at around £69. If your order value exceeds £135, you risk adding VAT and a courier handling fee on top. This places it in the high-end luxury category.
• Not a Complete All-in-One: The branding suggests a full face, but you will still need separate products for blush, highlight, and precise concealing. The “Fast Face” claim is slightly ambitious; it’s more of a “Fast Base” system.
• Formula Preference: While great for normal to dry skin, those with very oily skin might find the creamy formula shifts throughout the day without a strong setting powder.

Final Thoughts: Does It Simplify Your Routine?

So, after a month of rigorous testing, does the DIBS “Fast Face” stick live up to its promise and justify its price for a UK customer?

The answer is a qualified yes—it can significantly simplify your routine, but it’s not for everyone.

DIBS is an absolutely brilliant investment if you:

• Prioritize speed and efficiency above all else.
• Prefer light, natural, skin-like coverage.
• Are a frequent traveller who needs to pack light.
• Are a makeup beginner looking for an intuitive, easy-to-use product.
• Value luxury, hygienic packaging and a premium experience.

You might want to reconsider if you:

• Require full, flawless coverage for blemishes or redness.
• Are on a strict budget and are wary of international shipping costs.
• Expect a single product to truly do everything (blush, highlight, etc.).
• Have very oily skin and prefer a completely matte finish.

For me, it has earned a permanent spot in my arsenal as my go-to for “those” mornings and my number one travel companion. It’s not my only product, but it’s a powerful tool that makes my life easier. And in today’s busy world, that kind of smart simplification is priceless.

Have you tried DIBS Beauty? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions: Your DIBS Beauty Queries Answered

Since publishing my review, I’ve received so many brilliant questions about DIBS Beauty. It’s clear many of you are intrigued but want to know the specifics before investing. Here, I’ve answered the most common queries in depth to give you a clear, honest picture.

Q1: What is the total, all-in cost for a UK customer to get started with DIBS?
A: This is the most practical question. Let’s break down the real cost, as the price on the site is just the beginning.

• The Products: One DIBS Single is $38 (~£30). The Blender Brush is $34 (~£27).
• Shipping: Standard shipping to the UK is $15 (~£12).
• The Total: A starter kit of one stick and the brush is roughly £69.
• The Customs Caveat: If your order value (before shipping) exceeds £135, you will likely have to pay VAT (20%) and a courier handling fee (around £8-12). To avoid this, keep your order under this amount.

Q2: I have oily skin. Will this creamy product make me look like a greaseball by lunchtime?
A: This is a key consideration. The product has a natural, satin finish that is not inherently matte.

• The Strategy: You can make it work with a strategic routine. Use a mattifying primer (like the Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot Primer) only in your T-zone before application.
• The Essential Step: You must set it with a translucent powder (like the Rimmel London Match Perfection Loose Powder) in your oily areas. Without powder, it will likely shift and get shiny on oilier skin types.

Q3: How do I choose the right shade online without being able to swatch it?
A: Navigating online shade matching is tricky but possible.

• Use Their Tools: DIBS has a helpful shade finder quiz on their product page. This is your first port of call.
• Analyse Undertones: Look closely at the models they use for each shade. Identify someone with a similar skin tone and, crucially, the same undertone (cool, warm, or neutral) as you.
• When in Doubt: It is generally safer to choose a shade that appears slightly too light rather than too dark. You can always warm up your complexion with bronzer, but a too-dark base is much harder to correct.

Q4: Can I use the DIBS stick without buying their specific blender brush?
A: Absolutely, yes. While the DIBS brush is beautifully designed and pairs perfectly with the product, it is not a mandatory purchase.

• Alternative Tools: You can achieve a great result using a dense synthetic kabuki brush (like the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush) or even your clean fingers. The heat from your fingers can help melt the product into the skin for a seamless finish.

Q5: Is the coverage really enough to cover redness and blemishes?
A: You must adjust your expectations. The DIBS Single provides light to medium, buildable coverage.

• What it’s great for: It is excellent for overall colour correction, evening out skin tone, and blurring minor imperfections. It gives a your-skin-but-better effect.
• What it’s not for: It will not fully cover active breakouts, significant post-acne marks, or dark spots on its own. For that, you will still need a dedicated, high-coverage concealer (like the Estée Lauder Double Wear Concealer) for precise spot-concealing after applying your DIBS base.

Q6: Is this product suitable for mature skin?
A: Yes, it can be an excellent option. The creamy formula is hydrating and tends to not settle into fine lines and wrinkles as much as some heavier, drying liquid foundations or powders can.

• The Key: The preparation is everything. Ensure your skin is well-moisturised before application. A hydrated plump base will prevent the product from catching on any dry patches.

Q7: How does it perform as a contour stick specifically?
A: This is one of its strongest suits. The contour shades (like Cancelled Plans) are formulated with neutral-to-cool undertones, which is essential. This prevents the contour from looking orange or muddy on the skin. It blends out effortlessly into the foundation shade for a soft, natural-looking shadow.

Q8: How long does one stick typically last with daily use?
A: Because the product is creamy and a little goes a long way when sheered out with a brush, a single stick should last 2-3 months with daily, single-shade use. If you are using multiple sticks for different functions (e.g., one for foundation, one for contour), each will last longer as you’re using less of each per application.

Q9: What makes DIBS different from other makeup sticks like the Maybelline Fit Me Stick or the Fenty Beauty Match Stix?
A: The main difference is in the formula intention and application.

• Maybelline Fit Me: Offers more opaque, higher coverage and can feel drier on the skin.
• Fenty Match Stix: Also a drier, more focused formula designed for specific zones (e.g., contour, highlight, concealer), not necessarily all-over foundation.
• DIBS: The formula is uniquely designed to be sheerable and buildable. It’s meant to be blended out all over the face for a lightweight feel, making it more versatile as a true “one product” base.

Q10: Would this be a good gift for a makeup beginner?
A: 100% yes. The stick format is intuitive and less messy and intimidating than liquid foundations in bottles. It eliminates the guesswork of how much product to use. Paired with the blender brush, it’s an foolproof system that teaches them how to achieve a blended, natural look without needing advanced techniques. It’s a fantastic starter kit.