Is NARS The Multiple stick the ultimate travel beauty hack?

Few beauty icons have stood the test of time quite like NARS The Multiple. Inspired by a shoot in the 90s and launched in 2001 by the legendary make-up artist François Nars, it was one of the first truly multi-use colour sticks on the market – and it was one of the first blush products I ever bought.

Now, almost 30 years later, it’s been reformulated and upgraded, but it’s still unrivalled in its ability to slip seamlessly into a travel bag and cleverly replace half your makeup routine (just think of the saved space!)

At first glance, it’s simple: a creamy, twist-up pigment stick that can be used on cheeks, eyes, and lips. But the genius of NARS The Multiple lies in its texture and finish. The formula melts instantly into skin, blending without streaking or sitting on top of foundation, and leaves behind a believable, flattering sheen – the kind that suggests you spend half the year resident at a spa. It’s buildable too: one swipe for a sheer wash of colour, or layered for a more sculpted look.

For travel, it’s almost absurdly practical. One stick replaces your blush, lipstick and even your eyeshadow because of the demi-matte texture. And because it’s solid, there’s no risk of leaks mid-flight or confiscation at airport security. It also takes up minimal space, meaning more room for skincare minis or snacks (priorities). The tube is sturdy enough to survive being flung into carry-ons, dropped on airport floors and crucially, application doesn’t require a single brush or sponge – just fingertips.

How to choose your shade?

The beauty of The Multiple is that there’s a shade for every skin tone, and the cream formula melts into the skin to let your undertone shine through.

If you have light skin, soft pinks, peaches, and light corals tend to look the most natural. Think fresh, translucent tones that add life without overwhelming your complexion. Medium or olive skin tones glow best with warm apricots, terracottas, and rich rose shades – anything with a touch of golden or brown undertone that harmonises with your natural warmth. For deep or dark skin, look for vivid berries, orange undertones and raspberry shades; these richer pigments bring instant vibrancy without looking muted.

If you’re looking for the perfect colour, consider your undertone too. Here’s a quick trick to help; what jewellery do you wear the most or suits you best? Is it Gold (warm), silver (cool) or both (neutral)? If your skin leans cool, shades with blue or pink bases (rose, mauve, berry) will flatter you most. If you’re warm, reach for coral, peach, or more orange tones. And if you’re neutral, lucky you – you can wear nearly anything, so pick based on what you like most.

How should you use it?

For cheeks just apply a dab of colour onto the apples of the cheeks, and blend upwards. Because of the sheer, but pigmented formulation it also acts like a highlighter, allowing your skin’s natural gleam to catch the light – even if you’re not somewhere sunny.

For lips, press it in with a finger rather than swiping straight on; this creates that slightly blurred, cool-girl diffused finish NARS does so well. If you like a definite lip look, you could use a lipliner before application or add a little gloss over the top.

For eyes, apply it with fingers to the eyelid, and gently blend into the crease for a beautiful warm look that works perfectly with a little mascara or eyeliner to finish the look.

It’s no exaggeration to say The Multiple was the original minimalist’s makeup multitasker – the prototype for all the creamy sticks that followed. Decades on this new formulation means it’s fully deserving of claiming its luggage space. It’s a genuine space and game changer; I won’t travel without it.

You can shop Nars The Multiple at Boots.