I’m not normally a big fan of foundation sticks. I find them either too greasy or too heavy and dry. I recently signed up for Influenster and my first VoxBox was the Hourglass Vanish Foundation and Foundation Brush. So just to clarify I did receive this for free. I was skeptical until the first time I tested it out. I have worn it everyday since because it’s just amazing. I don’t just say that because it was free, it’s really fabulous.
Per Hourglass’ website:
A revolutionary foundation stick with the coverage of a concealer, the fluidity of a liquid, and the weightlessness of a powder in a longwearing waterproof formula for undetectable full coverage. The unprecedented concentration of pigment in this foundation provides maximum coverage with minimum product, concealing all discoloration and imperfections for flawless skin with a seamless finish.
• A foundation and concealer in one, this concentrated formula contains double the amount of pigment versus traditional foundations for instant coverage in one application.
• Long wearing, waterproof formula provides 12 hour coverage.
• Innovative formula adjusts to your body temperature to effortlessly blend into the skin.
• Designed specifically to be used with the Vanish Foundation Brush for the most seamless finish.
• Available in 26 shades to perfectly match every skin tone.
• .25 OZ / 7.2 G
• Based on a 1-week consumer study of 31 women, Vanish demonstrated dramatic visible improvements:
-100% reported product was fast and easy to use and apply
-97% saw an instant improvement in skin appearance
-97% reported product effectively covered redness and skin imperfections
-94% reported product blended seamlessly into their own skin
-94% reported product effectively covered skin discoloration, pores, blemishes and dark under eye circles
-90% reported product effectively covered hyperpigmentation and dark spots
The foundation retails for $46. I got shade Beige which is described as medium with a warm undertone. That’s accurate.
Beige:
Compared with Top to Bottom: Zelens Youth Glow Beige, Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder #6, Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation #6, Hourglass Vanish Foundation Beige, Surratt Surreal Foundation #9, Armani Maestro #5.5, Urban Decay Naked One & Done:
The finish is not heavy, matte and dry nor is it greasy. It’s a nice satin finish. I found it lasted about 8 hours before it started to fade in this humid Texas summer weather. You can get medium to full coverage, it’s very buildable without looking heavy or cakey. It looks like skin and didn’t settle into my pores. I experienced no irritations or breakouts. It was a joy to use. Combined with the Vanish Foundation Brush it has a flawless finish that covers redness well. This foundation has it all. I love it.
There are 26 shades so it should be easy to find a good color match. I need to see all the colors in person to determine if Beige is truly the best fit for me. It feels ever so slightly too dark for my NC 25-27 skintone. Oddly Beige lightens once it sets versus getting darker and oxidizing like a lot of foundations, which is what makes it work for me. I’ll have to add an addendum to this, whether or not Beige is really my best fit, once I can get into a Sephora store and check out all the shades in person.
Ingredients:
Vanish Foundation Brush:
The Vanish Foundation Brush has a round slanted shape. It’s made with synthetic hairs which makes it good for liquids and creams. It’s super soft and about the size of a smaller kabuki brush, with a longer handle. You buff the foundation in with it and it does a great job at it. The finish is streak free and flawless. The retail is $46. You could use the Tom Ford Cream Foundation Brush and get the same result, but if you like synthetic hairs and a cheaper price point try the Hourglass version.
Edit 9/5/16: So I tried a few more shades in person. Sand is probably the closest. It’s lighter than Beige, but a bit too golden. Warm Ivory is right on but a touch too light. Nude was just a touch too light and not warm enough. Mixing Beige and Warm Ivory would be my best match. I’m way too lazy to mix two foundations. This is such a high coverage foundation, you really need to have a good match.