The Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Stick Foundation has generated considerable buzz, promising a flawless, seamless complexion. This review dives deep into the hype, putting the foundation to the test to determine if it lives up to its claims. We explore its application, coverage, finish, longevity, and overall performance, considering both its strengths and weaknesses. Our review focuses on the shade Bisque and its suitability for various skin types, particularly addressing its behavior on dry and combination skin.Using the foundation on a daily basis, we assess its ease of application, its buildable coverage, and how well it holds up throughout the day. We examine the claims of a "seamless finish" and evaluate whether it truly minimizes the appearance of pores and imperfections. Ultimately, this review aims to provide a balanced perspective, helping you decide if the Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Stick Foundation is the right choice for your skin type and needs, and whether it's worth the investment.
Pros And Cons
- Blends nicely
- Feels like a liquid foundation
- Easier to apply than Makeup Forever stick foundation
- Good coverage (medium)
- Provides less coverage with one swipe
- Easy to blend
- Doesn't dry down too fast
- A little goes a long way
- Comfortable application
- Good color match
- Long-lasting wear
- Doesn't separate
- Oxidizes slightly
- Can look cakey
- Highlights dry patches
- Can look streaky or patchy
- Feels drying
- Looks drying
- Doesn't set completely
- Transfers slightly
- May not be suitable for dry or combination skin
- Exaggerates dry skin
Read more: Hydrating Foundation for Dry Skin: Top 5 Picks
Shade, Packaging & First Impressions
I tested the Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick in the shade Bisque. The foundation, made in Korea, comes in a sleek stick packaging, containing 7.2g of product. The shade Bisque possesses a noticeable yellow undertone, which is a significant factor for those seeking a specific match.
Initial application felt surprisingly smooth, gliding on like a liquid foundation despite its stick format. This is a significant improvement over other stick foundations I've tried, such as the Makeup Forever stick. However, I did observe a slight oxidation, about half a shade darker after application.
Application and Coverage
Application was remarkably easy; a few swipes provided decent coverage without heavy pressure. The smaller size of the stick compared to Makeup Forever's version offered improved control during application. The foundation blended seamlessly, though I did notice some initial dryness around my cheeks, a common issue for me.
Coverage is easily buildable, starting from light-medium and increasing with further layers. While it initially looked a bit cakey in areas prone to dryness, blending it out nicely covered redness and blurred pores. The smooth finish did not completely disguise my freckles though.
Texture and Finish
The foundation has a satin-like or demi-matte finish. It didn't dry down too quickly, allowing for ample blending time. The texture, however, clung to my dry patches, highlighting existing dryness on my forehead and nose.
The finish leans more towards satin, offering a medium coverage. It looks smoother where I used primer before application. However, without primer, it exacerbated my dry patches which resulted in a patchy appearance.
Wear and Longevity
The foundation's wear time was impressive; it lasted several hours without significant separation or fading. However, the dryness and patchiness remained consistent throughout the wear test. The foundation held up well over time; however, it accentuated the skin’s texture and dryness issues. This made the overall look less than ideal despite its long wear time.
Final Verdict
The Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick offers easy application and impressive longevity. Its buildable coverage and smooth finish make it seem perfect at first. However, its tendency to cling to dry patches and highlight texture issues is a serious drawback, especially for those with combination or dry skin.
While it performed flawlessly on smooth skin, it's not ideal for those with imperfections. The color match is excellent for some, but the dryness significantly detracts from the overall experience. Adding a primer is crucial for minimizing the dry, patchy look. Ultimately, this foundation is better suited for those with oily skin types.