I’m generally leery about using stick type foundations. While they are convenient and portable, they do have a tendency to be drying. The Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick is anything but!
I picked this one up quite a while ago, and as you can see, it’s quite well-used. The reason is because, I like it quite a lot! 🙂
I shared earlier in a list of things I thought was worth spending money on, and I stand by it. It also reminded me that I hadn’t properly reviewed it!
Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick – convenient and portable!
Unlike most stick foundations, which come in a round form, the Hourglass Vanish Foundation Stick has a triangular design. I believe it is purely about design, but it is also useful, because it prevents the stick from rolling off your dresser, and breaking.
The twist-up mechanism is very smooth, and the cap is secure. It feels sturdy and luxuriously made. I also find it very useful and practical for travel, because the cap isn’t the sort that will come loose in transit.
However, as you can with lipstick, I did smush the top of my foundation against the cap when I was lax about fully retracting the stick, before re-capping. That is something you will have to pay a little more attention to. Otherwise, it is a well-constructed product.
Creamy, non-drying foundation
What I like about the Hourglass Vanish Foundation Stick is this – it is non-drying. It has a creamy formula, that I find melds with my drier skin quite well. I cannot say how it will hold up on oily or combination skin types.
But if you have dry skin like me, then this will feel comfortable on, without feeling greasy, heavy nor drying.
I do find that it generally looks better after it’s sat on your skin for a little while.
Full coverage formula – less is more!
What I will have to warn you about is this – the coverage is quite high. I’d peg it at a medium to high coverage formula, which I know sits well with some, and not so well with others.
Personally, I prefer a lighter, sheerer finish when it comes to my base makeup.
RELATED READING: This very sheer textured base is still one of my favourites! READ HERE
However, there are times when a slightly higher coverage product comes in handy.
The ‘problem’ I face with this Hourglass Vanish Foundation Stick is that it is fairly easy to overdo. A very little product goes a long way, so if you were to use it the usual way you use most stick-type foundations, you may find the coverage too high, too much like a mask, and too fake.
When I use a stick-type foundation, I usually draw some short lines on my face, before blending it in with a brush. It’s how I use my other favourite stick foundation by Bobbi Brown.
With the Hourglass Vanish Foundation Stick, I use the dotting method instead, as I’ll show you below.
Finished look features the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette (Vol 1)
How I apply it is thus – I just dot the product on my skin, pretty much as I would the 13-dot technique for applying skincare. The creamy texture of the stick allows for the product to be dispensed on the skin with just minimal traction.
Then, I use a brush and blend it all into my skin. The result is a light-medium coverage, that covers redness and evens out skin tone. That’s all I use a base product for. If I’m feeling a tad lazy that day, I’d just add a little dab on areas that need a little more coverage, blend it in, and eschew the use of concealer altogether!
It is so practical that way.
I do find it harder to blend using fingers, as the product may set before you are done, so a dense, soft brush is really the best way to do it.
If I feel like I need to set it (I rarely do), I’d dust a little Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light over. But I usually just leave it be.
I bought mine a while ago, and there is still lots more in the tube. It doesn’t feel like it’s dried out over time, and it still feels as creamy as it was when I first got it. It isn’t cheap, but it will last 🙂
All in all, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time using the Hourglass Vanish Foundation Stick, and I do recommend it. It’s practical, portable, convenient and a pretty good foundation overall. You just have to be careful not to use too much of it 🙂
IN A NUTSHELL
The Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick is a creamy foundation in a stick form. It comes well packaged, and is sturdy, luxurious and portable. The coverage tends to be medium-high, so I’d recommend exercising caution when applying. The best way is to dot it on your face, and then blend it out. Add more if you want higher coverage in certain areas. If you swipe it on your skin, you will end up with too much product, and too high coverage. The finish is not drying nor dry, and has a glow to the skin. It is comfortable on drier skin like mine and I enjoy using it as I can skip concealer too!
PROS:
Medium to high coverage
Very little product goes a long way to cover skin
Non drying finish
Creamy texture blends well with skin
Portable and practical packagingCONS:
Pricey
Packaging can get a little messy with useWHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who prefers a medium to high coverage foundation, Anyone who wants a portable stick foundation that isn’t drying
PRICE: RM208 | US$46 | £42
WHERE TO BUY: Sephora, Cult Beauty, SpaceNK, Feelunique, Nordstrom
For those interested, this is the ingredient list for the Hourglass Vanish Foundation Stick.
Ingredients: Phenyl Trimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax/Candelilla Cera, Ceresin, Polyethylene, Pentylene Glycol, Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Bht, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Isostearyl Alcohol, Lauryl Laurate, Lauryl Peg/Ppg-18/18 Methicone, Macadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters Behenate, Methicone, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Silica, Talc, Triethoxycaprylylsilane. May Contain (+/-): Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891).
Ingredient list may vary depending on shade.
Do you like using the Hourglass Vanish Foundation Stick too?
I remember reviews were mixed when it was first released, but I think it’s because most people were using too much product. I have taken a look at the Hourglass Vanish Liquid Foundation, but I wasn’t quite taken with it. The coverage seemed too high for my liking so I passed. Which did you prefer?
Paris B
So apt your review of this product. I always end up using more as I do the line technique and look “ghostly”. Your dot method seems great. Will try it out. I have combination to dehydrated skin and this lasts long on my skin. Best product for travelling.
Oh the line technique makes it feel so heavy on the skin! And masky too! I hope the dotting technique has helped you appreciate the product better 🙂
I am currently enjoying the Canmake Creamy foundation stick! It does make up all my dry skin if I do not exfoliate exfoliate before hand but otherwise it works really well for me.
I didn’t know Canmake had a foundation stick too! 😀 Glad it works so well for you