It’s kind of amazing how far foundation has come in such a relatively short amount of time. There are so many products on counters now that are getting close to realistic-looking skin. I’m talking finishes and textures and colors and coverages that are virtually imperceptible, and all I have to say to that is “yay!” This is a trend worthy of an all-caps WOOT-WOOT.
These new $46 Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation Sticks are the latest realistic-looking foundations to jump into the ring, providing the coverage of a concealer, the maneuverability of a liquid and the weightlessness of a powder.
And that’s all great, but I also like how quick they can be used (roughly a minute or two). It’s like boom, boom, boom! — a little swipe here, a little swipe there, cheeks, nose, forehead, chin. Then blend that in with a brush for lovely, even-toned skin without any of that heaviness, or that caked-on nonsense where it feels like you’re wearing a mask.
They’ll be available in Sephora stores for $46 each (26 shades) starting July 21. That is expensive…but they are concentrated, so hopefully they’ll last a while.
To use ’em, I’ll take one of the sticks (see how they’re shaped like a triangle?), put two dots on my cheeks (because that’s where I like a little more coverage), a dot on my nose, two dots on my forehead and a dot on my chinny-chin-chin. Then I’ll blend that in with the new $46 Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Brush.
The resulting finish looks delish.
Using the word “vanish” in the name was a good call because, seriously, I can’t see or feel this on my skin. It does seem to disappear, yet at the same time still hides the redness on my cheeks and blurs my pores. And it does it while still letting my freckles come through.
Ugh, the finish… It’s just gorgeous! I can’t take it. It’s like a soft velvet that ever-so-slightly reflects light, so it might not be your cup of tea if you’re a hardcore matte person. It would probably be a better fit for you if you like your skin with a touch o’ radiance.
I wear the shade called Beige and keep it at sheer coverage on my forehead, nose and chin, and then I build it up to medium coverage on my cheeks. And I can also build it up to full coverage by laying a little more and blending with a brush.
I like that it can go up to full coverage, but I think this foundation’s strengths are the lightweight formula and its ability to even out the skin while allowing things like freckles to peek through. It’s great stuff!
It’s my current go-to, which I alternate with NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint when I want a more matte finish.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Chelsea says
July 20th, 2016 at 7:17 pmYou look so natural, but radiant! I’ll have to see how the undertones of their lighter shades are, I live the idea of a stick. I’m quite broken out right now.
Karen says
July 21st, 2016 at 9:43 amHi Chelsea,
Ugh, breakouts! I hope yours clears up soon. The only thing that keeps my breakouts in check (knock on wood) is Kate Somerville’s Anti-Bac Clearing Lotion. It’s old school in that it’s a benzoyl peroxide product, but it WORKS. I swear by it.
CrystalCandy says
July 20th, 2016 at 8:02 pmYour skin is already flawless, so jealous!
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Karen says
July 21st, 2016 at 9:41 amHa, I wish!
Katie says
July 20th, 2016 at 9:36 pmOooh, just as I’ve found some sheerer foundations I love they come out with a bomb full coverage formula! I used to be medium to full coverage all day every day (think MAC Studio Fix Fluid) but now I’m more into the sheer stuff (thank a new skincare regimin and a heaping healthy dose of good ol’ fashioned self confidence) but I may have to pick this up for special occasions (like my moms wedding this October!). It sounds like the kind of finish and coverage that photographs beautifully (and it definitely does on you, but you look so gorgeous no matter what foundation you’re wearing)!
Karen says
July 21st, 2016 at 9:41 amHi Katie,
What sheerer foundations are you loving? I’d love to hear about them!
Katie says
July 21st, 2016 at 7:05 pmOoh, NARS Pure Radiant Tinted moisturizer for everyday! It has a great amount of coverage for a tinted moisturizer while still letting my skin come through, and I like the finish and wear a lot. For something with what I’d consider a light coverage (but more than the NARS) I love the L’Oreal True Match Lumi foundation and the MAC Mineralize Moisture foundation. I’d consider the L’Oreal the heaviest coverage, with the MAC in between. All three are luminous finish, and the MAC one actually appears to smooth out my skin’s texture, believe it or not! All three can build nicely with an extra layer or two as well.
Nicole says
July 20th, 2016 at 9:57 pmWow this looks great! I have to try this foundation! I’ve never tried a stick foundation before. Looks cool!
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Karen says
July 21st, 2016 at 9:40 amAwesome!
Leah Rose says
July 20th, 2016 at 11:06 pmThis looks like it has amazing coverage, I love a stick foundation for on the go!
Karen says
July 21st, 2016 at 9:40 amYou should give it a go!
LindaLibraLoca says
July 21st, 2016 at 4:08 amIt sounds lovely, but the price is quite high. Let´s hope it really lasts a long time.
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Karen says
July 21st, 2016 at 9:40 amIt should since it’s so concentrated.
Kim says
July 21st, 2016 at 5:39 amWhat a beautiful finish and I definitely like the idea of a more sheer coverage! The negatives for me are the brush application (sooo lazy and like to use my fingers) and the fact that the Ambient Powders that I was desperate to love broke me out. It makes me wary of an Hourglass foundation. 🙁 It looks fab on you, though!!
Karen says
July 21st, 2016 at 9:40 amHey Kim,
You could use fingers to blend if you want! I’ve done that a few times and it totally works. 🙂
Kim says
July 21st, 2016 at 11:54 amThanks – that’s great to know. I’m embarrassed to admit how infrequently I wash my blush brush. A foundation brush would be way too much maintenance. HAHA!
Indya says
July 21st, 2016 at 7:43 amI have only heard good things about this foundation! I wanted to wait until my sephora got them to swatch but I’m growing impatient!
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Karen says
July 21st, 2016 at 9:39 amGreat, I hope you get a chance to try it!
Amanda says
July 21st, 2016 at 9:05 amHi Karen,
Any thoughts on how this compares to the Bobbi Brown stick foundation?
Thanks!
Karen says
July 21st, 2016 at 9:39 amHi Amanda,
I find the Hourglass version is much more concentrated, so I can get away with using less. I also think it’s easier to blend and more lightweight. Sometimes with Bobbi’s I feel the makeup sitting on my skin, ya know? With this I forget that I’m wearing foundation sometimes. Let me know if you have any other questions; happy to help!
Chris25 says
July 21st, 2016 at 9:20 amIs there a decent of amount of yellow in these? I fear my golden complexion may miss out. :/
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Karen says
July 21st, 2016 at 9:37 amHi Chris,
I haven’t seen the other shades in person but guessing from some of the names (Golden Tan, Honey, Golden Amber, Golden Amber) I’d say there’s a decent amount of yellow.
Emily says
July 21st, 2016 at 9:42 amGorgeous! Out of curiosity, did you ever try Hourglass’ Illusion Skin Tint? I’m on my second tube and love it. It really makes me want to take a look at Vanish for the summer (since Illusion is a little on the dewy side and perfect for winter).
Laurie says
July 21st, 2016 at 9:54 amWhat are you wearing for blush and lipstick? Gorgeous!!
Erin says
July 21st, 2016 at 10:20 amWait, are you sans primer? That looks super natural and I’m digging it. They finally made shades light enough for me, so I’m excited.
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Blair says
July 21st, 2016 at 11:19 amIt looks stunning! Have you tried wearing warm beige? I have ordered the warm beige, and am a bit lighter than you. I’m curious to know how much darker it is than beige when applied all over the face.
Melike says
July 21st, 2016 at 11:49 amIt looks soooo gorg on you! And whoa the packaging is amazing too, love it!
Rachel R. says
July 21st, 2016 at 3:04 pmBeautiful, and from what I understand they even have quite a few shades for us fair ladies.
Elena says
July 21st, 2016 at 7:39 pmThe finish on the foundation is amazing! Wow! It looks great. I am happy I ordered some for myself (I ordered it just to try something new). Here’s to hoping I ordered the right color. lol.
Melissa says
August 25th, 2016 at 10:30 amAloha Karen! Are you still nc42is? You look lighter. I can usually use the same color as you. 🙂
Heather L says
August 28th, 2016 at 10:40 pmI purchased the stick in Vanilla and the brush recently. Had high hopes but was very disappointed with the foundation – the finish and texture of it actually made my skin imperfections more noticeable instead of less (which I was going for!) I love Hourglass and really tried to love this but I couldn’t make it work. On the upside, I absolutely love the brush! I’ll be returning the stick and keeping the brush!