Confession: my concealer costs more than my foundation. It's a fact I've never paid much attention to but, as life becomes increasingly expensive, I've begun to wonder why I wouldn't think twice about parting with £35 for a 6ml vessel of the Hourglass concealer, when my go-to 30ml foundation costs £32 – the latter certainly gives better cost per wear, when you put it like that. But I'll tell you why. Finding a good concealer isn't an easy task. While there are lots available, the right one needs to effortlessly correct discolouration, camouflage pesky problems, brighten, and lift, all while perfectly matching your skin tone, and giving you a smooth, seamless finish without creasing or settling into fine lines. Phew. So, when you find one that does all of the above, you stay loyal to it.
How loyal? I use it (sparingly) every single day and it's my default product for any occasion, including my wedding, where it saw me through all of my seven functions. But I'm not the only one obsessed with the Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer, £35. In fact, the brand's only concealer has been receiving rave reviews on TikTok for years, has the backing of Hailey Bieber and, as recently as this week was seeing spikes of 300% in searches on Google.
It's a product that lives up to the hype. The best-seller does what it says on the tin: delivers an airbrush finish that vanishes away perceived imperfections. It's all achieved by way of its clever reflective micro-spherical powder-infused formula that diffuses across the skin to smooth, blur and brighten for up to 16 hours. It quickly gets to work on everything from dark circles to discolouration, blemishes, age spots and hyperpigmentation with minimal effort thanks to its high pigment formula which packs a full-coverage yet lightweight, and waterproof finish.
My honest review of the Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer
One of the most important aspects of any base product is the shade range; Hourglass knows what it's doing in that arena. With 22 shades on offer that span fair to deep with three undertones (cool, neutral and warm), there is a fair selection of hues to choose from which can even be used for colour-correcting thanks to the attention paid to undertones in each formula. I settled on the shade Dune, a medium-warm shade which makes light work of correcting and concealing my under eyes, as well as my post-inflammation hyperpigmentation.
While some reviews are quick to spotlight its thick, sometimes dry feel – which may not bode well for dehydrated skin types – I've long vouched for its creamy, opaque finish. It works just as good when you're in a hurry, as it does in those precious moments when you have some time to let the concealer sit on the skin for a few minutes to warm before blending it out. The finish itself is truly what seals the deal, effortlessly delivering a full-glam, filter-like result, the concealer leaves my skin looking smooth, natural, and airbrushed sans creasing. While it has an ability to dry down itself and mattify, I can't do my make-up without baking with some loose powder and have found this concealer sits perfectly well under any type of setting product.
The glass vessel tube is textbook Hourglass – super-luxe and easy on the eye – and you'll be pleased to know that same attention to detail was lent to the applicator, too. The custom-designed wand was made flexible to move in synergy with the contours of your face while allowing for max precision, while the doe foot is tapered, flocked and larger than most to deposit the perfect swipe without tugging on your skin.
Shop: Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
Meet the concealer that has my heart, so much so I've stayed loyal to it for a number of years, exclusively using it for all occasions including my seven-day wedding in 2023. It is thick (in the best possible way), creamy and does everything you want from a concealer all the while lending a full-coverage, filter-like, airbrush finish that will stay in place all day. TikTok and Hailey Bieber certainly knew what they were talking about when they recommended this viral buy.
Pros
- Non-comedogenic
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- Might be too thick for those who favour super light formulas
Sameeha Shaikh is Grazia's b_eauty writer, working across all categories to bring you insights on the latest trends, industry news and the products you need to know about, viral or not (most probably viral)._