Hourglass Cosmetics Review: Luxury Makeup Worth the Splurge?
If you‘re a beauty lover who appreciates the finer things, Hourglass Cosmetics is a brand that should definitely be on your radar. Known for their innovative formulas, sleek packaging, and commitment to cruelty-free practices, Hourglass has amassed a dedicated following among makeup artists, celebrities, and everyday consumers alike. But with their high-end price point, are their products really worth the investment? In this in-depth Hourglass Cosmetics review, we‘ll take a close look at the brand‘s bestsellers, customer feedback, and overall value to help you decide if their luxury cosmetics deserve a place in your beauty stash.
About Hourglass Cosmetics
Founded in 2004 by beauty industry veteran Carisa Janes, Hourglass Cosmetics has become a major player in the prestige makeup market over the past two decades. The brand is headquartered in Venice, California but their products can now be found at over 800 stores worldwide, including Sephora, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Space NK.
One of the key things that sets Hourglass apart is their unwavering commitment to cruelty-free and ethical manufacturing practices. All of their products are certified by PETA and Leaping Bunny, meaning they are never tested on animals at any stage of production. Many of their formulas are also vegan-friendly and made without any animal-derived ingredients. As a further testament to their values, Hourglass donates 1% of all profits to the Nonhuman Rights Project, an organization dedicated to securing legal rights for animals.
In terms of their product offerings, Hourglass is perhaps best known for their complexion products like primers, foundations, and powders. However, they also offer a full range of color cosmetics including eyeshadow palettes, blushes, lipsticks, and more. While definitely a luxury brand with the price tags to match, Hourglass is beloved by many for their truly unique formulations that deliver flawless results.
Pros and Cons
As with any brand, there are both pros and cons to consider before investing in Hourglass Cosmetics. Here are some of the major points in each category:
Pros:
- High-performance, innovative formulas
- Cruelty-free and many vegan options
- Sleek, elegant packaging
- Donates portion of profits to animal rights causes
- Extensive shade ranges available for most complexion products
- Afterpay available for installment payments
- Free shipping on orders over $50
Cons:
- Luxury price point, more expensive than many other brands
- Some recent controversy over lack of deeper shades in complexion ranges
- Can only be purchased through limited retailers
- Smaller assortment compared to some other prestige brands
Best-Selling Hourglass Cosmetics Products
Now that we‘ve covered the basic background on the brand, let‘s dive into some of Hourglass‘ most popular products. From primers to mascaras, these are the items that consistently earn rave reviews from customers and beauty experts alike.
Veil Mineral Primer
If you‘re going to splurge on just one product from Hourglass, many would argue it should be their iconic Veil Mineral Primer. This award-winning formula has developed a cult following for its ability to create a smooth, even canvas for makeup while also providing SPF 15 protection against UV rays. The oil-free, silky texture glides over skin and helps to minimize the appearance of fine lines, large pores, and other imperfections. It also extends the wear time of your foundation or concealer without feeling heavy or greasy.
The Veil Mineral Primer is available in a full size 1 oz bottle for $54 or a travel size 0.3 oz version for $20. While definitely pricey, a little goes a long way with this concentrated formula. Many reviewers say it‘s well worth the cost for the flawless finish it provides.
Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick
For those who prefer a full coverage foundation, the Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick is another standout from Hourglass. This innovative formula comes in a chubby stick format that can be swiped directly onto the skin and then blended out with a brush or sponge. The highly pigmented cream texture provides opaque coverage that still looks natural and skin-like, never cakey or masklike.
One of the major selling points of this foundation is the extensive shade range, which includes 32 flexible options for a wide variety of skin tones. The long-wearing formula is also waterproof and sweat-resistant, making it a great choice for hot summer days or special events. You can pick up the Vanish Foundation Stick for $46.
Vanish Airbrush Concealer
To pair with the Vanish Foundation, Hourglass also offers the Vanish Airbrush Concealer. This full coverage liquid concealer comes with a cushion applicator for precise application under the eyes and on any other areas that need some extra coverage. The lightweight yet highly pigmented formula is designed to brighten, smooth, and blur imperfections without creasing or settling into fine lines. It also includes skincare ingredients like micro-powders to absorb oil and prevent cakiness over time.
Like the foundation, the Vanish Airbrush Concealer comes in an impressive 30 shades to suit a range of skin tones. It‘s available in a full size 0.14 oz version for $34 or a mini 0.04 oz size for just $15, making it a great way to try out the formula without splurging on the larger size.
Ambient Lighting Edit Mini Sculpture Unlocked Palette
For a versatile face palette that can add subtle glow and definition in just a few swipes, check out the Ambient Lighting Edit Palette. This limited edition compact contains six luxurious powders that can be used to brighten, bronze, contour, and highlight the skin. The finely milled, micro-refined formula is designed to capture and diffuse light, creating a soft focus effect that blurs imperfections and enhances your natural features.
The Mini Sculpture Unlocked version of the Ambient Lighting Edit Palette includes two of Hourglass‘ best-selling Ambient Lighting Powder shades, Dim Light and Radiant Light, as well as four new exclusive shades. It retails for $58, making it a great value compared to buying the individual powders separately.
Caution Extreme Lash Mascara
Finally, no Hourglass review would be complete without mentioning their Caution Extreme Lash Mascara. This ultra black mascara features a unique hourglass shaped brush with two different bristle sizes to grab and coat every last lash. The smooth, clump-free formula is packed with nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil and carnauba wax to condition lashes while also providing dramatic volume, lift, and length.
The Caution Extreme Lash Mascara has a cruelty-free, vegan formula and is packaged in a luxe metallic gold tube. It‘s available for $29, which is on the high end for mascara but still more affordable than some designer brand options. Whether you‘re looking for an everyday mascara or a bolder look for special occasions, this is definitely one to try.
What Do Customers Think?
So we‘ve heard a lot about Hourglass from a brand perspective – but what do actual customers have to say about their products? On the whole, the majority of Hourglass reviews are very positive, with shoppers raving about the high-end formulas, sleek packaging, and impressive results. On Sephora.com, most of the brand‘s best-sellers have 4 and 5 star ratings from hundreds or even thousands of reviews.
The Veil Mineral Primer is one of the brand‘s most hyped products, with an average 4.4 star rating from over 5,000 reviews. Many reviewers call it their "holy grail" primer and say it‘s the only one they‘ll use. "I have tried dozens of primers over the years and this is hands down the best one on the market," one shopper raves. "It blurs all my pores and fine lines, keeps my makeup in place all day, and never breaks me out."
Similarly, the Vanish Foundation Stick has an impressive 4.4 star average rating from over 3,000 reviews on Sephora. Customers love the creamy full coverage formula and convenient stick packaging. "This foundation is absolutely worth the hype," one reviewer explains. "It‘s so easy to apply and blend, and the coverage is amazing without looking or feeling heavy at all. Plus the shade range is incredible and I was easily able to find my perfect match."
One product that has been slightly more divisive is the Vanish Airbrush Concealer, which has a lower 3.7 star average rating from about 300 Sephora reviews. While many shoppers adore the weightless full coverage formula, others have had issues with creasing and say it‘s not ideal for very dry undereye areas. "I really wanted to love this concealer but it just didn‘t work for me," one reviewer shares. "It looked great upon initial application but after a few hours it had settled into all my fine lines and looked very dry and cakey."
Of course, as with any makeup product, a lot comes down to individual skin type and personal preference. But based on the thousands of glowing Hourglass Cosmetics reviews out there, it‘s clear that this cruelty-free luxury brand is delivering impressive results for many.
Is Hourglass Cosmetics Worth It?
At the end of the day, only you can decide if Hourglass Cosmetics is worth the investment for your specific needs and budget. These are undeniably luxury products with price tags to match, so they may not be the most cost-effective option for everyone. However, if you‘re willing to splurge on high-end formulas that truly deliver, Hourglass is definitely a brand to consider.
What really sets Hourglass apart is their commitment to innovation – you won‘t find cookie cutter products in their lineup, but rather unique formulations that are thoughtfully designed and exhaustively tested. The brand is also passionate about cruelty-free and ethical manufacturing practices, which can be a major selling point for conscious consumers.
One thing to keep in mind is that Hourglass has faced some controversy in recent years surrounding their shade ranges, particularly for complexion products. While they‘ve made efforts to expand their offerings, some customers feel there are still not enough options on the deeper end of the spectrum. It‘s an issue the brand will need to continue addressing to become a truly inclusive beauty brand.
Promotions and Discounts
Because Hourglass is a luxury brand, they don‘t tend to offer sitewide sales or promotions very often. Your best bet for snagging a good deal is to shop their exclusive value sets, which bundle together best-selling products for a reduced price than buying them individually. These sets are usually available for a limited time around holidays like Christmas, Mother‘s Day, and Father‘s Day.
Hourglass also periodically offers gift with purchase promos, where you can score samples or a free makeup bag when you spend over a certain dollar amount. It‘s definitely worth getting on their email list so you‘ll be the first to hear about any special offers or product launches.
Another way to save a bit is by signing up for Afterpay at checkout, which allows you to split your total into four interest-free installment payments. Just keep in mind this is still a credit product that needs to be paid back on time to avoid fees.
Shipping and Returns
If you‘re ready to give Hourglass a try, you have a few different options on where to buy. The brand‘s website is a great place to start, as they offer free standard shipping on all US orders over $50. You can typically expect to receive your order within 4-7 business days. Expedited shipping options are also available for an additional fee.
Hourglass also has a generous return policy for products purchased directly through their website. As long as the item is at least 50% full and in its original packaging, you can return it for a full refund within 60 days of purchase. Return shipping is free, which is a nice perk compared to some other retailers that make you pay for return postage.
If you prefer to swatch and test products in person, you can also find Hourglass at a variety of upscale retailers including Sephora, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale‘s, Barney‘s, and Space NK. Just keep in mind that return policies may vary depending on the specific retailer‘s guidelines.
Final Thoughts on Hourglass Cosmetics
Overall, Hourglass Cosmetics has earned its cult status as a cruelty-free luxury beauty brand that truly delivers on its promises. While their prices are certainly an investment, you can feel confident you‘re getting a high-performance formula that will help you look and feel your best. The brand‘s commitment to ethical practices and charitable giving initiatives is just the icing on the cake.
By now, we hope you‘ve discovered a few Hourglass products you‘re dying to try or rediscovered an old favorite. The brand has dozens of bestsellers that are worth considering, but our top recommendations would have to be the Veil Mineral Primer (worth the hype!), Vanish Foundation Stick (amazing shade range and coverage), and Ambient Lighting products (the perfect customizable glow).
Of course, everyone‘s skin is different, so what works for your beauty-obsessed bestie may not be the right fit for you – and that‘s okay. Don‘t be afraid to experiment with a few different formulas until you find the ones that make you look and feel like a million bucks. At the end of the day, that‘s what the perfect luxury beauty product should do.
