If you were wondering if new Vanish Seamless Finish Liquid Foundation by Hourglass is just as good as their B.O.M.B. Vanish Stick Foundation…well, sorry to bum you out, babe, but the stick is so much better.
I know. I was also hoping for a new go-to liquid version of Vanish with the same “Oh, I forgot I’m wearing makeup!” super power.
I wanted the stick’s same medium-to-full coverage and satiny finish, but importantly, I wanted the eeeeease. With the stick, you just draw a few stripes and blend with whatever you can grab first — a buffing brush, a sponge, your fingers, a cat’s paw… It’s like a minute, tops.
The liquid version, though? Bah, so complicated! The liquid has intensely concentrated pigment, and it’s like an airtight alibi (it completely covers its tracks, ha ha), but the finish settles into pores and fine lines if you use more than a drop or two.
Not to say that you can’t get this foundation to work well. It just requires finesse and patience. Dab half a drop (no more) wherever you want coverage, press and spread it into a think layer with your fingers, then buff with a synthetic brush, but do that RIGHT AWAY because it dries fast. If you wait, you’ll end up with streaks.
If you go this route and exercise that finesse and patience, you’ll be rewarded with full coverage and a flat matte finish — flatter than the stick, so it still isn’t my favorite look, since I like a little sheen.
I mean, I can dig it…but I’ll stick to the stick. Pun intended. ?
The shade I wear is called Beige, by the way, and I have combo skin (oily on my forehead and my nose, and dry everywhere else).
Lilac Girls
May I please draw your attention to the edges of this book? Because I love it when book pages are raw and textured.
Beautiful font on the front cover of this one, too. I like the slight curve at the top of the “A” and the curl of the “R.”
OK, side note over!
This is the book I just finished. It’s called Lilac Girls, and it’s a historical fiction novel about three women whose lives intersect before, during and after World War II.
And wow! — it’s one of those stories that simultaneously punches you in the gut while lifting you up at the same time.
The first woman, Caroline, is an American volunteer working at the French Consulate; the second, Kasia, is a Polish teenager who gets sent to a concentration camp; and the third, Herta, is a German doctor in the camp. Not gonna lie, the story is brutal at times (I cried more than once), but the sisterhood and the support between the women in the book is inspiring.
The author, Martha Hall Kelly, is a former journalist and copywriter turned novelist, and she’s got game. When I was reading this book, I felt like a balloon on a string reading her words, like I was tied to her wrist and had no choice but to follow her as she led me through this period in history. It’s the type of writing that’s so effortless that you never get tripped up on clunky phrases or odd patches of dialogue, and you kinda forget it’s there because it never feels like the author’s showing off. You just sail along on the story with the characters, all the way to the nail-biting end.
If you loved A Hundred Summers or The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams, I think you’ll love Lilac Girls, too.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I so wanted to love the new Hourglass foundation but was underwhelmed. I adore the stick as it seems to become one with my skin. The liquid just seems to sit on my skin. Also, I agree it is very flat.
I am going to check out your book recommendation. Thank you.
Hi Jan,
The stick one is so, so good. I wore it down to the nub! Do you usually set your stick with powder? Sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t.
That is way too much effort for a foundation, it sounds as if you need a uni diploma to figure out how it works!
The book sounds like a gripping read I am currently reading the new one by Arundhati Roy, which prooves a little cumbersome at times.
Ha, too funny!
Hi Karen
I’ve heard bad things about this foundation despite being quite expensive and hourglass is a very good brand. The stick version is so good. I wouldn’t necessarily say your skin/ looks heavy , maybe the picture doesn’t show I think you look nice and I love the lipstick on you ( looks like pillow talk – CT?) and this little lady next to you is so so cute 🙂
Xo’s
Hi Bebe,
I guess I’m so used to the whole “skin that looks like skin” thing happening in the world of foundation right now, but thank you for the compliment. 🙂 The Lipstick is a new one from MAC and a Nordstrom exclusive called Down to Art.
Would you believe the little lady next to me is going to be three on Saturday? I’m a little emotional about it. I always get that way around her birthday.
How have you been? Everything up in Toronto (one of my favorite cities!) OK?
I love Hourglass, but with the price and application issues I would probably pass on this.
I read Lilac Girls a couple of months ago. Some of the parts were definitely tough to read, but it was a good book! I love the Beatriz Williams books too and how stories of the characters are all related.
Hi Ruchita,
I love Hourglass too, and especially love their “no-brainer” stuff, like their Ambient Highlighting Trio and Ambient Lighting Blushes. I’ve even come to love their under eye concealer color corrector, which I first felt “eh” about when it came out. Now I can’t live without it! It seems like when they get it right, they *really* get it right. But this foundation was just OK.
Anywho, what are you reading now? I’ve recently picked up some Audible books and am listening to Where’d You Go, Bernadette?.
I love the Ambient Highlighting Trio! I use it almost every time I wear makeup. Actually I think I bought it from seeing your review!
I am currently reading The Banker’s Wife by Cristina Alger. So far it’s a good mystery!
Along the lines of Beatriz Williams, I like the author Fiona Davis. The Address was the first one I read from her.
Another good thriller is The Last Time I Lied from Riley Sager.
And one more! 🙂 If you like YA, The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee is good. I just recently finished the trilogy.
Hi Karen,
Thanks for reviewing this foundation. I love Hourglass, but that is really expensive, and I was wondering if it was worth it. Definitely going to pick up Lilac Girls at the library. Love the picture of the dressing table – is that your table? I am dying to get a vanity and mirror so I can sit down to put on makeup instead of standing at the bathroom mirror. Do you find it easier to apply makeup in natural light, or do you use a lighted makeup mirror? What do you recommend? Do you think a vanity table makes it easier, and is it worth the investment?
Hi Daphne,
Thanks for all these great questions! Here are my answers.
Q: Is that your table?
A: It’s a side table I have in my bedroom. 🙂 From Pier One, I believe. If you like the style you should check out their tables and vanities!
Q: Do you find it easier to apply makeup in natural light, or do you use a lighted makeup mirror? What do you recommend?
A: If I’m just gonna be out and about and *not* taking pics with flash, I usually apply in natural light. If I’m going to be taking pictures and anticipate using a flash, I use a brighter ring light to simulate flash (makeup for flash photography is an entirely different beast). I don’t use a makeup mirror because I don’t think it’s necessary; give me a big window and natural light any day of the week. The light is “cleaner” and more accurate, IMHO. I’d recommend setting up your work space next to a window with the most indirect light; if that isn’t an option, then I’d go with a makeup mirror or a ring light.
Q: Do you think a vanity table makes it easier, and is it worth the investment?
A: I think having a dedicated space for makeup is convenient if you have the room in your home. And while it’s also very pretty and relaxing to have a special space of your own, I don’t think it makes doing makeup *that* much easier. Half the time I end up doing makeup sitting on the floor, LOL!
If you have any other questions please ask!
Hi Karen! Love the pic of you and your sidekick! I actually stopped to get a sample of the Hourglass foundation and don’t like it that much either. I’ve got expression lines on my forehead and this foundation sunk right into them and looked heavy and cakey. I love, love, love the stick foundation though. Sooo good.
I’m currently not reading anything. I’ve been on a Netflix kick lately and just started season 3 of The Last Kingdom. Sooo good if you like viking type of shows. Lilac Girls sounds like it’d be right up my alley though and I’ll be making a note to download it to my Nook. Thanks for the recommendation!
Hi! I still had such a hard time with this foundation, it always broke up around my nose that I will be sticking to Lancôme for now. Also tried the beauty blender foundation and liked it but it’s definitely more full coverage.
Lilac Girls is such an amazing book!! You might also like Women in the Castle, same time period. I just finished reading ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ and loved that too!
I have to admit that I am not a fan of Hourglass. I returned everything I have ever tried from them (eyeshadow palette and blush). They are on the pricey side and honestly, I think you have looked better in other posts.
I have been trying to find a good foundation for my mature skin. I was hoping Laura Mercier’s new one would work for me, but I don’t find her face products hydrating enough for me. I think I am going to stick with tinted moisturizer and concealer for extra coverage from now on. I am finding that in my day to day, I don’t have a need for full coverage.
Happy early birthday wishes to Connor!
I live philosophy grace tinted moisturizer and it’s finish is medium coverage I’d say!
I have the Hourglass stick foundation… that I have been neglecting, now I really want to wear it more! I mostly love everything I got from Hourglass too. The Girl Lipstylo is my current HG formula for a creamy lippie. But I will pass the liquid foundie!
I love Lilac Girls too. Especially haunting since I managed to visit the concentration camp mentioned in the book. On the same vein, have you read The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris? Both are excellent. Currently reading In the Garden of Beasts (also a WW2 theme book… I see a pattern xD.) and having something like 4 non fictions I’m reading at the same time…
I have the stick and the tube .
The tube is very easy to apply . Then the magic powder goes on top .
Thank you for the book recommendation. I’m going to order it thru the library app .
Connor Claire is getting so big ! ??
I was so excited when I heard Hourglass was making a liquid Vanish Seamless Foundation. Now I’ve read several reviews that make the same points that you do. That it dries down very quickly so you have to work in sections or blend very, very quickly and that it dries down very matte. Matte finishes tend to emphasize my lines and make me look so much older than I already am. (Lately I’ve been hating powder for this reason, too. Searching for a powder to set my foundation that isn’t so matte on one end of the spectrum and isn’t a glitter bomb either.) Ah well, guess I’ll stick to the stick version.
Your sidekick is growing cuter by the day!! Happy Birthday to Connor!
Love this post because in addition to your review there are so many other reading recommendations.
Hi Tatiana,
Have you ever tried MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural? It’s my go-to face powder. I use the one in the compact. Lasts forever and doesn’t look heavy or flat.
Hi Karen! Like you, I love the stick version of this foundation. Do you find that it oxidizes as it dries down or does it stick true to its original colour?
Hi Meta,
I’ve had no issues with oxidation with the stick! I think it’s perfect. 🙂
Bummer about the liquid but at least they got it right with the stick! Such a cute pic of you and Connor. 🙂 The book sounds good. I watched Crazy Rich Asians on the plane this week and thought of you. It was a very likable movie but I kept thinking “I can’t imagine Karen’s family could be like THAT!!!”. Holy cow. HAHA!
I’m SO behind on reading but this sounds really good!
Shame about the foundation! Love the pic of you and Connor though!
I won’t be trying this…I didn’t like the stick foundation either. I thought it sat on top of my skin…but it can’t be great for everyone! I like the tinted lip treatment oil, but it is SO expensive!