Editors Review the Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer
Why This Full-Coverage Concealer Is the Most Valuable Product in Our Routines
Those not in the know may assume the blurring makeup trend is new, but Hourglass redrew the blueprint for mainstream blurring makeup years ago: first, with the Hourglass Ambient® Lighting pressed powders and, in 2020, with the Hourglass Vanish™ Airbrush Concealer ($38). A hallmark feature of any blurring product is light diffusion, i.e. it can fake a filtered, flawless finish. Thanks to reflective microspherical powders, the Vanish™ Airbrush Concealer minimizes the look of pores and fine lines wherever the coverage is needed, from the hollows beneath the eyes to dark spots on the jawline. But in a world where you can't walk into a Sephora without spotting at least five products that promise a perfect blur, does this five-year-old concealer hold up? Spoiler alert: for many, it's still the MVP.
Antoinette Mathison, Senior Account Strategist
My Shade: 9.5
My Thoughts: This concealer is the best I've tried so far. My skin is textured and tends to be dry in the colder months, so I appreciate how creamy the formula is. A great product to me is full-coverage but with a natural finish — and this is perfection! Application is super smooth and I find that it gives me a good amount of time to blend before fully drying down, which gives it an A++ from me. Here, I used it on a few dark marks on my cheeks and undereyes. I also added a lighter shade, Maple (shade 8), under my eye as well for extra brightness.
Mackenzie McMahon, Account Strategist
My Shade: 2.5
My Thoughts: For my day-to-day, I typically opt for a quick, low-maintenance makeup routine. This concealer does a great job covering up the pesky, recurring pimple between my eyebrows and softening any redness. I love that this product is full-coverage in that it conceals any blemishes without needing foundation, but lightweight enough that it still feels natural. I find that many concealers, especially full-coverage ones, dry up or crease throughout the day, but this one still looks great at the end of the work day.
Samantha Sasso, Senior Editor, Branded Content
My Shade: 3.5
My Thoughts: As someone who owns far too many beauty products, the odds of ever actually "hitting pan" is slim, but since first trying this concealer a few years ago, I've gone through at least two tubes. I warn everyone before they try this concealer that it is thicker than most (I tend to use it on the days I really want full-coverage or feel like skipping foundation altogether), but that's not a snub against the formula — it's what makes it so special. I want products that can go the distance and this one is built to do exactly that. I can't actually do anything about finally looking my age — those late nights aren't so invisible anymore — but when I combine this concealer with an Ambient® Lighting Finishing Powder, I'm convinced no one can tell I stayed up until 2 a.m. doomscrolling. And if you're wondering whether or not its companion brush is worth the splurge, it is.
Markova Casseus, Senior Creative Strategist
My Shade: 10.5
My Thoughts: When I first swatched the concealer on my hand, I was definitely surprised by how thick it is — it reminded me so much of my foundation. I have dry skin with subtle dark circles and bags under my eyes, so I was excited to see how well it would work for me. I'm happy to say I was pleasantly surprised! My bags look less visible and the concealer itself blends so beautifully into my skin, and it gives me a nice brightening effect under my eyes, which I love. Plus, the application brush is amazing: it makes it super easy to apply in tiny corners and control the amount I want to apply. The formula is quite liquid-y, so I recommend letting it dry a bit before blending, but overall, I'm a new fan!
Jillian Karande, Senior Manager, Brand Strategy
My Shade: 6
My Thoughts: For the last few months, I've been getting these dark spots that just love to hang around after a breakout, so I've been looking for a concealer that's more full coverage than what I normally use. When it comes to any face products, I'm an apply-with-my-fingers girl through and through and I found that, even with my low-tech application, the concealer blends really easily and covers the stubborn dark spots on my cheek and forehead with just a single layer. I have really dry skin, so I love the creamy consistency of this concealer and, despite being full-coverage, it doesn't feel out of place in my mostly no-makeup makeup routine.
Lexie Denniston, Associate Director, Creative Services
My Shade: 2
My Thoughts: My lifelong rivals are the hollows and hereditary dark circles under my eyes. Even with a full nine hours of sleep, it still takes serious coverage to conceal. This formula is thicker than what I usually opt for, and a little goes a long way — but that's probably why it works so well for me. I set it with powder to help prevent creasing and, hours later, it still looks fresh. It lives up to its promise — the coverage is unbeatable.
Sarah Ramgoolam, Senior Account Strategist
My Shade: 8
My Thoughts: As someone who struggles with dark undereyes, I love this concealer for its ability to color correct, brighten, and give me a soft, blurred look. I can use this concealer for a quick, out-the-door look or build it up for a more glamorous finish in no time.
