Why This Full-Coverage Concealer Is the Most Valuable Product in Our Routines
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.