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Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15 Review, Photos

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15 ($52.00 for 1 oz.) is a “mineral-based, water-resistant primer with SPF 15 that neutralizes the skin, minimizes shine, and creates a smooth, uniform canvas.” It is also supposed to “[absorb] exess oils and [minimize] the appearance of pores.” This primer uses a mix of titanium dioxide (2.45%) and zinc oxide (4.20%) to provide the SPF content. As a result, you may get a white cast, particularly in pictures, as these are physical blockers (which work by reflecting), as opposed to chemical ones (which work by absorbing). I have worn it in photos on the blog, but primarily in ones without flash, which is where you would worry most about what kind of sunscreen agent you had on.

It has a thin consistency that appears white when pumped out of the container. One pump tends to be sufficient coverage for me. I use either a flat face brush or my fingertips (cleaned, of course!) to apply all over my face, and then I let it dry down for about five minutes. There’s a slightly oily feel initially–it almost feels like a moisturizer–that dries down to a more powdery feel that looks satin-like in finish. It does give my skin a “smooth” feeling from the silicones. The primer doesn’t pill, though, which I do appreciate, as that has been an issue in the past with silicone-heavy primers.

It has been a very long time (years) since I’ve tried a face primer with this many silicones in it. I’ve worn this numerous times over the past couple of months, and I haven’t had any extra breakouts as a result. I’ve certainly had acne before, after, and during the previous months, but the level is as much (or as little) as is “normal” for me. Previously, it seemed like I had a sensitivity to silicone-based products, which meant that I had to limit how many products I wore each day that had silicone–e.g. avoid silicone-based primers, because they appear to have a lot more silicones as compared to a blush, moisturizer, or foundation, since there are usually a few in the beginning of the ingredients’ lists.

I’m not a doctor, and no dermatologist ever evaluated/tested my skin in relationship to silicones. The last time I saw a dermatologist, she told me to never wear makeup and that wearing any makeup was causing all of my acne (so I never returned to her!). After that, my general doctor prescribed me Differin, which has greatly decreased my acne. I decided to give Hourglass’ primer a chance, because I saw a lot of readers rave about it!

Mineral Veil makes everything else I layer on top of my skin look noticeably better. I think that “smooth canvas” enables foundation to apply and settle better against the skin. I used this a lot during the winter when my skin was drier, because I did have a few flaking areas (particularly around the nose), and it helped to smooth and almost hydrate those areas. It didn’t do much to minimize pores, but it certainly helped add longevity to my face products.

Typically, when I would wear this under a foundation, it would prolong the wear by an hour and a half to two and a half hours–and as a result, my blush stayed on better and for longer as well. Though I have normal-to-dry skin, I do get a little oily around my t-zone after six to eight hours of wearing full makeup. This really did help combat that and staved it off until eight to ten hours.

The biggest downside to this product is that it’s very pricey! I’d recommend trying the smaller version (0.33 oz.), which is a more palatable $18. It’s a great way to test out the product over a longer period of time to get a feel for whether it’s suitable for your skin type and needs. It’s one of my favorite primers, but I can readily admit that my “big picture” view on primers is limited, as I haven’t tested many in the past few years because I’ve wanted to stay away from silicone-based ones! I may open this up a bit more in the future, but no promises–it will be a very slow, gradual introduction to see how my skin reacts!

See more photos!

Ingredients

Active:  Titanium Dioxide (2.45%), Zinc Oxide (4.20%)

Inactive: Cyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, Polysilicone-11, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hexyl Laurate, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isosterate, Stearic Acid, Alumina

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15

26 Comments

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litlaur Avatar

I started using this recently. I like how light it feels compared to other silicone-based primers I’ve tried, including Smashbox Photo Finish Light. I don’t notice a visible difference when I apply foundation over this versus bare skin, but it does seem to prolong wear for me. In fact, this primer + foundation of choice + Urban Decay All Nighter has become my go-to combination for long-lasting makeup. Plus, it hasn’t caused extra blemishes!

Sass Avatar

Fortunately this primer works for me like no other, but unfortunately it costs a darn fortune.  Currently running out and I dread having to go pick another one up…I like that it’s not silicon-y and it works great for my oily skin.

John 3D Avatar

Pick up a few during the FF sale. 🙂 Why pay extra when you can get it for cheaper? I mean you can rely on Sephora to have FF sales every year. Unlike MAC or something…

Ani_BEE Avatar

I feel your pain. I’ve been using the Eve Pearl Priming Moisturizer with Astaxanthin, it dose have DIMETHICONE but it’s one of the bottom ingredients meaning it not the base for this primer so knock on wood with my sensistive skin it has like it.
 
The claims “This light, breathable & non-greasy primer, moisturizer and treatment in one” really are true.

Christine-Temptalia Avatar

 @Ani_BEE Love Eve Pearl’s primer as well 🙂  It really does moisturize nicely, too!
 
It was always when I added a big bad ol’ silicone-based primer in that seemed to make my skin go awry, but it’s in my foundations, blushes, moisturizers, etc. – hard to get away from it! – but my skin is OK with those products.

Mariella Avatar

I’ve been using this since November or thereabouts – started with the travel size and loved it so much I went back and got the full size.  Yes, it’s pricey but compared to what I’ve spent/wasted on primers that have been disappointing (Smashbox, I’m looking at YOU and your various formulations), it is money well spent for me.  Less than a full pump does my whole face and every foundation I put on top looks better for having this underneath – applies better and lasts longer without going cakey/splotchy by day’s end.

Rola Avatar

I agree that silicone based primers do provide a smoother surface on the face. I am really liking the one from Clarins that comes in little pot and the Sunday Riley tinted primer.  I also like one of the RMK primers, but I do not know if it is silicone based. 

John 3D Avatar

This primer is absolutely fantastic! I think I’ve said this before, but there are different types of silicones. Volatile ones, like cyclopentasiloxane (the main carrier fluid in this), will evaporate after a few minutes. Non-volatile ones like, dimethicone, instead form a barrier or layer on the skin. So don’t immediately disregard a product just because it contains silicones. Silicones really are milestone ingredients that have transformed the cosmetic and even medical industries.
 
Anyways, I agree that this primer is excellent. It prolongs weartime for anything I wear over it, or mix with it by at least a few hours. The mattifying agent comes mostly from the isododecane, in case anyone was wondering. On another note, this is great if you want to mix it with another physical sunscreen because you can rest assured that you’ll get AT LEAST the amount of UVR protection you’d get from this product alone, given that the other sunscreen has a higher SPF and UVA-PF.
 
Of course I also wish this wasn’t so expensive… It costs more than my foundations. 🙁 However, given that this is availabe from Sephora, I think it’d be wise to stock up during the Friends and Family sales. At 20% off, these babies are $44 instead of $55. Pick up two instead of just one if you really enjoy it. I know that what I’ll be doing.

ThugScout Avatar

 @John 3D
 I love your response.  I couldn’t agree more that people have to remember not to lump all silicones into the same category.  It is similar to silicones in hair products.  I think the most important thing is to make sure you are removing the product at the end of wear and staying away from those products that actual produce a contact, allergic reaction. 

Abby Avatar

I love how the active sunscreen ingredients are physical blockers, rather than chemical ones. Plays so much better with my skin!
 
I do agree about the price, though– $52 for 1 ounce is pretty nuts.

AraceliMartinez Avatar

Hi Christine! I almost bought this yesterday and I´m glad I read your review first. Are you going to rate this product?

Christine-Temptalia Avatar

 @AraceliMartinez I don’t rate products like skincare, hair care, etc. It doesn’t follow the same system as most color products. We decided that since those categories are very, very specific to skin type and sensitivities, it was better not to create 10-15 additional rating systems — like a cleanser would be rated on different metrics than a moisturizer than a facial primer than a shampoo! It’s definitely something I continue to weigh, but I haven’t come up with a good, more generalized system for non-color products.

wwendalynne Avatar

Question:  I’ve never used a face primer before, only eye primer.  Are all face primers inherently mattifying? or is there a specific ingredient used in a given formulation?  How does this affect the finish of your foundation?  I gravitate to a dewy foundations, but have reached the stage where a primer could help inhibit face foundation sucking follies (aka  FFSF).  Help!  I have combination aging skin.

Quinctia Avatar

I’m glad to hear it worked for you!  I have trouble recommending primers because a) I find the products I plan to wear over the primer dictate whether I have the need for a primer in the first place and b) I have no skin sensitivity to any silicone that I’ve used, and I prefer silicone-based primers.
 
The price point will probably keep me from trying it, unless I run out of what I’ve got and decide I only need to keep a small amount on hand–then I might spring for the smaller tube.

Emily Avatar

I would love to try this! I have oily skin, and I have a problem with getting foundation to stick to my nose and cheek areas. Its so frustrating! I have probably tried every primer on the market, but none of them seem to cut it for me.  I guess I will give this one a shot!

leanne479 Avatar

I LOVE hourglass primer! They sell it at Sephora in a small and full size, the full size being $17, you should mention that and maybe people will try it and fall in love like I have. I have oily skin and it helps so much with keeping my skin matte for hours.

leanne479 Avatar

I LOVE hourglass primer! They sell it at Sephora in two sizes, small and full. The small size is $17 and totally worth it. I have oily skin and this primer, which is water resistant, keeps my skin matte for hours! You should mention the smaller size and maybe people will fall in love with it like I have.

Kafka Avatar

 @leanne479 She did mention it. From the review: “I’d recommend trying the smaller version (0.33 oz.), which is a more palatable $18. It’s a great way to test out the product over a longer period of time… .” 
 

GlowMyWay Avatar

I had a sample of this once, and I wasn’t impressed. Then again I can’t see any difference between Rimmel, Smashbox, Too Faced, Hourglass… they all perform very nicely for me, smoothing out the fine bumps on my face so foundation applies more smoothly. *shrug*
 
Side note: Christine, that was a lazy dermatologist. There are good ones out there, but I find they’re outnumbered by the bad ones. I have a bad case of keratosis pilaris, which is unusual enough (in presentation – the disorder itself is very common) that I went through a lot of GPs and derms before finding any that could diagnose it, let alone treat it. My derm not only has never suggested makeup is bad, but advises me that it can be a barrier against dry air and other skin-hating weather conditions.
 
If your GP has it under control, you’re all set. Just know that if you ever actually need a dermatologist (I’ve yet to meet a GP who’s heard of KP), the good ones do exist. You just have to be prepared to wade through about 5 bad ones first. It’s a high profit form of medicine, so it attracts a lot of people who are just there to make money.

Christine-Temptalia Avatar

 @GlowMyWay My GP was mad that I even bothered! She said that she normally puts her patients on Differin/Clindamycin first before referring them to a dermatologist or recommending more aggressive treatments.  I’m SO happy they have generic Differin now, though – the $200/tube Differin was so painful the first couple of times!
 
I was appalled at the first dermatologist – the minute I said I wore makeup, she said it was 100% at fault and as soon as I stopped wearing all makeup, my acne would clear up.  I even told her that it was my job to test makeup (more to test her response), and she told me to quit and find a new career, LOL.
 
Since my acne is mostly under control now, I haven’t sought out another dermatologist. But they can’t all be that bad! I didn’t realize it was THAT difficult to find a good, reliable one, though – that is so unfortunate to hear 🙁

GlowMyWay Avatar

 @Christine (Temptalia) The whole idea of makeup causing acne is just so ludicrous. Girls who haven’t started wearing makeup get acne. Guys who have never worn makeup get it. And it disgusts me when someone blithely suggests that someone else get a new career. Because it’s very tough to do even when it really is necessary, and clearly, it wasn’t necessary in your case.
 
I’m sure there are plenty of good dermatologists out there. It’s probably been a little tougher for me because it takes a *really* good one to even diagnose my disorder correctly.

Becky Avatar

They carry it at Space NK too which I just found out. And being on a tight budget they have this really nice program where if you spend $100 you get 5$ off your next purchase. That way you can save a little 🙂
Just thought that might help!

Stephanie Haymes Avatar

The hydrating mineral veil is awesome too! If you have severely dry skin!!! It’s slightly greasy upon application but it eventually soaks in skin. I don’t recommend mixing it with foundation to apply but to each their own! Just thought I’d mention! Love your posts! 😀

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