Written Reviews

I've been searching for the right foundation for me for a little over a year, and while you can't tear my bareMinerals Original from my cold, dead fingers, I will say that as I've aged and started a new skincare regimen, my skin has become deathly dry. I used to be very, very oily, so the relatively sudden shift in my skin has caused a huge problem in finding a new foundation. I tried everything, from Lancôme (alcohol = no), bareMinerals serum foundation (no staying power), Urban Decay Naked Skin and All Nighter (both too powdery), Benefit (weird, patchy finish and way too yellow), IT Cosmetics CC+ (citrus doesn't play well with my skin and left a weird, grey cast), Marc Jacobs Shameless (settled into pores), MAC Longwear (either too yellow or too peachy), NARS Radiant Longwear (same color-matching issue and far too matte), to Clinique Beyond Perfecting (mask-like and way too drying). After a long color-match and foundation test with a very helpful associate, I think I found the one in Hourglass. Don't be fooled; this is not a "skin tint," in the typical sense. It's definitely high-medium to full coverage, and very, very thick. It's a godsend for dry skin; goes on radiant and luminous, feels very light, and hydrates like nothing else I've tried. A tiny, pearl-sized amount is enough to cover my entire face, so despite the price, I think that this little tube will last me a good, long while. Top it with the Ambient Lighting Powder, and it sets easily and doesn't move for at least 8 hours, though I haven't tried it for longer than that. Oily-skinned people will absolutely hate this foundation, but if you're looking for a radiant, natural-looking foundation, don't hesitate to try this one if you can afford it. Even my partner can't tell I'm wearing makeup when I wear this one, and I couldn't be more impressed.

Hourglass has definitely hooked me. I have very, very dry skin after starting a heavy skincare regimen with retinoids and vitamin C, and have used nearly all of the available oil primers on the market, from drugstore to high-end, and this one takes the cake. It definitely smells like an Aveda store: herbal, and a little grassy. The smell dissipates quickly, though, and it feels so good. It's on the thicker side for a gel/oil primer, but after it absorbs, it leaves such an excellent canvas that really minimizes the orange-peel texture of my cheeks, and enhances luminosity of foundations on top of it. The store rep said that with continued use, it would improve my skin texture, but with the other treatments and skincare that I currently use, I have doubts that this will be the source of improved skin for me. However, with how well it works as my primer, I'm going to return all of the others that I have. It's expensive, for sure, and I don't know that I can say that it works vastly better than other oil-based primers that I've tried, but it doesn't alter the color of my foundation, and it feels absolutely amazing. If that's worth it to you, and you have the extra cash on hand, I would recommend trying it out. It also comes in a trial size so you don't have to commit.

I love this finishing powder so much. I'm usually not pulled in by packaging, but the heavy plastic and gold/bronze feels really great in-hand, and makes me feel like it could take a fall. I love the finish it leaves on my skin; with just a little bit of powder, my face is luminous and natural-looking with just a little bit of warmth. Yes, it's pricey, but I also feel like there's so much product in here that it's going to last forever, even if I were to use it everyday. I'm interested in going back for Ethereal Light, also, but I don't think I will until I've put a serious dent in this one. I'm frustrated with myself for enjoying this product so much!