3 min read
Going into summer, the makeup vibe is light, airy, and undetectable. So it’s quite out of the ordinary that the Bazaar beauty team’s favorite complexion formula going into the warmer months is a medium-coverage foundation.
Collectively, we’ve tried dozens of complexion formulas, from skin tints that adapt throughout the day to iconic, makeup-artist beloved foundations, but Hourglass’s new Illusion Luminous Glow Foundation SPF 30 has recently become one of our makeup obsessions, and for good reason. We are already fans of the brand’s Veil Hydrating Skin Tint, which imparts a sheer, dewy tint, and while the new Illusion delivers more coverage than the skin tint, it promises to still give skin that lit-from-within glow. The luminous finish is credited to hyaluronic microspheres that hydrate and smooth skin while evening tone and covering blemishes and marks. Plus, the formula is infused with SPF 30, which is always an added bonus, especially in the summertime.
Credit: hourglasscosmetics.com
While medium- to full-coverage foundations (especially those with sunscreen) are notorious for creasing, transferring, or looking cakey after a few hours, our team found that the formula held up throughout the day and looked just as luminous and smooth at the end of the day as it did when applied in the morning.
Read on for our editors’ full thoughts on the new foundation and why it’s a staple in our summer makeup routines.
Tiffany Dodson Davis, beauty commerce editor 
Photo courtesy of Tiffany Dodson Davis
“There’s a reason the Illusion Luminous Glow Foundation SPF 30 has nearly a five-star rating from Sephora shoppers: A little truly goes a long way with the versatile, long-wearing foundation. Along with hyaluronic microspheres that reduce caking and creasing, its formula also contains SPF 30, which complements my go-to sunscreen. I love swiping it on with a densely-packed foundation brush that allows me to evenly buff out my shade of choice.”
Jenna Rosenstein, beauty director
Photo courtesy of Jenna Rosenstein
“I have dry, reactive skin, and so I’m very particular about my foundations. Hourglass foundations have always worked well for me, so I was excited to try this one, especially given the SPF 30 sun protection. Here’s what I like about it: the finish is super-glowy. It leaves a beautiful sheen on skin that looks natural and healthy, not sparkly or greasy. The coverage is medium to full and buildable, though the formula is on the thicker side. That’s my biggest complaint, really, is the thickness of the formula and the sunscreen-y smell. But if you’re looking for a glowy, medium-coverage foundation with sun protection for summer, I can’t think of a better one!”
Katie Intner, beauty market and commerce editor
Photo courtesy of Katie Intner
“I rarely touch foundation, unless I’m headed to a fancy event, wedding, or need to be on camera. But I found myself reaching for Hourglass’s medium-coverage foundation on office days or even unseasonably warm spring days. Upon first application, the formula has a bouncy, water-like texture that easily glides onto skin and leaves a fresh feel on the skin. While it’s a bit thicker than a lightweight tint, it effortlessly melts like a skint tint. I don’t find myself struggling to blend out the formula, although it’s on the thicker side. While I have combination skin with an oily T-zone, I didn’t find the formula separating or looking greasy after a day at the office. I don’t usually love SPF-infused formulas, as I prefer to rely on standard sunscreen to protect my skin, but the added protection gives me peace of mind, especially on days when the UV is high.”
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