Celebrity makeup artist Emily Cheng recently glammed up Gracie Abrams using Hourglass Illusion Luminous Glow Foundation, but you needn’t be a star to get the same glow.

As a longtime Hourglass fan, testing out its new extended foundation shades was a must for me. (Since the colder seasons have my skin tone leaning on the cooler/neutral side of the color wheel, I found my best match to be shade 15: Medium Cool Rosy.)

It’s not every day you find a foundation that caters to undertones ranging from cool (winter) to warm peach (summer), and I’m hooked for life on this game changer of a formula.

Read on for my full review of the star-worthy base — and the accompanying brush.

My review

Hourglass Illusion Luminous Glow Foundation

I wore a full Hourglass foundation beat to the office, and have have never received so many compliments at work. Colleagues I barely speak to — and even regular nearby coworkers — remarked that I looked absolutely radiant. All that positive feedback completely changed how I think about my daily makeup routine.

After starting the day at 6:30 a.m. and leaving the office around 8:30 p.m., my makeup still looked and felt intact (apart from my lipstick) — perfect for my after-work social plans.

Here I am at 6:30 a.m. (left) and 8:30 p.m. (right) — following a 14-hour workday that involved scarfing down a Five Guys burger at lunch.

Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation Brush

To properly test Hourglass’ foundation brush, I applied the product on two separate days (in the office bathroom, under the same lighting) — one day using the brush, and the other using my hands. The difference in coverage was immediate and noticeable, highlighting just how much application method can impact the performance of a foundation.

Throughout my month of testing, I found the formula applied more evenly with the Hourglass-branded tool, and even cut my application time in half.

Applying the foundation with my hands/fingertips resulted in more shine and less even texture. Michelle Moezam

When I used the brush, the final result looked much more even-toned, with less shine. Michelle Moezam

Designed to mimic the delicate and precise control of the fingertips, the cruelty-free brush features a unique vegan fiber technology and custom bristles for effortless blending and intuitive, even application.

Overall, I preferred using the brush, since it yielded the best results and lasted longer (and kept my makeup looking fresher) throughout the day.

Is it worth it? Here’s the final verdict

On the cusp of 34, I’ve learned that fine lines don’t want to be covered — they want to be negotiated with. After a 14-hour wear test, the Hourglass foundation was still delivering luscious hydration and coverage that smoothed out texture without settling into my lines. The tone match was so perfect, I did triple takes in the mirror.

Buildable coverage is a standout feature, but application method also makes a huge difference. The formula is extremely smooth and glides on like a gloss — and since it’s so hydrating, you don’t need to moisturize beforehand. Given Hourglass’ commitment to clean makeup, it came as no surprise that the foundation covered my rosacea with zero irritation.