Hourglass Glossy Balm Review: A Hit Or Waste Of Money?

I’ve recently had the chance to test and review the much-hyped Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm. Lip balms are a dime a dozen, aren’t they?

But what makes this specific balm stand out in the oversaturated beauty market? What does it bring to the table? Well, that’s exactly what I aim to uncover in this comprehensive review.

There’s been a significant buzz about this product within the beauty community, and I’m here to find out the actual reasons.

Is it the glossy finish that’s captured everyone’s interest, or maybe it’s the promise of volumizing effect which strikes a chord with consumers? Whatever it is, the Hourglass Glossy Balm has climbed its way to popularity among beauty enthusiasts.

In this review, I’ll delve into the texture, performance, ingredients, and much more. So, if you’ve been considering investing in the Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm, you won’t want to skip this article. Stay tuned to learn more about this intriguing product!

Overview Of The Hourglass Glossy Balm

The packaging of the Hourglass Glossy Balm is completely golden but reveals some black details when you pull off the lid. It reveals the gorgeous shades of the product.

On the other side is a twist-up feature to get the product to come out of the tube and ready to apply. I’m not the biggest fan of this type of packaging, as it can become messy quite quickly, and if you twist up too much product, there’s no going back.

The Phantom Glossy Balm is available in 12 shades, ranging from more neutral tones to brighter and darker tones. I picked up Slip and Mist, a reddish shade and a pinkish nude shade.

How To Use

Twist the base slightly to dispense the desired amount. Pen does not retract. For a more intense color, apply a second layer.

Things To Consider

Hourglass is a cruelty-free brand, and on top of that, the Phantom Glossy Balms are formulated without gluten, phthalates, parabens, sulfates, synthetic Fragrance, and talc.

Ingredients

The two main ingredients of the Hourglass Glossy Balm are the following:

• Menthyl Lactate: Provides an instant cooling sensation.
• Conditioning Complex: A blend of emollients and oils that nourishes, conditions, and hydrates lips. 

Hourglass Glossy Balm Review

It’s vital to mention that the Hourglass Glossy Balm isn’t merely just a glossy balm – contrary to what you might assume from the name.

It combines the high shine of the gloss with the moisturizing and nourishing benefits of a balm. The result? A beautiful, volumized look that keeps your lips soft, hydrated, and altogether fabulous.

I would also like to mention upfront that this Glossy Balm has a cooling sensation to it. It is nowhere near like a plumping formula that gets tingly (or sometimes even painful lol). This only feels cool on the lips, which I don’t mind at all – it’s nice when the weather is very warm, actually.

Pigmentation

The pigmentation is spot on – it isn’t too fully covered in one swipe, but it doesn’t lack pigmentation either. It’s exactly how I like to see it in a gloss-like formula.

On top of that, if you’re more into fuller pigmentation, you just apply another layer! It’s a very buildable formula, so it can be adjusted to your look and mood of the day.

This product has a great selection of colors to choose from, including natural shades and bold options. You don’t have to compromise on color for volume or gloss.

Formula

In terms of texture, you’ll be thrilled to know that this Hourglass glossy balm is anything but sticky. It glides on your lips effortlessly, giving you a lightweight feel.

Starting with its voluptuous volumizing effect, it outshines many of its rival products. Some lip-plumping products use irritation methods to create a swollen, fuller lip look. I hate that feeling!

But the Hourglass Glossy Balm has a soft cooling sensation, causing no discomfort whatsoever while ensuring a perfectly plump pout. It’s truly unique when it comes to comfortable and user-friendly lip volumizers.

That’s a major plus if you value comfort along with appearance. And speaking of appearance, this balm’s glossy finish is breathtaking – it’s perfect.

Imagine a radiant, glistening finish that doesn’t leave your lips feeling like a sticky mess. That’s what the Hourglass balm brings to the table, raising the bar high for other glossy lip products.

It smooths over the lips, making them feel luxuriously nourished and looked after. Isn’t that the feeling we’re all after when we think of balms?

Application

Next, let’s talk about the applicator. Like I already said, I don’t like twist-up packaging. It just gets messy very quickly, and I don’t like that.

If you don’t twist up enough of the product, you can accidentally scrape it off. If you twist up too much product, you’re basically wasting it. Yeah, I’m just not a fan.

I wouldn’t necessarily say that the application is easy and smooth because of this packaging, but if I try to just look at how the formula applies, I can only say it went on as butter. Super smooth, glides on, delivers instant shine and pigment. Based on only this, it is easy to apply.

An extra tip here – you can layer it for a more intensified look. That’s the beauty of this volumizing glossy balm; it’s buildable! For more color payoff and shine, just add another layer.

Longevity

The longevity of this lip product isn’t bad. Considering it is basically a lip gloss type of product, it was expected that it wouldn’t last all day.

However, it does have quite a decent wear time though. I would say it stays on a good 1.5-2 hours without eating. It does survive taking sips of water and smaller snacks, but no meals.

Thankfully you can easily do a touch-up, and it will look all new and fresh again without any crumbling or lines.

Value

Not going to lie; I find this Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm expensive. I know Hourglass is a luxury brand and has a higher price point, but still, I wouldn’t purchase this for full price but rather wait for a sale. This might just be because I’m Dutch; we’re slightly greedy and sale-lovers, haha!

However, the formula is amazing, high-quality, and worth its price tag. It isn’t a cheap-looking product for an expensive price, for sure. Based on what you get, I understand the price!

Who Should Buy The Glossy Balm

The Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm is perfect for people who:

• Love a glossy, high-shine finish;
• Have the budget to invest in a luxury product;
• Are looking for a comfortable yet plumping effect;
• Don’t mind doing some touch-ups during the day.

Do I Recommend The Glossy Balm

Absolutely! I really adore this formula and love the way it looks. I see myself constantly grabbing them since the moment I first tried them.

Alternatives To The Hourglass Glossy Balm

Even though Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm is a great option, it is not the only high-shine lip product on the market. Actually, I think the following products have comparable features, high quality, and finish.

Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm

The Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Balms are a great alternative, as they’re less expensive and also very high-shine. I also really liked this formula, since it isn’t sticky at all. However, sadly, it also has a twist-up packaging.

The biggest difference between the two is that the Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm doesn’t have a cooling sensation and gives less of a plumping effect (for this, check out the Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Plumpers). However, it is longer-wearing compared to the Hourglass Glossy Balms.

Charlotte Tilbury Happikiss Lip Balm

The Charlotte Tilbury Happikiss Lip Balms are in the same price range and also have twist-up packaging. However, they’re more pigmented compared to Hourglass Glossy Balms.

The downside of the Charlotte Tilbury Happikiss lippies is that they’re slightly sticky and feel more thick/heavy on the lips.

Final Thoughts

So, what’s the bottom line with the Hourglass Phantom glossy balm? Well, I’ve given it a thorough test and can safely say this balm’s no phantom – it’s a game-changer.

Delving into the details, the glossy finish of this balm delivers a stunning shine that elevates my natural lip color. I’ve noticed it even smooths out lines to offer an even texture.

The product boasts of a proprietary Lip-Plumping Complex, and the claim is certainly delivered! My lips appear full and well-defined, without any uncomfortable tingle that can come with other volumizing products.

The balm’s consistency is optimal for everyday use, too. It’s the right amount of thick, doesn’t feel sticky, and definitely not heavy on the lips – something I was originally concerned about.

Moreover, its longevity is quite impressive, but it does require some touch-ups during the day. But I found it withstands my regular water sips and even snacks better than expected.

As for the packaging, quite honestly, it’s stunning. Hourglass has nailed the luxury aesthetic. However, I just dislike the twist-up feature.

Buying this is definitely a bit of a splurge, but trust me, it’s totally worth it! There are tons of perks that come with it.

Honestly, the Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm is unlike any other lip product I’ve tried. It actually delivers on its promise to give your lips some oomph.

Taking care of your lips is more than just making them look good – it’s about keeping them healthy and hydrated too. And let me tell you, finding a lip product that does both is pretty tough – but Hourglass Glossy Balms are here to save the day!

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Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm

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