The Hourglass Veil Soft Focus Setting Spray Convinced Me to Wear Makeup More

I shy away from wearing a full face of makeup every day because of my oily skin. With the exception of mascara and eyeliner on my lower lash line, I keep my routine pretty minimal to avoid having products like eye shadow and foundation run down my face throughout the day. No matter how fervently a product claims to be water-proof or water-resistant, makeup simply does not last long for me — and when it's super hot and humid outside, it's gone in minutes.

While some people find success with setting powders and sprays, everything I've ever used either makes me look too matte and cakey or doesn't work at all. I've learned to cut my losses and save a full face for nights out and special occasions when I only need to look done up for a few hours. However, I welcome any product that will prove me wrong, and I have a feeling I might've found it with Hourglass's newest launch, the Veil Soft Focus Setting Spray.

The latest launch from Hourglass is a lightweight and alcohol-free setting spray that my typically fussy complexion put to the test. An extension of the popular Veil line, it's perfect for those of us who don't want to deal with powder and are looking for something that blurs the appearance of pores and uneven skin texture. It contains glycerin to hydrate skin and is made of an intensive shield of polymers that prevent sweat and water from ruining makeup without any drying effects.

Cosmetic chemist Ginger King says that polymers, in general, have water-resistant properties in them and act similarly to water-resistant sunscreens that don't wear off easily. But what sets this apart from other sprays is its ability to lock in product while still giving users a dewy look.

"The really nice thing about this though is that it's really adding additional glow," makeup artist and Hourglass Cosmetics global director of education Marc Reagan tells Allure. "It locks in moisture to give skin a healthier and plumper complexion."

New York City-based makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes says the type of spray you use is usually dependent on your skin type and suggests matte finishes for someone who produces more oil and dewy finishes for those who have dry skin. Since I have oily skin, this means I'd typically have to go for a matte finish (which I don't love), so the ability to lock in my makeup while not having to sacrifice looking dewy with this is really appealing.

Hourglass claims this spray can set makeup for 24 hours, but Reagan says that's also dependent on your skin type. Those with normal to dry skin are more likely to see longer longevity with this product versus those who tend to have more oily skin.

To get the most out of the added glow provided by the Veil Soft Focus Setting Spray, Reagan says to focus on the high points on your face, like your cheekbones. Those with oily or combination skin will want to use powder on the T-zone to control the excess oil production and spritz the spray everywhere else.

And the best way to spray is 10 inches away than consistently spritzing to the point where it waterfalls down your face. "I know people want to feel the spray, but all you need to feel is the light tingle with this — and that's enough to give hydration to the skin," says Reagan. "You can see the shine already in the best way."

I start my routine with Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector Broad Spectrum SPF 30 as my base. For my eyes, I use Hourglass's new Veil Eye Primer, which also launches April 17, to lock in the light pink shimmer Kaja Moon Crystal Sparkling Eye Pigment I'm wearing as a mood-lifter.

I finish my eye look with the black Innisfree Gel Liner on my lower lash line and the Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara to open up my eye area.

While I like my highlighter to really shine, I don't want to look like I dunked my head in a bowl of oil. To hit that sweet spot between intense glow and too oily, Hughes suggests not putting product on my T-zone area as it will just add to the oiliness. So I stick to my cheekbones and swipe a mix of the pink metallic Absolute Strobe Light with the gold Pure Strobe Light from the Hourglass Ambient Metallic Strobe Lighting Pallete (yes, Hourglass is bringing this fan-favorite back from its 2017 holiday collection for a limited time) across them to add some shimmer and dimension to my face. As a finishing touch, I spritz the new setting spray 10 inches away and let the fine mist gently settle on my face. The end result is actually quite impressive.

At-home quarantine makes it so I don't have to deal with excessive sweat. But as I work and settle into my routine around my apartment, I find that my makeup stays locked in place, which bodes well for when we'll be able to go outside again. My absolute favorite part, however, is how it amplifies my highlighter. It adds a layer of shine that I actually welcome and gives me the dewy complexion of my dreams.

Will I start using makeup more into my everyday routine? That remains to be seen, but this setting spray is definitely making me rethink some things. You can find the Hourlgass Veil Soft Focus Setting Spray on April 17 at hourglass.com and on April 24 at sephora.com for $48.

The Hourglass Veil Soft Focus Setting Spray is a 2020 Allure Best of Beauty winner. Check out the full list of Allure's 2020 Best of Beauty winners.

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