The Hourglass Face & Eye Travel Brush Set: My Travel Makeup Brush Edit
After gradually investing in a few brushes I reach for regularly for a seamless makeup routine, it made sense to curate a makeup brush kit specifically for travel. I wanted something as good as my "home brushes" but in a more compact, travel-friendly size — something that could potentially fit in my day bag too. So, when I saw the Hourglass Face & Eye Travel Set, it was a no-brainer.
What's included in the set
The set features five brushes for complexion, cheeks, and eyes, housed in an understated cream-toned vegan-leather brush case that snaps securely shut. The case is lined, and while Hourglass is engraved on it, I love its textured finish.
The Ambient Soft Glow Foundation Brush
The Ambient Soft Glow Foundation Brush feels almost identical to the Vanish Foundation Brush. They are both angled and similar in height, although the bristles of the Ambient feel softer; its handle is also slightly more slender and lighter than the Vanish Foundation Brush, which is thicker.
Both are lovely for foundation application and give me a seamless finish without soaking up my foundation. I find the Ambient better suited to light-to-medium coverage, while the Vanish gives me more medium-to-full coverage.
The Vanish Seamless Finish Concealer Brush
This is essentially a travel-sized version of the cult classic Hourglass Vanish Concealer Brush I already own. They're the same, just in different sizes.
I really like it for applying and buffing liquid and cream concealers. The bristles are soft enough to give me a well-blended finish under my eyes and around my nose. And it's also useful for when I need to spot-conceal, especially around my cheeks, especially when I break out.
Double-Ended Eyeshadow Brush
The dual-ended eyeshadow brush has a fluffy side and a flat side. Think of it as a combination of the Hourglass No. 3 All-Over Eye Shadow Brush and the No. 6 Tapered Blender Brush.
I'd say this is the brush I reach for only sporadically, mainly because I rarely apply eyeshadow. But it's a nice-to-have for days when I feel like doing a little more, particularly for a night out. When I do use it, I use the flat side to apply and blend the eyeshadow on my lid. It works well with cream, powder, and liquid formulas.
The Veil Powder Brush
This is another brush that works hard in the set. And it reminds me so much of the rounded end of the Veil Powder Brush. I use it to dust loose powders across my face.
The Ambient Lighting Edit Brush
This is another multitasker, much like the double-ended eyeshadow brush. I use it basically to apply blush and bronzer to my cheeks, as well as bronzer around the perimeter of my face and along my jawline. If you use highlighter, it works well for that too.
It's the kind of brush I appreciate in a travel kit because it handles multiple tasks, meaning I don't have to pack a separate brush for every product.
To round up
Putting together a dedicated brush kit made sense for me because I don't necessarily want to bring my entire collection with me when travelling. I want a smaller edit of brushes I know I'll use without compromise.
The Hourglass Face & Eye Travel Brush Set does that particularly well for me. The brushes are compact without feeling flimsy, and I like having my essentials together in one case. The double-ended eyeshadow brush is probably the one I could live without, simply because I don't wear much eyeshadow, but the rest have a place in my routine.
This particular set is currently out of stock; however, Hourglass has another version on their website, which you can shop here. The pouch is slightly different, featuring a zip closure, and it also includes the new No. 15 Blush Brush in Travel Size.
Do you have a brush set specifically for travel, or do you simply take your everyday brushes with you? I'd love to know what makes it into your makeup bag when you're on the go.
