Trying out viral beauty products is always fun; however, not all of those who become viral on TikTok are actually worthy of it. And it’s especially sad when you buy a costly product, and it just doesn’t live up to the hype. That’s where we come in with our series of articles trying to figure out whether viral beauty products are truly worth the hype so you won’t have to spend your savings on the latest trends without knowing their real worth.
So, this time, we’ll be taking a deeper look into the ever-viral Phantom Volumizing glossy balm by Hourglass and evaluating its worth from all kinds of different points. Starting with the ingredients list and ending with dupes, you just found the most comprehensive article on this viral product.
@ashley.paiige the least sticky and best lip product i’ve ever used. everybody needed to know ab this 💋 @Hourglass Cosmetics phantom balm 🫶🏼 #makeup #lipgloss #lipstick #nonstickygloss #lipoil #lipcombo #lipcombination #neutrallip #pinklips #foryou #cleangirlmakeup ♬ original sound - ashley paige
Lip balms, lip glosses, and lipsticks – what are the differences?
Although all of these products might seem the same at a glance, after all, they’re all meant to be used on lips; they have plenty of differences between them. To showcase it in the clearest way possible, we’ll take a look at each of the product’s purpose, texture, and finish because that’s where the key differences lie.
The purpose of a lip balm is, first and foremost, to moisturize and protect your lips. They’re often formulated with ingredients like shea butter or beeswax, and the texture is usually creamy or waxy. As for the finish, a lip balm can have a bit of sheer color in it, but the regular version is clear.
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The purpose of lip gloss is to create a shiny or glossy look, and the product itself can be used alone or on top of lipstick. Lip glosses usually come in smooth textures and can sometimes be a bit sticky. The finish of a lip gloss is always shiny and reflective, and it can come in clear or colorful variations.
And lastly, lipstick‘s primary purpose is to add color to your lips. Lipsticks can come in various textures–from creamy to waxy and from matte to satin–making it the most versatile lip product. As for the finish, the limit with lipsticks is almost nonexistent, and you can get a variety of effects using it.
So, in a nutshell, a lip balm is there to moisturize, a lip gloss is for creating shine, and a lipstick is for coloring your lips. Now, with the Hourglass Phantom Volumizing glossy balm, you’re getting all three products in one, but does it really do as it promises? Continue reading and see our findings!
@taontm Trying the new shades of @Hourglass Cosmetics phantom volumizing glossy balm ❤️🔥 im so OBSESSED!! Can’t choose which one AD #makeup #lipcombo ♬ son original - xybvz
Why Hourglass?
Hourglass is a prestigious American cosmetics brand founded in 2004 in Venice, California, by Carisa Janes. Committed to cruelty-free practices, the brand donates a portion of its revenue to the Nonhuman Rights Project. Hourglass revolutionizes luxury cosmetics with cutting-edge formulas and award-worthy packaging. And that’s not just a lofty phrase, but rather the truth!
Their products cater to those seeking high-end, effective, and clean beauty options. Despite being a top-tier brand with prices reflecting its status, Hourglass products are known for their innovative formulas and efficiency, and you’re always getting your money’s worth with them. Their cruelty-free practices, the unique formulations, and commitment to animal rights is what garners so many positive reviews on platforms like TikTok with lots of products becoming viral.
Why do we love the Hourglass Phantom Volumizing glossy balm
So, what’s the deal with the Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm? Well, supposedly, it’s got this power to instantly upgrade your lips, making them feel softer and smoother and giving them just the right amount of color pop.
Thanks to a mix of emollients and oils, it goes on super smooth, giving you full-bodied color without any of that stickiness or tackiness. It’s definitely the easiest way to have comfy, smooth, glam lips. Plus, its formula has a special ingredient, Methyl Lactate, that gives your lips an instant cooling sensation while plumping them up at the same time.
And honestly, it sounds maybe a bit too good to be true, so next, we’ll be looking into the Phantom’s ingredients to really see whether it lives up to the hype.
@shaysullivann #stitch with @joolieannie ♬ original sound - Shaysullivan
What are the ingredients in Hourglass Phantom Volumizing glossy balm?
Let’s get to the ingredients list of the Phantom, shall we? This is how the list looks:
Diisostearyl Malate, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Ceresin, Menthyl Lactate, Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Tocopherol + different pigments for each shade.
Understandably, half of the ingredients might seem a bit cryptic to you, so we’ll highlight a few of the key ones and explain what they’re responsible for.
First, there’s a group of excellent plant oils, like argan, mango seed, avocado oil, and shea butter. All of them are excellent in nourishing, moisturizing, and providing skin with amino acids and antioxidants.
Then we see something called Hydrogenated Polyisobutene. Now, this ingredient might sound suspicious, but it is a synthetic liquid oil that can replace mineral and silicone oils. The Hydrogenated Polyisobutene leaves skin soft and smooth and is used as a shine enhancer in lip glosses.
Tocopherol is a true goodie in any makeup or skincare product, and you might also know it by its other name, Vitamin E. It has antioxidative properties and significant photoprotection against UVB rays.
Menthyl Lactate is the secret weapon in this formula because it is the ingredient that cools your lips and plumps them up. Plus, it also works as a moisturizing agent.
All in all, the ingredients in Hourglass Phantom Volumizing glossy balm seem to be nothing short of excellent, and the formulation comes without any harsh alcohol or perfumes, furthering its goodness.
@rachel_stahlke A love letter to my fave lip #beautyfaves #lipgloss #phantombalm #hourglass #makeupfaves #neutrallip #cleangirlmakeup ♬ if u think i'm pretty - Artemas
Does the Phantom glossy balm really plump your lips?
The Phantom does not cause that tingling feeling we tend to associate with the lip plumping effect, and its formula is actually too clean to make your lips “swell.” The Phantom achieves the plumping effect mostly due to its amazingly silky, non-sticky formula that fills in the fine lines of the lips, making them appear much smoother.
Another thing that visually plumps up your lips is the glass-like shine that reflects every speck of light that hits your lips. This, in turn, creates the effects of fuller, poutier, and smooth as a peach lip.
And, of course, there’s the pleasant cooling effect of Menthyl Lactate, which provides immediate relief to dry lips.
In a nutshell, the Phantom does make your lips look plumper, and it does so very subtly yet effectively.
What do people say about Phantom Volumizing glossy balm?
Time to take a look at the Phantom reviews online, and this is what we found on Sephora:
The Hourglass Phantom balm – yay or nay
We have to admit–we thought the Phantom Volumizing glossy balm was just a fad. However, after taking a deeper look, we have to admit our defeat because it is just that good and absolutely worth the money.
The ingredients in it are actually good for your lips; the texture is very lightweight and non-sticky, and it visibly plumps up your lips and makes them appear much smoother. Even if you’re not a huge fan of lip products, chances are you’ll like the Hourglass Phantom glossy balm.
@shaysullivann Hourglass just came out with four of the dreamiest glossy balm shades!! Comment which is your favorite 💄 #HourglassPartner @Hourglass Cosmetics ♬ original sound - Shaysullivan
Are there any dupes to Hourglass Phantom Volumizing glossy balm?
With such amazing reviews and a stellar ingredients list, it might be tough to find anything similar to Hourglass Phantom, but we did our best and found a few lip products that are almost identical. Care to take a look?
