'I asked 6 makeup artists (and ex-Mecca employees) which Hourglass products are worth your money.'

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When one of the most popular makeup brands in the world jumps ship from Australia's biggest beauty retailer (or perhaps, amicably parts ways?), it's major news.

Hourglass Cosmetics isn't new; the American-founded brand has been around for 20+ years, and since 2010, was only available to buy in Australia via MECCA — until now.

Ahead of Hourglass' direct-to-consumer launch on February 17, and the Sephora Australia launch on February 26, I found myself Googling the best Hourglass products like every other beauty nerd.

Why? Because unlike MECCA, Sephora and the Hourglass Australian website will likely have an Hourglass sale at some point this year, and you bet I'll be making a purchase.

Watch: Is this the best moisturiser for under makeup? We discuss. Post continues after video.

While I've never purchased the famous $100 Hourglass powders, I swear by the Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm in the shade Haze.

I know Mamamia's executive editor and You Beauty co-host Leigh Campbell rates the Hourglass tubing mascara, too.

But hey. We are beauty journalists (and informed, enthusiastic consumers!), not professionals.

I really wanted to know which Hourglass products makeup artists rate for themselves and would recommend to their clients.

So, I asked them! Here's what they kindly told me.

Grace Welcome (@gracewelcomemakeup).

Image: Supplied.

In her 17 years as a makeup artist — eight of which were spent at MECCA! — Grace told me Hourglass has been a staple thanks to the "impeccably crafted formulas that perform."

Her top two product picks?

"The Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15 is arguably the best primer on the market. It's my go-to for bridal as it's water-resistant, so it ensures the makeup will look fresh no matter the weather conditions," she said.

"The Ambient™ Lighting Palette Volume II is another staple. The formula is so finely milled that it's almost undetectable on the skin, and manipulates light for a soft, diffused finish. I use them to set foundation or tinted moisturiser, and to warm up the skin for a flawless glow."

Hong Le (@honglemakeupartist).

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From contouring and complexion to monolid and hooded eye application techniques, Hong has spent the last 16 years working with brides and educating artists on makeup tailored to honouring and enhancing Asian features.

"I'm obsessed with the Ambient™ Lighting Finishing Powders. I use the minis in my makeup kit and always finish off every makeup with it. It gives the most airbrushed, radiant finish— perfect for any bride," she said.

"For myself, I use the Vanish™ Airbrush Concealer in the shade Silk. A little goes a long way, so use it sparingly. I find it works well with my crepey, dehydrated under eyes, and I don't need to touch it up throughout the day."

"Oh, and I have three of these Vanish™ Seamless Finish Foundation Brushes on rotation for contouring and applying cream blush."

Anne Salem (@annesalem_aboutstyle).

Image: Supplied.

Anne's been a makeup artist for over 25 years! As she told Mamamia, the reason Hourglass is so popular with MUAs is that the formulas are reliable; you know what you're going to get when re-stocking your kit.

"If you want something to look like your lips but better, try Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm in the shade Slip. Everything about this lipstick and lipgloss in one is second to none. I carry one in my handbag and one in my kit, and always top up before I run out," she said.

"The Vanish™ Airbrush Concealer is probably my favourite product. It brightens, blends well and gives that airbrushed look. I use the shade Sienna because it works for mature skin. The under-eye area can get quite dark with the skin being thinner."

Pro tip: Anne agrees with Hong, that less is more with Hourglass complexion products, so she uses less concealer than she would ordinarily use.

Valérie (@its.valerie.actually).

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Anytime Valérie's makeup students ask about must-have items for their pro makeup kits, her answer is almost always the Hourglass bronzers and finishing palettes.

The Melbourne-based inclusive makeup artist and content creator says "these baked, light-diffusing formulas give the skin a natural, skin-like finish that's almost impossible to overdo."

"The Ambient™ Lighting Bronzers give the most believable warmth across a wide range of skin tones. Ambient™ Lighting Palette Volume III is especially great for brown and deeper skin tones— I use all three shades to add dimension or create a soft bronzed look for clients who prefer no blush."

Pro tip: "I love mixing the shade Dim Light with the highlighting powders to create that soft, lit-from-within effect."

Madeleine Grace (@madeleinegracemua).

Image: Supplied.

In her nine years recommending products and training teams at MECCA (along with years working as a professional makeup artist), Madeleine's been asked many, many times whether Hourglass products are worth the money.

Her answer?

"Controversially for someone with oily skin, the No.28 Primer Serum is a go-to in my kit. It's a hydrating primer that smooths over the skin and makes everything look hydrated, fresh and juicy."

"If you're someone who's not really a lipstick girlie, but wants a gorgeous pout, you'll love the Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm. For those who like tightlining (lining the waterline of your lids), the 1.5MM™ Mechanical Gel Eye Liner is really thin so you can get under there; I love the bronze shade to add depth and smokiness, without being too dark."

"Oh, and the Unreal Liquid Blush has very cool packaging, beautiful pigment, and they look so glassy on the skin."

Clary Riven (@claryyriven).

Image: Supplied.

Finally, some unexpected product picks from Clary, another Melbourne-based makeup artist, content creator and MECCA alum!

"Whether you're oily, dry or just like to glow, the Dim Light Ambient™ Lighting Finishing Powder is the DREAM powder. While the Illusion foundation for some reason doesn't work for me, the Veil Hydrating Skin Tint is divine."

"We also have to talk about the Arch™ Brow Sculpting Pencil. It's so good, not too tiny and on an angle so you can't fill your brows in easily. is so good. I also get transfer from mascara because of my oily eyelids, therefore, tubing mascara is a must and the Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara is amazing for length, volume and darkness."

Well, there you have it friends! See you on Feb 17.

Shop their Hourglass recommendations.

You can still purchase a range of Hourglass products at MECCA as they sell through their remaining stock.

From February 17, Australians can shop Hourglass in-store at Sephora, and online via the Hourglass website and Sephora online.

For more tried and tested beauty recommendations, subscribe to the weekly You Beauty newsletter, listen to the You Beauty podcast or watch You Beauty on YouTube.

At Mamamia, we independently curate and write about products we rave about in our group chats and think you should know about too. If you purchase a product we have recommended, we may earn a small commission.

Feature image: Supplied @its.valerie.actually, @claryyriven.