No kidding, this blurring balm feels like wearing cashmere on my lips.

      It's well-known that Hourglass ranks among my absolute favorite makeup brands. Even with a fully stocked beauty cupboard, Hourglass products dominate my everyday makeup routine at home—they're the true stars of my makeup bag. The Phantom Glossy Balms? A contemporary classic. The Vanish Airbrush Concealer? No other concealer can match it. You get the gist: when Hourglass releases a product, I’m confident it will be exceptional. So, when I learned about the launch of the Phantom Blur Balms (£36)—a blurring, matte counterpart to the original Phantom Glossy Balms—I could hardly contain my enthusiasm.

      Hourglass Phantom Blur Balms

      **Pros**

      - Provides a soft, blended lip appearance in one swipe

      - Matte finish yet hydrating

      - Luxurious, sensuous texture

      - Lightweight and non-drying

      **Cons**

      - Not suitable for those desiring a glossy finish (the Phantom Glossy Balms are ideal for that)

      **The Formula**

      If you’ve been striving for that blurred lip effect popularized by celebrity makeup artist Nina Park, you can put your lip liners aside. This blurring balm achieves a soft-focus lip look in one application. Its brilliance lies in its soft-matte finish that mimics your lips’ natural texture while feeling just like a hydrating lip balm. It's moisturizing and comfortable to wear, with a flexible slip when you press your lips together—unlike many matte lipsticks that can cling and feel drying. The beauty of these balms is their versatility; they can be applied lightly for a subtle color, layered for more intensity, or combined with a lip liner for a more defined appearance.

      **The Shades**

      I own two shades of the Phantom Blur Balms (currently available in five very wearable, natural-looking options), both of which have become staples in my makeup bag and handbag. Echo, a soft, neutral pink, is my everyday favorite, while Whisper, with its pinky mauve hue, has become my go-to for summer. I plan to pick up some of the deeper shades for the next season. Honestly, I can’t picture my makeup bag without them since I started using them.

      **Shop the Shades:**

      - Hourglass Phantom Blur Balm in Whisper

      - Hourglass Phantom Blur Balm in Enigma

      - Hourglass Phantom Blur Balm in Spell

      - Hourglass Phantom Blur Balm in Mirage

      - Hourglass Phantom Blur Balm in Echo

      **Why Trust Us**

      At Who What Wear UK, we understand that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have reviewed thousands of products over the years, including skincare, makeup, hair, and nails, and collaborate closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, makeup artists, and prominent industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you. We emphasize formulas that deliver results, whether they are budget-friendly favorites or luxury investments. Our product choices are based on real outcomes, ingredient knowledge, and what we would genuinely recommend to a friend.