I had heard about Hourglass Cosmetics for a while before I actually tried anything in their line.
All the chatter was pretty positive, but the brand is kind of pricey, to my mind anyway, so I was hesitant to buy anything. Then one day, a friend and I were just kind of window-shopping at Sephora. When we passed the Hourglass section, I pointed them out to my friend and told her that I’d heard it was a really nice line. Just at that moment, a sales person came along - as they always seem to – and she talked me into letting her try the Illusion Tinted Moisturizer on me. I had no intention of buying it even as she was applying it, but once I looked in the mirror and saw my friend’s reaction (she insisted the girl try it on her right after!), I was a goner.
It was a good decision, as it turns out, because as I was waiting on line to pay, another customer who was passing by stopped to compliment me on my skin (which never happens to me, I swear) and when I told her it was the tinted moisturizer, she promptly went over to the Hourglass section to pick up one for herself.
1. Illusion Tinted Moisturizer in Shell – While my skin is far from perfect, there are plenty of days that I don’t want to wear a heavy foundation or my skin is dry and can use some extra moisturize. Of all the tinted moisturizers that I’ve used, the Hourglass Illusion is my favorite. It has a less coverage than a traditional foundation, but it covers surprisingly well for a tinted moisturizer. Its finish is wonderfully glowy and dewy, which is what I prefer, and it feels like there’s nothing on your skin when you’re wearing it. The one drawback is that the shade, Shell, is a little bit yellow-y, but not enough that it doesn’t look natural. I love this.
*Note – the Hourglass Veil Fluid Makeup would probably beat out the Tinted Moisturizer if not for one fatal flaw – the color. I have it in the lightest shade, No. O., and it’s still slightly too dark for my skin. If it matched, I’d probably live in the stuff – it’s full coverage but lightweight and has a beautiful, satiny finish. If you can find a good color match (and can swing the $60 price tag), I wouldn’t hesitate to try this.
2. Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipstick in Grace – Velvet is right! I don’t know how to describe the heaven that is Hourglass Lipstick. I’ve only tried one shade, Grace, but it’s a matte shade (but super shiny!), which are usually the trickiest to get right so I expect the other shades are just as fabulous. Instead of being dry or flaky, the lipstick is creamy and smooth and lasts for quite a while on the lips. I love it. I have my eye on Whisper, Fresco, and Edition, but at $30 a pop, I’m going to have save up a bit.
3. Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer – My life has recently been changed by the MUFE HD Primer, but I still love the Hourglass Veil Primer. It contains silicone, but like the MUFE primer, it doesn’t have that heavy feel that primers like Smashbox Photo Finish do. It’s a creamy, white formula that really does a great job minimizing pores and controlling shine. When my skin is on the dry side, though, this isn’t the best option since I need something slightly more moisturizing. If you’re interested in giving it a try, Sephora sells 0.33 ounce version for $17 so you don’t have to shell out $52 if you’re not sure the primer is for you.
I have to give an honorable mention to the Visionaire Eye Shadow Duo in Gypsy. It contains a light shimmery ivory shadow (so brightening in the inner corner!) and a medium bronzy brown. They blend like a dream, and are the perfect pairing for a basic everyday eye. I don’t wear this as often as I should, but every time I do, I can’t get over how pretty it looks.
Have you tried any Hourglass products? What are your favorites? Are there items in the line that you’re dying to try?