Hourglass Cosmetics review
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Loyal readers of we heart this may remember our love of Hourglass Cosmetics when we reviewed their Extreme Sheen lip gloss. Today, we’re super excited to delve a bit further into the brand thanks to Charlie, who sent us a couple of their best selling items for our review team!
Los Angeles based, Hourglass Cosmetics founder Carisa Janes, was a veteran of the beauty industry when she decided to launch her own line of high quality, luxurious make up. Looking to create a line known for its substance as well as its style, Carisa packed every product with natural ingredients, packaged them in sleek and functional containers and wrapped them up in simple, stylish packaging. Carisa’s eye for style and penchant for makeup with substance has paid off! Launched nationally in 2004, Hourglass Cosmetics are already renowned for their quality and beloved by such celebrities as Angelina Jolie and Nicole Kidman. Our we heart this review team will be here soon to give you the low down on these four fabulous products:
Oxygen Foundation Mineral Powder – I was the lucky recipient of this beauty and I’ll give you the details on the powder in the comments. First, I just want to say how much I love, love, love the functionality of the compact! The rectangular shaped compact contains a separate spot for the powder and the square puff applicator, which is perfect for keeping the puff as clean as possible. The mirrored top is a true standout. The lid smoothly swivels (sort of like a cell phone) to open upwards and outwards so the large mirror is tilted towards your face. And the mirror can be swiveled around to any angle that suits your needs. (I was so impressed I whipped out my camera so you all could get a look at the mirror in action!) No more of that unattractive hunched-over posture you see when woman are trying to look into a compact mirror that slants inward and down. Simply genius! The Mineral Powder “ has a silky formula (that) absorbs oil and shine to create a soft, matte finish, while the added Vitamin E helps condition and nourish the skin.”
Illume Creme-To-Powder Bronzer Duo – Described as the “perfect alternative to liquid foundation, with an advanced SPF 15 tinted moisturizer” It is also oil free, fragrance free, and paraben free, as well as water resistant. Oh yea, this bronzer also “visibly lifts and tightens the skin” and minimizes fine lines. Best of all, this bronzer is packaged in the same genius swivel-top compact as the Oxygen Mineral Powder!
Calligraphy Liquid Eye Liner – I’m looking forward to hearing this review! Carissa has managed to “infuse the liner with botanical extracts and pearl protein, (which creates striking, definitive eyes without tug or skip), as well as antioxidant-rich Rosemary, Perilla, Chamomile, and Aloe extracts to soothe and moisturize the eyes.” Sounds good to me! This waterproof eyeliner is applied with a state of the art, precision felt tip and available in three shades; ebony (soft black), cognac (dark brown) and indigo (a soft deep blue).
Superficial Lash – This volumizing and lengthening mascara is available in two pretty colors, carbon, a soft black, and a sepia, soft brown. Again, lots of thought went into the packaging and the brush applicator was created to “enable clump-free and precision application.” Carisa made sure there was some good for you ingredients as well, and the Superficial Mascara is “enriched with Vitamin E to help seal in moisture and keep lashes soft and prevent breakage.”
Review Team – please let our readers know your opinions on one of the hottest lines in beauty today, Hourglass Cosmetics!
OOh! I got the Calligraphy eyeliner pen in an inky dark black. I love the sturdiness of a felt tip liquid eyeliner and I have to say the “pen” format is MUCH easier to wield than a little brush attached to the end of the lid of a tube! It makes a smooth, thing, controlled line – so you don’t end up with a strip across your eyelid that’s half an inch wide! The only trick is to hold your eyelid tight and straight so you can get the liner really close to the lashes.
I’ve also tried the Bronzer duo on previous occassions. I love the bronze/highlight duality of it, but It’s sort of hard to transfer the product successfully and evenly from compact to face. I also felt like it sort of dried out quickly. Too quickly.
I got the Illume bronzer duo, actually it got me. Because once I saw the packaging, I knew I had to have it. Copper metallic + swivel mirror = Love! The added bonus is that the creme colors are really pretty too.
The bronzer has no shimmer, which I really appreciate. I don’t know why most not only do, but go overboard with it. I hear what Katie’s saying, I did have some problems applying it evenly. It can look a bit blochy sometimes. The trick I learned is to OVER apply, then blend like mad and you end up even and subtle.
I think I like the highlighter portion even better. It’s a very soft beige with super fine gold shimmer. I love this along the cheek bone, on your eyes and I’ve even used it on my lips (in the center of the bottom lip). Very pretty!
I’m giving 5 “this is my new fav” stars to the Superficial Lash Mascara in Carbon.
Clump free, and it truly lives up to it’s 3 claims. “Eyes are instantly highlighted as lashes visibly increase in volume, length, and height. ”
I saw all three, and in the best way. You know how some mascaras add volume and your lashes look harsh. This is the opposite. It helps lashes retain a softness because it’s not too thick. I LOVE this mascara. Well worth the $26 dollar price .
I am always on the quest for a good mascara, and end up buying several 9 dollar drug store types, ultimately wasting my money, because they end up not living up to their claims.
Mascara is like anything else, you get what you pay for. So from now on, I will be paying a little more
for exactly what I want.
It stays put all day, with no flaking. It comes off with ease. Everything about this mascara is good.
So far everything I have tried from Hourglass has landed in the top spot of my make up drawer. Great products, and lastly the packaging as so classy.
Very sleek and timeless. Hourglass simply Rocks! I’m going to have to try the Oxygen Mineral Powder, sounds fabulous!
I need to check out the eye products of Hourglass next! Eye shadows, liners and mascaras are my fave make up items but when I saw the Oxygen Mineral Powder foundation and its amazing packaging, I had to try it! The compact is everything I wrote in the above review and more! It is such a help for doing make up on the go. You can angle the mirror away or into the light and the mirror is a nice, big size. I received the powder in No. 1 and the color is just right for my fair skin. Since it’s considered a foundation powder, the product is heavier than some powders but can be blended easily. I use a kabuki brush for my first morning application and than use the enclosed sponge for touch-ups during the day. It’s great for covering spots of pigmented skin, pimples, etc. I did notice the powder is pretty dry, but it worked well on my oily skin. I think this could be a really great summer powder – for when you don’t want to wear something that won’t slid off (especially liquid like foundations), just one layer of the Hourglass Oxygen powder and you’re good to go!
OMG Hourglass is where it’s at. Their mineral powder is my favorite, and I have tried A LOT of mineral powder.
I will say I have yet to try their mascara and now I have to go order some. Thanks for the info !!!