Tag: hourglass

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders // Belle Belle Beauty

I’m having a love affair with powders lately, particularly this one and this one. I can add the newest offering from Hourglass Cosmetics to that list. These powders have a little twist, though. They diffuse and soften the way light is reflected, improving the appearance of skin. It can add radiance, conceal imperfections, and even tone.

Ambient Lighting Powder uses “photoluminescent technology”, making each particle very small while still refracting light and giving coverage. Each invisible color-correcting particle filters out harsh lights. Six different shades offer six different effects. The brand discribes the shades:

  • DIFFUSED LIGHT: A soft, warm, pale yellow powder. Light your skin with DIFFUSED LIGHT to reduce redness and give skin clarity – like a soft ray of morning light.  
  • ETHEREAL LIGHT: An opalescent sheer, cool white powder. Light your skin with ETHEREAL LIGHT to mimic a moonlit glow – even in broad daylight.  
  • RADIANT LIGHT: A sun-kissed golden beige powder. Light your skin with RADIANT LIGHT to extend a summer glow, or enhance the overall complexion with believable, subtle, warmth.  
  • MOOD LIGHT: A soft, sheer lavender pink powder. Light your skin with MOOD LIGHT to mimic the softest most forgiving light and reveal your brightest complexion.  
  • DIM LIGHT: A neutral peach beige powder. Light your skin with DIM LIGHT to blur imperfections and highlight a radiant complexion with the perfect balance of warm and cool tones.  
  • LUMINOUS LIGHT: A champagne pearl powder. Light your skin with LUMINOUS LIGHT to create a soft, incandescent candlelit glow – day or night.    

I’ve been wearing Diffused Light over the weekend and have found the creamy, fine powder to really enhance the finish of my current favorite foundation. The yellow undertones work well in neutralizing my redness. While it looks very light in the pan, Diffused Light is actually transparent without adding any ashiness.  And great news: Paraben, talc, fragrance, nano-particles and gluten free (this last one for my blogging buddy, Lauren).

I’ve been applying mine with a regular powder brush, but this Ambient Powder Brush, specially designed to work with the powder looks pretty nifty. It is densely packed, allowing for ideal, even application of the powder. And it comes with a protective travel pouch.  Next up, I can’t wait to try Radiant Light for an early summer glow.

Shop the shades and brush here:

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

The Hourglass Eye

When I saw Visionaire Eye Shadow Duo in Gypsy on Christina Hendricks at the Emmy’s this year, I had to have it. I do realize that this will, in fact, not make me look like Christina… but a girl can try, right? These two neutral colors are so glam in their nuanced peach and bronze. The swivel compact is so modern, although I am not really sure it improved the actual product. It was a blast to play around with though. The brush is far too short to use regularly, but can work in a pinch on the go. With primer and layering, the color is realtively long-wearing. And the shimmer is balanced – not too over the top.

Film Noir Kohl Eye Pencil is a supremely elegant liner that you won’t be able to resist having on your vanity. The formula is creamy and blendable. Once it sets, it stays put even on the water line. The long, pointed pencil allows for presice application. And I can’t help but feel like a movie star while using it.  It comes with a sharpener. I hate to admit it took me about two weeks to figure out this also doubled as a cap. So toss the original cap and use the one with the attached sharpener instead. I love how convenient this is, albiet slightly challenging to discover (at least for me). I apply this like any other kohls – check out my post here for tips.

Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil is the spitting image of Tom Ford’s Brow Sculptor. The brow brush is slightly shorter and wider and the crayon is a bit waxier. But I prefer the way the Hourglass version blends. Both have the same angled wedge of waxy pigment. But as you brush through the applied color, the finish looks like powder. I have a couple greys popping up in my brows, and this covers expertly. And the bald spots are seamlessly filled in. I truly believe a groomed brow makes you look younger, perkier and more awake.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Hourglass Primers

I am convinced that Hourglass Primers are a best of breed. While I love Smashbox and Laura Mercier, these Hourglass offerings have something a little extra. They are luxurious and nourishing performers, no matter your skin type.

Hourglass N° 28 Primer Serum is the work horse of the bunch. This primer is also serious skin care. You can use it at night or under makeup. It even works on the ends of your hair for conditioning and shine. This is geared for drier skin (jump to the next version if you are in the oily camp) with an oil-based hydrating formula. The silky consistency creates a natural moisture barrier with a refined surface for makeup. I love the luminous quality – it can modernize and transform a matte foundation. The “28” in the product’s name refers to the formula’s key ingredients, which include 14 essential oils, 10 lipid-rich plant oils, and four vitamins.

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15 is more of a dedicated primer. While it is designed for more combo/oily skin, I still keep it in my rotation. The milky white lotion finishes out to clean, satin canvas. The mineral-based formula absorbs excess oils while the light diffusing properties camouflage imperfections. Bonus that it contains an SPF.

Hourglass Solar Tan Self-Tanning Primer is the most unique primer I have come across. For those who want to maintain a bronzy glow in the winter, this is a great option. The primer develops into a natural glow with each application. You can use it up to five days until you get your desired intensity. I’ve noticed that I feel better if my complexion has a little warmth so I love having this close by.

Emmy’s Makeup MVP – Christina Hendricks

The truth is, I really love this current season’s makeup trends. And everyone looked healthy, beautiful and radiant on last night’s red carpet. But Christina Hendricks really stepped up her game with Hourglass Cosmetics makeup. So I had to feature a “Get the Look”, perfect to implement for a fall wedding or  holiday parties in the next couple months.

Christina was wearing Christian Siriano gown and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry, with her trademark curvy bombshell look. Her face complimented the sheer neutral material of the dress and let her curves and bold lip to the talking.

Makeup artist Vanessa Scali went for old Hollywood glamour. She started with Hourglass No. 28 Primer Serum, which hydrates while creating a great canvas for makeup. Next, she applied Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturizer in Shell. Hourglass Hidden Corrective Concealer was applied wherever necessary.

Hourglass Aura Sheer Cheek Stain in Flush was applied to the apples of the cheeks blending outward to the cheekbones.

For definition and intensity, she lined her eyes with Hourglass Calligraphy Liquid Liner in Ebony at the base of the lashes and on the inside top rim of the eye. Using the lighter shade from Hourglass Visionaire Eye Shadow Duo in Gypsy, she swept the color from the lash line to the eye brow. Then, she used a touch of the deeper shade blending it well, from the lash line to just above the crease and swept past the natural outer corner to exaggerate and elongate the eye. This color continues very subtly under the bottom lashes. She finished the eyes with lush, flirty lashes – Hourglass Film Noir Full Spectrum Mascara (reviewed here) was used all over the lashes and Hourglass Film Noir Lash Lacquer concentrated on the center of the lashes.

She gave Christina a bold, strong lip with Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Icon (reviewed here).

Shop the look:

hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick

My enthusasim boiled over when I tried the newest lipstick from hourglass. Their Opaque Rouge has exceptional staying power and feels (and looks) silky smooth on the lips. I took it for a test run last week. The color stayed even and true through chicken dinner and wine. And when I say it stayed, it stayed just as vibrant as when I first applied it. And all without drying out my lips like some other stains can do.

The formula is infused with skin-conditioning emollients, anti-oxidant fruit extracts, Cili Fruit and Goji Berry, and Vitamins A, C and E, actually hydrate and improve the look of your lips. But it isn’t thick or greasy – the feel is thin (while staying pigmented) and breathable.

The finish is definitely on the matte side, channeling the trends from fall runways like Victoria Beckham, Peter Som and Marc by Marc Jacobs. I found it works best to avoid layering with other balms, and let the color set for one minute. It is available in nine shades.

top row:

  • Ballet (Vibrant Pink)
  • Canvas (Dusty Rose)
  • Edition (Soft Pink)
  • Empress (Aubergine)
  • Icon (Cherry Red)
bottom row:
  • Muse (Coral)
  • Rose (Medium Rose)
  • Raven (Orange Red)
  • Riviera (Tangerine)