If spring makeup is about looking effortlessly chic, then the Aura range is right on the mark. The products enhance, illuminate and highlight without color overkill. Aura boasts three swoon-worthy shades for cheeks and three for lips that all produce lighter-than-air coverage. Cheeks look as though they’ve been adorably pinched, and lips appear as they’ve been passionately kissed. “They’re a wonderful alternative to powder blushes and heavier lip products,” says Janes, “and they boast rejuvenating ingredients.” The cheek stain’s see-through color payoff is an antidote to excess glitter, while the lip stain has an on-trend, semi-matte finish. Both products can be used to simulate the 70s-inspired, Californian look seen on spring runways.
Aura Sheer Cheek Stain ($45.00)
A water-based formula with real staying power that gives cheeks a gorgeous lit-from-within glow. Aura Sheer Cheek Stain is enriched with Vitamin E to help improve skin’s moisture retention. The twist-click dispenser is equipped with a sponge applicator for ease of application. To initiate product upon first use, twist base until cheek color appears on sponge tip. Free of oil, fragrance, and phthalates.
Rouge Sheer rose
Flush Sheer red
Petal Sheer pink/coral shimmer
Application tips by Hourglass Artistic Director Gina Brooke: “Blot the sponge applicator directly on to the apples of the cheeks and blend up towards your temples using your fingers. It’s long-wearing but it moves when you’re applying so it’s less intimidating—it sets afterwards. You can wear Aura Sheer Cheek Stain over Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturizer or solo. During the summer, makeup minimalists can just get by on the cheek stain, lip stain and a few coats of mascara. It gives you a subtle, refreshed look and a pop of color that really lasts, so you won’t need to reapply throughout the day.”
Aura Sheer Lip Stain ($26.00)
The water-based, non-transfer formula offers a delicious wash of color, buildable coverage and a natural, semi-matte finish. Beneficial ingredients include anti-oxidants like Vitamin E and Green Tea Extract plus an algae-based extract that addresses elastin and collagen degradation in the lips. Aura Sheer Lip Stain has a flock tip applicator with a built-in twist mechanism for easy, even application. To initiate product upon first use, twist base until lip color appears on applicator tip. Free of parabens, phthalates, fragrance and sulfate.
Rouge Sheer rose
Flush Sheer red
Petal Sheer pink/coral shimmer
Application tips by Hourglass Artistic Director Gina Brooke: “Start by exfoliating the lips to slough off any dead skin cells and create a smooth base. Blot applicator onto the lips and blend using your finger—it’s that simple. For extra precision, or to create the illusion of a fuller pout, line the lips before application. Aura Sheer Lip Stain plumps the pout with anti-aging ingredients that fill in fine lines and wrinkles. It has a lightweight consistency that’s easy to blend and comfortable to wear. You can build your coverage for a more dramatic statement. Finishing with a gloss softens the look.”
Hourglass Exhibition Visionaire Eyeshadow Duo ($38.00 for 0.20 oz.) contains a grayish plum mauve with a frost-metallic finish and a blackened burgundy eggplant with a frost-metallic sheen. Hourglass’ Eyeshadow Duos are such an underrated and under-appreciated product–the quality is absolutely phenomenal and the shades are infinitely flattering.
Selfishly, I wish they had about a dozen more duos, because their eyeshadows are easily some of the best I’ve come across–and better yet, the quality is fantastic across the range. There are no duds in their duo line-up. Soft, smooth as silk, and buttery texture paired with intense color pigmentation that glides on, blends effortlessly, and can be used wet or dry.
The $38 may seem steep, but don’t let it fool you: there are two full-sized (actually, more than that) eyeshadows inside. Each eyeshadow is 0.10 oz., which is double the average full-sized eyeshadow, for a total of 0.20 oz. The packaging is also this pewter bronze with a swivel top that reveals a mirror inside along with a pint-sized brush (with real bristles) that’s usable and not scratchy.
If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!
Product: 30/30
Value: 9/10
Ease of Use: 4/5
Packaging: 5/5
FINAL THOUGHTS: Hourglass as a brand is underrated, but their eyeshadows are easily my favorite product from the brand. There is something to be said for a brand that puts out consistently high quality products with to-die-for textures. This duo will naturally flatter cooler skin tones but it is not so cool-toned that warmer skin tones will find it difficult to work with.
Hourglass Gypsy Visionaire Eyeshadow Duo ($38.00 for 0.20 oz.) is a beautiful neutral duo featuring a shimmering, warmed-up champagne beige and a rich, coppered chocolate brown. Hourglass’ Eyeshadow Duos are such an underrated and underappreciated product–the quality is absolutely phenomenal and the shades are infinitely flattering.
Selfishly, I wish they had about a dozen more duos, because their eyeshadows are easily some of the best I’ve come across–and better yet, the quality is fantastic across the range. There are no duds in their duo line-up. Soft, smooth as silk, and buttery texture paired with intense color pigmentation that glides on, blends effortlessly, and can be used wet or dry.
The $38 may seem steep, but don’t let it fool you: there are two full-sized (actually, more than that) eyeshadows inside. Each eyeshadow is 0.10 oz., which is double the average full-sized eyeshadow, for a total of 0.20 oz. The packaging is also this pewter bronze with a swivel top that reveals a mirror inside along with a pint-sized brush (with real bristles) that’s usable and not scratchy.
If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!
Product: 30/30
Value: 9/10
Ease of Use: 4/5
Packaging: 5/5
FINAL THOUGHTS: Hourglass as a brand is underrated, but their eyeshadows are easily my favorite product from the brand. There is something to be said for a brand that puts out consistently high quality products with to-die-for textures. This duo will naturally flatter warmer skin tones but they are not too warm–they will work well on cooler and neutral-toned skin, too.
Hourglass Siren Extreme Sheen Lipgloss ($28.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a wicked shade of fiery red with a part-chrome, part-metallic finish. It has a definite orange-base, but this the strength of the red really is pulled to the forefront. Think Kat Von D Adora… but more. It is such a rich, luxurious gloss that applies beautifully and evenly while delivering opaque color with very little product. The wear is fantastic (four to six hours), and it’s moisturizing while you wear it. There is a light, sweet scent–reminiscent of perhaps creme brulee–that doesn’t feel overwhelming nor smell synthetic.
If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!
Product: 30/30
Value: 7/10
Ease of Use: 4/5
Packaging: 4/5
FINAL THOUGHTS: Yes, yes, and yes. I have to try more to see if the whole range performs as well as Siren, but I look forward to whatever shade I try next. I just wish they’d inject a wee bit more into each tube — at 0.12 oz., they fall below average, and though it certainly is a vibrant, pigmented gloss and doesn’t need a lot of product to deliver that color, it’s still a little low.
Hourglass Dune Eyeshadow Duo ($38.00 for 0.20 oz.) includes a champagne shimmer and deep olive shimmer eyeshadow. I picked up this shade during Sephora’s Friends & Family Sale, because I really love the texture of Hourglass’ eyeshadows–so smooth and buttery without being a powdery mess.
Dune has a shimmering gilded beige champagne with a metallic sheen accompanied by a darker, deeper, smoldering brown with flecks of green and copper shimmer. Each eyeshadow was rich in pigmentation, applied flawlessly on the lid, and it was easy to blend them together.
Even though the price tag makes me cringe, keep in mind that you’re getting 0.20 oz. worth of product–MAC and Urban Decay eyeshadows are only 0.05 oz. ($14.50 and $17.00, respectively), while NARS Single Eyeshadows contain 0.07 oz. ($23.00).
If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!
Product: 29/30
Value: 9/10
Ease of Use: 4/5
Packaging: 4/5
RECOMMENDATION: If you’re in the market for an easy to use, high quality neutral eyeshadow duo, consider Dune. At the very least, check out the Hourglass display next time you’re at Sephora.
Hourglass Nocturnal Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipstick ($30.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a softened raspberry pink with a subtle sheen. It’s a rich, opaque shade that applies in just one or two layers (depending on the pressure). It’s lightweight, moisturizing enough to wear for hours without needing gloss on top or balm underneath. There’s a very faint vanilla scent but no taste. It is also supposed to be refillable, but I haven’t yet spotted refills available, though I have heard they are coming and will only be available via Hourglass’ website.
Hourglass touts the Femme Rouge line to be water-resistant, long-lasting, and moisturizing, and it delivers pretty well on all three points. Just don’t interpret water-resistant as “I can drink a cup of coffee and no lipstick stains will be left on the cup,” because in reality, water-resistant really means water won’t make it slip off, but pressing your lips against a glass will. It transfers a lot less than the average lipstick, and it does make it through a cuppa java well enough not to need reapplication. Otherwise, it wears four to six hours on me, and my lips don’t feel dried out after wearing it for a full six hours.
Is this the right berry for you? Would you wear it?
The Sultry Season is a series of posts featuring deep, rich shades of brown, berry, plum, and wine lipsticks and lipglosses — just right for autumn — that runs through October 2010.
