Hourglass Edition Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipstick ($30.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a sheer muted pink–more like a natural pink–with very pale peach and champagne shimmer. It’s an ultra wearable shade, suitable for any skin tone really, because it doesn’t lean overly warm or cool nor does it pack much color. One noteworthy aspect of Hourglass’ lipstick range is that refills will eventually be available for $24 each–both Hourglass’ website and Sephora list them but they’re essentially coming soon still at this time.
my thoughts on the formula: Femme Rouge tends to be a creamy, moisturizing, and opaque lipstick formula that wears four to six hours, with deeper shades hitting the upper range of wear. Shades like Edition wear about three hours on me–it is really, really quite a sheer shade, the sheerest I’ve tried from the line, and it seems to wear off much more easily than other shades. Darker shades wear so well that one can drink a cup of coffee and not need to immediately reapply. Femme Rouge has a light vanilla scent and feels lightweight despite its creaminess.
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Product: 27/30
Value: 8/10
Ease of Use: 4/5
Packaging: 4/5
final thoughts: The sheerness makes it universally wearable and will complement a variety of looks. It is a more basic shade, so you may want to check your stash for something similar.
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.
Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipstick for Fall 2010
It’s described as a luxurious and hydrating cream formula that indulges lips in silky, rich color. Each shade retails for $30 and will be available at Barneys New York, Sephora, and sephora.com in August.
Immediately hydrates and softens lips for a plush, cushiony feel and shine
Unique blend provides excellent skin-smoothing, moisture-enhancing, and reparative properties
Custom-designed bullet features an embossed Hourglass icon
Light, airy formula glides on without feeling waxy and heavy
Vitamin E conditions and treat with protective super antioxidants
