Hourglass Icon, Nocturnal, At Night No. 28 Lip Treatment Oils Reviews & Swatches
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Hourglass Icon No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil (Tinted) ($49.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a medium-dark red with cool undertones and a jelly-like finish. It had semi-sheer color coverage, which allowed the natural lip color to come through, but in this deeper tint, it was apparent that the color settled into my lip lines.
The formula was smooth, lightweight, and plush–more like a creamy gel–and not at all tacky, which made it comfortable to wear. It stayed on well for four and a half hours and was very hydrating over time, though it didn’t seem to leave behind a stain.
Note: I had significant issues getting three of the six shades in this formula to dispense product due to the packaging. I was able to successfully manipulate the packaging enough to get it to eventually dispense product, but please make sure you check out the overview for a full sob story on what that entailed (and what nobody should have to deal with on a $49-a-pop product!).
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Bobbi Brown Rock and Red (P, $27.00) is darker (90% similar).
- LORAC Red Rose (LE, ) is less glossy (90% similar).
- Bobbi Brown In the Flow (LE, $27.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Hot Streak (P, $27.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- NARS Double Decker (LE, $26.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Bang (P, $20.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Smart Aleck (LE, $20.00) is brighter, more pigmented (80% similar).
- NARS Burning Love (LE, $26.00) (80% similar).
- MAC Gumdrop (LE, $20.00) is darker, brighter (80% similar).
- MAC Fortune Red (LE, $21.00) is warmer (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$49.00/0.25 oz. - $196.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be an "advanced anti-aging treatment" that "conditions lips" and "boost moisture levels, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve the appearance of lip shape, volume, and softness" (it contains Saliporine-8, VOlulip, and Viamerine, per the brand). Unless it's something worn exclusively and for an extended period of time, it is hard to really measure (and even then... we're always talking minor improvements!) those anti-aging claims.
I have been a long-time fan of Hourglass' original (clear) Lip Oil and have found it to be an ultra-hydrating and conditioning formula. It has been one I reach for after a long lip-swatch-athon when I need the extra TLC. The tinted version feels exactly the same: plush, smooth, lightweight, and non-sticky. It is not the longest wearing lip balm I have in my arsenal (the tacky ones always last the best), but it does last for several hours while sleeping.
The tinted versions offers a noticeable tint that's semi-sheer to medium in coverage but translucent, so the natural lip color comes through. Some shades go on quite nicely with an even, smooth delivery of color while others settled into my lip lines. They don't leave a stain behind, and the wear time ranged from four to five hours, depending on how much drinking was done.
But let's take a moment to speak on a product that retails for $49 a pop--that makes it one of the more expensive formulas on the market--and the fact that of the six shades, the packaging is extremely unreliable. Three of the six shades required a lot of fussing, such as removing the packaging, banging the tube on the side of a tabletop, pressing and pressing, holding and jabbing the interior mechanism down, etc. to get the applicator to actually dispense product.
Luckily, I was able to, eventually, get product to dispense normally from all six shades but per user reviews on various retailer websites... this is not an infrequent issue (being unable to dispense product). I had the most success by removing the gold applicator, pulling and gently trying to twist the interior dispensing mechanism, and then trying to dispense product. You'll know if it's working at all by looking in the window on the tube, as you'll see the product move up slightly.
I'm not a huge fan of the applicator; I don't find it that useful for actual applicator, though it's better than a flocked doe-foot applicator, which can get pretty gross over time as it absorbs product (this one can be wiped down if desired).
Browse all of our Hourglass No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil (Tinted) swatches.
Ingredients
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PPermanent. $49.00.
Nocturnal
Hourglass Nocturnal No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil (Tinted) ($49.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a muted, deeper plum with subtle, cool undertones and a glossy, jelly-like finish. It had semi-sheer coverage with even translucency, but the color was prone to pulling into every lip line I had, both horizontal and vertical at that!
The consistency was smooth, non-sticky, and plush without feeling heavy, so it was very comfortable to wear but wasn’t the most flattering on. It lasted well for four and a half hours and felt moisturizing over time.
Note: I had significant issues getting three of the six shades in this formula to dispense product due to the packaging. I was able to successfully manipulate the packaging enough to get it to eventually dispense product, but please make sure you check out the overview for a full sob story on what that entailed (and what nobody should have to deal with on a $49-a-pop product!).
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Spike (LE, $26.00) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Twirling (LE, $20.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Dark Devotion (P, $40.00) is more shimmery, less glossy (90% similar).
- Rare Beauty Nearly Berry (P, $18.00) is lighter, more muted (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Secret Lover (P, $30.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Tower 28 Fearless (P, $14.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Boom (306) (P, $29.00) is more shimmery, darker, more pigmented (85% similar).
- Jouer Madison (P, $17.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Jubilee (DC, $10.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Beso (P, $20.00) is more pigmented (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$49.00/0.25 oz. - $196.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be an "advanced anti-aging treatment" that "conditions lips" and "boost moisture levels, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve the appearance of lip shape, volume, and softness" (it contains Saliporine-8, VOlulip, and Viamerine, per the brand). Unless it's something worn exclusively and for an extended period of time, it is hard to really measure (and even then... we're always talking minor improvements!) those anti-aging claims.
I have been a long-time fan of Hourglass' original (clear) Lip Oil and have found it to be an ultra-hydrating and conditioning formula. It has been one I reach for after a long lip-swatch-athon when I need the extra TLC. The tinted version feels exactly the same: plush, smooth, lightweight, and non-sticky. It is not the longest wearing lip balm I have in my arsenal (the tacky ones always last the best), but it does last for several hours while sleeping.
The tinted versions offers a noticeable tint that's semi-sheer to medium in coverage but translucent, so the natural lip color comes through. Some shades go on quite nicely with an even, smooth delivery of color while others settled into my lip lines. They don't leave a stain behind, and the wear time ranged from four to five hours, depending on how much drinking was done.
But let's take a moment to speak on a product that retails for $49 a pop--that makes it one of the more expensive formulas on the market--and the fact that of the six shades, the packaging is extremely unreliable. Three of the six shades required a lot of fussing, such as removing the packaging, banging the tube on the side of a tabletop, pressing and pressing, holding and jabbing the interior mechanism down, etc. to get the applicator to actually dispense product.
Luckily, I was able to, eventually, get product to dispense normally from all six shades but per user reviews on various retailer websites... this is not an infrequent issue (being unable to dispense product). I had the most success by removing the gold applicator, pulling and gently trying to twist the interior dispensing mechanism, and then trying to dispense product. You'll know if it's working at all by looking in the window on the tube, as you'll see the product move up slightly.
I'm not a huge fan of the applicator; I don't find it that useful for actual applicator, though it's better than a flocked doe-foot applicator, which can get pretty gross over time as it absorbs product (this one can be wiped down if desired).
Browse all of our Hourglass No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil (Tinted) swatches.
Ingredients
Nocturnal
PPermanent. $49.00.
At Night
Hourglass At Night No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil (Tinted) ($49.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plum with warm, red undertones and a glossy, jelly-like finish. It had semi-sheer color payoff in a single layer, which did not apply as evenly as it should have, and the color definitely sank into my lip lines–not just the deeper ones either.
The product has a really nice consistency as it was smooth, plush, and like a gel-cream without being heavy or tacky on. This shade wore decently for four and a half hours and felt moisturizing while worn.
Note: I had significant issues getting three of the six shades in this formula to dispense product due to the packaging. I was able to successfully manipulate the packaging enough to get it to eventually dispense product, but please make sure you check out the overview for a full sob story on what that entailed (and what nobody should have to deal with on a $49-a-pop product!).
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Pat McGrath Flesh 3 (P, $40.00) is darker (90% similar).
- YSL Devour Me Plum (P, $32.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Pat McGrath Flesh 4 (P, $30.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- NARS No. 675 (LE, $26.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar).
- MAC Rosebuddy (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
- NARS Deviant (P, $26.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar).
- MAC Desire (P, $21.00) is darker (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$49.00/0.25 oz. - $196.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be an "advanced anti-aging treatment" that "conditions lips" and "boost moisture levels, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve the appearance of lip shape, volume, and softness" (it contains Saliporine-8, VOlulip, and Viamerine, per the brand). Unless it's something worn exclusively and for an extended period of time, it is hard to really measure (and even then... we're always talking minor improvements!) those anti-aging claims.
I have been a long-time fan of Hourglass' original (clear) Lip Oil and have found it to be an ultra-hydrating and conditioning formula. It has been one I reach for after a long lip-swatch-athon when I need the extra TLC. The tinted version feels exactly the same: plush, smooth, lightweight, and non-sticky. It is not the longest wearing lip balm I have in my arsenal (the tacky ones always last the best), but it does last for several hours while sleeping.
The tinted versions offers a noticeable tint that's semi-sheer to medium in coverage but translucent, so the natural lip color comes through. Some shades go on quite nicely with an even, smooth delivery of color while others settled into my lip lines. They don't leave a stain behind, and the wear time ranged from four to five hours, depending on how much drinking was done.
But let's take a moment to speak on a product that retails for $49 a pop--that makes it one of the more expensive formulas on the market--and the fact that of the six shades, the packaging is extremely unreliable. Three of the six shades required a lot of fussing, such as removing the packaging, banging the tube on the side of a tabletop, pressing and pressing, holding and jabbing the interior mechanism down, etc. to get the applicator to actually dispense product.
Luckily, I was able to, eventually, get product to dispense normally from all six shades but per user reviews on various retailer websites... this is not an infrequent issue (being unable to dispense product). I had the most success by removing the gold applicator, pulling and gently trying to twist the interior dispensing mechanism, and then trying to dispense product. You'll know if it's working at all by looking in the window on the tube, as you'll see the product move up slightly.
I'm not a huge fan of the applicator; I don't find it that useful for actual applicator, though it's better than a flocked doe-foot applicator, which can get pretty gross over time as it absorbs product (this one can be wiped down if desired).
Browse all of our Hourglass No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil (Tinted) swatches.
Ingredients
How do these compare to the Clarins lip oils, if you know? And would you say they are as moisturising as a lip balm? I am always looking for the perfect lip balm and I find the Clarins oils nothing special, but if the Hourglass are really good I would buy.
I haven’t used those in a long while… possibly not ever… I’m having a tough time recalling off the top of my head!
I really love the original Hourglass’ Lip Oil and found these to be similar (since I wore all six back-to-back) in terms of hydration/feel. I just find that the tinted version is lacking in application + packaging.
Thank you!
Oh dear. Did you ever have those issues with the clear version?? Dunno how many times you’ve purchased the original.
I haven’t had the issue with the original, though I think I’ve only purchased three or four.
Well that is unfortunate! These all look lovely on you and it is nice to see that they were comfortable to wear, but I don’t want to shell out that much for a product that will separate or settle into my lip lines OR that I might end up wasting half of trying to get it out of the tube.
How sad that the actual component is such a major PAIN! For this amount of dough, it ought to work flawlessly, instead of:
“required a lot of fussing, such as removing the packaging, banging the tube on the side of a tabletop, pressing and pressing, holding and jabbing the interior mechanism down, etc. to get the applicator to actually dispense product.”
As much as I like the gelatinous look of these, I’m extremely put off by the woes of a terribly flawed applicator design.
Nope, have enough trouble with things traveling in my lip lines without using a product that does it even on lips without a lot of lines, like yours,Christine. My lines are rapidly heading towards my nose.
Pretty, but nowhere nearly as pigmented or differentiated as I expected. And I would not want these under the nose or on the chin.
Hmmmm….almost $50 per (the current ones are $65 here in Canada) for 4-ish hours of wear (and I consistently get way less wear time than you do, Christine) and problematic (being kind here) packaging. A resounding NO from me.
I love the shade range and that they looked comfortable on your lips – but that dispenser would be the death of me.
Does anyone else understand the problem lip oils are supposed to solve? Is the idea the they are more nourishing and less tacky than a gloss w/ similar wear time – eg, combining treatment with color? In other words, what’s the argument for a consumer to buy this type of product instead of tinted lipgloss or balm, or sheer lipstick ? Just trying to get what this new type of product is about. Thanks in advance to anyone who has some insight.
It confuses me too
I have a tinted lip oil that is my most used lip product. It leaves a stain behind, is incredibly comfortable and I like the slip it provides. It keeps my lips moisturized, the tint doesn’t dry out my lips like what happens with many tinted balms, and leaves a lovely smooth but not sticky shine. Balms can sometimes feel waxy and you aren’t going to get the shiny effect that you do with oil. In my experience tinted balms just don’t feel as good as regular balms and it seems like the tint factor makes them less moisturizing. Glosses aren’t often moisturizing (nor are the always marketed to be such) and just make your lips look glossy. If you want that color to stay that usually means sacrificing comfort for a stickier/tackier formula. Comparing sheer lipstick to a lip oil is like comparing apples to oranges… they are two very different types of products.
So in a nut shell a big pull towards lip oils is due to their comfort and ability to hydrate while feeling silky on the lips. Not all lip oils are created equal and I’ve used some AWFUL ones that are thick and goopy and gross. I like thinner consistencies that are heavy on the moisturizing aspect, not texture!