Hourglass Nocturnal Lipstick

The Sultry Season: Hourglass Nocturnal Lipstick

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.

See photos and swatches…