Hourglass Cosmetics Review (Face products only)

Hi dolls!

So recently I have been contemplating finding an "off day" foundation. I have contemplated Tarte, Cargo, MUFE HD, Estee Lauder Double Wear, Laura Geller Balance and Brighten and even trying one of the newer MAC foundations. (sidenote: I am allergic to MAC foundation products.)  You may be asking yourself why I am looking...well, I love my Hourglass foundation but it can be a bit pricey and in addition, I am a makeup addict.  I love trying new things.  Hourglass, however, is one of those foundations that you look at and the packaging is so pretty it is used as vanity decoration.  Then I realize I am halfway done with each of my bottles (1 primer, 1 shade in No.1 and one shade in No. 2) and freak.  This is "holy grail" foundation for me.

Let me tell you a bit more about my skin.  Besides being extremely sensitive, it can get VERY DRY and it tends to "eat makeup".  I found this primer and foundation during the summer when I was attending weddings and showers and other events in the California desert where temperatures reach 115 degrees.  This makeup stayed on PERFECTLY!  Without a setting powder and without touch ups.  Through dancing, perspiration, crying--you name it. It is like magic in a bottle.

I was a sun-worshiper from the age of probably 7 until I was 31.  That is a long time to lay in the sun with baby oil, vegetable oil, homemade concoctions and Hawaiian Tropic oil without SPF.  Now I am paying the price.  I haven't been in the sun in a few years but I have severe discoloration in the way of freckles and redness despite my Italian/Hispanic background.  I also am getting more fine lines around my eyes than I can handle.  So when I tried this product and it gave me an as close to flawless face as someone in their 30's can get...I grabbed it....now I can't let go.  I won't be wasting money on other foundations.  I may continue to test and sample, but it may take miracles to outdo these face products for me personally.  I did try 4 or 5 different drug store brands, but my skin is too sensitive and they give me rashes or break me out.

Now lets talk about the Hourglass products:

For my fine lines, dryness, and larger pores around my cheeks and nose I use the Veil Mineral Primer.  This primer is superior to any that I have tried before.  It creates a smooth base for my foundation to lay on, fills in lines, wrinkles and pores without clogging the skin, and tones down the red due to the slight blue hue.  **Note that when this white liquid with blue undertones is blended into the skin it becomes invisible.  Many people use it with a light dusting of powder or alone just to make their skin seem more flawless.**  I don't find any downfall to this product whatsoever.  I do however want to remind anyone who has it to shake it well before using.  I only use between 1/2 - 1 pump of this product to cover my entire face. 

Next, I use the Veil Fluid Makeup.  As I said, I have two shades and it is because I was incorrectly shade matched at two different Sephoras.  I prefer my face to match my neck which is naturally lighter and then to warm up my skin with bronzer and blush.  This product is a bit thick as it is full coverage and long wearing.  Still, I use 2 pumps.  I do this because I love a nice even layer and I blend down my neck slightly (and it doesn't transfer to clothing).  I use 1 pump of each color and use my Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki or F82 Round top Kabuki.  I will explain the use of the brushes in a different blog.  However, they are both synthetic which means that less product gets trapped in the brushes and more gets applied to my face.  I have even noticed that during the day I can use a half pump of each shade and still get good coverage using these brushes as the foundation + brush= an airbrushed finish.

I did recently contact Hourglass Cosmetics asking if since I was combining these two colors I could switch to a 1.5.  We would all think that is a no brainer, but the undertones in the foundations are different.  For example, I have yellow and pink undertones.  When I use the #1 which is very yellow on me, I find it harder to blend into my jaw/neckline.  The #2 shade isn't as bad for some reason and has more pink undertones.  Still, neither fit my specific need.  I wanted one bottle of foundation.  Hourglass was very quick in their response and even sent me a sample of the 1.5 to test at home.  It is literally the perfect combination for my skin.  I have never been happier with a color or a formula.

I have never liked wearing concealer because it always seemed to emphasize my lines.  I don't have bad circles regardless of my insomnia, nor do I have puffiness unless I have been crying.  I love the Hourglass Hidden Concealer, and I use it in the shade Pearl.  It is I believe the lightest color and it is almost always sold out, so I have a backup in my backup drawer at all times.  It comes in the form of a lipstick bullet, yet it is extremely creamy.  I wouldn't have expected that based on the packaging.  I take a small amount on the concealer brush that comes in my Sigma Complete Brush set and put some around my nose if needed, under my eyes and above my cupids bow.  Then I use my fingers to lightly push it into the skin.  It melds with my skin thus does not become cakey or crackly.  Then I use Makeup Forever HD translucent powder to set the concealer only rather than an over priced under eye concealing powder.   To do this, I use the fluffy brush that comes in that same Sigma kit. This product is 100% Silica and it feels so cool and soothing when I dust it under my eye area.  It is an added benefit that my concealer lasts all day and my mascara never transfers.

I won't lie, these are not inexpensive products by any means. They range from the mid $30's to $60.  However, they last a long time, they have anti-aging benefits, SPF, and a special ingredient called Matryixl that aides the skin in collagen production.  In fact, many people who have reviewed these products have said this is literally your daytime skin care and to save your expensive skincare for night time.  Click here to check out the Hourglass website or you can find this product at Sephora.com or Saks.

I can honestly say I feel a difference when I have not worn this makeup in a while (sometimes I just use The Balm's tinted moisturizer to save product and because I am not going anywhere special).  It has visibly changed my skin.  I feel like I am at my most beautiful when I wear this product.  I could wear these three products, mascara and chapstick and be content.  Which if you know me is funny because I can rival any drag queen when it comes to my colorful eye makeup looks if I want to. :)

I see the face as a blank canvas.  It is fun to play and paint and make the pretty naked canvas a pretty painted canvas that can change daily.

Not everyone wears makeup and I get that.  Makeup is my hobby.  It makes me feel better.  I love the beautiful colors, the history behind it and reading up on ingredients is becoming a new fascination with me as well.  With that said, I think even people who don't like to wear makeup may want to sample the Hourglass Tinted Moisturizer.

I wanted to let you know that these are paraben free. Recently some studies have shown that parabens, which are found in most cosmetics, soaps, body washes, hair products, etc. have a link to breast cancer.  I used to be of the mindset that "everything seems to cause cancer" and now I am trying to be more informed about what I am putting on my face and in my body.

I hope this blog gave you some information on a brand you may not have heard of.  If you would like to sample the foundations or primers, you can contact Hourglass or visit one of the stores listed above.

Have gorgeous dreams dolls!

Dani