It’s like when I come across something special in a store, like that Peter Som cat dress from Anthropologie, and it feels like the world will crash around me if it doesn’t get in my closet. For me, that’s Hourglass makeup.
Yes, they’re expensive — pretty much the same prices as Chanel and Dior — but there’s something about Hourglass. The simplicity. They don’t have 30 different browns or 20 different red lipsticks, but I’m still always able to find exactly what I’m in the mood to wear. When you wear it, you feel super cool, and your makeup looks good.
I love their textures and the way they elevate basic colors like gold and peach and make them seem so much more elegant and refined, but still accessible at the same time. Sometimes, their new launches are so exciting that they break the Internet (almost).
A lot of the products in my “everyday basics” makeup bag are Hourglass, and here are 10 of the ones I reach for the most…
1. Velvet Creme Lipstick in Fever
Otherwise known as “the lipstick that generates 20 emails to my inbox whenever I wear it on the blog,” and the emails usually say the same thing: “What is that color, BECAUSE I HAVE TO HAVE IT NOW!”
The emails are also often tinged with quiet desperation. Once someone even offered to trade their child’s pony for a tube!
Super creamy, vibrant fuchsia Fever has looked gorgeous on every person I’ve ever seen wear it.
2. The Ambient Lighting Blush Palette
These are the blushes I reach for when I know I don’t have enough time to really get ready in the morning. They’re like a combination natural-looking blush and subtle highlighter in one.
I’m actually wearing Incandescent Electra, the middle shade, right now because I barely had 60 seconds before I had to leave the house for a dentist’s appointment this afternoon.
Oh, and random info, but today I found out at the dentist that I have thick enamel.
Yeah, apparently it’s something I should be proud of. 🙂
3. Ambient Lighting Blush in Diffused Heat
So pretty… A coral with a subtle golden sheen, Diffused Heat is one of my summertime go-to blush shades. If you have warm skin or a bit of a tan, it looks gorgeous paired with coral lipstick or gloss.
4. Hourglass Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss in Muse
Speaking of coral glosses, have you seen Hourglass Extreme High Shine Lipgloss in Muse!? L-to-the-O-to-the-V-to-the-E.
It’s super moisturizing, shiny and comfy like a Cremesheen Glass. I wear this one year round.
5. Ambient Lighting Powder in Radiant Light
This golden beige is another one of my errrday faves. I use it as a highlighter a lot when I’m out cruising the town/about to lay a smack down. Yes, you can call me MC K-Dawg.
Despite the delicate, nuanced shimmer and light color, I can still see it, ya know? Otherwise why bother? I want to see that ish, at least a little!
For pics, it may be a tad too subtle for some gals/guys, especially those who like their highlights bold and brash, but if you like a subtle highlight, GO THERE.
6. Femme Nude Lip Stylo in No. 6
Ooh! This one’s always in my makeup bag. It’s a warm and creamy opaque pinkish mauve, and it’s a great nude lip color if your lips are naturally pigmented like mine.
7. No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil
It is SO expensive ($42), but when my lips are dry and cracked in the dead o’ winter, I yearn to have my No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil with me.
I always wait to get it on sale, though…so when Sephora has their VIB sales, I stock up, so I can keep one in my bag and one on my nightstand. I’m that committed.
8. Foundation/Blush Brush No. 2
I don’t use the No. 2 as much as I used to because of the Beautyblender, but it’s still my favorite foundation brush for applying and blending liquid foundations and tinted moisturizers.
It’s good about not leaving streaks behind and buffs everything beautifully.
9. Panoramic Lip Pencil in Eden
Oh, my goodness, can I just tell you — I had a meltdown right before I wrote this post because I couldn’t freaking find this pencil!
Eventually, it turned up in my purse… Crisis averted, yo!
I wear this deep nude pencil all the time (love it for pigmented lips). Sometimes I’ll outline and fill in my lips with Eden, then pop No. 28 Lip Oil on top for a quickie nude lip.
10. The Visionnaire Duo in Prism
I’m crushed to see this one go… It was my favorite eyeshadow duo in the Hourglass line, which is being phased out and replaced by the new Modernist palettes.
If you can still find Prism, do not hesitate for a second. Grab that sucker! It has a shimmery bluish gray on one side and a rich glittery black on the other, and the two are beautiful together (and even better layered).
If you have brown eyes and do a smokey look with this duo, watch out! Your lids will look like magical space unicorns stopped by and sprinkled double-triple rainbow dust on them. Warning: you could pass out from ecstasy. FYI. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
So much love for this post!! I only have the ambient lighting palette from Hourglass but want errrrything now because those powders are so good! I think I’d also add the Mineral Viel primer which is amazing and the best I’ve tried! 🙂
I love this post. I agree with you on the Ambient powders and blushes, I love them to death. I really think I need one of their lipsticks. I don’t know why I always forget to look at them at Sephora.
I’m eyeing Eden! I think I have dupes for the Prism duo and will t-r-y this Smokey Eye look.
Dupes will not do!! Prism in on the Hourglass site and it’s on its way to me!
Most duos are sold out. Gypsy is still available.
Thank you for this post!!!
Such a cute post. I only have the ambient lighting powders but I really like the look of diffused heat.
Yay to Radiant Light! I hear a lot about the other powders but no one ever talks about Radiant Light. I love it as a subtle golden/bronze highlight and it works well for when I’m winter pale but also summer tanned.
(My Sephora Loves list is now way longer thanks to this post)
Completely agree with you about the loveliness of Fever, the Ambient Lighting Blush palette and Radiant Light! I’d also add Dim Light to my favourites, it’s a staple for me, blurring my ugly pores and giving me a subtle glow. I even have back-ups for Dim Light and Radiant Light!
I was considering getting Diffused Heat, but you have already convinced me! 😉
Oh noes! How to I erase a memory? I surely did not need to add more items to my ever present whishlist! I already have Siren and the Veil in there!
Unfortunately for me, or fortunately for my wallet, I don’t even know where to find a counter in this country! Otherwise I am sure that I would already own several Hourglass products
OMG Fever is gorgeous!! Diffused Heat is on my list as well! The only product I own from Hourglass is the Opaque Rouge lipstick in Icon. Like the color but its a bit drying.
OK I can’t believe I still don’t own any Hourglass – next time I’m in the US I solemnly swear to pick up a blush, lipstick, lip pencil and nude stylo 😀
I recently went to the dentist and it turns out I have thin enamel and the indents in my molars are really deep, meaning I’ve not been doing that great at cleaning them and I’m in trouble. Oops!
OMG! I do need that lipstick! Was wondering, though: did you use a liner under it for your Hourglass Ambient Blush review? It looks a bit darker their than in the photos here.
I’m seeing some of my Hourglass favorites here as well, including Muse and the foundation brush (which I also use for finishing powder sometimes)! Some other of my Hourglass favorites would be the Veil Mineral Primer, Dune duo, AND THAT BROW PENCIL! I’ve been experimenting with different products, but so far nothing has been able to replace my precious Soft Brunette!
Oh, how I love Hourglass, too! My top faves:
Veil Mineral Primer — makes my skin feel wonderful, makes my makeup go on smoothly and last longer without settling into lines. Nothing else works as well for me, and the all-mineral sunscreen helps calm my rosacea.
Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light — I use this as my setting/finishing powder every day. It just makes my skin look better. I want to try using Diffused Light the same way for some variety.
Ambient Lighting Powder in Radiant Light — for me, it’s a subtle no-fail bronzer — looks gorgeous, I can put it on when I’m in a rush and not have to worry that I’ll have to stop and blend.
Foundation/Blush Brush No. 2 — I use it to apply blush and blend out all my cheek products (bronzer, blush, highlight) with a little Ambient Lighting Powder. Perfect, it makes blending effortless.
All-Over Shadow Brush — the best laydown brush ever for packing on shadow — except that it’s a bit too large for the inner corner of my lid, hence
Domed Shadow Brush — I can use it to pack shadow on my inner lid, wipe it off with a microfiber cloth and use it to apply and blend shadows in the crease. Also great for cream shadows. Seriously versatile.
The Ambient Powder Brush — it lives in my bag and gets used daily for touch-ups. It picks up a perfect amount of powder, never over-applies, never disturbs makeup underneath what I’m doing.
I just love that these completely cruelty-free brushes are wonderfully high quality. I think they equal the very best natural hair brushes. The No. 1 Powder brush is next up on my wish list.
The Ambient Lighting Blush Palette — I love that you can easily use just a hint of these, or just as easily and very quickly build a more intense cheek look. I only wish that at least one of them was cooler-toned. I need to check out the blush in Ethereal Light.
I really should try to snag me some Prism before it goes away. Thanks for the tip! I love cool blue shadows. And I promise to check out Fever when I get to Sephora today!
I’ve never tried anything from Hourglass (not in my budget right now :D) but I’m most curious about the Lighting Powders-I swatched a few in Sephora and they seemed a little glittery and dusty to me, but if everyone raves about them they must be good so I can’t wait to actually get one and try it out!
I can totally see why you’re so smitten, Karen! I wish I had easier access to Hourglass here 🙁
So many beautiful things! 🙂 Oh, I could have told you that you had thick enamel YEARS ago. It’s one of the reasons that your teeth are very bright and “high value”. I know this because the dental guy who was making my bridge was trying to match my tooth color many years ago and said it was very light but “low value” because of the thinner enamel (more transparency). My dentist was not pleased that he said that in front of me. I was just like (internally) “whatever, dude, thanks for giving me something completely unexpected to be self-conscious about”. HAHA! So, totally be proud of your thick enamel – it’s a good thing in every way! 🙂
I still haven’t bought anything from Hourglass. I want so many items that I don’t know where to start. All the things you mentioned are in my wish list, especially No.28 Lip Treatment Oil. And Fever! OMG! I think I’m one of those who asked you about it. Lol!
I have it the liquid lipstick in Icon (although I haven’t worn it yet), and the lipgloss in Siren, which I layer on top of Kat Von D’s Adora, and it looks absolutely fab.
Please HOURGLASS come to France !!!
Come to me my lovely lovely beautiful HOURGLASS …
I love Hourglass products, and that Eden lip liner seems like a dream!
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I love that lip treatment! It’s a little stinky but it definitely gets the job done lol. I just have to get my hands on that lipstick though! Fever looks so beautiful on you and I just love me some pink lips lol. I also want to try that blush and lip liner too
I’m already a massive fan of the ambient lighting powders and blushes, and now you’ve inspired me to try a few other things from Hourglass, particularly the lip products.
Why would they take away those great duo’s! NOOOOOO!
I like their foundations but as of 2006 or so they were too dark for me. I hear they have some lighter shades now so I may retry those.
Thats a super awesome list.. I have only been looking forward to ambient palette and blushes .. They look supremely gorgeous and packaging sets them apart from the rest !!
Now I am adding that lipstick, lip gloss and powder as well to my list.
That eye shadow duo looks great.. Wishbrhey were still here..but modernist eyeshadow palettes can be a great substitute 😉
Great post, Karen! So many products from Hourglass that I love. And that brush – I use it on a daily basis!
Why you gotta be tempting me like this, girl? 🙂 I love their matte foundation, just didn’t repurchase because it wasn’t *quite* pale enough for me. Sad panda! One of these days I’ll pull the trigger on an ambient lighting powder…
#4 and #9 look AMAZING on you!! I’m a low buy this year but when I use up some of my lip collection I’m going to be looking at those two shades.
I really love Hourglass; so far I have the Diffused Heat and Radiant Magenta blushes, ALB and ALP palettes, and I am in love. I do have the foundation brush too and it’s equally good but their makeup formulas are to die for. I’m one to try many different brands and tend to stick to the lower end of the high end but I’m happy to spend the extra on Hourglass!