Before El Hub I kissed quite a few frogs, and truth be told a few of those kisses were…awkward, like the one with Mr. Sharp Tooth (it was like a single vampire fang!), or the one with Señor Saliva (like kissing a slobbery puppy), or Mr. Mannequin (the dude never bent his elbows).
The first time I tried on the new Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipstick ($30, available in 12 shades), I was reminded of those frog kisses, because, well, something felt…off.
It wasn’t the texture; no, Femme Rouge feels as light and smooth as a baby-making slow jam. It was something else…
It was the bullet! — its shape, that is. Like a chisel, or a calligraphy pen, the straight edge at the tip is kinda hard to maneuver into the corners of my lips and around Cupid’s bow. Lips are all smooth turns and rounded corners, right? Things this tube is not.
I think I’m just accustomed to using lipsticks with a traditional pointed teardrop shape, and when successful products have detoured from that design, they didn’t go this far (the skinny NARS Pure Matte Lipsticks still have a oval edge). I always appreciate risk taking designs, but this one for me just doesn’t pay off.
Overlooking the actual shape of the tip for a second, I love the pigmentation of the colors (I’m wearing Nocturnal in these pics), and that they’re unflavored, unscented, water-resistant, paraben-free and hydrating. And kudos to Hourglass for making them refillable, although I haven’t been able to track down that price.
To see just how water-resistant they really are, I oh-so-scientifically (LOL!) applied one layer of creamy wine Nocturnal before hitting the treadmill this morning. After buckets of sweat, a bottled water, my post-workout meal and a shower (!), I could still see a somewhat faded Nocturnal on my lips, which is better than most lipsticks would have fared.
Swatch of Nocturnal on NC35 skin
Wearing Nocturnal
I’m not crazy about the price ($30) or the chisel-shaped head, but inexpensive refills certainly would help (if you spot them anywhere, please let me know). All told, I like a lot about these Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipsticks, and I think you might too. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: 
You might like Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipstick if…
- You’re not averse to paying $30 per tube
- You frequently apply lipsticks with a lip brush (and therefore may not mind the chiseled tip)
- You want a long-lasting, hydrating lipstick without a flavor or scent
- You like lipsticks with intense pigmentation
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
oh karen, i am in love with that color. can you compare it to nar’s scarlet empress as i don’t want to dupe on colors. 🙂 lovely color for fall on you!
that looks like such a gorgeous, creamy color. I’m way too lazy to use a lip brush though, so this is probably a no-go for me.
What a beautiful color! For that, I could work with the chisel! 🙂
I love that deep cherry one (Icon). Still trying to find that perfect red lippy for my skin, would love to find it to try.
It looks good on you Karen-but if it’s $30 in the USA, then I bet it’s close to $40 here in Canada. Gulp! Too much for this girly!
That looks amazing. Gotta pass at that price, though!
If I ever drop $30 on a lipstick, yall better not tell nobody! LOL The colors are gorgeous though 😀
Oh! LOVE that colour! I will gladly ignore the chiseled tip for it!
Love that color on you! Will you be reviewing any of the other shades? I’m intrigued!
OK, this looks simply amazing on you! My skintone is quite lighter than yours so I think this colour might be a bit too much on me. Could you please compare it to Benefit’s Full Finish lippie in No Compenition? Thank you!
That’s a gorgeous color and looks so beautiful on you!
Thats pretty … 🙂 looks great on you! Im liking Ballet and Muse based on the swatches above!
The highlight of this review:
“Femme Rouge feels as light and smooth as a baby-making slow jam.”
xoxo
*jen
The color looks really nice on you, but I thought the same thing about the shape (from your picture). Even the beveled edge is odd. More functional for $30, please. 🙂
This one looks HOT oh you, Karen. Quite and amusing story about kisses lol
It looks perfect! The color is so HOT! 🙂
OMG, that looks so creamy and so promising. But $30 a tube is so much. Gotta swatch it in person to see if I like them! Btw, the colour looks stunning on you! I wish I can pull off reds or dark colours like those >.<
x
Rica
That color isn’t really me but the formula looks incredibly creamy and moisturizing!
They look look looovely:) And pigmented&smooth a die for compination.BUT shipping costs to europe:(
Have you tried or rewied? Julie Hewitt lipsticks? Love the colours and should be super pigmented&longlasting..
I have been triying to find them online and shipping to europe.Do you know?!
I dont wear nude ones,but they have one that looks amazing!
LXXX
Minttu
I was looking at them this morning. Couldn’t decide.
Nocturnal it is!
Thank you Karen. You always make my day!
Michele
Make up- Addict and Handbags
P.S.
I went to the Coach Outlet today and ELHub waited in the car without complaints.
Way to go!!
Refills are still $24, so if you’re not crazy over it I wouldn’t say that the $6 off the original price is a great deal!