Category: Hourglass

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Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder

I have been quite hesitant to write this review because 1) there is so much hype around this product and 2) I’ve never really made my mind up about it. Ever since the launch of the Hourglass Ambient Light Powders the blogging world has gone absolutely crazy for them, and naturally I had to pick one up.

I went to the Hourglass counter in Liberty, and when talking with the makeup artist, she said that Dim Light was the one that I should go for. It is described as ‘a neutral peach beige powder that blurs imperfections and highlights a radiant complexion with the perfect balance of warm and cool tones’. She applied it on my face over a full face of makeup and I must admit that I was pretty impressed looking in the mirror. My face looked flawless and the powder seemed to create a blurred effect on my face. From that first application I was completely sold and got it straight away. 

However, since using this more, the initial wow-factor has definitely worn off. I generally use powder in my routine to add a touch more coverage, take away shine and set all my makeup in place. Unfortunately this powder does none of these things. The only way I use this is as a a finishing powder over my completed makeup look just as an added blurring effect. This blurred effect is not long-lasting though and it isn’t incredibly obvious. Reading others’ reviews on this powder, it seems that this is suited more to those who don’t like using a usual powder on a regular basis. 

So this was a bit of a blah product for me. Personally, for the price, it is not worth splurging as it is merely a luxury and pointless addition to my makeup collection. I admit I was drawn in by the hype of this, and I am tempted to try another colour – perhaps a more highlighting shade – just in case I really am missing something…

P.S. I am currently playing around with my schedule and contemplating making Manicure Monday a fortnightly post. When I find my perfect schedule I will be sure to update you!

-RachelElizabeth

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Festive Makeup #2 | Christmas Day FOTD

Firstly, for all of those who celebrate, I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and ate your weight in gorgeous food – I sure did… Secondly, I really liked how my makeup turned out yesterday, and I used a few new beautiful products so I thought I would share with you my face of the day.

Face
Because I wanted my makeup to last all day I primed with the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer and then used one of my favourite foundations of late – the Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation (the old formula – I can’t comment on the current formula!). I then concealed withe the Mac Studio Finish Concealer and set it all with my gorgeous new Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light  – will review this soon!

Eyes
I primed the eyes with the Urban Decay Primer Potion. I used the Charlotte Tilbury Colour-Coded Eyeshadow Palette in Dolce Vita on my eyes – I used the prime shade (a pale champagne) all over the lid, the smoke shade (a dark cool brown) on the outer corner and into the crease, and packed the pop shade (a gold glitter) on top on the prime shade. I then took a matte black, mine being from the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette, and lined the upper lash line and smoked it out a little. I then curled my lashes and applied the Chanel Le Volume De Chanel Mascara.

Cheeks
I bronzed up the skin with Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna, then highlighted with the Kevin Aucoin Celestial Powder in Candlelight. For blush, I went for the Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed (sadly not available in the UK!) to keep the cheeks neutral and so they didn’t compete with the red lip.

Lips
For lips I used the Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in F-Bomb, which is my first venture into this line, which I’ve been dying to try. Spoiler alert: this may be the start of a new addiction…























Gold and red are a classic combination for this time of year, but one that I think can work all year round. There were a lot of luxury products in this look that are heavily coveted in the blogging world, and I will make sure to let you know what I think after I’ve had a chance to work with them a bit longer.

Seeing as it’s Christmas, I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has supported my blog in this first month, and I am very excited and motivated for the months to come!

–RachelElizabeth
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Hourglass Opaque Liquid Rouge in Empress | Review

Hourglass is a brand that everyone in the blogging world seems to be talking about and my first venture into the brand was about a year ago when I got talked into buying this Opaque Liquid Rouge in Empress (£23 here) at the Liberty counter. Empress is a deep burgundy shade with a matte finish.

The Claims:
A richly pigmented, silky smooth and velvety matte lip color that delivers extended wear without flaking or dryness. 

The Verdict:
The gunmetal packaging is very luxurious and compact, and when closing the product you hear that satisfying *click* which makes it bag and travel friendly. The flattened doe-foot applicator makes it easy to spread the product over the lips – although you have to be careful and be quite precise.

On first application, I wasn’t too keen. It wasn’t until I properly learnt how to apply it that it actually started to become one of my favourite lip products. I found (and also later discovered that Hourglass recommends) that the lips must be completely clean with no remaining balm or product and very well exfoliated. Then you must only apply one layer onto both lips and do not touch them together until they are completely dry – about 30 seconds does the trick. The product sets completely to a matte finish. The texture is creamy and silky and it applies completely opaque onto the lips. It isn’t drying and doesn’t flake as long as the lips were not dry to begin with. 

It lasts well throughout the day and holds up well through eating and drinking. However, it isn’t possible to retouch this lipstick – if this is a must, you have to remove it all before reapplying or it will flake on the lips. For me, this is a perfect fuss-free night out lipstick, as it will look good all night long. 

I am now very happy that I was talked into buying this and if you’re in the market for a high-end matte lipstick, this may be one to consider. Personally, I have my eye on some other shades (riviera and ballet – I’m looking at you). Someone hold my purse…

-RachelElizabeth

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