The Luxe List: Hourglass' Ambient Lighting Palette

 

When Oprah's talk show was on the air, it was known among insiders that her lighting budget was the most expensive in the industry. Every make-up artist knows the importance of bringing light to the face. When done properly- everything looks better! Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder has become a cult favorite since they launched last year.

 For holiday & all the good little girls this year, they introduced the swoon worthy Ambient Lighting Palette ($58) with their 2 best selling shades + a limited edition shade. You know you want to see the inside....

Tadaaa! The palette features 3 shades: (L) Dim Light, (M) Limited Edition Incandescent Light & (R) Radiant Light. As an oily skinned girl, I ran from any type of face with sheen in my 20's. But the key is all in where it's applied. As we get older, where drooping occurs due to losing volume- shadow results.  Bringing light to the area brightens & gives the illusion of lift.  I consider these powders, glow powders. They're incredibly soft- enough to use all over the face, which is why I don't want people to shy away from them that are afraid of traditional highlighters.

As you can see - even when finger swatched, the colors are all very sheer. Colors from- (L) Radiant Light, (M) Incandescent Light & (R) Dim Light.

I always highlight on the cheekbone & down the bridge of the nose- here I used Incandescent for those areas. I then built the Radiant Shade into a blush for my cheeks.  This is a gorgeous palette that really could suit all ages- the light reflective pigments really help diffuse any imperfections like hyperpigmentation. Because isn't this the season to be merry & bright?

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.
* gifted for review

Kerry Washington's Emmys Look

 I adore Kerry Washington's classic elegance. She can do no wrong in my book- except not let us in on the details of her recent wedding! At least we can get a beauty breakdown as to how she got so gorgeous with the help of Make-Up Artist Carola Gonzalez featuring Hourglass Cosmetics for the Emmys.

Here’s how to replicate her look:

COMPLEXION: Prime the skin with Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, and follow with Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation in warm beige. “I’m really impressed with the airbrushed finish this foundation creates,” says Gonzalez. “And I really don’t need to use powder anymore.” Conceal any imperfections (as if she has any) with Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer in honey.

BROWS: You Beauties know by now- brows make a big impact! Define the brows with Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil in Dark Brunette.

EYES: Apply the mauve shimmer shade from Hourglass Visionaire Eye Shadow Duo in Exhibition to the inner corner of the eyes and the lids, and the eggplant shimmer shade to the outer edge of the eye and beneath the bottom lash line. Blend the two shades together. I remember several artists used this exact shadow combo last awards season, I might need to have it!  Ardell Natural Lashes were applied in 110,  the eyes were lined with Hourglass Script Precision Liner in Jett, and finished off with three coats of Hourglass Film Noir Full Spectrum Mascara.

CHEEKS: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Radiant Light was dusted on the cheekbones, forehead, nose and chin.  Lancôme Blush Subtil in Sparkling Rose on the apples of Kerry's cheeks & was swept towards the temples.

LIPS: Lips were prepped prior with Hourglass No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil for superior hydration. I always say to have your pucker hydrated- nothing looks good on dry cracked lips!  Her lips were then topped with Hourglass Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss in Truth, a beige rose, for the finishing touch.

 I don't know about you- but I have a few more wish list items in my Sephora basket at the moment!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. 

Must Have Make-Up

I have been chomping at the bit for Hourglass Cosmetics to launch their Femme Nude Lip Stylo Collection since I featured it in a fashion week look in February! Finally it's arrived Beauties!

 Hourglass products are always the best dressed girls at the party.  Their packaging is to die for!

They're in a niche all their own with their sleek, luxe metals & innovative housing. There are a few jumbo size lipstick crayons out on the market- none of them look like this! When touching up my lips throughout the day, this product garners notice.

Shade No. 4 is featured on my pucker, it's a peach based nude. ($30)

This collection is great for girls who love a nude lip, whether paired with a strong smokey eye or as a building block for the perfect glossy nude. The collection offers 6 hues to flatter all skintones & is creamy, but not a completely flat matte. It's pure indulgence.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.
*Product gifted for review

Hourglass at La Perla

I love getting a back stage look at New York Fashion Week & this look is so me. Granted I'm not six feet tall & a size zero modeling La Perla Lingerie, so I'm of course talking about the make-up featuring Hourglass Cosmetics!

There's nothing more I love a smokey eye & nude lip. I think it's also an easy look to touch up versus a darker lip when you're out & about.

Artist Moani Lee created those sultry eyes by using 2 different compacts, Hourglass' Exhibition Visonaire Duo & Neo Classic Eye Palette. She then lined with their Eclipse Kohl Eye Pencil & loads of the Film Noir Full Spectrum Mascara. As for those lips-I cannot wait to get my hands on that Femme Nude Lip Stylo as soon as it launches!

 

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Golden Globes: Get The Look

I can't believe it's been close to 15 years since I first spotted Jessica Alba in Never Been Kissed!  This business woman & mom still manages to be a bombshell quite nicely, don't you think? She looked like a screen siren from Hollywood eras past at the Golden Globes. Here's how you can get her look.

JESSICA ALBA

On Sunday’s red carpet Jessica Alba looked stunning in tangerine. The glamorous mother of two, a presenter at the awards ceremony, wore a gorgeous peach-colored gown by Oscar de la Renta. “The dress was the inspiration,” says makeup artist Lauren Andersen. “I loved the contrast between her glowing skin and the matte orange lip. It’s an almost tropical pop of color that’s not an exact match for the dress but close.”

Skin: Lauren prepped the skin with Hourglass No. 28 Primer Serum, and followed with Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturizer in Sand. She then used Hourglass Hidden Corrective Concealer in Warm under the eyes, down the bridge of the nose and fanned the product out in the center of the forehead to create dimension. She finished the skin step with the new Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Radiant Light applied all over to create a golden, subtle warmth. “It’s a soft, refined shimmer that’s glowy,” says Lauren.

Cheeks: She used the bronze shade from Hourglass Illume Crème-to-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset to contour the cheeks and followed with the blush shade on the apples of the cheeks.

Eyes: Hourglass Film Noir Kohl Eye Pencil in Espresso was first applied to the outer corners of the eyes and then smudged it with a brush. Lauren then applied Hourglass Superficial Waterproof Bronzer in the crease of the eyes and the gold shade from Hourglass Visionaire Eye Shadow Duo in Dune on the lids. Lashes were treated to several coats of Hourglass Film Noir Full Spectrum Mascara. She finished up by amplifying the brows with Hourglass Arch Sculpting Brow Pencil in Soft Brunette.

Lips: Finally, Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Riviera, a vibrant tangerine shade, was applied to the lips. The velvety matte color delivers richly pigmented and long-lasting coverage for up to 14 hours. 

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Must Have Make-Up Monday: Hourglass

I am powerless to resist anything involving a nude, glossy lip. Lord knows- my vanity is covered with all shades of nudes. I'm on an endless quest. When I was in NYC, I popped into Bergdorf's to investigate any new must haves. The make-up artist there from Hourglass was sporting a fabulous opaque nude lip. So we set about creating one to suit my coloring. I had already wanted to buy the Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipstick in Grace, since I knew it was used to create some fabulous Oscars beauty looks. Always on the lookout for the perfect lip liner, Hourglass' Trace Lip Liner in Bare also made its way home with me.Oh, did I mention I also scooped up this trio of glosses. I was totally torn between buying Child (top) or Ignite(bottom) initially, then we stumbled upon these minis- which had both shades + Imagine (center)= perfect solution!Here is the Trace Lip Liner in Bare, all on its own. It's a great your-lips-but-better shade with which to build any lip look.This look is the liner topped with the lipstick Grace. Grace is a delicious creamy, matte- but not in an extreme way. Your lips won't fall off from dryness. Plus, it's hard finding an opaque nude that doesn't wash you out. Grace is a hands down winner.Here I finished off my pucker with Ignite (top) & Child (bottom.) The glosses create 2 beautiful versions, one with some sheer shimmer & one in a milkier finish. I've been loving the multiple options I can create texture wise. The Hourglass line is quite luxe {meaning it's not cheap}, but I like the fact that I can buy refills for both the lipstick & liner. Plus, aren't we worth the splurge?

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Oscar Night Beauty

One of my Oscar predictions for make-up looks last night was radiant skin & soft lips. Here are 2 Hollywood Stars that captured that look flawlessly! Make-up Artist Stephen Sollitto created Amy's ethereal look using Hourglass Cosmetics. Her peaches and cream complexion became the perfect canvas with an application of Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. For a luminous glow, Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturizer in Ivory was applied all over the face. Hourglass Hidden Corrective Concealer in Fair was used under the eyes (she is a mom after all!) For contouring, the bronze shade from Hourglass Illume Creme-to-Powder Duo in Bronze Light was used. Hourglass Visionaire Eye Shadow Duo in Gypsy was applied to bring out Amy's baby blues. Hourglass Script Precision Liner along the lash line was topped with the deep purple shade from another Visionaire Duo, Exhibition to further enhance her eyes. Of course, lots of Houglass' Full Spectrum Mascara was a must!

Her whisper light lip color was created with Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipstick in Grace followed by a swipe of Prodigy Hydrating Lip Gloss in Ingenue.I love me some Claire Danes, ever since My So Called Life right up to Homeland currently. Fresh off a vacation, celebrity artist Jen Streicher used Hourglass Cosmetics for the look & prepped Danes' skin with Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. Then a blend of two shades of Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation in Light Beige & Sand was applied to her skin. I must get my hands on this foundation, it looks like it's right up my alley!

To create a radiant glow to her skin Hourglass Illume Creme-to-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset was used, then topped with Superficial Waterproof Bronzer. Streicher also turned to Hourglass' Visionaire Shadow Duo in Gypsy to highlight Danes' gorgeous peepers. I'm going to have to pick up this shade for my kit as it seems so universal! The shell shade was applied to the lid, the coppery shade along the lash line. For intense lashes both Film Noir Full Spectrum Mascara and Film Noir Lash Lacquer were applied. Hourglass Aura Lip Stain in Flush was the perfect choice to compliment Danes' dress. A coat of Hourglass Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss in Reflect completed the look.

I thought both of these actresses looked stunning! Who were your favorite looks of the night? Sandra Bullock was another of mine for sure!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Make-Up Monday

Now I definitely use some funky tools when I'm on location for make-up, but I don't know if I could rock these glasses out like Hourglass Cosmetics' Artistic Director Gina Brooke does! I would look like a total tool sporting those, but she looks rather bad ass- in a make-up is my b*tch sort of way. I mean, would you look at the skin finish on her model? Delish!


For Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Gina created the look below for Imitation of Christ's
Spring 2012 runway show using Hourglass cult faves, as well as soon to be launched innovations. {Spotted? The Aura Lip Stain in Flush, which always goes with me on vacay!}

What am I dying to get my hands on? The Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation, perfect for oily skin like mine. The anti- aging formulation promises flawless matte coverage{I am swooning from this photo} without the need for touch ups- I can't wait to put it to the test when it launches in 2012!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Must Have Make-Up Monday

I'm the queen of eyeliner- I literally feel naked without it. Hourglass Cosmetic's new Script Liquid Liner has such a fine micro tip, you can get as precise as you want with it!

From tiny lines to more elaborate wings, the ultra soft & flexable tip can wiggle in right between lashes for as precise a fine line as you want!

Here it is in a rather classic application on my peepers- I must say it didn't budge!

Even on the shot above with my hand, the liner stayed put through several hand washings!

The tip is so comfortable & pen like with use, you can actually write with it- it's super quick drying! Besides here on my hand, I actually used it in a pinch when I was in the car at the bank- I'm anything if not resourceful!

Peace. Love. Liner. M

*Hourglass Cosmetics gifted this liner for review

Beach Finds

Well I'm back after way too short of a weekend beach getaway with my BFF from Baton Rouge.

Though I've decided Mother Nature needs to be on some antidepressants, we still had an amazing time! Both of us being estheticians, we both showed up with the EXACT same beach hat to shield our face from rays- how in sync is that?

Clients always ask for what's in my beach beauty bag & there is a lot- I won't lie. I even start taking oral antioxidants to weeks prior, as well. {yes I'm that fearful of aging & hyperpigmentation!} But in the make-up department I pare things down since it will be sliding off my face anyway. I applied Hourglass' Aura Lip Stain in Flush to add a pop of color & brighten up my face. It's a lip stain that really stays put & then I apply Water Babies Sunscreen Stick SPF 55 over top because it's important to protect my pucker, too!

This go around I brought Skin Ceuticals' newest launch, their Physical Fusion UV Defense. Those who know me know I have oily skin prone to breakouts & this literally feels like water going on it's so light. It also has a very subtle tint that helps even out my skin tone. I top with a mineral powder & bronzer for added physical sunscreen & I'm out the door! You can't even tell I was at the beach- which I know some would think then what's the point of going to the beach? My point is I'll be one good looking 70 year old down the line!
Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Friday's Finds

What are my beauties up to this weekend? If I were a New Yorker, I'd be at Barneys! Gina Brooke, the talented artist behind none other than Madonna's & Anne Hathaway's glam looks will be at Barneys tomorrow from 12-6 working her magic! She will be offering personal consultations using Hourglass Cosmetics.(Run, quick call 212.833.2658 to secure your spot)

But since I am in glorious Baltimore, La Papillon Spa will be one of the many fabulous vendors at the Junior League of Baltimore's Decor Galore Sale! Girleens, if you can make it for the preview Sip & Shop night tonight, do it! Tons of gifts at amazingly discounted prices, you can knock out the majority of your holiday list while giving back to this great organization! Grab a girlfriend & have a glass of wine & nibbles while perusing all the great steals & deals. Did I mention the first 100 shoppers get a Scout goody bag?

My other latest venture, Tres Bon Bons will be making there debut at the event, also! I've been a busy girl whipping up scrumptious cake Bon Bons that are the perfect treat for yourself or gift for everyone else on your list! Make sure to stop by & say hi. Have a great weekend!
Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Make-Up Must Have Monday

Sleek, upscale, unique packaging is what you notice when spotting an Hourglass product. Their new Illume Creme to Powder Bronzer Duo is no exception. It comes housed their signature almost cell phone looking gunmetal compact that rotates 360 degrees.

Though I love the natural, "flush from within" look of cream blush- I often tend to shy away from them due to my acne prone skin. But Hourglass's product is surprisingly oil free & wax free. A little goes a long way with this intensely pigmented product. The creme glides on & blends down to a velvety finish. With the pinky blush & peachy bronzer, you can customize the perfect summer glow!

The esthetician in me loves make-up with skincare benefits & this duo is infused with antioxidants from vitamin A & E. Hourglass continues to come up with fragrance & paraben free products that would make you think you had to cut back on luxe style, but good for your skin extravagance is still yours for the taking!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Hourglass Prodigy Hydrating Lipgloss

I'm a sucker for packaging. I know, I know. One shouldn't judge a book by its cover-blah, blah. We all do it. I'm also no wine connoisseur, but when giving a bottle for a gift I usually look for a cute label (but I can actually pronounce Gewurztraminer & it makes me sound like I know a thing or two & it's just fun saying it, but I digress.) There's just something about pulling a gorgeous product from your purse. It makes you feel glam. Hourglass' new Prodigy Hydrating Lipgloss is just plain hot. The tube is sleek and one of a kind. Whenever I pull it out of my purse to put on, a girlfriend's interest is piqued. The shade I picked, Eden is a soft, sheer nude enhanced with vitamin E to hydrate my pucker. What's good to know? The light texture glides on without being tacky(great for car windows being down in the summer) and is paraben, sulfate & fragrance free! Get your gloss on!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M