Savvy Thinker » Hourglass http://savvythinker.com thinking about life, playing with makeup Wed, 23 May 2012 03:47:58 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Hourglass Cosmetics Review http://savvythinker.com/hourglass-cosmetics-review/ http://savvythinker.com/hourglass-cosmetics-review/#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 07:31:03 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=6142
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    I had never heard of Hourglass Cosmetics until they came across my computer from another blog. Now I see it's being written up in a lot of magazines, including Allure.

    A luxury line with a modern edge. Carisa Janes

    I like the fact that while it is considered a luxury line, it is moderately priced, instead of off the scale.

    Carisa Janes has created this cutting-edge line which is formulated with the latest in cosmetic technology. Since I had never heard of her, I did a bit of sleuthing.

    Carisa Janes has been a creative force behind many different brands during her extensive career in the beauty industry, dating back to 1996. She began her career as an assistant product developer at Urban Decay. After that, she developed and brought to market Body & Soul, an upscale niche cosmetics line that received a lot of press attention when it first launched due to its unique packaging. Next, as head of her own consulting firm, Isa Design, Janes oversaw the creative direction for multiple skin care and cosmetic lines, including teen brand Sugar Cosmetics. Marie Redding

    Something else that is nice: you can sample a friend with up to 3 free samples, which is how I got to try it. And I sampled a friend this morning. It takes about 7-10 business days to receive your samples.

    The products are available from Sephora online. I do not know if they are carried in some Sephora stores. You can do a search at the Hourglass site to see a store locator.

    Here's what I tried
    Veil Mineral Primer oil free spf 15 $52

    I loved this product. It has a slight radiance to it which makes my skin look perfect. This is something I likely will be buying. 132 people reviewed it at Sephora, giving it an average of more than 4.5 stars.

    It is water-resistant and 100% fragrance free, oil free, and paraben free. It does not have an odd smell because of ingredients. I smell nothing.

    It neutralizes the skin, creating a smooth, uniform slate for makeup application. Don't forget the slight radiance which evenly distributes light to soften and camouflage skin imperfections and fine lines. It also protects from oil breakthrough, so your makeup stays looking fresh longer.

    It has no
    - Parabens
    - Sulfates
    - Synthetic Fragrances
    - Synthetic Dyes
    - Phthalates

    The SPF is formulated with naturally-derived titanium dioxide and zinc oxide rather than chemical sun-blocking agents.

    Liquid foundation $60 SPF 15

    I was sent 1.5 Nude. It is a little deep and yellow for me. I would prefer another color, less yellow, but it looks fine once it is on. When I choose a color for me, I choose a true neutral, neither pink nor yellow.

    There are two other colors that are lighter: Ivory and Porcelain. Additionally there are 5 colors that are deeper.

    A medium coverage treatment liquid foundation.

    What it is formulated to do:
    Veil Fluid Makeup provides luminous, long lasting coverage for a flawless complexion while fighting the signs of aging. Sephora

    Tinted Moisturizer $55
    I was sent Ivory, the lightest shade. It is lighter than 1.5 in the liquid foundation, but it is still deep and a bit yellow for me.

    Hourglass Illusion Luminizing Tinted Moisturizer is an ultra-rich formula that offers moderate coverage for an even, natural, flawless finish. Added Instalift® firms and tightens the skin, producing visible results within an hour of application. Hyaluronic Filling Spheres™ help minimize the appearance of wrinkles while increasing skin's hydration levels, delivering a healthy, dewy radiance. Sephora

    I did not notice any particular firming or tightening. It did look nice going on.

    It covers nicely, as it is quite pigmented, so for an easy every day look, this is very workable. There is enough coverage that my skin doesn't look bare, unlike some tinted moisturizers that just melt away. I used this after my normal moisturizing as a foundation.

    Sephora users rate both of these more than 4 star but not as strongly as the primer.

    Have you tried Hourglass cosmetics?

    There is also a full color line for eyes, face, and lips.

    Karin
    www.savvythinker.com

    Originally posted 2010-01-09 08:40:44.

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    ]]>     http://savvythinker.com/hourglass-cosmetics-review/feed/ 0     Review Prime Time http://savvythinker.com/reviewprime-time/ http://savvythinker.com/reviewprime-time/#comments Sun, 23 Jan 2011 01:15:13 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=2677
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    Updated to include my review of L'Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Base. And also as a reminder about the value of using a primer.

    To prime or not to prime, that is the question.
    If you’ve not used a primer, try one and see what you think. Get a makeover and ask that they use one.

    If you truly don’t like a primer, return it, if you bought it at a physical store. There are enough primers out there now, that you can find one that you love.

    If you are using a primer, I’m guessing you will never go back to without.

    Why prime?
    What is the purpose of primer?
    Primer perfects your look. It makes the surface of your skin silky with less visible imperfections, so you use less foundation. Your products glide over the top, meaning you need less foundation to cover.

    What is primer made of?
    Usually there is some silicone or one of the ‘cones’ in it to create a smooth surface on the skin.

    Some folks even use Monistat gel for an inexpensive alternative.

    How does it work?
    Most primers are the last step before applying your foundation.

    Primer slips over the skin, creating a light barrier, usually with silicone. Foundation glides on easier, goes on smoother, and covers better with less product.

    Under a certain age, some primers will stop oil from coming through and messing with your look.

    Once a certain age, a primer may act like spackle, one even has that name, gently filling in lines and pores to give a smooth surface for foundation and optically take time off your age.

    Is it strictly cosmetic or is it also corrective?
    All perform a cosmetic service; some are also corrective.
    Color correction
    Some primers color correct or add a sheer layer of color. Others are clear. Both Smashbox and Revlon Vital Radiance have multiple colors to correct.

    Guerlain Meteorites Perles
    Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer; Base Perfection. Great little powder balls that color correct and do other neat things.

    Contact Claire at Guerlain at the Palazzo in Las Vegas for all your Guerlain needs. (702) 732-7008. If you're in town, stop in to visit!

    Vital Radiance Smoothing Face Primer, SPF 25, Petal 002, Cool, 1 fl oz which has been discontinued, can still be found on occasion. It came in two colors, cool and warm. I use cool.

    Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer is another good one. I use the purple. Purple will also bring a foundation into a cooler tone. One minimizes red tones; one minimizes yellow or sallow tones; one minimizes dark circles, veins, and dark spots. (The best thing for dark spots is using a lightening product or having them removed either by laser or by freezing.)

    Some have added ingredients that benefit your skin.
    Aromaleigh Easy applicator pump bottle. Very nice product.

    The best "canvas" for any type of makeup is a perfect, smooth canvas. This is what we are all seeking, and for many, mineral makeup brings us one step closer.

    Lock in hydration while smoothing and retexturizing your skin's appearance and maximizing your makeup...

    With natural oils of Safflower, Grape and Camellia, Vitamins E and A and advanced polymers... our primer combines nature with science to get your skin where you need it to go.

    Less is more, just like with mineral makeup. Your primer can be blended with your moisturizer or sunscreen, or used on it's own. It can even be combined with a small amount of powder to create an easy to apply mineral makeup/primer combination that smooths to a velvety finish. Aromaleigh


    Arbonne Virtual Illusion makeup primer
    Supposedly acts like a natural botox to improve the surface of your skin.

    Create a flawless canvas for makeup application with this advanced primer. A blend of vitamins, skin-perfecting pigments, advanced cushioning and anti-aging ingredients work in harmony to help tone, smooth and minimize the visual appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores. The result is a velvety, matte, radiant finish.

    GABA, hyaluronic acid, polypeptides, gamma orizinol, light deflecting pigments, B-glycherritinic acid; horsetail extract, green tea leaf and grape seed extracts

    Guerlain
    L’Or – has real flecks of gold in it and creates a lovely look.
    Again, contact Claire, see above.

    La Prairie
    I have not tried this white one.

    La Prairie for eyes

    Shiseido Benefiance Facial Lifting Complex also works to firm.

    Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer SPF15 with Dermaxyl Complex (Unboxed)

    Here are some good ones:

    L'Oreal Studio Secrets magic Base.
    Great value; works good.

    Avon Magix evidently stops oil too; has a fairly heavy consistency; is generally well liked by everyone. Very reasonably priced at $10.

    Smashbox – comes in clear (I like the purple better), purple (to correct skin tone, but it works to cool up colors of foundation that are a bit yellow),green (ditto, I haven’t tried this one) and an apricot one that has ingredients to benefit skin (I like the idea of this.) To me they all feel the same, but the clear one seems to do less. Placebo effect, likely!

    Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer oil free spf 15 $52

    I loved this product. It has a slight radiance to it which makes my skin look perfect. This is something I likely will be buying. 132 people reviewed it at Sephora, giving it an average of more than 4.5 stars.

    Today I compared it to Chanel's SHEER ILLUMINATING BASE. Both illuminate; Hourglass seems more slippery. I preferred the look of Hourglass once I had on my foundation and sparkly powder mix. I generally use Chanel's only up the center of my face as a highlighter.

    It is water-resistant and 100% fragrance free, oil free, and paraben free. It does not have an odd smell because of ingredients. I smell nothing.

    It neutralizes the skin, creating a smooth, uniform slate for makeup application. Don't forget the slight radiance which evenly distributes light to soften and camouflage skin imperfections and fine lines. It also protects from oil breakthrough, so your makeup stays looking fresh longer.

    It has no
    - Parabens
    - Sulfates
    - Synthetic Fragrances
    - Synthetic Dyes
    - Phthalates

    The SPF is formulated with naturally-derived titanium dioxide and zinc oxide rather than chemical sun-blocking agents.

    These work, but I don’t like them as well
    Laura Geller Spackle – Sephora sampled this.
    It started out white and got taupe colored when exposed to air. The sample was in a pot. The full size is in a pump which would eliminate exposure to air.

    Laura Mercier Foundation Primer - Oil Free
    Sephora sampled this also. It was one of the first on the market.

    Revlon It’s OK, but I didn’t like it as well. Comes in two formulas.

    Revlon Age Defying Instant Firming Face Primer for Normal/Combination Skin (Pack of 2)

    Sheer Cover Light weight. Still, it is nice.

    Smashbox Highlight and Prime together
    You can read my review here. I don’t like the dual delivery system. It doesn’t feed evenly. You have to cover one side to make sure the other feeds. I love the color though. Would be better to have just had the highlight to use as you wish, and add to your primer or not, as you wish. Or have two separate tubes in the set vs. 2 in 1 tube.

    How about perfecting your look even more?
    There are products you can apply over your makeup that filter out and soften lines, similar to when Doris Day was filmed through a special lens.

    Clarins makes a great one!
    Use this around your mouth or eyes, wherever you need extra help. Try it out at one of the counters.

    La Prairie
    Pink colored, quite a heavy consistency. Pricey. No better than some and less than others. Evidently, it comes in gold too. I think it is quite thick.

    The eye product tends to roll some, but the look is pretty.

    Signature A Wrinkle Filiment
    is heavier, similar to La Prairie’s, but apricot colored.

    MAC Prep and Prime

    Prep and prime is a face primer. I like prep and prime better than Smashbox Photo finish because it doesn't have that slick feel to it. It's not all silicone. I recommend it. Miranda

    MAC Black eye primer

    I also bought MAC's black eye primer. It makes a huge difference in how the eyeshadow looks. Want a paler, more natural look, use a skin toned primer. Want uber kapow and drama for evening, use black primer! Miranda

    Do you use a primer?
    Which one(s) do you use or have you tried?
    Let me know if I left out any that you particularly love.
    Nearly every line has a primer in their arsenal now. I'd like to hear about any good ones!

    To buy Arbonne from Bookgirl, if you don't have a representative, just contact me, and I'll put you in touch.
    Karin




    Originally posted 2010-05-22 12:58:20.

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    ]]>     http://savvythinker.com/reviewprime-time/feed/ 3     Review Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse foundation http://savvythinker.com/review-maybelline-dream-smooth-mousse-foundation/ http://savvythinker.com/review-maybelline-dream-smooth-mousse-foundation/#comments Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:41:38 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=7168
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    I never felt that Maybelline's Matte Mousse foundation was drying, but I wanted to try the new moisturizing formula to see which I liked better, if there was a difference.

    I bought Color 110 in the Dream Smooth Mousse foundation a couple of days ago, taking advantage of a CVS sale.

    They couldn't have written the color number any smaller or hidden it better! You find the number on the far left of the top line of the words that circle the bottom half of the flat side.

    Color 110 is the lightest shade, and it isn't really light. There are not as many color choices as for the Matte foundation.

    My first impressions
    I've used the makeup twice now, two days in a row, changing only the primer that I used under it. Yesterday [Hourglass primer] I thought I looked like I had foundation on, rather than that my skin looked fab. Perhaps I used too much. At first it didn't seem like it covered as well as the Matte, which is why I might have used more than I usually do. Consequently, I felt that I liked the Matt Mousse foundation better.

    But today, it went on perfectly, using Avon Magix primer, doesn't look too made up, and I like it just fine.

    Would I buy it again to replace the Matte Mousse?
    I really like the Matte Mousse (I use # 1 now as my concealer no matter what foundation brand I use.) I might keep both formulas on hand, so I have options, including wearing the Dream Smooth in the winter.

    Have you tried it?
    I do wish they would keep the colors the same across both formulas. It would sure make it easier!

    Karin
    www.savvythinker.com


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