Hourglass Illume Bronze Light -- Creme to Powder Bronzer Duo

As of late I've been venturing into the world of Hourglass Cosmetics. I still have some mixed thoughts about the brand overall, but there's definitely no denying that there are several true gems in the line. My interest has definitely increased since it's sold at SpaceNK, plus seeing a specific YouTuber, JoshCollierMUA who happens to work for the line as well. Seeing his reviews/tutorials has definitely been helpful to figure out what I want to try.

So with that being said, I purchased Illume Bronze Light -- my go to person at SpaceNK used it on me and even then I didn't buy it on the spot, because I wasn't convinced that the lasting power would be anything amazing. Of course after wearing it for 12+ hours, I had to get it. 

Packaging: It comes in the signature Hourglass brown swivel packaging, and the duo has a nice mirror. The bronzer and highlighter does collect a bit on the mirror (outline), but it's not a big deal, since I know cream products do move a bit. I love the fact that it's a 2 in 1 item since I can carry it in my bag. It's easier to carry this than say, 2 bottles of Armanis Fluid Sheers.

Colors: There's a champagne colored highlighter, although there's definitely some shimmer, but it's not over the top. Check it out on JoshCollierMUA's video to see how it looks on his cheeks. It's a soft sheen that just looks so pretty. Then there's a bronzer that's definitely not orange when applied, although in the pan it looks it would be too orange on the skin. Definitely don't be fooled by the appearance in the pan.

Texture/Formula: Ok, so the formula states that it's a cream to powder. When it sets to a powder, it sets is so much better than a powder. It doesn't look like the highlighter and bronzer is just sitting on top of your skin.  It seriously melts with your skin. The bronzer is matte, but not chalky at all. The texture of the bronzer is a bit more creamy/wet than the highlighter, so that's something to be aware of. Once it sets, it seriously doesn't budge. One of the benefits of the duo is that it's oil, fragrance, wax, sulfate, fragrance, phthlate, and paraben free. Look below for the list of ingredients (in the picture section).

Learning curve: The hardest thing for me to learn to use was the bronzer, because of the blending part. It sets really fast, so for me to blend well before it sets, is to use a big fluffy synthetic brush like the Hourglass #2. I currently own the Hourglass retractable brush and it's not big enough for my personal liking to use with the bronzer. I feel like I don't get an even application when I apply the bronzer with my fingers, so the best way to use it is with a brush. The highlighter on the other hand is easier to use, and you can apply it with your fingers without an issue.

Price and Size: $40 for 11g/0.39 US oz.

photos :D

L to R: bronzer and highlighter heavily swatched

T to B: GA fluid sheer #10, HG bronzer, HG highlighter, GA fluid sheer #2

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you can see here that Fluid Sheer #2 is definitely more sparkly than the Hourglass highlighter. I love fluid sheer #2, but for night time, and the Hourglass more for the day since the shimmer is more subtle.

bronzer blended on my right arm.

bronzer on top,  highlighter on the bottom.

list of ingredients (open in a new tab or window to enlarge)

Cle de Peau Extra Rich lipstick in R1 | Black Baccara +

I've been a bit on a hiatus when it comes to a red lip...I guess part of me is experimenting with other shades like pinks, peach, etc. Of course it's always a nice surprise when you pull out a bold lip...or in my case a red one. 

...its like when you apply it, and you say "ah, yeaaaa! it's been a while...". 

So some of you may or may not know, I have quite a bit of reds in my stash. For me to rarely review a red is quite an accomplishment since I'm sure all of you would stop reading my blog after a bit from a red lipstick overload.

Today I bring you Cle de Peau R1 or also known as Black Baccara. It's one of those shades that I keep forgetting that I have in my stash, but when I wear it, it's like "oh man I forgot how awesome you are!! why didn't I wear this yesterday"?

Packaging: It's a bit on the bulky side when it comes to the physical size of the tube. Think of an Armani RdA in terms of how big it is, except GAs are slightly bigger since it's an oval shape. I appreciate a larger lipstick package, it just seems more hefty, or probably because the company invested in the packaging. They're not as heavy as it looks, which is nice. Minimalistic dark blue tube, with the logo on one end of the tube, and on the bottom of the top lid. The lipstick tube itself has linear design, and the tip of the lipstick is flat, not at an angle like most formulas. I appreciate the shape since I can turn it to the side for a crisp line for those times that I don't have a lipbrush. Of course the more I wear it, the lipstick tube isn't as linear. It's unique, which is why I like it.

Color: It's a cool based, darker red. I wouldn't consider it a burgundy or a blood red, but it's not your run of the mill mid tone red either. It's not a pink or fuschia based red. In terms of the spectrum of reds, it's on the side of approaching burgundy. It's an elegant color when applied alone, like that shade you would want to wear with a little black dress. For those lip junkies like me, I'd wear it in the daytime, but I feel this specific red is more called for when you're in evening attire.

Formula: It's definitely a lush formula. Smooth, creamy, and R1 once on the lips it's a matte finish, but not drying at all. I love mattes, but lets be real here -- I have a love hate situation because mattes can be drying. Either that or it's a harder formula to apply. You can apply it from the tube and it applies on evenly. It's truly an awesome formula. It has a bit more slip than say, Chante hydrachics. The one downside to CdP R1 is that I do wish it had a bit more lasting power. It does last a bit on the lips and it fades well, but if I were to change something, is that it would last longer than 3.5 hours. I honestly can't really complain, because it's on par with other lipsticks and the color is so beautiful.

 

Price and Size: $60 for 4 grams or .14 oz. They're slightly smaller than GA RdA (4.2), but larger than a NARS (3.4) and RBR (3.8).

Worth the price?: If one were to invest in a luxury lipstick, CdP is definitely worth looking into, especially since they have such beautiful shades.

NARS Fire Down Below is a dark blood red when applied, Besame Cherry Red has more pink and slightly brighter than R1, and GA Rouge de Armani 403 is definitely a burgundy red when applied on the lips.

L to R: NARS Fire Down Below, CdP R1, Besame Cherry Red, GA RdA 403 (lots of flash)

L to R: NARS Fire Down Below, CdP R1, Besame Cherry Red, GA RdA 403 (slight flash)

L to R: NARS Fire Down Below, CdP R1, Besame Cherry Red, GA RdA 403 (no flash)

Suqqu #11 Himesango Blend Color Eyeshadow

I'm back, and alive. 

The story of my life aside from being busy trying to learn a lot of new things at work, a mix of unfortunate events, among other things have caused a bit of a hiatus on this blog. My life is somewhat getting back together, and I appreciate the support I've gotten from friends throughout the month of March.

Needless to say, I've been a bit depressed and just not in the mood for anything (even buying makeup). I hope it's a short phase. 

Moving along . . .

I bought some Suqqu Spring, and even though I'm not a fan of Spring/Summer collections, I couldn't help but buy some of the pretties.

#11 was one of the palettes when I saw promo photos, I was almost not going to get it. Me in peachy colors? meh, not a color I reach for, plus I feel like light peach shades look ashy or make me look slightly sick. But of course there's a taupe shade that motivated me to get it. I thought to myself "hey, even if that peach shade looks horrible, at least I have a pretty taupe to make up for it".

Colors: we have a warm peach, almost apricot like on my skin. I still don't know how I feel about this specific shade on my eyes, but man as a cheek highlight it looks AWESOME. Bizarre how I think of other ideas for specific shades. Of course we have the awesome taupe shade with a silver cast/sparkle to it. As for the last shade, (aside from the creamy white primer), it's cool toned brown, but it's not a unique shade in of itself. 

Texture/formula: The texture are their signature buttery softness, but their lasting power on their own isn't anything ground breaking (sad to say), but of course with a primer (like NARS), the lasting power is okay. The formula in terms of how it feels when you apply it (either finger or brush) is so divine. 

Packaging: It's sturdy, sleek, and functional if you ask me. It's a minimalist shiny black enclosure (which are prone to fingerprints), but easily can be wiped away. The best part are the eyeshadow applicators a dual ended sponge and a dual ended brush one. 

Price and size: 49 GBP (i think) 5.5 grams

Worth the purchase: I think it's a lovely quad to carry in your purse since the colors are fail proof, but the colors in of themselves unique? Aside from the peach-apricot one, not really. I like it a lot because it was a nice surprise to have something different in my stash (the peachy shade) and I have a use for it. We'll see if I can get more comfortable wearing peachy colors on my eyelids. 

Onto the colors!

colors clockwise from top left (with flash)

colors clockwise from top left (without flash)