Tag: MAC

Hourglass GIRL Lip Stylo Review

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I left my favorite MAC cremesheen lipsticks in the car the other day and the blazing Atlantan summer just about melted them into extremely spiky lipsticks.

I could technically reshape them because they are my go-to everyday nude colors: Shanghai Spice and Koi Coral

… but last week I decided to head over to Sephora on my lunch break and pick up another lip product I’ve had my eye on for a while.

hourglass confession lipstick
Photo courtesy of beautydea.it

Originally, I went to see the new Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Refillable Lipstick, tried it out (several shades actually) and found them to be a bit too drying for my preference. I know the current (and phasing out trend) is matte but the formulation was slightly chunky although very pigmented. While it claims to be hydrating, I didn’t get that effect. I definitely will say the packaging was captivatingly classic, finished in a slim, gold tube. I probably will conduct a more in-depth review on the Confession lipstick to see if my impression of it changes.

 

The Hourglass GIRL Lip Stylo

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This chubby crayon with a fine tip is hydrating and easy to use. All you have to do is turn the bottom of the casing to dispense more product.

Cost: $32 US Dollars

Size/Amount of product: 0.09 oz or 2.5g or usable product

Available at your local Sephora and Hourglass.com.

Description: Precision color meets luxurious hydration. GIRL Lip Stylo features the color intensity of a lipstick fused with a luxurious blend of shea butter, jojoba, mimosa and sunflower seed for softer, fuller lips. The silky formula glides across lips for a second-skin feel with a lustrous finish.

First Impression: It’s silky with a lustrous sheen (minus all of the glitter). It warms up on the skin nicely and packs a fair amount of pigmentation. I found the stylo easy to use and as always, the packaging is captivating.

Shades available: 20. Hourglass created 20 amazing shades from bare face ready nudes to head-turning darkened berries. I love the names because they are so empowering (such as futurist, dreamer, creator, activist, or visionary) and inspiring.

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Finish: satin. It has the right amount of sheen that can only be described as if you apply a high quality sunflower oil lip balm over a watercolor wash of tint. The finished look ever-so-lightly catches the light and the pigmentation carries so much nuanced depth to it without looking flat and boring. It’s very balmy and quite sheer if you don’t layer it.

Formulation/texture: cream. This lip stylo goes on like butter. All too often I’ve had to work with products that no matter how much prepping you’ve done, the product still requires a good amount of effort to make it “look good” (especially if it clings and goes on dryly). Even if you decide to go for a matte finish overall, it shouldn’t be hard for one to apply.

Coverage: Medium. Even the nude colors have a fair amount of pigmentation although I find myself having to thoroughly go over my lips to cover translucent spots. You can layer this product, concentrating on different areas of the lips resulting in different looks but beware of applying too much product because it’ll start to look goopy.

Workable: Like I mentioned before, it’s buildable and creamy in texture. It feels light on the skin and noticeably smoothens the overall texture of your lips without bleeding into any fines lines around the mouth area. However, one thing I will definitely mention is although it starts off looking very smooth and nice, this product started to dry my lips out of the several days that I wore it.

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Longevity: It’ll stay on for less than four hours and seems to transfer. Because it’s so slick and creamy in formulation, I highly recommend lining the lips with lip liner to adequately define your lips. If you’re going out or preparing for a long day with less touch ups, go the extra mile by lining your entire lips with lip liner, applying one layer of color, blot it off with a tissue paper just until you’ve removed 75% of the lip product, and then finally applying another layer of color without blotting it off.

Application: I applied the color straight from the packaging itself. All I did was twist the bottom piece of the stylo tubing up and apply it directly onto my lips that have already been prepped with a lip balm. You can definitely use a lip brush but I found the stylo concept to be directed for a more use-on-the-go type of lifestyle (which is totally me!).

Dry lip friendly: Not really. Be sure to exfoliate because after a while, the GIRL Lip Stylo settles into those patches and accentuates them.

Lip liner friendly: Yes. Check out Hourglass’ Panoramic Long Wear Lip Liner ($30). But honestly, any creamy lip liner will do as long as it matches the shade you use.

Packaging: The lip stylo is packaged in a shiny yet chubby, crayon-looking metal tube that’s about 0.75″ in diameter. The pull-off cap and stylo body are both in what I call the signature Hourglass brown (see pictures) and feels both dense and sturdy in hand. The inside of the pull-off cap houses a mold/shell that sharpens your stylo so it’s always ready for use.

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The Verdict: I wanted to love this product so much but I actually ended up returning it in the end for a variety of reasons. I can live with exfoliating daily and the extra minute or two to layer this product on. However, I began to notice how my body was reacting to it and that was enough for me to change my mind. What happened to me is just a specific case of a lipstick causing dry, patchy lips, but it could work for you so try it out if you’ve been considering it. I would have to say I like the GIRL Lip Stylo more for the packaging and for the Hourglass brand itself. If you are sensitive to extraneous chemicals, looking for a full coverage lip product, or wanting a longwearing lipstick, I would not recommend this. I was torn between the pros and cons and ultimately, I ended up picking up some MAC products instead.

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On the Search for the Perfect Foundation: Korres Antiageing Foundation

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Korres’ Antiageing Foundation

Note: Sorry it took longer to publish this post. I had written it and prepared everything earlier but I had to get to work and I couldn’t access my blog from those ancient computers, lol. I wasn’t really allowed to use my phone either. :(

Cost: $39.00 US Dollars

Available exclusively at your local Sephora.

In shade 25 "Tan"
In shade 25 “Tan”

Description: “Uncover a youthful radiance with this comfortable, crease-proof foundation that promises a soft-focus finish. Quercetin and oak is the first natural, clinically proven alternative to retinol. An ultra-powerful antioxidant derived from the oak tree, it works fast to help minimize the visible signs of aging. The medium-coverage, crease-proof formula helps blur fine lines and wrinkles for a more youthful complexion, while a blend of moisturizing ingredients keep skin smooth and hydrated. ”

First Impression: The fact this foundation is supposedly all-natural is a great thing. Peter is always getting on me to stop wearing cosmetics and everything because of all the chemicals in them but I think if something is natural, then maybe he’ll feel a little bit better about it. I honestly don’t buy it though or at least not until I do some research on this product. The foundation has no scent (a plus!) and doesn’t feel tacky after it sets. Although it doesn’t really make my dry patches start to flake, it does dry the area a bit, and it’ll feel rougher to the touch. The finished look from this foundation is one of the prettiest I’ve encountered so far.

SPF: Not listed. I was surprised that it didn’t have any but after looking at the ingredients list, it does have titanium dioxide hidden in there so I am going to assume that it does have sunscreen in it.

Shade: Korres offers 8 shades in this line and they all appear to either be mostly golden or pink in tone. I am currently wearing 25 Tan and it’s a pretty good match. I want to try 20 Golden Beige but I am afraid it may be too warm in tone. It doesn’t hurt to try though.

Finish: The finish is natural (almost “slightly powdered’) and stays that way since it is a long wear foundation. It looks radiant when first applied and sets within a matter of minutes. When you take photos wearing Korres’ Antiageing Foundation, it looks very airbrushed and give you this soft-focus glow.

Texture: The texture of this foundation is slightly denser although I wouldn’t call it a cream. It does need to be worked in though and blended in thoroughly. Otherwise, it will look very noticeable. I’d say that it almost feels like a gel-cream.

Coverage: The Antiageing Foundation from Korres has a medium finish. I would say that it is buildable but nothing beyond medium coverage. It did cover my redness but my broken capillaries still peeked through. So either I didn’t put enough foundation on or it really doesn’t go further when it comes top coverage. I think using a concealer is probably needed if you have a lot of problem areas. I rate this foundation an 8 when it comes to coverage.

Workable: Since it is dense, it does need a little elbow grease in order to be properly blended into your skin. Having dry skin prevents me from being able to micro-exfoliate my skin but I still managed to work the foundation in by warming it up on the back of my hand prior to application.

Longevity: I think this foundation lasts a standard work day. Anything over eight hours, the wearer will find the foundation looking quite pasty. The foundation does get stickier when you’re in a humid environment but I will have to say that it goes back to being extremely smooth once you’re in a cooler environment. I think the foundation settles into those dry spots at the two-hour mark and like I said earlier, it doesn’t show but you can still feel it.

Application: I used my mineral powder brush to blend the foundation in. I also used my flat foundation brush to layer on more foundation underneath my eyes.

Type of skin: I am going to sound like a broken record but I think it’s suitable for all skin types but if you have dry skin, be sure to moisturize and exfoliate before application. I would also recommend a setting spray (resetting as well) such as the one from MAC (MAC Fix +) to help soothe the dry patchy areas. This foundation does keep your skin hydrated but I don’t feel like it’s genuinely enough.

Packaging: Korres Antiageing Foundation comes in a small, frosted glass bottle with a simple white pump.

The Verdict: I think I am able to overlook the fact that it dries out my skin because it does photograph amazingly. I do have to stock up on MAC Fix + (that setting and refreshing spray) if I am to use Korres’ Antiageing Foundation. I would use it for spring and summer and for camwhoring (most definitely). All in all, I think I will buy it even though it’s only good for one thing in my opinion. This foundation also makes any color I apply to my face pop for the most part and so I end up having to use less blush and etc.

It is priced at $39.00. I hope everyone gets to at least try this foundation on once and snap a photo of themselves as well to see how well it makes your skin look.

The last foundation review of my foundation testing marathon will be about Stila’s Illuminating Foundation. It’s been a great run and I’ll see you all tomorrow.