 |
| Newness from Hourglass. |
I just returned from an indescribably wonderful trip to London and Miami (a complete recapitulation, coming up soon…in the meanwhile, take a peek at my Instagram for a glimpse) and am working on catching up on absolutely everything–new releases, swatches, writing, filming, to say nothing of my full-time teaching schedule–now that I am back.
Consequently, my first order of business is to share thoughts and swatches of three beautiful releases from Hourglass and Burberry (two new, one permanent) as well as a round of marvelous recent product discoveries–including an utter gems from Edward Bess and Girlactik–that lavish hair, skin, face and eyes with nourishment and radiance.
Kindly scroll on for more details, swatches and images of the products in action as well as the Bottom Line…
Replete with six utilitarian shades (3 new, 3 existing) for the face and eyes, the *Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Volume 3 (also available at Sephora) is must for those who embrace products that multitask. Housed in a streamlined metallic rose gold case, this luxurious collection of hues bathes skin in warmth, flush and light while two finishing powders ensure that skin looks its smoothest and most pristine.
As with all Hourglass Ambient powder shades, I find the powders to be finely-milled, silky on the skin and entirely buildable–from a sheer gossamer effect, all the way to medium opacity for a myriad of looks. For me, the standout of the six shades is the incandescent Pure Effect blush; this baby pink is the quintessential fusion of glow and flush and I suspect it would look stunning on a spectrum of complexions.
I am deeply satisfied with the *Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Volume 3 as it creates a full and balanced face that looks naturally ethereal in mere seconds. The powders layer, blend and play well together, enabling a infinite range of possible looks–from get-ready-in-2-minutes-in-the-car to full-faced-holiday-night-out-glam–making this latest addition to the Hourglass family a wise investment, indeed!
 |
| Up close and personal. |
Official details, courtesy of Nordstrom:
What it is: A limited-edition Ambient Lighting Edit featuring three best-selling and three new exclusive shades for a flawlessly lit complexion.
What it does: This travel-friendly palette of lighting essentials takes you from day to night so you can create your perfect light anytime, anywhere. This collectible palette is available exclusively this season. From a fresh, youthful look for day to a sophisticated, vibrant look for night, this edit is everything you need to finish, brighten, contour and highlight your skin. Each shade is formulated with the brand’s Photoluminescent Technology to capture, diffuse and soften surrounding light for skin that appears softer, younger and lit-from-within.
Shades include:
– Dim Light (neutral peach beige that blurs imperfections and highlights the complexion)
– Diffused Light (soft, warm, pale yellow that conceals redness and gives skin clarity)
– Luminous Bronzed Light (medium tan fused with Luminous Light for a softer, candlelit warmth)
– New Surreal Halo (deep berry blush fused with Surreal Light for a vibrant flush of color)
– New Pure Effect (bright petal pink fused with glimmering rose for a youthful glow)
– New Hypnotic Strobe Light (champagne powder infused with multidimensional pearl for sublime highlight)
How to use: Apply Dim Light or Diffused Light all over your face as a finishing powder. Contour the hollows of your cheeks with Luminous Bronze Light. Apply Pure Effect to your cheeks for a youthful glow or Surreal Halo for a vibrant flush. Apply Hypnotic Strobe Light to the high points of your face, such as the tops of your cheeks, bridge of your nose, brow bone and cupid’s bow. It can be used wet for a more intense highlight.
 |
| Sunlit wonderment. |
 |
| Swatches in direct sunlight. |
 |
| Swatches in direct sunlight. |
 |
| *Hourglass Confession Refillable Lipstick Set |
New for the holiday season ahead, the *Hourglass Confession Refillable Lipstick Set (also available at Sephora with all shades swatched + extensively reviewed HERE) features three fresh shades, cleverly packaged in a golden case. Possessing major color payoff, moisturizing wear and a creamy finish in a trio of universally-flattering hues, this is the lip color set to get and give.
I have an affinity for the perfectly nude pink True Love Means and those seeking a “my lips but better” shade will adore My One Desire. For neutrality with a dash of 1990’s drama, You Are My is a brilliant option. I am so enthralled with this particular trio that I recently recommended it to a fellow beauty lover that I met in a restaurant bathroom…it is for the aforementioned reasons that I will continue to sing this triad’s praises to anyone seeking a !
 |
| Swatches in direct sunlight. |
Official details, courtesy of Nordstrom:
What it is: A limited-edition featuring three new exclusive shades of the refillable Confession Ultra Slim Lipstick paired with a sleek gold applicator.
What it does: The full-coverage lipstick won’t smudge or feather, and it comes encapsulated in a sleek gold applicator to provide the ultimate control to precisely accentuate, contour and define the lips. The gold applicator can be used interchangeably with the full collection of Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Lipstick refills (sold separately).
Shades include:
– My One Desire (dusty mauve)
– True Love Means (pink nude)
– You Are My (medium rose brown)
How to use: Turn the mechanism to dispense the product. Twist the product down before recapping and click the lid tightly to ensure closure. It does not require sharpening. To refill, remove the gold applicator cap and pull the existing lipstick barrel out from the pointed end of the gold applicator. If the lipstick is still usable, the lipstick barrel can be set aside for future use. Take your new shade and remove the black cap, then firmly pull the lipstick barrel out from the black base. Store the cap and base for future use, or attach them to the lipstick you just removed if it’s still usable. Holding the pointed end of the sleek gold applicator, insert your new shade of lipstick into the opening until it clicks into place. Secure the gold applicator cap after each use.
What it does: The full-coverage lipstick won’t smudge or feather, and it comes encapsulated in a sleek gold applicator to provide the ultimate control to precisely accentuate, contour and define the lips. The gold applicator can be used interchangeably with the full collection of Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Lipstick refills (sold separately).
Shades include:
– My One Desire (dusty mauve)
– True Love Means (pink nude)
– You Are My (medium rose brown)
How to use: Turn the mechanism to dispense the product. Twist the product down before recapping and click the lid tightly to ensure closure. It does not require sharpening. To refill, remove the gold applicator cap and pull the existing lipstick barrel out from the pointed end of the gold applicator. If the lipstick is still usable, the lipstick barrel can be set aside for future use. Take your new shade and remove the black cap, then firmly pull the lipstick barrel out from the black base. Store the cap and base for future use, or attach them to the lipstick you just removed if it’s still usable. Holding the pointed end of the sleek gold applicator, insert your new shade of lipstick into the opening until it clicks into place. Secure the gold applicator cap after each use.
Pro tips: The refills are meant to be collected and used interchangeably with the gold applicator.
 |
| The *Burberry Cashmere Foundation |
I’ve been using the *Burberry Cashmere Foundation (also available at Sephora) for the past six months and am delight to be able to share swatches of 12 of the 13 available shades. This medium to full coverage foundation features a natural soft matte finish and immense lasting power, ideal for long days when your skin needs to look its best.
Hydrating yet lightweight, the formula works well with most skin types and ages and the fact that its fragrance-free is an additional benefit for those with sensitivities. Because a little goes a long way, I use a single pump and blend it into my skin with a dampened beauty blender sponge. The result is an fresh and even canvas that will withstand the stresses of the day with grace and aplomb.
 |
| Swatches in direct sunlight. |
Shades Descriptions (per my experience):
- #11 Porcelain: @N/NW/NC 10
- #12 Warm Nude: @N/NC 15
- #31 Rosy Nude: @N/NW 20
- #32 Honey: @N/NC 25 **My current match
- #34 Warm Nude: @N/NW 25
- #36 Dark Sable: @N/NW 30-35
- #38 Warm Honey: @N/NW 30-35
- #42 Camel: N/NW 35-40
- #43 Almond: N/NW/NC 40-45
- #60 Chestnut: N/NW/NC 45-50
- #64 Mocha: N/NW/NC 50
- #66 Deep Brown: N/NW/NC 55+
Official details, courtesy of Nordstrom:
Inspired by Burberry fabric heritage and the brand’s soft Scottish cashmere collection, this liquid foundation delivers a long-lasting, flawless complexion wrapped in cashmere-like comfort. Effortlessly buildable and blendable, its creamy texture melts onto the skin for a soft-matte finish and lightweight, waterproof result.
The Full Face:
 |
| Skin + Hair. |
// SKIN + HAIR //
- *Playa Haircare (also available at Playa): I was recently introduced to this independent hair care line and am wildly impressed thus far. Boasting marvelous ingredients and minimalist formulas that can be used daily, the shampoo and conditioner have been a part of my regular routine for the past couple of weeks. The fragrance is unlike anything I’ve encountered in haircare…it’s complex yet subtle and very pleasing. Highly recommended!
- *Omorovicza Nourishing Hand Treatment: My husband and I both use this exemplary hand cream every single night (it’s rare we find something we both like in this category). The scent is divine and the rich formula instantly absorbs for soft and hydrated hands. So good.
- *Tory Burch Jolie Fleur Vert: This lively green fragrance capitalizes on the opulence of jasmine and neroli, translating as the perfect balance between mood-lifting and sensual.
 |
| Eyes . |
// EYES //
- *Edward Bess Harmonious Hues Light Stick Trio: I am utterly entranced by this recent release from the venerable Mr. Bess. The versatile triad of creamy sticks impart sheer yet buildable color that can be used to illuminate the face, or in the case of the images below, enhance the eyes. Candlelight is a light champagne, Ambience is a stunning rose gold and Aura is a rich golden bronze. The formula is velvety smooth, blendable, nonsticky and has formidable lasting power…simply gorgeous through and through.
- *Givenchy Mascara Perfecto Primer: This pale pink primer dries clear but coats lashes in fortifying fibers that stay put while contributing to longer, thicker fringe.
- *Lancome Monsieur Big Mascara (reviewed HERE): Two coats for full and fluffy lashes.
- *Girlactik Soft Powder Eyebrow Pencil in Light Brow: A durable pencil with a super soft texture that melts into brows while defining and adding dimension, this product is truly special. I am continually impressed with the innovations coming from Girlactik!
 |
| Swatches in direct sunlight. |
The following images reflect all products in action in afternoon sunlight…
 |
| True Love Means on the lips. |
// STYLE NOTES //
- Heather V Neck: Clean,versatile and super soft, this tee can be dressed up or down with ease.
- Knit Mini Skirt: Although I bought this particular skirt at Free People last season (check out the site’s vast array of options HERE), I also found a similar, more high-end version at Nordstrom.
- Moto Leather Jacket: I’ve had this particular jacket for years and it continues to get consistent wear in my wardrobe…with fall officially here, now is the perfect time to
- Platform Adidas Stan Smith Tennies: These tennis shoes are on heavy rotation…comfortable, classic and able to match any outfit–from dresses to jeans–they are well worth the pursuit.
- Vintage Cartier Jewelry: I often get asked where my gold jewelry from (it’s comprised of vintage and estate pieces) and frequently direct people to The Real Real (which I’ve ordered from countless times). Everything is authenticated and the deals are sublime.
 |
| My One Desire on the lips. |
 |
| Last look. |
–Shop the Post–
Bottom Line: I hope you enjoyed this Hourglass and Burberry-centric feature and would love to know which products caught YOUR eye. Do tell!
Good things ahead, including a fresh video that has been in the works for months (!!), my favorites from L’Occitane and Shu Uemura, an on-location beauty look and a breakdown of my recent trip abroad with Burberry Beauty, including an interview with Wendy Rowe. Positively cannot wait to share!
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
**PR samples provided for review denoted by an asterisk (the rest purchased by me), however, as always, all of my opinions are expressly and unequivocally my own. © 2012-17 Beautyprofessor® All Rights Reserved. Do not copy, reprint or republish content and/or photos without author’s written permission.
Comments (2)
Wow that foundation looks stunning on you! How long does it wear? I'm looking for a great foundation that I can wear to work that will last about 9+ hours on my slightly combo skin
Love the eyeliner on your waterline, this is a really good look on you. I don't usually do comments, but just had to. Love your review on Hourglass, I love their products. Thank you! (tried to comment before but it did not work, hopefully this one saves this time).