Hourglass | Glitter Geek

I love drawing on a bold lip, cat or smokey eyes (or sometimes, both). However, my favourite look on me is natural, clean and effortless like this no-makeup contoured look.

I came across this photo by Nicolas Méphane on Pinterest and decided to recreate the makeup. I have been using Hourglass Illume Crème-To-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset ($46 at Sephora) everyday to achieve the look in seconds.

Hourglass Illume Crème To Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset 1
Hourglass Illume Crème-To-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset

Sunset contains a sheer rose and sheer bronze creme products that dry to a velvety finish. Although the name suggests that both colours are bronzer products, the rose shade is essentially a blush. The typical bronzer side is a warm brown that is deep enough to bronze my medium-to-tan skin tone (about MAC NC35-37). Both colours are sheer and can be built up to the desired intensity. And boy to these blend beautifully onto the skin! They create the illusion of healthy sun kissed skin and I am obsessed.

Hourglass Illume Crème To Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset swatches
Hourglass Illume Crème-To-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset — swatches

Not only do these look good on the skin, but they also contain no parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, or phthalates. The wax-free and oil-free formula lasts all day long on my skin. Sure it’s expensive, but it is a luxury brand/product. You are getting a lot of product for your money here and the finish is just marvellous.

Hourglass Illume Crème To Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset 2
Hourglass Illume Crème-To-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset

I like to apply the products with a synthetic brush; my Real Techniques Contour Brush from the Core Collection ($27.99, now available to Canadians at Farleyco!) does wonderfully. I start by blending the bronze side along the contours of my cheeks, temples, sides of the nose, jawline and hairline. I then grab the rose side and apply below the apples of the cheeks. This creates the appearance of youthful and more contoured cheekbones. Yup. You’re welcome.

Wearing Hourglass Illume Crème To Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset 3
Wearing Hourglass Illume Crème-To-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset

Wearing Hourglass Illume Crème To Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset 2
Wearing Hourglass Illume Crème-To-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset

Wearing Hourglass Illume Crème To Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset 1
Wearing Hourglass Illume Crème-To-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset

Other Products Used

Face
Laura Mercier Primer in Radiance
MAKE UP FOR EVER Face & Body Foundation in a custom blended shade
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NC35
YSL Touche Éclat in 2

Eyes
Mary Kay Mineral Eye Colours in Sienna, Cinnabar, Espresso on contour and bottom lid (review)
Mary Kay Mineral Eye Colour in Coal on upper lash line (review)
MAC Eyeshadows in Coquette and Brun on brows (review)
Cargo Vienna palette champagne shade on lid and highlight
YSL Long-Lasting Waterproof Eye Pencil in 1 Black Ink on upper waterline
Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara on top lashes only (review)

Lips
Maybelline Baby Lips in Coral Crush

The crisp autumn air has finally arrived, and this girl couldn’t be more excited. I can wear makeup again. I am not stopping at just brows, lashes, lips anymore; I am going dramatic, baby. My favourite look — my makeup uniform — brings the drama: bold brows, cat eyeliner, contoured cheeks and matte dark lips.

My Fall Uniform, Makeup Edition

Wearing Hourglass Empress Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick

Matte lips are a lot more dramatic than their glossy counterparts. You gotta have the confidence to pull off the look, and the application has to be immaculate. A gloopy, creamy lipstick does not mix well with fall winds.

Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Empress ($33) just arrived at my doorstep last week and I didn’t wait a day to try it on. Empress is a deep berry, described by Hourglass as aubergine. The formula applies as a creamy liquid and dries down quickly to a stain. This is a much thicker stain formula than I’m used to, so I make sure to use a little bit at a time or I risk ending up with thick crumbly lipstick.

Hourglass Empress Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick

Hourglass Empress Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick Swatch

This shade looks darker on me than it does in the tube, and I really like it! The formula promises to stay vibrant for 14 hours, and I think that’s a bit of a long shot. It did last an entire work day on me with very minor fading (you can’t really tell), so that is quite an accomplishment. I do find this lipstick to be a little bit drying though, so if you suffer from dry lips, make sure to prep with lip balm beforehand.

Wearing Hourglass Empress Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick

With this look, more is really more. It’s a bold look, but what good is makeup if you don’t go big every now and then? Do you wear long wearing lipstick? What’s your favourite formula?