beauty news: Hourglass Debuts Flagship Store in Los Angeles

bonjour, beauties! how has your week been so far? mine has been a mix of highs and lows, but i can't complain. that said, i'm especially excited to share the following beauty news with you…

 Hourglass, one of my favorite luxury beauty brands, has finally opened a brick and mortar shop in los angeles!

 "it is a milestone occasion," says Hourglass founder and CEO Carisa Janes. "a brick-and-mortar location is an opportunity to bring the brand to life with state-of-the-art design and exceptional service."

the space, which opened last week, is 1400-square-feet and features a mix of reflective surfaces and captivating materials. the beauty and product visuals mirror the brand's modern luxury positioning, and you'll also find exclusive merchandise, including a new skincare capsule, in addition to unique makeup services.

sounds fabulous, right? and the images confirm it…

"when i launched the brand in 2004 my focus was on advanced ingredients, modern design and exceptional functionality," adds Janes. "now, a decade later, we are elaborating on this concept with an innovative new store. it's strong and clean, with an element of femininity ~ the essence of Hourglass."

the new store looks gorgeous, and i'm sure it will always be packed with beauty fans and brand devotees daily. will you be paying this new location a visit?

 the new Hourglass flagship store is located at 1351 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice, Ca; call 310.392.3409 for more info.

images provided by Hourglass PR; photographer: Benny Chan

beauty review: Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation

when a foundation acts as skincare, it can obviously be put into the much-appreciated category of multi-tasker {and we all love multi-taskers, right?}. so since Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation, the high-tech foundation from Hourglass, acts as such, it easily falls into this category...

not only is this buildable fluid great for creating a flawless finish on the skin, but it incorporates cashmere kaolinite clay, an exceptional, skin-loving oil absorber {shine, be gone!}. Immaculate is also oil-free, humidity-proof, water-resistant, and treats acne-prone skin so well that {over time, with continued use} it improves its appearance.

but wait, there's more...

 i've already mentioned the buildability {wow, is that a word? ha!}, but you should also know that it dries to a powder finish {love that}, feels like wearing nothing, and really lasts, making my skin look amazing all day.

it sounds too good to be true, right?

sure, but trust me, it's true! i really, really think this is a fabulous foundation.

oh! and do you see that gorgeous, fluffy brush? it's the brush No. 2 and a multi-tasker, too. its soft {so luxuriously soft!!} bristles {made from taklon, a perfect alternative for those sensitive to animal hair} can be used wet or dry, meaning it applies and blend liquids {like Immaculate foundation} beautifully, as well as powders {like your favorite blush}!

the only issue i had with Immaculate was the color {full disclosure: it was sent to me by the brand's rep, so i didn't choose it}; it was just slightly too dark. fortunately, i was still able to wear it, and like i said, it is fabulous.

you can find Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation in stores {like Sephora} and online; for more info, visit hourglasscosmetics.com.

product featured sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

brand new beauty: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders

ready to cast your complexion in a flattering new light?

it should go without saying, but i'm beyond excited about the new collection from Hourglass. new for spring 2013, please allow me to introduce you to {drumroll, please}... Ambient Lighting Powders.

this range of finishing powders promises to capture, diffuse and soften the way light is reflected on your skin. six universally flattering shades offer just as many ways to make your skin look gorgeous, no matter what the lighting...

"i learned early on how different types of light can truly flatter the complexion,” says Carisa Janes, Hourglass CEO and founder. "growing up, my mother had pink light bulbs in all of the lamps throughout the house. she loved pink light because it was the softest and most flattering, and she always wanted to look good.”

Janes was inspired to create a new generation of powders that can be customized depending upon the desired lighting effect. according to brand description, these are unlike traditional finishing powders because of the way they alter the perceived appearance of the complexion by manipulating and filtering out harsh light. this is a gorgeous plus considering that as we age, skin loses its natural luminosity.

Ambient Lighting Powder is, you'll be happy to know, free of parabens, talc, fragrance, nano-particles and gluten {yay!}; each transparent blend contains micron-size, color-correcting particles to emulate the appearance of young, healthy-looking skin.

choose your powder according to your most flattering light:

DIFFUSED LIGHT  
soft, warm, pale yellow powder. reduces redness; gives skin clarity  like a soft ray of morning light.

ETHEREAL LIGHT 
opalescent sheer, cool white powder; mimics a moonlit glow – even in broad daylight.

RADIANT LIGHT 
sun-kissed golden beige powder. extend your summer glow, or enhance the overall complexion with believable, subtle, warmth.

MOOD LIGHT
soft, sheer lavender pink powder; mimic the softest

most forgiving light and reveal your brightest complexion.

DIM LIGHT
neutral peach beige powder. blur imperfections and highlight a radiant complexion with the perfect balance of warm and cool tones.

LUMINOUS LIGHT
champagne pearl powder; creates a soft,

incandescent candlelit glow ~ day or night.

don't they sound just splendid, beauties?

fyi ~ there's also an Ambient Powder Brush, a densely packed, extra-soft brush perfect for evenly dispersing the powder onto every contour of the complexion and packaged with a protective travel pouch.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder are available now at Sephora.com and will become available in-store soon {february 2013} at Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman and Space NK.

info and image courtesy of Houglass

on the red carpet: Primetime Emmys 2012

if you tuned in to this year's primetime Emmys ceremony this past weekend, you were witness to some gorgeous gowns and fabulous hair and makeup looks. i could go on and on about my favorites, but i i'd rather just share the images.

ok, and maybe some key beauty details...

best lead actress in a drama winner Claire Danes glowed with her smoky eye look, created using products by Laura Mercier {Eye Pencil in Extreme Black, Creme Eye Colour in Burnished Copper, Creme Cheek Colour in Oleander and Smooth Lip Colour in Angelic, just to name a few}, and shiny waves, created using Frizz-Ease products by John Frieda.

Kat Dennings' romantic look was stunning thanks to loose curls, a bold lip and her gorgeously glam scarlet J.Mendel gown.

perfect, sultry waves, crimson lips {Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Icon} and flawless skin gave Mad Men star Christina Hendricks {wearing a custom Christian Siriano gown} her always fabulous  look.

with face-framing fringe and a low chignon, Zooey Deschanel was true to her personal vintage style {dress by Reem Acra}; her makeup look was glowing and soft {Hourglass Aura Sheer Cheek Stain in Flush, topped with Dior Rosy Glow in 001 petal was used on her cheeks}. a gorgeous striking pout ~ courtesy of Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Ballet ~ finished this red carpet look.

Kerry Washington was simply stunning; from her classic updo, smooth skin {Diorskin Nude Foundation #060} and lush lashes {some individual lashes were added then topped with black Diorshow Mascara}...and her sparkly Vivienne Westwood gown? love!

a deep side part, a loose braid and soft waves, paired with winged eyeliner and a pretty pink pout, gave Kate Mara a soft-meets-edgy look; this was a gorgeous compliment to the fresh-off-the-spring-2013-runway gown by Badgley Mischka.

shimmery eyes, tousled curls and a refreshingly cool Balenciaga slip dress...i loved Kristen Wiig and her simple yet polished look.

it was all about the eyes for Ginnifer Goodwin {wearing a beautiful orange Monique Lhuillier brocade dress}  thanks to a classic, thick line on the top lids and lush, full lashes created using mark Keep It Going Longwear Eyeliner & Shadow in Entourage winged at the outer corner of eyes and mark Lash All You Want High-Volume Mascara in Black.


who were your picks for best hair/makeup/overall look at this year's primetime Emmys? leave a comment and let me know!

FOTD: My St. Patrick's Day Look

for st. patty's day, and since i'm not of fan of green lipstick (i know, ha ha), i decided to do a little green on the eyes. i haven't worn greens in awhile, so i welcomed the chance to do something a little different.

on my eyes: Wet N Wild Mega Eyes eyeshadow in Amazon Greens, L'Oreal HiP High Intensity Pigments Illuminating Highlighter (this item seems to be unavailable in stores anymore), MAC Eyeshadow in Texture, Wet N Wild Kohl Eyeliner in Deep Blue, Cargo Plant Love Eyeliner in Black, Maybelline the Colossal Volum Express Mascara layered over Maybelline Lash Stiletto (stay tuned for my video review!).

on my brows: Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Medium Ash

on my face: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Makeup in Bronze, Hourglass Veil Invisible Powder (this is another i have yet to officially review although it has been featured many times before here on BGM).

on my cheeks: Bobbi Brown Copper Diamond Shimmer Brick as a highlight and MAC Beauty Powder Blush in Ablaze (this was a limited edition color).

on my lips: J. Lynne Cosmetics Gloss Effects Lip Glaze in Sandra




xo
pics taken by me :)

Hourglass Cosmetics To Debut on QVC

Hourglass Cosmetics make luxurious makeup that many celebs, as well as regular folk like me, use and love. tomorrow they will make their QVC debut on my favorite show, Saturday Night Beauty.

if you're unfamiliar with the show, it's basically a way to see the latest and greatest in hair, makeup and skincare all in the comfort of your home. it's on each saturday form 7-8 pm, and there is always some hot deal. Hourglass will be on tomorrow, and i couldn't be more happy for the brand-- they'll definitely get a massive amount of exposure through it.

one product that that will be featured is The Calligraphy Liquid Eye Liner. this was actually one of the first products from the brand that i tried and loved. it was the refined felt-tip that wowed me. it made applying liquid liner so simple and easy. this precision eyeliner is also infused with nourishing botanical extracts and pearl protein to create striking, defined eyes without tug or skip. it's longwearing, waterproof, and available in three shades-– Ebony (black), Cognac (dark brown) and Indigo (deep navy blue).

learn more about the complete collection of Hourglass Cosmetics at hourglasscosmetics.com and don't forget to tune in to QVC tomorrow!

xo

How To Create A Gorgeous Valentine's Day Look

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and since i know you beauty gals love tips and how-to's (i know i do!), i asked my new friend and celebrity makeup artist Melissa Walsh to put together a fabulous V-Day look (complete with tips and product suggestions) that will have you looking flawless in 30 minutes! take a look...




for the best looking skin, prepping it first is key.




Melissa says, "start by cleansing your face thoroughly. i love the Clarisonic Brush and combine this with a good face wash by Murad (i use the clarifying wash as i have oily skin but there are many different types to suit every skin type). the brush not only gets rid of any dull dry skin but also gets the circulation going and gives it an instant healthy glow!"








"next, moisturize with a good moisturiser. as anyone who has read any of my previous features will know, i adore Alpha Derma CE by Janson Beckett as it creates a tight smooth base, just perfect for putting makeup on."







"now that your skin is prepped you can start your makeup. i love Hourglass Fluid Veil foundation and use this on all my celebrity clients as it creates a perfectly even, flawless base that doesn't look at all heavy. blend this well with a sponge and then apply an undereye concealer- Jouer Age Repairing Brightener is amazing. cover any blemishes with a concealer that is perfectly designed for the job - Murad Acne Treatment Concealer hides and treats at the same time."









"for a really romantic glow, use cream blusher and blend onto the apples of the cheeks (Josie Maran make some lovely natural colors). finish with a light dusting of powder over the t-zone, omitting the cheeks so as not to dull the natural sheen of the blush."





"for your eyes, a light look with some definition is all that is needed. i really like cream eyeshadows for this as they are easy to apply and the right ones stay put all night. i really like Tarte Lock and Roll. just use the cream for this look (there is a powder on the other end). smooth the cream eyeshadow over the lid and into the crease, making sure it feathers out and doesn't have a hard edge. then, taking Laura Mercier's Smoky Eye Brush, dip the tip of it into a dark matte powder eyeshadow (dark brown or black preferably) and lightly line your top lashline."







"line your lower lids with a metallic eyeliner in gold or silver for a bright eyed look. once again a light hand is essential - Urban Decay has a great selection and they stay on all night! now, a few coats of mascara- Lash Venom by DuWop is my choice of the moment - and your eyes are done."






"for a soft kissable mouth use a rosy tinted stain- Benefit Benetint is the original and still one of the best. finally, top with Beautifull Lips by Janson Beckett; it plumps up the mouth instantly and makes your lips rosier without leaving gloopy lipgloss on your man!"



thanks Melissa!

want to create a look in 15 minutes or less? check out my feature that Melissa helped me out with for a Style Bakery Beauty feature by clicking here.

xo

Hourglass Dusk Color Link

when it comes to beautiful makeup, Hourglass had is down. i have had great experiences with a few of their products in the past, but the one i am having with thier Color Link palette is just a little bit better!

i have been using the Color Link palette in Dusk, and i tell you, from the pigments of the eyeshadows and blushes to the packaging, i have become an even bigger fan of this brand than i had alrady become after first using the Blush Duo back in may.

i love the combination of colors in this palette (that also come in three other combinations). they easily work together, or separately, to create anything from pretty day looks to ultra-dramatic night looks as well as everything in between!

you can find the Hourglass Color Link palettes at hourglasscosmetics.com

xo

Hourglass Cosmetics Events in California!

if you are planning to be in or around the san fransisco or beverly hills area, listen up!

Hourglass Cosmetics is holding some fabulous in-store events at Barneys New York in san fransisco this weekend, october 4 and again at their store in beverly hills on october 11.

on those days you'll have the opportunity to meet the Hourglass Artistry Team and discover what’s new for fall! schedule an appointment for a one-on-one consultation with a member of our expert artistry team to learn the tools and techniques to help you create your personalized look for the fall season.

another great thing to check out will be Solar Tan, Hourglass' new innovative, patent pending self-tanning primer formula created to hydrate the skin while helping you achieve a year-round bronze glow.

wait! there's more...

during these special events, guests will have the opportunity to receive two gifts with purchases. for purchases of $100 or more, guests receive a full-size Veil Invisible Loose Powder in Bronze Dust (a $35 value). for purchases of $250 or more, guests receive an Hourglass Leather Cosmetic Bag (a $145 value). i love a fabulous GWP!

here are all of the important details:

saturday, october 4 from 10am-6pm
San Francisco
Barneys New York
77 O’Farrell Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
for details or to schedule an appointment, please call 415.268.3540


saturday, october 11 from 10am-6pm
Beverly Hills**
Barneys New York
9570 Wilshire Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
for more details or to schedule an appointment, please call 310.276.4400 x 5598

** meet beauty innovator and founder of Hourglass Cosmetics Carisa Janes at the Beverly Hills event!


visit hourglasscosmetics.com to learn more about the entire line of cosmetics and bushes created by Hourglass.

xo

Hourglass Solar Tan Self-Tanning Primer

if you're looking for a primer that will also give you a beautiful glow, may i share with you a great product i just discovered?

it's called Solar Tan Self-Tanning Primer, and it's made by Hourglass.

now, i haven't tried this, but i thought this might be of interest to some of you.


we all know the sun is not very friendly, and can do some serious damage if we don't protect ourselves. but of course, sometimes we just like the little glow we get from basking in it.

when applied onto the skin, Hourglass Solar Tan Self-Tanning Primer gradually develops into a warm, natural glow with each wear. visible color develops after first use while full depth and intensity in color will be achieved after five days of continued application.

sounds like any other self-tanner, but get this: Solar Tan goes onto the skin to create a soft focus finish and increases the durability of foundation! it also contains vitamins A and E to give your skin the nourishment it needs.

this sounds like a great product to use when the you may need a little sun-kissed look without the real kiss of the sun and longer lasting wear from your makeup, does it not?

hey, if i needed a self tanner, i would definitely give this one a shot!

Solar Tan is oil, fragrance, and paraben-free and can be found at sephora.com


xo

Hourglass Summer Discount

don't you just love the idea of saving money? i mean, if you can get your favorite product on sale, doesn't it make buying it seem so much sweeter?

Hourglass is having a 20% off summer sale! the discount will automatically be added when you check out.






so, if you were thinking about buying the Blush Duo i reviewed last week, it will only cost a little more than $58. that's like (almost) free tax and shipping!

head over to HourGlassCosmetics.com before it ends on monday, may 19th...


xo

review: Hourglass Adorn Hydrating Lipstick

i've been having some wonderful experiences with the Hourglass products i have recently tried. i can say that i am a fan of the line and will continue to recommend their products whenever possible.


that sound like i'm about to post a bad review, doesn't it?

you're completely wrong...gotcha!

i love this lipstick! it's a refreshingly long-wearing color that feels wonderful to wear. i love that it is sheer-- a true plus in my book when it comes to lipsticks.

i was given Enchant to try, a light pink color with a gold shimmer, and i have to say i was doubtful that it would work on me. but hey, you never know until you try it on...

it didn't work so well-- as a color--on me. but that's ok. i still loved the texture and the finish of it. i applied a darker pink gloss over it, and it was a perfect pink lipstick/gloss combination! and if you must know, i wore it again the next day.

i think you should definitely try Adorn Hydrating Lipstick, and so does my friend Jenn over at Beauty in Real Life.

Hourglass Adorn Hydrating Lipstick is available in 9 shades of beautiful at sephora.com and HourglassCosmetics.com



xo

review: HOURGLASS Calligraphy Liquid Eye Liner

i have to admit that i am not a regular liquid eyeliner wearer.

can i tell you a secret?

i can never seem to get the line the same on both eyes. it's so frustrating! it would always be that i would get one eye perfect, from the inner eyelid to the outer part of the lid, the line would be thin and then widen to a just perfect width (you know what i'm talking about, right?), and the other, well...notsomuch.

that was until i was able to try the Calligraphy Liquid Eye Liner by Hourglass.

before i tell you how excited i am about this product, let me talk about the packaging: bronze, very attractive and sleek. i love it when a product looks good. it just makes the experience that much more special. with this eye liner, it's as though the Hourglass people knew that a fabulous product needed a fabulous package. who am i kidding? of course they knew, that's their job...(focus monique...) moving on...

this felt-tip liquid liner has to be, hands down, the best liquid liner i have ever tried. i am amazed at the precise application and that the quick-drying formula (no globs or running) really did last all day. even after testing it to see if it would smudge when i rubbed it with my finger, it didn't budge. my eyes looked fabulous all day!

i am so happy with this product. can i say it enough? it creates great definition to my lash line, and helps make my eyes pop. it is truly fabulous- the great color (Cognac--deep brown) and the wearability is unmatched! i do believe i have found my HG liquid eyeliner. i will definitely be wearing this more often!

available in Ebony, Cognac and Indigo, find Hourglass Calligraphy Eye Liner at HourglassCosmetics.com and Sephora.com.

want to meet the creator of Hourglass, Carisa Janes and the brand's lead makeup artist, Josh Wolf? they will be in Beverly Hills this weekend for a beauty event just in time for mother's day at Barneys. click here for more details.


xo

review: Hourglass Blush Duo

Hourglass Cosmetics features some of the chicest, most luxurious products with packaging to match. every product is formulated using the latest in cosmetic technology and incorporates ingredients to smooth your skin and leave you looking nothing less than fabulous.

i have been given the privilege to try the Blush Duo in Brazilian, a golden bronze and apricot blush set. the colors are so complimentary and blend together create a gorgeous glow. i also wore them together, using the bronze shade to contour just under my cheekbones to create depth, while i used the apricot shade to hightlight my cheeks.

worn alone, the golden bronze shade creates, a healthy natural glow, while the apricot shade works great to highlight and add a sweet, natural looking wash of color. this duo is perfect for the summer season as well as not-so-summer seasons. not too shimmery, these colors go on easily, and i can say i was instantly happy with the results i saw (that means i loved it!).

i love that this comes in a sturdy, yet pretty compact in a faux leather case with a (big) mirror and a magnetic clasp to hold it closed. Hourglass holds nothing back when it comes to pairing substance with style.

i am loving Hourglass at this moment, and tomorrow, you will find out about another product that has me hooked to this line!



want to meet the creator of Hourglass, Carisa Janes and the brand's lead makeup artist, Josh Wolf? they will be in Beverly Hills this weekend for a beauty event just in time for mother's day at Barneys. click here for more details.

Hourglass Cosmetics are available online at HourglassCosmetics.com and Sephora.com


xo

Hourglass Cosmetics Beauty Event

spring is here and summer is approaching, and if you're like me, the house has been cleaned to to bottom, and now it's time to fine tune the beauty routine and try something new.

why not a complimentary makeover? i can't imagine a more fabulous way to jump start the season! and if you're in beverly hills mother's day weekend, you will want to pull out your calendar and save the date:

Hourglass Cosmetics, its creator Carisa Janes and lead makeup artist Josh Wolf will be at Barneys Beverly Hills on saturday, may 10th.

this event will be held from 11am- 6pm. take your mom to for a fabulous day of pampering.

to schedule an appointment please call the Hourglass Counter at (310) 276-4400 x5598 those who attend will receive a full-sized eye shadow. purchases over $100 receive the Sheen Reflective Lip Gloss in Beach; purchases over $250 receive a Leather Cosmetic Bag.



i have always heard many great things about Hourglass (i recommended one of their palettes in my mother's day gift series), and i hope to review some of their products in the near future...

until then, check out some of Hourglass's bestselling products at Sephora.com


xo

gifts for mom

mother's day is may 11th! it is the one day a year that mothers are celebrated for their efforts, the love they show and sacrifices they make. if you have a mom or are a mom yourself, it is the day that you can pamper and/or be pampered.

Sephora (who else?) has great ideas for the big day! they have categorized the "types" of moms, so finding the perfect gift should be a no-brainer. the sophisticate, the earth mother, the rock star and the glam mom are all profiled, and i will share the ideas and looks with you.

first up, the sophisticate:










she's cultured. she's wise. she knows exactly what she wants, when she wants it—and believe us, she gets it. a connoisseur of all things pretty, she can wax poetic about the best lotions and potions—starting with these beauties, each worthy of her super-seasoned standards.


for the sophisticated mom, it's important to focus on details. simple, fresh and oh-so-classy.

check our this video to see the look, then scroll down for fabulous gift ideas:









Marc Jacobs Perfume to Go
this scent is classic, luxurious, and comfortingly feminine. it is both sensuous and uncomplicated, complementing the wearer without overwhelming her, and comes in a take anywhere size.








Hourglass Color Link Palette
this Color Link Palette offer six eye shadows and two blushes in rich, luxurious colors and textures- providing all the tools necessary to create a number of beautiful looks.







Laura Mercier French Vanilla Bath & Body Collection
this collection emanates pure tahitian and bourbon vanilla aromas. velvety caramel notes and luscious kadota fig blend perfectly with creamy sandalwood and smooth amber for an enchanting and alluring experience, leaving skin soft and feeling fresh.








Shu Uemura False Eylashes
an indulgence for the lashes! momentarily transforms your lashes to stimulate your creativity and dramatize your look.





here's to fabulous, sophisticated moms!


xo

source: sephora