Hourglass Cosmetics Introduces Three New Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss Shades
Like sand through an hourglass…I know it’s only a brief period of time before Hourglass Cosmetics tantalizes me with yet another makeup bag must-have. From the Illusion Tinted Moisturizer to the moisturizing Veil Fluid Makeup, the oil-free and shine-reducing Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation, the replicate-your-most-flattering-lighting-scenario Ambient Lighting Powder, the gold-tipped No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil, the Femme Nude Lip Stylo, and the creamy and matte Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick, Hourglass Cosmetics’ track record is as strong as that of Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Carl Lewis. So when I heard that Hourglass was adding three shades to its Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss collection, I knew that I myself would be sprinting to scoop them all up.
Now, I’ve always admitted that I’m fonder of lipstick than lip gloss — in great part because I love a bold, statement-making pout, and I find that lipsticks tend to have a richer pigment pay-off. That’s one of the reasons why I adore the Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipsticks since they have the fluidity of a gloss but the creaminess and color saturation of a lipstick, plus they manage to go on slick and shiny, then dry to a demure matte finish. That said, the Hourglass Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss ($28 at Sephora.com, Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman, Space NK, and HourglassCosmetics.com) is no ordinary gloss — it’s beyond extraordinary. It manages to offer the mirror-like shine that women yearn for in their lip glosses, but its also boasts a robust amount of color. Also important, its staying power is beyond impressive — in fact, I can’t recall another lip gloss that has lasted quite as long as this one (except perhaps the Armani Lip Maestro, but that gloss has more of a luminous matte finish than a full-on shiny look). This long-wearing quality is the result of a proprietary gel technology that allows the pigments to adhere to the pout, preventing the color from smearing or bleeding.
But one of the Extreme Sheen’s best traits is that it moisturizes the pout thanks to a blend of nourishing ingredients like vitamin E, which protects skin from free radicals and keeps lip color looking radiant; castor seed oil, which has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to soften and smooth the skin, thereby helping to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; barley extract, which is rich in linoleic acids and plant phytosterols that promote cellular renewal, strengthen the skin’s protective barrier, and help to fend off moisture loss; and sandalwood extract, a humectant that draws moisture in and helps skin retain it.
This moisturizing quality is particularly important when wearing lip gloss in the summertime since the shiny nature of lip gloss works to attract the sun’s rays which can, in turn, dry out your precious pucker. With the Extreme Sheen, however, you’ll be well-protected against UV rays and other environmental factors and your lips will feel comfortable and kissable.
Other standout qualities: it’s not sticky (so when the breeze blows, your hair won’t adhere to your pout and smear your gloss all over your face) and, although it has an incredibly shiny finish, it doesn’t have those chunky, juvenile, glittery particles that make so many glosses feel like they belong on the pouts of gyrating Bada Bing performers.
Now that I’ve trumpeted all of the Extreme Sheen’s wonders, let’s talk about the three new shades — they are Ballet, a deep pink rose color; Canvas, a stunning, warm, almost toffee-tinged nude hue; and Muse, a robust vermilion shade. Now, you may already be familiar with these colors since they have been previously released in other lip product families — among them within the Opaque Rouge range (I actually own both Ballet and Muse in this form). And, having experienced these shades before, I can say the coloring is spot-on so that the differences within one specific hue across different lip product families pertain to texture, finish, opacity, and shine, rather than any pigment-specific differences.
Out of the three new Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss hues, the amazing folks at Hourglass sent me a sample of Ballet, which is a sophisticated yet modern and fresh pink hue. It doesn’t make me think of tutus and pointe shoes since it’s not delicate, pastel, or powdery in any way. I’d actually describe it as more of a honeysuckle pink, one that perfectly balances out warm and cool undertones. The color saturation in absolutely unreal for a gloss and it doesn’t feel heavy in any way, plus it retains that lovely shine. Here are two swatches for you to reference:
Next, here are a couple of pics of me wearing the Ballet shade. As you cans see, the lip gloss isn’t completely opaque when applied to lips, but it’s pretty close! Instead of a sheer, barely-there wisp of color, the Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss in Ballet offers a pigment punch that’s perfect for those who like bold pouts but still want the ease and the gleam of a gloss.
