The Latest Hourglass Launches Will Make Your Eyes Sparkle and Pop

From their cult-status Veil Mineral Primer, to the gorgeous Ambient Lighting Blushes, and those sleek Toblerone-shaped Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Sticks, Hourglass Cosmetics is a go-to for high-performing luxury makeup that look equally flattering on the face as they do on the vanity.

 

 

This year, the brand’s already launched their lustrous cream highlighters, a convenient retouching fluid, and a bestselling setting powder. Now, Hourglass has their eyes set on, well, your eyes.

We sat down with Lisa Marie Ruggiero, the brand’s Global Artistry Trainer, to discover the latest additions to the Hourglass family, and discuss the importance of vegan, cruelty-free beauty.

 

Which is your favourite new launch?

The Caution Extreme Lash Mascara! It’s incredible. It gives the lashes 400% more volume in one single stroke. Lift, length, volume, and definition. The formula is super black, and as always, cruelty-free and vegan. Also, look how sculptural the packaging is. Again, it’s that signature ‘form meets function’ that Hourglass is known for. It feels substantial in your hand — it feels sleek and sexy. The price, too, is obtainable. This is the biggest launch in Hourglass history. We’re really excited about it. And then these Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadows, too. People just love them, they’re attracted to shiny, sparkly things. One of these would last you so long, and the texture is so unique. It’s creamy, it doesn’t separate, it doesn’t clump, and it doesn’t crease.

What’s your favourite makeup trend at the moment?

I love blush, especially during summer, in a hot climate. I’m a fan of brightening the face, and I like monochromatic looks at the same time. I actually love using blush on the lips. One of my favourite tricks is to apply our Lip Treatment Oil first before patting a bit of our Ambient Lighting Blush. I also like using blush on the eyes, and because I travel so frequently, I have to find innovative ways to utilise my products. Versatility is key for me, so I’m always gonna be drawn to a product that provides multi-functionality. Less is more for the modern girl on-the-go.

Do you have any tips and tricks on how to look glowy instead of greasy in Singapore’s humidity?

Start with our Veil Mineral Primer. Work a little bit into your hands, and either press it into the face or paint it all over with a brush. This is going to be your best friend, especially in this climate. Water just dribbles off it, and it’s an impactful demonstration. You can sweat, but your makeup won’t be compromised. It’s also transfer-resistant, so if you take a tissue and wipe, it won’t budge. I think our Veil Translucent Setting Powder is also key to setting your look and keeping everything intact. Gone are the days where women use powder for blotting, but more for truly setting your entire makeup ritual and keep everything in place.

Our Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation is also a huge contender in Southeast Asia. It might not have gotten a lot of love at first, but it’s incredible. It’s ideal for oily, acneic skin, and even for those with acne scarring. Not only will it help to absorb oil, it’ll help to decrease oil production over time. What makes it unique is that it’s formulated with Cashmere Kaolinite Clay, which is a special type of clay that’s able to absorb 75% of its weight in oil without drying out the skin or clogging pores. It’s recommended by dermatologists and it has changed people’s lives. This dries down to a powder and it’s super weightless, so you could even use that to touch up the T-zone.

Who is the Hourglass woman?

I think everyone is the Hourglass woman. Our line is so user-friendly and so unique that it doesn’t matter if you’re a novice or a makeup artist. Take for example, our brushes. They have weighted metal handles to allow for easy application, so you’re not putting on too much or too little product — the brush is doing the work for you. For our Ambient Lighting Powder, there’s no right or wrong way to use them. You can use them alone, over foundation, as a setting powder, or as an eyeshadow. Someone who’s looking for high-performing, luxurious products is always going to come to Hourglass. Super sophisticated and modern — it’s the cool girl makeup! The brand has so much integrity, too. We’re 100% cruelty-free right now, and by 2020, we’ll be 100% vegan. Now, we’re 80% vegan. If we can’t get the technology or the product to be 100% vegan, it’s going to be discontinued. You can learn more about the Nonhuman Rights Project, which we’ve collaborated with.

 

Why should we switch to vegan, cruelty-free beauty products?

Now more than ever, we need to leave a responsible mark not only for future generations, but also setting an example in the present industry. I’m a huge fan of animal rights, and I never believed that you should test products on animals. Animals are not wearing beauty products, and who’s to say their health or their welfare is less important than a human being’s. If you learn more about animal-testing and what are done to these animals by a lot of large corporations and companies, you’ll be truly disheartened. It’s just so unnecessary.

What has been the greatest lesson you learned working with Look Good Feel Better?

Some years ago, my mother was diagnose with lymphoma, and I watched her struggle with losing her hair and her brows. When I was younger, watching my mother put on makeup was one of the reasons why I got into makeup, and what made me fall in love with it. So, watching her struggle like that made me realise she was lucky because she always had me to guide her, because I’m a makeup artist. But there’s a plethora of people out there who don’t know how to deal with the fact that they’re losing their hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes. It’s powerful to be able to teach someone to do a simple eyebrow, or a simple blush look, or even just to put on lipstick. When you look good, you feel better. It changes everything.

What are you most excited for the brand next?

There’s a lot in store for the brand. We’re growing so rapidly that the future is limitless. What’s so incredible about this brand is we’re all about innovation, reinvention, and the future of makeup. Every new launch that we do is exciting, but I can tell you, for holiday, there are some incredible things in the works, so stay tuned. You’re gonna be blown away.

 


Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara, $46
Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow, $48
Available at Sephora stores and Sephora.sg from 13 September 2018.