REVIEW: Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipsticks

I cannot believe that I've ranted, raved, and gushed about these liquid lipsticks for nearly a year, but have never written a formal review. Maybe it's because I'm afraid that a formal review will turn people off: the current trend is for weightless, shiny lipsticks, and these babies are anything but. Still, one of my goals is to become the semi-official Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick spokesperson. That requires some writing.

The Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipsticks are just what they say on the tin: "indestructible matte" liquid lipsticks with opaque pigmentation and an incredibly long wear time. A full-size tube will run you $28 for 0.10 ounces, which isn't bad for a high-end lipstick. There are several "mini tubes" available at $10 for 0.03 ounces, which is a good way to try the colors without making a major financial commitment. In case it isn't clear in the header image, I have two full-size tubes and two mini-tubes.

The packaging is a mixed bag for me. They come in these long, kinda flat tubes that are clear on the front and metallic on the back and lid. This means they can't stand up on a desk or a vanity, and they get covered in fingerprints, making them kind of unsightly in photographs. However, you can see the exact color of the product and how much you have left, and that's always a bonus. Color names and batch codes are on the back.

EXPAND FOR LARGER IMAGES -- from left to right: Riviera, Muse, Canvas, Icon

The liquid formulation feels slightly thick and very creamy. You apply the product with a doe-foot applicator, which I find relatively easy to control. It's easy to overdo it, so I always wipe the applicator off on the rim of the tube before I apply. Trust me: it's better to have too little than too much!

The lipstick will start to dry almost immediately, and will completely set in about 2-3 minutes, so be sure to fix any mistakes quickly. This product has to be removed with an oil-based remover, so just faffing around with a q-tip isn't going to help you. Also, try not to rub your lips together until the product has sat for a few minutes; this can cause lines and creases.

 I own 4 shades: Riviera, a bold orange, Muse, a bright coral, Canvas, a soft mid-tone pink, and Icon, a blue-based red. The pictures above demonstrate how pigmented and opaque the shades are. I will note that the more neutral/pale shades like Canvas can apply slightly streaky if you aren't careful; again, it's helpful to only use a little bit of product at a time.

Hourglass claims that these lipsticks will last for 14 hours. I think that's a little obscene for the average user, so I try to test products listed as "long-wearing" over a 6-8 hour period. After 3 hours and a light, dry meal, I noticed zero fading or flaking. After 8 hours, many glasses of water, and a big bowl of soup, I noticed some minor fading on the inner parts of my lips, but the majority of the color was still in place. Yes, these are definitely long-wearing! The only thing that might cause a problem is very oily food--the soup I ate was loaded with it, which I believe caused some of the patchiness in the 8-hour photo--but that's to be expected.

Hourglass also claims that these lipsticks are full of emollients, aka moisturizing ingredients. I'm sure this product contains them, because they're in the ingredients list, but be assured that it is not a weightless or moisturizing product. I can definitely feel this product on my mouth. I like that, because I think of lipstick as a kind of "armor" on my face, but if you're only in to super-lightweight balmy textures, this isn't the product for you.

And as the 8-hour image shows, these lipsticks will dry your lips a little and exaggerate fine lines after a long period of wear. The best way to combat this is to exfoliate and moisturize your lips before you apply the product; it helps the lipstick apply and stay better throughout the day. I personally don't find the dry-ness to be anything too terrible--it's easily fixed by a coat of balm after I've cleansed my face--but people with especially sensitive lips will have to give these a pass.

The Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick line has become one of my all-time favorites, and it's not hard to see why: the color range is great, the price is right, the formula is easy to use and incredibly long-wearing, and I don't have to worry about smearing or touch-ups. If you're okay with a lipstick that's tangible when you wear it, then definitely give the line a try!

RATING: 5 out of 5.

And now, some quick bonus images!

One of my recent obsessions has been Pittsburgh Popcorn, a local company that specializes in--you guessed it--gourmet, homemade popcorn. The chocolate caramel is a regular flavor and a definite favorite of mine, but their cheddar corn and most of their weekly flavors are also phenomenal. You can order online, so consider checking them out!

Here's a bonus picture of my beautiful kitty!