The above picture was taken just days ago at La Perla’s Fall 2010 Collection Preview. The makeup looks for the show were created by Hourglass makeup artist Michael Pierce and this one is the “Classic Look”. The model is wearing eyeshadow from the Visionaire Duo, Gypsy. I have Gypsy and adore its neutral look with a tasteful amount of shimmer and incredible pigmentation.

But I am getting ahead of myself here. I need to properly introduce this line, and explain my weakness for all things Hourglass. Hourglass Cosmetics was founded by Carisa Janes who used to work for Urban Decay in marketing and development. She moved on to become the creator of Body & Soul Cosmetics before staring Hourglass in 2003.

Their products are not all natural, but are made with mineral pigments rather than synthetic ones, and they are free of parabens and fragrance. Typically I would walk right past a cosmetics line that wasn’t 100% natural because I have found so many that I love and don’t need to supplement with anything else. That was until I saw the gorgeous colors and packaging of Hourglass.

Do you know people who rarely eat meat, but every now and then succumb to bacon? Well, Hourglass is my bacon. Maybe more of a turkey bacon, but a damn good bacon at that. My binge started with the aforementioned Gypsy Duo.

The darker color on the right is a cross between cocoa and bronze and I love it as an eyeliner. It also looks beautiful on the outer edge of the top lashline, with the lighter champagne color on the inner edge. With a light hand it gives a natural look for the day, and with a heavier application (and lots of mascara) it works beautifully for evening.

After my fabulous experience with Gypsy, I had to get another. Exhibition, above, was my next purchase and is just as lovely as Gypsy but more dramatic. It’s darker than the photo suggests as the color on the right is a deep burgundy-violet and the left is more of a taupey lavender. This duo is so intensely pigmented, that it has taken me some work to feel comfortable applying Exhibition. But once I did, a sexy, smoky, violet eye was my reward.

The latest temptation from Hourglass is their Prodigy Lipgloss. As you can see from the picture, it’s not your typical skinny tubed lippie. It has the shape of a tiny flip-phone and fits perfectly in your palm or small handbag. I have Hypnotic, a warm berry pink with a little shimmer. The texture is smooth and tenacious without being goopy (which was something I never liked about Chanel’s Glossimers). Hypnotic’s color lasts for several hours and feels moisturizing on the lips. The only sticking point is the cap. It’s difficult to get on without squeezing the product, but I’ve figured out my technique of holding the gloss on the sides instead, even though it is a bit cumbersome.

Hopefully you natural makeup junkies can understand my total lack of willpower as I tried to deny myself the bewitching Hourglass Cosmetics. We all need a little “bacon” to keep us from getting too self-righteous, right? (I also have the palette on the left, Vol. 6 Cashmere, it’s as awesome as you think it is). But come back soon for more reviews of all-natural makeup. I have found some amazing products!

Hourglass is available at Sephora, Barney’s, Hourglass Cosmetics and Dermstore.com. The Visionaire Duos are $38, Palettes are $58 and Prodigy Lipglosses are $26.

And for more Beauty Tips, check out Stylecaster.com!

Posted by ~Trish

Disclosure: The above products were purchased by me, except for the Prodigy Lipgloss which was provided by Hourglass PR. The opinons in this review are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review or any other.