My spring lip test continues with a look at the newest launches from Hourglass Cosmetics. They started a new one Unlocked soft matte lipstick ($38 each), Shape and Sculpt Lip Liners ($29 each) and their four new shades Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm ($36). I got them from Sephora but are also available at Hourglass, Nordstrom, Blue mercury, Neiman Marcus and all Hourglass retailers.
Unlocked soft matte lipstick
The Unlocked soft matte lipstick is a soft opaque matte lipstick with full coverage. They are very opaque with full coverage and according to Hourglass they are infused with a primer for a smooth application. I found that they did apply smoothly, but there was some tugging and it felt dry on my lips. The matte finish may look dry, but I felt like they sucked all the moisture from my lips making them feel a bit tight.
Most of the colors I tried were very warm to me. The matte finish made these look a little muted/faded on me, but that could just be the colors I picked. They stand out beautifully in the hand. On my darker lips I didn’t like any of these shades at all. Poppy is beautiful and right along the lines of a shade I would wear, but in real life it accentuates my lip lines and looks very dry.
I think they are very wearable, but they felt so dry and uncomfortable on my lips that I couldn’t leave them on long enough to see how long they would last.
- Magnolia is a soft warm nude pink
- Tulip is a cool toned pink
- Tigerlily is a burnt orange
- Peony is a warm beige brown
- Foxglove is a very warm berry
- Poppy is a muted coral (not shown above because I dropped it and the whole tube broke)
Samples:
For skin tone reference, I match the Veplo Hydrating Skin Tone in Shade 9 right now (review in this post here). I think the original/regular Lipsticks Unlocked they are far superior in terms of formula, comfort and color selection.
Shape and Sculpt Lip Liners
There are seven new ones Shape and Sculpt Lip Liners. As a neutral lip lover, I picked the four lightest colors. The formula is very long lasting. The application is relatively smooth. The shades are very warm and I’m not sure the colors are unique enough to justify if you already have a lot of neutrals.
- Shade 1 Expose doesn’t show up on my lips but these days I feel like most of the new lighter neutral pencils don’t
- Shade 2 Flaunt is a warm rose pink beige
- Shade 3 Tempt is a deeper brownish pink
- Shade 4 Undercover is a darker terra cotta brown rose
Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm
We finally take a look at its new shades Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm. I love this formula, although in the hot summer months they can melt a bit in the tube. They are soft, shiny, moisturizing and have a slight cooling sensation. Hourglass added the 2 shades from the Holiday 2024 Duo Set and I’m thrilled they’re permanent! These are very smooth so the lasting power isn’t too great, but this is a formula I don’t mind reapplying. Just an FYI price for what you get is quite high. Several of you told me it wasn’t worth it to you because you wore them out in a few weeks with daily use and reapplication. I kind of agree, but I like them enough to splurge. The new shades include:
- Crave – hot pink
- Blush – plum brown
- Reveal – blue-toned pink (cooler version of Crave)
- Wish a beautiful coral color
I saw these next to some of the other Phantom Glossy Balms I have:
Generally, my matte lipsticks are mistakes. I think there are better matte lip formulas out there from brands like Pat McGrath, Lisa Eldridge, Charlotte Tilbury and Armani to name a few. That said, I don’t usually like or wear matte lips and I’ve seen a lot of positive reviews for these – I might be the only one who doesn’t like these.
Lips are not bad. The colors don’t really stand out to me, but the formula is long-lasting and I think they could be basic neutrals if you don’t have a lot of lip pencils.
I love the new shades of Phantom Glossy Balm. I think they are fresh, flattering and perfect for all year round – they make me look forward to the warmer months.
Available now at Sephora, Hourglass, Nordstrom, Blue mercury, Neiman Marcus and all Hourglass retailers.
That concludes my review of the Hourglass Lips launch! If you’ve tried them, let me know what you think!
