Hourglass Cosmetics Aura Lip Stain in Scarlet Review and Lip Swatches

If you read my Spring 2011 Magazine edition, you’ve probably noticed that I named Hourglass Aura collection as my favourite collection for Spring.

I already wrote about the Hourglass Cheek Stain and now it’s time for a Lip Stain. These come in 3 shades and I have the most gorgeous shade which is called Scarlet and I guess you can imagine the colour of it, right?

First of all I have to mention the sleek and elegant design, the package is pretty heavy and has a luxurious feeling to it.

But what about the product and the application? I have so many thoughts so I’ve just written them all down in no particular order.

Make you that you exfoliate your lips and properly moisturize them before using the product. But don’t apply the tint straight after the moisturizer. If you don’t do it, the tint may enhance the dry parts of your lips and may look patchy.

I assume that it’s easy to use the lightest shade straight with an applicator and it’s not that difficult to use this method with the dark shades but you have to be really accurate.

This particular shade (Scarlet) needs a very precise application so I would recommend using a lip brush and a lip liner if you wish so. I personally would recommend using the lip liner after the tint so that you can correct some minor mistakes. Plus you can always use your concealer around the lips. I wrote about this trick when we were talking about red lips.

You can make your stain look quite natural or build the intensity and take it from day to night really.

Aura Lip Stain has a water based formula and I, and I have dry lips, don’t find it drying. You just put it on and you don’t feel it later.

It stays on for hours and survives drinks and snack and something very important –kisses. So you enjoy wearing a gorgeous lip colour and your man doesn’t have to worry about your lipstick being all over him.

The only thing that  is not so good about it – is the way it fades. As I already said it does survive eating/dirking/kissing but it does fade a bit  and it fades gradually (by this I mean that it fades on one part of your lips and stays on the other so it may look patchy), but what tint does it the other way? So it’s not about this products, it’s about the tints in general.

I’ve also tried wearing this Lip Stain on my cheeks and I loved the effect so you may want to try it, too.

Scarlet  also looks amazing on top of this Inglot Lip Pencil, I love the combo.

Something interesting that I want to point out about the swatch above. I did not exfoliate and moisturize my lips before. Also I used it straight from the applicator without a brush to give you the idea of the “worst result you can get”. Now imagine how it would look like if you’d use it properly!

So if you want a gorgeous and long lasting lip product – you should definitely take a look at these. Although there are only three shades (so far?),it will satisfy the demands of a lot of people. Get Petal if you want a pretty daylight peachy shade,  Flush if you like classic red and Scarlet if you love dark and sophisticated lips.

By the way, you can read some application tips from Hourglass’ Creative Director Gina Brooke here.

This Lip Stain retails for at $26 sephora and £19 at zuneta