> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thesignaturejess.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Is Hourglass Makeup Worth It? My Full Review After Buying Everything I tried in Paris - URL: https://www.thesignaturejess.com/hourglass-cosmetics-paris-haul/ - Published: 2026-04-29T13:33:45.000Z - Updated: 2026-04-29T13:34:41.000Z - Description: How a casual stroll at Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche turned into the biggest cosmetics haul of my life - Author: Jess - Tags: Beauty & Skincare, Paris, #Hourglass *Hey there, I’m Jess* ✨*. On* [***The Signature***](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/about-me/)*, I share reflections on beauty, routines, travel, wellness, culture, and everyday life. For those drawn to a calmer, more intentional way of living, I send a free newsletter each month on the 7th.* [***You're welcome to join***](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/#/portal/)*.* --- *Disclaimer: this content is not sponsored nor affiliated - I pay for everything that I use myself. This independence allows me to tell you what I have been loving the most with unbiased honesty.* --- There is nothing I love more than entering a department store at its beauty level, stroll past a brand and have a makeup artist ask me if I'd like to know more. This is what happened when I was at **Le Bon Marché** and [I discovered the **Victoria Beckham Beauty** brand](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/victoria-beckham-beauty-experience-review/). A few months later, the same happened when I was strolling by the **Hourglass** counter in the same department store. **Hourglass Cosmetics** was founded in 2004 by beauty industry veteran Carisa Janes. It is a luxury cruelty-free beauty brand specializing in high-performance, science-backed makeup. Known for its innovative, skin-loving formulas and sleek gold and dark burgundy packaging, the brand became fully vegan in 2020 and is acclaimed for its brushes, powders and primers. I had tried an Hourglass mascara many years ago but I could not say I was truly familiar with the brand. I also knew [**Andreea Ali**, my makeup muse](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/influenced-by-andreea-ali/), loved their brushes, as well as [**Alexandra Leclerc**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/influenced-by-alexandra-leclerc/). At the counter, I was approached by the lovely Melanie, a gorgeous Parisian makeup artist who wanted to know if I was interested in their *Veil* skin tint, a lighter foundation that I would soon find would melt on my skin. I sat at the counter and I told Melanie to try anything she wanted on me and she took on the challenge. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/03/hourglass-veil-tint-foundation-display.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/03/hourglass-le-bon-marche-paris.jpg) **Hourglass Glow Foundation and Veil Skin Tint - I shade matched and tried the Veil Skin Tint* ## What is unique about Hourglass's Curator Eye Shadow Palette? For my eyes, Melanie introduced me to the *Curator* collection from Hourglass with a palette you can customise with the shades that suit you best, out of 40 shades available. You can opt for a 1-, 3- or 5-pan refillable palette and I chose the 3-pan, to create a *dégradé* gradient palette with my favourite nude hues but mindful I already have several eye shadows back at home ([**these creamy ones**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/beauty-great-experiences-at-charlotte-tilbury/) are my favourite). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/03/hourglass-curator-powder-eye-shadows.jpg) **The 40 eye shadow shades you can choose to create your own Curator palette* ## What else is worth a try at Hourglass? I took the opportunity to go beyond foundation and try their powder highlighters, blush and brow products. I fell completely in love with the *Ambient* palette shades, the instant glow and sculpting was beyond. I also loved their lip products, as I only started paying attention to my lip wear while looking at my dull lips in countless videocalls. I started wanting them to pop and have been loving the lining + lipstick combo. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/03/hourglass-display-paris-le-bon-marche.jpg) **Powder bronzers, highlighters, blushes and lipsticks at Hourglass* Melanie convinced me to try their *Phantom* volumizing gloss and I am not used to seeing my lips glowing. It's amazing how your whole look immediately looks more vibrant with a bit of shimmer in your lips. I guessed my matte lipstick days would be over... ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/03/hourglass-cosmetics-review-paris.jpg) **Everything I tried at the Hourglass counter at Le Bon Marché in Paris* ## Last but not least: let's talk about the Hourglass brushes! [**Andreea Ali was right**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/influenced-by-andreea-ali/) \- as always. The Hourglass brushes are beyond! They are soft, comfortable and make product application an exquisite experience. And I am saying that knowing I apply most of my products with the tip of my fingers - I just learned it that way and it's easier for me. But Hourglass changed the game for me and I just can't imagine applying my concealer without my *Ambient Soft Glow Foundation brush* anymore. Yes, you read that right. I love its *biseauté -* angled *\-* side and I feel it's so comfortable and soft to gently tap the concealer under my eyes. And yes, I got the concealer brush, but prefer it that way. When I shared this with Melanie a few months later, she said we should use the brushes we love the way we see fit for us, not what the packaging tells us to do. Love it! ## My final haul at Hourglass As I picked all the products and Melanie passed them on the scanner, I just could not believe the total amount. But it was too late and I was committed. I took it all home and I have been playing a lot with the products and the techniques Melanie showed me. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/03/hourglass-cosmetics-haul-paris.jpg) **My haul at Hourglass in Paris* After checkout, Melanie offered me a gorgeous Hourglass leather pouch with mirror in a protective velvet case and mini makeup to take on a future trip. The products are gorgeous and yet another chance to try more about the brand. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/03/hourglass-mini-makeup-pouch.jpg) **The makeup pouch with mini makeup and a mirror, offered at Hourglass Le Bon Marché* #### What I brought back home from Hourglass - ****Foundation**: **Veil* Tint hydrating skin 9 - ****Concealer**: **Vanish* shade Dune 7.5 - ****Powder**: **Veil* translucent setting Medium - ****Palette**: with highlighter, blush and bronzer: Ambient light unlocked fox - ****Eyeliners**: in shades Chestnut and Cave - ****Mascara**: Instant Extense in shade Ultra Black - ****Eye shadows**: the **Curator* palette with three shades: doe, pro, lux - ****Brow Pencil**: **Sculpt* in shade Dark Brunette - ****Brow Gel**: shade clear - ****Lip products**: Sculpt and **Phantom* Gloss duo shade 125 ****The brushes:** - Tapered blender n°6 brush - Foundation ambient soft glow brush - Smudge n°11 brush - Concealer seamless finish brush - Veil powder brush ****In the pouch they offered:** - a mirror in a velvet case - a mini Vanish airbrush primer setting spray - a mini Equilibrium Intensive Hydrating Eye Balm - a mini translucent setting Veil powder - a mini Unlocked mascara - a mini Unlocked matte lipstick In my [**latest trip to Paris in 2026**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/the-signature-21/), I went back and saw Melanie again. She told me about the liquid highlighters they were about to launch and I just purchased another *Phantom* Gloss - this time in the shade Invite 80, a gorgeous rosy brown with a pearl finish. I have been using most of the products every day and they are an integral part of my daily makeup rotation. --- **Like this content and want more?* You can* [***subscribe to get a monthly edit***](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/#/portal/) *and we can connect also on* [**BlueSky**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/r/eebbfd7d?m=5c4efd93-0ef0-4db1-af3b-7675f61db0cb) *|* [**TikTok**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/r/3a8dd75f?m=5c4efd93-0ef0-4db1-af3b-7675f61db0cb) *|* [**Youtube**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/r/5cd54466?m=5c4efd93-0ef0-4db1-af3b-7675f61db0cb) *|* [**Pinterest**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/r/f6c35afb?m=5c4efd93-0ef0-4db1-af3b-7675f61db0cb)