Hourglass' Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss - Everything I'd Hoped and More???

During Sephora’s Beauty Insider sale, I picked up the Hourglass Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss in “Icon”. I was looking for a good red lip color for Thanksgiving and this shade looked perfect. In addition to good pigmentation, I was also hoping for something with good staying power. I really wanted to try Hourglass’ Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss because it is made without parabens, phthalates, sulfates and synthetic dyes and fragrances. It also is supposed to provide a high shine and deep pigmentation without feathering, an important factor when dealing with a bold red! In addition, to keep lips hydrated, Extreme Sheen Gloss contains Vitamin E to help prevent chapping. Everything sounds great, so how did Hourglass’ Gloss hold up?

I would say this is almost more of a hydrating, glossy liquid lipstick than a simple gloss. The pigmentation of the Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss in incredible! “Icon” is a very rich, slightly blue-based red that makes for the perfect red lip. The intensity of this shade is amazing and I am actually a bit surprised that it is called a gloss since most glosses are somewhat sheer. If you’re looking for sheer, skip the Hourglass Gloss! It is definitely very much opaque! It does have a shine, but it’s not overly glossy either. I don’t want my lips to look coated in anything, and Houglass’ Gloss gives a nice natural looking shine. It has more than a satin finish – it is definitely a gloss – but it’s not going to make your lips look highly reflective either. And yes, it is very comfortable on the lips. It is not at all sticky, or even tacky, and it doesn't cause any dryness. In fact, it almost feels like a lip balm - all day long! I am quite impressed with the rich pigmentation and wonderful texture of the Extreme Sheen Gloss and the shine is just right for my taste! Well done Hourglass!

I am also incredibly impressed with the wear of the Extreme Sheen Gloss. The color stays pretty much true to the initial application for a long time after applying it. It does transfer a bit in the beginning, which can be a pain since it is so pigmented that it can leave behind a decent lip print, but the color does not seem to fade much, if at all, from your lips! I have managed to eat a few snacks and drink a fair amount whilst wearing the Gloss and the color is still pretty much unchanged! It also does not feather or bleed, though I do not have any lines around my lips that would make this more likely. Overall – Amazing! The sheen will fade after a while and it does feel a bit less balmy as the time passes, but it is still plenty comfortable and I am really impressed with the staying power! It almost wears like a stain, but with the comfort of a gloss!!! Truly impressive and just what you need with something dramatic like the bold red of “Icon”!

The only thing I might change about the Hourglass Extreme Sheen Gloss is the applicator. I’m really not positive that I would change it; I would just be curious how a different applicator might work. It has a long spongy doe-foot-like wand. Though it seems like a brush might allow for more precise application, I have not had any trouble with the design of the Hourglass applicator. It actually manages to dispense just the perfect amount of color and it makes for perfectly even distribution. I just feel like I’m going to miss the edges of my lips and make a huge mess each time I apply it, despite never having any issues of the sort! So, I suppose though I feel a brush might be more precise, the spongy applicator disperses the gloss so evenly that mistakes seem unlikely.
So what’s my verdict? Hourglass’ Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss is truly impressive! I love the color and the pigmentation is like no other gloss I’ve ever seen. The finish gives a nice sheen without being too glossy and the color stays true through a fair amount of sipping and even eating – but I wouldn’t advise using Granny’s special-occasion white napkins! It is not at all sticky and it actually does feel hydrating on the lips. The color stays put for a lengthy period of time – almost like a stain, but without all the downsides typically associated with stains. Hourglass has made an amazing color with great wear and an effective, though intimidating, applicator. Color me impressed with Hourglass’ “Extreme Sheen Hih Shine Lip Gloss in “Icon”!!!

The Hourglass Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss retails for $28.00 and is available from:
Hourglass Cosmetics Sephora.com and retail locations

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Hourglass Cosmetics, nor have I been compensated for this review.