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Monday, April 29, 2013

Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free SPF 15 in Shell: Review & Swatches

 Purchased by me/Affiliate Link
Created by renowned beauty expert Carisa Janes, Hourglass brings timeless extravagance and style to the über-chic beauty junkie, all in one clutch-worthy collection. From lush shades to incredibly luxurious packaging, makeup has never been so pretty—or perfecting. Every product in the Hourglass line is formulated with the latest in cosmetic technology. Cutting-edge ingredients work to smooth and soften the skin, while innovations in packaging give the line its super chic appeal. Hourglass opens your eyes to a beautiful new reality: style and substance can coexist.

Barneys posits that Illusion Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free SPF 15 is, "the perfect alternative to liquid foundation, Illusion is an advanced SPF 15 tinted moisturizer formulated with Instalift at 3 percent and Hyaluronic Filling Spheres at 3 percent to deliver a radiant youthful complexion. A natural-based peptide, Instalift visibly lifts and tightens the skin within an hour of application. Intensely moisturizing Hyaluronic Filling Spheres help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while increasing skin's hydration levels."

Illusion Tinted Moisturizer is filled with anti-aging complexes that create an utterly gorgeous glowing complexion.  I would add that the cover and finish is absolute perfection, and that it will appeal to those who favor medium coverage foundations as well as those who prefer to use tinted moisturizers. It imparts the perfect illuminated finish with buildable coverage, and it perfects the appearance of the skin while remaining natural looking. I think that this might just be the perfect tinted moisturizer ever conceived!

Ultra-rich and deeply moisturizing, Illusion offers moderate coverage to help even out skintone and create a natural, flawless finish. Added Instalift® at 3% lifts and visibly tightens the skin within one hour of application. Hyaluronic Filling Spheres™ at 3% help minimize the appearance of wrinkles while increasing skin's hydration levels to deliver a healthy, dewy radiance.

Instalift® is a "Plant-based active glycopeptide designed to help improve skin firmness as well as collagen and antioxidant activities. Visibly lifts and tightens within first hour of application."

The Hyaluronic Filling Spheres are made from "pure Hyaluronic Acid to increase hydration levels to deliver skin-smoothing and softening results."
While this is an oil-free formula, it does provide "intense hydration without feeling heavy or greasy." It was formulated to be ideal for normal and dry/dehydrated skin, but I have to say that it is absolute perfection for my combination skin. It really is the perfect alternative to liquid foundation, and it visibly lifts and tightens the skin within about an hour of application. I just love the way that my skin looks and feels with this amazing product. 

Suggested use: Shake well and apply to fingertips or a foundation brush for flawless coverage. I tend to prefer applying it with my fingers, but a foundation brush works brilliantly as well.
Shell in direct natural light.
Made without: Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrances, Synthetic Dyes, and Phthalates
Ingredients: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Cylcomethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Water, Silica, Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Hyaluronic Acid, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Potassium Cetyl Phospate, Glycerin, Alumina, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Methicone, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton), Lecithin, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Laurate, Propylene Glycol Stearate, Propylene Glycol Laurate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin. May Contain: Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77499).
Overall assessment: What a truly amazing tinted moisturizer! A definite must-have game-changer for tinted moisturizer aficionados and foundation fanatics alike. This is my new Holy Grail tinted moisturizer! Absolute A+! Worth every cent!

1 oz. $55.00 Barneys New York and Sephora (Affiliate links). Stock image from Barneys New York.
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15 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 29, 2013 at 9:19 AM

    what a great color match for you! I sort of remember this being thick and shimmery, but it definitely doesn't look that way here! :)

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    1. lola seicentoApril 29, 2013 at 10:19 AM

      Hi Joyce!! It is a touch on the thicker side and I would describe it as more of a glow than shimmery. The coverage and finish are truly extraordinary! I would definitely recommend checking it out next time you are at Barneys or Sephora. Trying a sample won't break your no-buy!! The color match is quite good right now, but it will be too light during the summer-- so I will need another to mix or use separately. :D

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  2. Makeup RemasteredApril 29, 2013 at 10:13 AM

    Hi Lola-
    Great review- Have u trued their Veil Fluid Makeup- how does it differ and would the shades be comparable?

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    1. lola seicentoApril 29, 2013 at 10:23 AM

      Thanks, Makeup Remastered!! I'm glad that you liked the review. The product itself is just AMAZING!!! I haven't really tried Veil Fluid- other than swatching it at the store- so I can't adequately compare them. I was just so taken by this after swatching it that I knew that I was going to buy it! I would definitely recommend taking a close look at it-- I'm just so in love with it!!!! :-)

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  3. UnknownApril 29, 2013 at 2:26 PM

    I was really afraid this product was going to be too shimmery. I guess when I look at the bottle that is just the impression I get, but it definitely doesn't look like it on you! I'll be adding this to my list of what to buy!

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    1. lola seicentoApril 30, 2013 at 10:25 AM

      Hi Whitney,

      I thought that it was going to be too shimmery as well-- I would call it more of a glow. I would definitely recommend swatching it, if at all possible, to see whether you like it. That said, I am super happy with it-- but I definitely don't like shimmery tinted moisturizers or foundations. Keep me posted- I'd love to hear what you think about it! :D

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  4. AnonymousApril 30, 2013 at 2:14 PM

    Lola,

    Thanks for the review! I've been dying to try this.

    I love Sunday Riley's tinted moisturizer, but sometimes I find the coverage a little too light. How does this compare?

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    1. lola seicentoMay 1, 2013 at 6:02 PM

      You are so welcome! Do you mean the Sunday Riley Effortless Breathable Tinted Primer or the Liquid Light Breathable Perfecting Foundation? :-)

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  5. Kath TheFabZillaMay 4, 2013 at 8:52 PM

    So far my fave from Hourglass is the Immaculate foundation. I haven't tried this tinted moisturizer yet so I'll definitely it out! I am intrigued with the "tightening" effect, what with my open pores, yikes!

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    1. lola seicentoMay 4, 2013 at 8:55 PM

      Hi Kath! Thanks for stopping by! I haven't tried their Immaculate Foundation, but definitely have to! I LOVE this Tinted Moisturizer-- it is really lovely. Grab a sample next time that you go to Sephora! <3

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  6. Mama FashionistaMay 5, 2013 at 7:06 AM

    I've never tried anything from Hourglass yet, but this tinted moisturizer sounds fantastic! I'm a bit intimidated by foundation, and with its hyaluronic spheres and other good for you ingredients, I think I'm gonna have to see if they carry this in a shade suitable for brown girls like me! Thanks for the great review!

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    1. lola seicentoMay 5, 2013 at 10:31 AM

      Hi Mama Fashionista, I am quite fond of Hourglass products, and this TM is really lovely! They only appear to have 6 shades to choose from, and the darkest is called Warm Beige, but they say that it is "deep tan/for medium to dark with yellow undertones." I would definitely recommend swatching it in person at Sephora or Barneys to see if the color works for you. I tend to prefer tinted moisturizers to foundations, and I agree with you about the good ingredients and the hyaluronic spheres being a good thing! I'm glad that you liked the review and found it helpful! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!!!!!! :D

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    2. lola seicentoMay 5, 2013 at 10:31 AM

      Keep me posted! <3

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  7. AnonymousMarch 26, 2014 at 1:36 PM

    How long did it last on you? is it over 4 hrs?

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    1. lola seicentoMarch 26, 2014 at 5:04 PM

      On me it tends to last most of the day-- unless I am unusually oily that day in my T-zone, and then I have to touch-up in that area after about 5 hours. Your wear-time may vary though. If at all possible, I would recommend getting a sample if you are close to a Sephora or Barneys New York to see how long it lasts on you. :-)

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