Wearing Hourglass Muse Opaque Liquid Lipstick ($28) on my lips
Ever dig into your makeup bag and rediscover something you absolutely love but kindasorta just forgot about for a month or two or 12?
I feel ya, dawg. I do it all the time.
This week I made a point of rutting around through my makeup stash to look for buried treasure, and woo-hoo! — I’ve been finding quite a few things, like Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Muse. Or “Musey” as I like to call her. 
A vibrant matte coral red — one of those “stop you in the street” shades like Make Up For Ever’s Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick in 39 — Muse glows brighter than a neon sign.
You might remember its launch last fall as part of the long-wearing Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick line.
With Muse, absolutely, I love the wow factor, but I also like the wear. Seriously, this shade DOES WORK! It decorates my pout for up to 10 hours (!) without weighing down or drying out my lips — traits not easy to find in such a long-wearing lipstick.
But here’s the deal: to help Muse be all it can be, it needs clean, bare lips. And apply just a small amount.
I repeat, apply a small amount on clean, bare lips. One more time for the cheap seats: APPLY A SMALL AMOUNT ON CLEAN, BARE LIPS.
The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorite permanent collection products from a variety of bodacious beauty brands.
Pourquoi? Well, the formula contains these fancy-schmansy polymers that only bind to skin that’s free of oils and balms; otherwise, it won’t take.
Also, Muse likes smooth lips. The smoother the better. Whenever I plan to wear it (yes, I plan looks the night before; I know I’m a nerd!), I’ll prep my lips the night before by exfoliating with sugar and olive oil, and then slap on some lip balm before I hit the haaay.
That way, my lips are ready to go the next morning.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
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That is some serious colour pay off Karen! I really adore the brightness of Muse, and that matte finish looks like perfection! However I’m a bit unsure about the formula. I heard reports about it behaving badly when it comes in contact with food (especially oilier food). It flakes off in a weird way? What’s your experience on this? ^^
Hi Teri,
I really haven’t had this issue, but when I wear a brighter lip color like this, I tend to be a bit more careful when I’m eating. I do this funny thing where I try to avoid the food touching my lips, LOL! I think if you are careful it’s not a big deal.
The color looks beautiful, I don’t think I could pull it off though. Btw, I love your necklace!
Thanks, Agata! Hmm, how do feel about rosy pinks? Hourglass has a soft pink shade in this line that might be less contrasty with lighter skin tones called Canvas. Very pretty and subtle.
Would you believe the necklace is by Forever 21?! I got it ages ago. Kind of a miracle that it’s still intact, LOL!
Hope you’re having a good Friday so far. Are you working this weekend or do you have some time off?
This lippie looks amazing on you hun! I’m loving the matte finish x
Thanks, Livia. The matte finish is insane! Love it.
This is a fantastic shade on your skin tone, Karen! Love how you pull of these vibrant shades with such ease and aplomb!
Thanks, Becca!
I love this lip color though it was not so casual. But you are looking gorgeous in this look.
Thank you!
That color looks AMAZING. Wow.
Minsooky recently posted … Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick 04 (REVIEW)
Thanks, Minsooky! It’s one of those colors that works magic.
I have this one and love the color on me, but it does tend to flake off with food. Maybe I should wipe my lips clean with Bioderma before I apply, because some serum or whatever might get onto my lips before I do my makeup. Thanks for the tip, Karen!
Sunny recently posted … Would You Be a Veronica with MAC Spoiled Rich Eyeshadow Palette?
Hi Sunny,
I think the trick is to make sure you have absolutely no oils or waxes on the lips first. Also, they’ve got to be completely dry. HTH!
That is insanely beautiful! Love it on you!
Audrey C. recently posted … Milani Color Statement Lipstick in High Voltage Review, Swatches, Pictures
Thanks, Audrey! Have a great Friday!
I love hourglass! Now I feel like I have to go to Sephora and play. The flaking off with food comments make me a little nervous, considering I’m always eating lol. Karen, how would you say this compares to Yves Saint Laurent’s glossy stain? That’s my favorite right now.
Hi Jessica,
I love those YSL stains too. The Hourglass Liquid Rouges offer more coverage and a flatter matte finish.
I love this one! At first I thought it was one of the NYX Matte Lip Creams, but it sounds like it wears better. It also looks a lot like Revlon Strawberry Suede which was discontinued eons ago. One of those amazing shades that I didn’t know about until it was too late. Yeah. I need one. Maybe Hourglass will fill the summer-red void in my heart
Alison M recently posted … theBalm Blushes: The Complete Collection
You’ve got to check out Hourglass Raven! It’s another good one.
How have I never heard of this before?!
Wow I absolutely love the colour and the formula looks incredible! Love love love it!
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Hi Emily,
Yeah, these are really cool. There’s some other great shades in the line, too. Do you like reds? The shade Raven is gorgeous.
Muse is on my wish list for a long time, I guess I will have to get it for spring, it’s nice! Quick question: Where did you get your necklace??? LOve it!!!
Hi Virginie,
I bought it ages ago at Forever 21, I think. I’m surprised it’s held up for so long!
This is so gorgeous on you, it just lights up your face
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Thanks, Emi. Happy Friday!
Thanks Karen
It is beautiful. SO on my wish list now!!
You’re welcome, Angela. You should check out the other shades, too! They’re also beautiful.
Happy Friday!
Does it dry the lips out? I always find that matte formulas dry out my pucker!
Looks amazing Karen,I need to check this out!
btw,I bought the Mufe rouge # 39 after you ‘unsunged’ it and sadly/surprisingly the color looks so much different even on my arm swatches..I mean it looks plain orangey to me ,not even the slightest hint of red,but on you it had this amazing coral look with tiny hints of red.not sure if its the one I got
I need like ALL the colors from this line, like for reals!!!
that is such a prettyyyy shade Karen
I saw “exterme sheen Lipgloss in ICON” on you and bought it .. as am in India all my purchases are blind 
glad I saw your post and bought that …
trust me …. it is the most beautifulllll shade of red gloss I have ever seen
am gonna try this shade for sure
may be in SEPHORA F&F sale 
rashmi recently posted … “V” Day Contest entry 19 and 20
Ugh I wish this gorgeous lippie was another brand/formula. I tried this liquid lipstick in Rose and had to return it. It zapped the moisture right out of my lips and looked awful – it’s very similar to the paint-on long lasting lipsticks like Maybelline 24/7 but without the glossy topcoat.
Lovely, lovely color! It looks fantastic on you too! I think I just need to splurge and have this in my life! :]
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I have this shade in the regular lipstick and love it!
That’s an awesome color on you! I have Riviera and really like it.
Olivia recently posted … Zoya Envy Nail Polish Swatch
You look amazing Karen – elegant yet fresh and spring-ready. Love the lip color!
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Hey Karen, what would we do without you?!
I bought Muse after reading your awesome review last year. When I wore it, I was shocked how bright coral it was on me instead of that beautiful pink that you wear so well. I tried it again but wiping some of the product away and still, too bright and thick. I put it away for months and months.
After reading this post, I thought it was worth another try. I took your advice with using just a tiny bit, this meant swiping the extra product across the opening of the tube, not twice but at least 6 times! You’ll have enough product to lightly stain your lips, like the effect of water colours, rather than a thick oil paint. And voila, it’s the colour I feel in love with the first time you reviewed Muse!