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
Teri says
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? ^^
Karen says
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.
Agata says
The color looks beautiful, I don’t think I could pull it off though. Btw, I love your necklace!
Karen says
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?
Livia says
This lippie looks amazing on you hun! I’m loving the matte finish x
Karen says
Thanks, Livia. The matte finish is insane! Love it. 🙂
Becca @ The Beauty Sample says
This is a fantastic shade on your skin tone, Karen! Love how you pull of these vibrant shades with such ease and aplomb! 😀
Karen says
Thanks, Becca!
Makeup ByMerry says
I love this lip color though it was not so casual. But you are looking gorgeous in this look.
Karen says
Thank you! 🙂
Minsooky says
That color looks AMAZING. Wow.
Karen says
Thanks, Minsooky! It’s one of those colors that works magic.
Sunny says
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!
Karen says
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!
Audrey C. says
That is insanely beautiful! Love it on you!
Karen says
Thanks, Audrey! Have a great Friday!
Dr. Jessica Tuttle says
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.
Karen says
Hi Jessica,
I love those YSL stains too. The Hourglass Liquid Rouges offer more coverage and a flatter matte finish.
Alison M says
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 🙂
Karen says
You’ve got to check out Hourglass Raven! It’s another good one.
Emily @ Emalitsa says
How have I never heard of this before?!
Wow I absolutely love the colour and the formula looks incredible! Love love love it!
Karen says
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.
virginie says
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!!!
Karen says
Hi Virginie,
I bought it ages ago at Forever 21, I think. I’m surprised it’s held up for so long!
Emi at Project Swatch says
This is so gorgeous on you, it just lights up your face 🙂
Karen says
Thanks, Emi. Happy Friday!
Angela says
Thanks Karen 🙂 It is beautiful. SO on my wish list now!!
Karen says
You’re welcome, Angela. You should check out the other shades, too! They’re also beautiful.
Happy Friday!
Jennifer says
Does it dry the lips out? I always find that matte formulas dry out my pucker!
varsha says
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 🙁
jasmine says
I need like ALL the colors from this line, like for reals!!!
rashmi says
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 😀
Becca says
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.
Meghan says
Lovely, lovely color! It looks fantastic on you too! I think I just need to splurge and have this in my life! :]
Cindy (Prime Beauty) says
I have this shade in the regular lipstick and love it!
Olivia says
That’s an awesome color on you! I have Riviera and really like it.
Ankita@corallista says
You look amazing Karen – elegant yet fresh and spring-ready. Love the lip color!
Linh says
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!