Hourglass, Makeup by Mario and Kosas Review: Luxe vs High-End vs Prestige
Skip the hype: 3 beauty launches reviewed. What’s worth the splurge and what to skip. Plus, grab an exclusive Sephora 20% code (only 200 spots).
Luxury, artistry, and everyday staples put to the test.
Vividly Kafi wearing Hourglass eyeshadow, Makeup by Mario Master Mattes, and Kosas mascara.
Skip the hype: here’s what’s actually worth your money and which splurges to skip. Plus, subscribers get early access to my one-time Sephora Friends & Family 20% code, details inside.
Luxury beauty is an experience. Blending artistry, innovation, and indulgence.
Not all expensive makeup is created equal. Some products are designed for pure indulgence, others deliver seamless, pro-level results, and a few prestige staples earn their place as effortless everyday heroes.
Save This: Luxe Cheat Sheet
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Here’s what’s truly worth the splurge
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been wearing three of the season’s most talked-about launches. Hourglass’s newest palette, Makeup by Mario’s Master Mattes in Espresso, and the latest Kosas mascara, from morning errands to late-night plans. The verdict? More than a few compliments and a polished, pulled-together look that lasted all day. Here’s what’s truly worth the splurge.
Here’s the honest truth about which of these products justify the splurge, and how to shop smarter in a beauty market where luxury doesn’t always mean better
Hourglass — The Luxury Experience
Hourglass Realist Palette Reviewed. Elegant, Talc-Free Finishes
Hourglass has always represented quiet luxury, and the Curator Eyeshadow Palette embodies that perfectly. The mirrored compact feels like a collectible, yet it’s unexpectedly lightweight, making it ideal for travel or your everyday makeup bag.
What sets Hourglass apart is formula mastery: the shadows are buttery-soft, silky, and blend effortlessly—even the mattes, which is rare at this level of smoothness.
Hourglass Realist Palette Swatches
Why This Palette is an Investment Piece
The palette comes in five curated color stories inspired by art movements. Here I’m wearing Realist, a versatile quad with soft, neutral shades that make creating a polished look effortless.
Dipping into the Hourglass Curator Realist Palette. These buttery mattes blend like a dream and give that polished look.
This palette makes sense as part of Hourglass’s eco-conscious initiative: the compact is refillable, reusable, and crafted from recycled materials, with 40 interchangeable shades available for a customizable experience. It’s makeup artistry and sustainability combined.
Texture: Finely milled, buttery mattes, luminous shimmers.
Performance: Crease-resistant, long-wear, effortless blending.
Price Point: A true luxury splurge, built for beauty lovers, collectors, and professionals.
Verdict
Verdict: This palette is made for the no-fuss beauty lover. The person who values quality over quantity, appreciates a refillable, sustainable design, and wants buttery, high-performing formulas without compromise. It’s an investment piece for someone who prefers a curated collection of products that always deliver.
Makeup by Mario — High-End, Pro-Level Performance
Watch our full review and demo of Makeup by Mario’s Master Mattes cream eyeshadow. Swatches, application, and real-life wear tested by me and fellow pro makeup artists.
Makeup by Mario is high-performance artistry distilled into one swipe. The Master Mattes Long-Wear Liquid Eyeshadow in Espresso is a deep, neutral brown that’s perfectly pigmented and beginner-friendly.
It glides on like silk, blends easily with a fingertip, and dries to a flawless matte that doesn’t budge. Mario Dedivanovic’s background as Kim Kardashian’s longtime makeup artist shows through—this is a professional-grade formula made accessible.
Texture: Smooth liquid-to-matte finish.
Performance: Crease-proof, long-lasting, pro-level payoff.
Price Point: Premium but approachable. Ideal for building a high-end kit without couture prices.
Verdict
This is editorial artistry made easy. A high-end essential that delivers red-carpet quality with zero fuss.
Kosas New Mascara, Prestige Everyday Staple
Kosas Soul Gazer Mascara—designed for soft, fluttery lashes with a clean, buildable formula.
Kosas has mastered clean prestige beauty, and the new Soul Gazer Mascara is their answer to effortless, natural-looking lashes. The formula is weightless, smudge-proof, and infused with lash-boosting peptides that support longer, fuller lashes in 6–8 weeks.
This isn’t a dramatic falsie-style mascara—it’s the one you reach for when you want defined, separated, healthy lashes with zero clumps. The curved brush hugs every lash, making it perfect for an everyday polished look.
Who Would Love This
This mascara is made for the beauty lover who values healthy, naturally defined lashes over dramatic volume. It is great for those with sensitive eyes, and for someone who wants everyday elegance, prefers clean, vegan, cruelty-free formulas, and loves products that deliver both performance and lash care benefits. With its peptide-infused formula and sleek design, it’s perfect for anyone curating a minimal but effective makeup routine—and appreciates having both a $28 full-size and a $16 mini option for convenience.
If you’re already a fan of mascaras like Ilia Limitless or Saie, this feels like a polished, prestige-level upgrade you’ll reach for every day.
The Verdict
Kosas Soul Gazer is the prestige upgrade for anyone who wants soft, fluttery, well-separated lashes without clumps or heaviness. It’s ideal for professionals, minimalists, and lash-care enthusiasts who want their mascara to do more than just coat lashes. A clean beauty staple that elevates your everyday routine.
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Buy Here → Hourglass Curator Palette
Buy Here → Makeup by Mario Master Mattes “Espresso
Buy Here → Kosas Mascara
Wrap-Up: Smart Splurging Is the New Luxury
Beauty should feel indulgent, but being intentional with where you spend makes your collection even more elevated. Hourglass offers artistry and sustainability, Makeup by Mario brings pro-grade results, and Kosas nails the everyday hero product.
Your Turn: Do you shop luxury, high-end, or prestige makeup most? Drop your favorites in the comments—your picks might help someone else discover their next staple.
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Kiehl’s Skincare Review 2025: Ultra Facial Cream, Creme de Corps & Better Screen Sunscreen Tested by an Industry Insider
Beauty expert review of Kiehl’s cult-favorite skincare: Ultra Facial Cream, Creme de Corps, Better Screen SPF 50+ & more. What works, what’s worth it, and what to skip based on real results.
These are five of Kiehl’s best-selling skincare staples I’ve personally used, loved, and continue to recommend: the Ultra Facial Cream, Creme de Corps Body Lotion, Ultra Facial Barrier Hydrating Cleanser, Better Screen UV Serum SPF 50+, and Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado.
Hydrating Kiehl’s Skincare Routine
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Working in the beauty industry means I have tested an extraordinary amount of skincare, both for my own curiosity and through the hundreds of clients I interact with each week. Even with the constant wave of launches and endless formulas, there are a few products that stand the test of time.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, Creme de Corps, and their Better Screen SPF 50+ fall into that category. These are products I have seen customers come back for repeatedly, and the ones I personally repurchase, even when I receive PR replenishments.
This review breaks down why this lineup has earned such consistent trust and how these products perform in real, everyday routines.
Ultra Facial Barrier Hydrating Cleanser Review: Gentle but Effective
This cream-to-foam formula strikes the perfect balance. It delivers the satisfying “clean” feeling of a foaming cleanser without the dryness that so many can cause. The Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Barrier Hydrating Cleanser is the type of product I reach for after a workout or at the end of a long day when I want fresh skin without irritation.
Related: FAB Skincare For Everyone
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Barrier Hydrating Cleanser in use. A cream-to-foam formula that gives a satisfying cleanse while keeping skin comfortable.
Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment: A Top-Selling Classic
One of Kiehl’s most consistent top-sellers, and it is easy to see why. The formula is rich and hydrating, creating a smooth base for makeup while addressing fine lines and fatigue. In retail, I have seen this picked up by both men and women of all ages who want reliable under-eye hydration. This eye cream is simple, effective, and worth keeping on your shelf.
This rich, creamy eye treatment from Kiehl’s is packed with avocado oil to deeply hydrate and nourish the delicate under-eye area. A little goes a long way—perfect for refreshing tired eyes and prepping for makeup.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream Review: A Moisturizer Worth Repurchasing
This is the moisturizer I continue to buy, even when I receive PR. It is lightweight yet deeply nourishing, supporting the skin barrier without feeling heavy. In retail, customers often come back specifically asking for “the Kiehl’s cream” because it simplifies their entire skincare routine. Products that remove the guesswork always rise to the top, and this one does exactly that.
Whether I’m cleansing, layering serums, or sealing in moisture, these picks are the backbone of my everyday morning routine.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream for 24-Hour Hydration with Squalane
Creme de Corps Body Lotion: Why This Unscented Favorite Stands Out
Kiehl’s Creme de Corps has earned its reputation as a cult favorite. The formula is unscented but indulgent, making it a safe choice for sensitive skin and a perfect base for layering fragrance. Even my husband, who rarely uses body lotion, reaches for this one consistently. That alone says something about how versatile and effective it is.
Related: Alternatives to Heavy Perfume: Hair & Body Mists You’ll Love
Creme de Corps and Miss Dior: The Hydration + Fragrance Duo I Keep Reaching For
Kiehl’s Better Screen UV Serum SPF 50+ Review: Sunscreen That Actually Delivers
Sunscreen is often the most frustrating category in skincare, but this one truly performs. It is:
Lightweight and hydrating
Free from white cast or stinging (safe for sensitive eyes and skin)
Smooth under makeup
Suitable for acne-prone skin
My husband has nearly perfect skin and does the absolute bare minimum when it comes to skincare, but he genuinely likes this sunscreen. He never complains about the texture, scent, or irritation, which says a lot, coming from someone who rarely uses anything at all. It’s become a quiet winner in our household
I’ve seen a lot of sunscreens come and go, but this one stands out. Returns are common in the SPF category, yet this formula keeps people coming back. A quiet testament to how well it performs.
See why this sunscreen stands out
I put Kiehl’s Better Screen to the test for texture, finish, and feel. No white cast, no stinging, just smooth, breathable protection.🎥 Watch the sunscreen in action. No cast, no stinging, just smooth, breathable protection.
My skincare-skeptic husband actually uses this SPF . No stinging, no white cast, and no complaints
Final Thoughts on Kiehl’s Skincare Staples
The beauty of this Kiehl’s lineup is how effortlessly it fits into real life. These are the products I reach for when I want skincare that’s dependable, effective, and low-fuss. Each one feels purposeful, not performative, and with their travel-friendly sizes, they’re easy to keep within reach wherever the day takes you.
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Already have a Kiehl’s staple you love? Drop it in the comments. I’d genuinely love to hear what’s working for you.
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hese are the Kiehl’s staples I use and trust. Thoughtfully chosen, frequently repurchased, and always in reach.
If it made it into this tray, it’s earned its place. These are the Kiehl’s products I actually use.