Hourglass, Makeup by Mario and Kosas Review: Luxe vs High-End vs Prestige

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.

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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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Shop the Edit

• 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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