Don’t get me wrong, seeing a show is very exciting, but even if you’re sitting in the first three rows the looks go by so fast it’s often hard to see all the details, let alone get a good look at the makeup, which is why going backstage is what I really get excited about. The real bummer though is that a lot of times the artists are “testing” new products that won’t be out for a few months – nothing more frustrating that hearing about an awesome product only to be told that you can’t (and might never be able to!), get it…almost as frustrating as spotting an awesome look on the runway only to find out it will never make it into stores!!  Luckily Hourglass Aura Sheer Cheek Stain ($45) and their Aura Sheer Lip Stain ($26) used for Adrienne Vittadini’s show at Lincoln Center, as well as on some of the guests who attended including Niki Taylor, Carol Alt, Roshumba, Pat Cleveland, Irina Pantaeva, Carmen Dell’Orefice, and Frederique van der Wal, are not only being produced, but already out!

Each of the stains come in three shades (my fave is Flush), and the cheek stain is great when you want to go beyond your basic blush and add some luminosity in addition to color. It’s a liquid gel and in typical swank, easy-to-use Hourglass fashion comes in a twist-click dispenser with a sponge applicator. The lip stain, also a liquid gel, has a semi-matte finish and a flock tip applicator with a built-in twist mechanism for an easy application. Day-to-day I’m all about the natural makeup look, so these work perfectly for me, but the lip stain is build-able so you can create a more intense “after-dark” look if that’s what you’re after.