In conversation with Hourglass founder, Carisa Janes

California-based cosmetics brand Hourglass recently joined Lane Crawford in Hong Kong, debuting their line of foundations and powders that are infused with the latest technological innovations to create flawless skin. #legend caught up with founder Carisa Janes, who spoke about her passion for make-up and the products she cannot live without.

How did your interest in makeup begin?

I was born loving make-up. My mother wore a lot of it, my grandmother wore it, I was raised in a family of women that wear makeup. I just always loved the creativity and I love that make-up makes you feel so feminine. My mother wouldn’t let me wear it until I was 15. So I really wanted to wear it but I wasn’t allowed.

Did you always want to create your own brand?

Yes. I’ve always thought that I would create my own brand when the time was right. I created Hourglass because I wanted to create a brand that was luxury, but very modern. And something that people would think was very innovative and kind of from the future. Not your mother’s make-up, but modern-day make-up.

Was it a challenge building a brand from the ground up?

I launched it when I was 29. It was very challenging, hard, but fun. It was a good challenge. I had a vision and I felt very good about what I was doing so that helped me overcome my fear.

What was the first collection you launched with the brand?

I launched a full collection of foundation, lipstick, liner, powder, and mascara. It was a full range.

Which is your best-selling product?

The Veil Mineral Powder. It’s a best-seller. We sell one a minute. Somewhere in the world, one is sold every minute. It’s a very lightweight primer, SPF 15, it will pull the redness out of your skin. It’s brightening and it will waterproof anything you put over it. So it’s really great for humidity and it also just keeps your foundation perfect all day

What are some of the upcoming beauty trends you foresee for 2016? 

Strobing. Have you heard of contouring? It’s the opposite. Instead of contouring with dark, you’re contouring with light. It’s a great trend because it looks good on everyone, it’s easy and anyone can do it. It doesn’t take a lot of skill. You want to highlight all the high points of the face, the cheekbones, above the brown, cupid’s bow, tip of the nose and the corner of the eye. It’s a glowy, fresh, healthy and natural look.

What are three make-up products you can’t live without? 

Veil Mineral Primer, Ambient Lighting Palette, and the 1.5 Mechanical Gel Eyeliner.