Fragrance house

Hourglass

Founded in 2004 by beauty-industry veteran Carisa Janes, Hourglass Cosmetics was created around a market gap she identified for luxury beauty combining active ingredients, modern design, and functionality. The brand launched at Barneys New York that year and initially developed its reputation around foundations, primers, and facial powders. Its public identity brings together science, beauty, and luxury through innovative formulas, performance, and modern packaging. Introduced in 2013, the Ambient Lighting line established a defining product direction with its light-diffusing complexion concept. Hourglass remained cruelty-free from launch and became fully vegan in 2020. In 2017, Unilever acquired the brand and classified it as a luxury colour-cosmetics business within its prestige Personal Care business. Also introduced in 2017, the Unlocked collection was linked to animal-rights advocacy through donations to the Nonhuman Rights Project.