Hourglass is a brand that offers a refined selection of products that are a prime example of quality over quantity. Their newest release, the new Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders, are creating a lot of excitement in the beauty community as well as some confusion. I have seen negative reviews from people disappointed in these products as highlighters. They are not meant to be highlighters. They are meant to be all over face powders that can recreate the effects of different kinds of lighting situations. There are six shades available. Everyone should be able to find at least a couple shades that work for them. There are even a few options that “can” be used as a highlighter as the level of shimmer in each shade differs.
The shade I have been testing is Diffused Light. This is one the of the shades that is not suitable for most as a highlighter. It is meant as an all over face powder to offer a soft, warm, yellow effect that minimizes redness and shine and gives skin clarity. Diffused Light, as well as Ethereal which is a cool translucent white, have the least amount of shimmer and work the best as all over powders.
- ETHEREAL LIGHT is an opalescent sheer, cool white powder that mimics a moonlit glow – even in broad daylight
- DIFFUSED LIGHT is a soft, warm, pale yellow powder that reduces redness and gives skin clarity – like a soft ray of morning light
- DIM LIGHT is a neutral peach beige powder that blurs imperfections and highlights a radiant complexion with the perfect balance of warm and cool tones
- MOOD LIGHT is a soft, sheer lavender pink powder that mimics the softest most forgiving light and reveals your brightest complexion
- LUMINOUS LIGHT is a champagne pearl powder that creates a soft, incandescent candlelit glow – day or night
- RADIANT LIGHT is a sun-kissed golden beige powder that enhances the overall complexion with believable, subtle warmth, and also extends a summer glow
The remaining shades increase in shimmer and pigment as you go down the list. The amazing Josh Collier has a very detailed and informative YouTube video review that is a must watch regarding these powders.
It is also important to note that these are finishing powders, not oil control powders, so depending on your skin type you may need to set your foundation with another product prior to applying the Ambient Lighting Powder if you want to keep shine in control all day. My skin is dry so this works as the perfect setting powder for me. It offers a diffused, (gee imagine that!), look to my skin and does slightly minimize redness and variations in my skintone. It contains the tiniest amount of fine shimmer. It is the sort of shimmer you would only detect in strong sunlight or if you are an inch from the mirror. If you are a complete shimmerphobe, as I usually am, then I find it important to point this out to you. It is not noticeable without scrutiny. I am really loving this product. It doesn’t perform miracles of course, but it is a finely milled, beautiful powder that offers a gorgeous finish to the skin. I am desperate to get my hands on all the remaining shades, aside from Radiant, but I will have to wait until I can make that spurge. It is a paraben, talc, fragrance, nano particle, and gluten free formula.
The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder ($45 US/$52 CAD) is available at Sephora and the Hourglass website. Zuneta carries Hourglass but the Ambient Powders are not showing there yet.
Product provided for my consideration. All reviews are my own honest and unbiased opinions. Post contains affiliate links which helps support this site. Please see disclosure policy.
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