I recently reviewed one of the new Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders in Diffused Light. I was happy enough with the powder that I decided I had to try more shades. I came home with Ethereal Light and Mood Light. If they hadn’t been out of stock of Luminous and Dim I likely would have purchased those as well. I was a little crazed at the time. I will reiterate the information on the powders I featured in my initial review. 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.
- 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 shades increase in sheen 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.
The finish of Ethereal Light is similar to Diffused Light. It has a very, very discreet amount of glow. If you are expecting something more impactful than you would be best steered towards on of the other four shades.
Mood Light has a more noticeable sheen. I absolutely love the finish of this powder. It is exactly what I was looking for. Mood Light happens to be quite pigmented. If I could create my dream Hourglass Ambient Lighting powder it would be a lighter version of Mood Light. I can use Mood Light all over my face, and I adore the finish it gives my skin, but it does impart colour. It actually works for an amazing bronzer type effect. I know you don’t think of bronzers having a lavender pink tone but this works magic on my skin. It also doubles as a blush. I can build it up for the most perfect blush shade with an amazing glow. You can see it in use as a blush in my Benefit Blue My Mind Look. Blush, bronzer, setting powder? Yup Mood Light makes me one happy girl! I just wish I could have that bit lighter version for use as an all over face powder. Or add a bit more glow to Ethereal or Diffused. I remedy this by using a combination of two of the shades for the effect I want.
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 these works as the perfect setting powder for me. 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. 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.
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