Hourglass Mood Light Ambient Lighting Powder ($45.00 for 0.35 oz.) is described as a “soft, sheer lavender pink powder.” It’s a nearly-matte, pale pink with neutral undertones. The aim of this powder is to imitate the “softest, most forgiving light and [to brighten] the complexion.” Like the other Ambient Lighting Powders, the effect is subtle, natural, and it is the, “Did you change your skincare regimen?” kind of product. Mood Light has a softening, lightly luminous effect that’s hard to really pin down. I can see this particular shade working well on all skin types, because it’s subtle and won’t make oilier skin appear oilier.

The texture of the powder is very, very soft and silky, but it can be a little powdery–which does work well for minimizing or absorbing oil for those who have normal to oilier skin. Even though my skin can be dry, I didn’t notice this powder emphasizing dryness either. The powder is very soft, so a soft brush and light hand will be key to minimizing excess product getting dislodged from the pan. It’s designed to work as a finishing powder, but I’ve found it helps just as well to set and prolong my base makeup (by about two hours) as it does to finish it, so I usually use this as my setting and finishing powder.

The Glossover

P	Mood Light A+
	Mood Light softens the appearance of the skin's natural texture, giving it a smoother, refined appearance with a lightly luminous quality. It worked well to both set and finish my base makeup, as it prolonged the wear of my foundation by almost two hours, and it helped to minimize oiliness that can sometimes occur (on my skin) after a full day of wearing makeup.
	Product 10/10 Pigmentation 10/10 Texture 9.5/10 Longevity 10/10 Application 5/5
	Where to Buy
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Hourglass Mood Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Mood Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Mood Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Mood Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Mood Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Mood Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Mood Light Ambient Lighting Powder (left) / No Powder (right)

Hourglass Mood Light Ambient Lighting Powder (left) / No Powder (right)

Hourglass Luminous Light Ambient Lighting Powder ($45.00 for 0.35 oz.) is described as a “champagne pearl.” It’s a light peach with a white shimmer but really goes on mostly colorless on the skin. This shade is designed to “create a soft, incandescent candlelight glow.” It seemed just slightly brightening but added a fine sheen all-over the skin. When blended, I did not see any shimmer particles actually on the skin, though swatched heavily on the arm or hand will show some–but these seem to really blend and sheer out. The effect is, indeed, luminous.  I would describe it as a step above glowy or a sheen, because I think the effect is a bit more obvious as a result of the sheen of the powder overall.

The texture of Hourglass’ Ambient Lighting Powders is incredibly finely-milled; so soft that there is a tendency for excess powder to kick up and around the product. I did not experience powderiness on the skin, but it was enough excess to see it disperse in the air and get all over the compact. Though, on the plus side, I think that powderiness will work well for those with oily skin types, as it will help to mattify a bit during application. Luminous Light seemed to yield a rather luminous sheen, not so over-the-top that it acts like a traditional highlighter but not quite as subtle as other finishing powders.  It may be touted as a finishing powder, but it worked well to set my makeup, too, and helped prolong the wear of my foundation by an hour or so.

The Glossover

P	Luminous Light A+
	Luminous Light seemed to yield a rather luminous sheen, not so over-the-top that it acts like a traditional highlighter but not quite as subtle as other finishing powders.
	Product 10/10 Pigmentation 10/10 Texture 9.5/10 Longevity 10/10 Application 5/5
	Where to Buy
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Hourglass Luminous Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Luminous Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Luminous Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Luminous Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Luminous Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Luminous Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Luminous Light Ambient Lighting Powder (left – Hourglass Luminous Light; right – no powder)

Hourglass Luminous Light Ambient Lighting Powder (left – Hourglass Luminous Light; right – no powder)

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder ($45.00 for 0.35 oz.) is described as a “soft, warm pale yellow powder.” It’s a pale, pale white with subtle yellow undertones and a barely-there sheen. This one didn’t have any sparkle or shimmer. I’m not an expert on finishing powders, as I’ve only tried a dozen or so on the market, but you can see my past reviews, which may be helpful. From what I’ve tried, I felt like MAC’s Sheer Mystery Powder may have been the most similar in terms of feel, look, and composition (pressed, soft, no sparkle), but I wouldn’t say they’re dupes for each other.

Diffused Light is supposed to “reduce redness and give skin clarity.” Like all of the shades within the new range, it is supposed to be suitable for all skin tones. The larger idea behind the Ambient Lighting Powders is that they help to make your skin look like it’s been lit by soft, diffused light; think having a bit of a photographer and his lighting crew follow you around, except in powder form.

I applied Diffused Light over Hourglass’ Veil Fluid foundation using the Ambient Powder Brush to the right half of my face (see photos below), and I think the effect is exactly as anticipated: something that’s nigh on invisible to the eye in terms of seeing the product but that it does soften the way the skin looks. The natural textures and imperfections of the skin, including some unevenness, pores, and the like, look softer and smoother. Because it is a powder, too, it will take down any shine and does help to prolong the wear I get out of my foundation by an hour or so.

It didn’t look heavy, caky, or obvious on; there’s no residual powderiness that’s there as it sits on the skin, because you can’t see what you’ve put on. This is exactly what a finishing powder should be; and really, it’s what base makeup is all about: your skin but better. I have a medium complexion, and this did not look chalky or ashy when I applied it to my face, though it did look potentially chalky when I did a heavy swatch on my arm–so if you do the same in-store, you might try seeing it blended and applied on the face.

The powder itself is incredibly finely-milled and soft, which is great for application and blending of the product on the skin. However, a downside to that is that it does kick up a fair amount of excess powder (and I used Hourglass’ own Ambient Powder Brush) as the bristles disturb the surface of the powder. Again, none of this excess turns up on the skin, but there is some waste, I’d say. It is more “pigmented” as a result compared to other products in the category, like Guerlain Pressed Meteorites.  The excess is, ultimately, wasted product, and it does get into the nooks and crannies of the compact and some disappears into the air. That’s really my only complaint!

The Glossover

P	Diffused Light A+
	Hourglass launches another great product, and it's easily a line I can see becoming holy grail material for some. It's impossible to over-do, and it definitely makes skin look better without looking like you've patted powder all over.
	Product 10/10 Pigmentation 10/10 Texture 9.5/10 Longevity 10/10 Application 5/5
	Where to Buy
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Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder (right half)

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder (right half)

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder

Ready to cast your complexion in a flattering new light? Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder, launching next spring, is a groundbreaking collection of finishing powders that capture, diffuse and soften the way light is reflected on your skin. The powders brighten the appearance and conceal skin imperfections, pores and wrinkles, so that skin appears younger, even-toned and radiant. With six universal shades available, the wearer can choose the lighting effect they desire – it’s the equivalent of having a personal lighting technician.

“I learned early on how different types of light can truly flatter the complexion,” says Carisa Janes, Hourglass CEO & Founder. “Growing up, my mother had pink light bulbs in all of the lamps throughout the house. She loved pink light because it was the softest and most flattering, and she always wanted to look good.” Janes was inspired to create a new generation of powders that can be customized according to the desired lighting effect.

Unlike traditional finishing powders, Ambient Lighting Powder alters the perceived appearance of the complexion by manipulating and filtering out harsh light. As we age, skin loses its natural luminosity, and Ambient addresses this deficiency with ‘photoluminescent technology’. These transparent micron-size, color-correcting particles emulate the appearance of young, healthy-looking skin.

Ambient Lighting Powder is free of parabens, talc, fragrance, nano-particles and gluten. There are 6 unique lighting powders, and each is suitable for all skin tones. Choose your powder according to your most flattering light.

Ambient Lighting Powder ($45.00)

• Diffused Light A soft, warm, pale yellow powder. Light your skin with DIFFUSED LIGHT to reduce redness and give skin clarity – like a soft ray of morning light.
• Ethereal Light An opalescent sheer, cool white powder. Light your skin with ETHEREAL LIGHT to mimic a moonlit glow – even in broad daylight.
• Radiant Light A sun-kissed golden beige powder. Light your skin with RADIANT LIGHT to extend a summer glow, or enhance the overall complexion with believable, subtle, warmth.
• Mood Light A soft, sheer lavender pink powder. Light your skin with MOOD LIGHT to mimic the softest most forgiving light and reveal your brightest complexion.
• Dim Light A neutral peach beige powder. Light your skin with DIM LIGHT to blur imperfections and highlight a radiant complexion with the perfect balance of warm and cool tones.
• Luminous Light A champagne pearl powder. Light your skin with LUMINOUS LIGHT to create a soft, incandescent candlelit glow – day or night.

Ambient Powder Brush ($35.00)

Pair your powder with Ambient Powder Brush. This densely packed brush is ideal for evenly dispersing the powder onto every contour of the complexion. The brush is equipped with extra soft, high-grade taklon bristles and packaged with a protective travel pouch.

Availability: Now @ Sephora, February 2013 for in-store, also at Barney’s, Space NK