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Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder Review, Photos, Swatches

Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder
Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder ($38.00 for 0.16 oz.) is a light-medium peach with warm, yellow-orange tones and a luminous sheen. ColourPop Double Dip (LE, $10.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Iconic London Rose Glow (Right) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Gnomie (P, $7.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). NARS Last Call (LE, $30.00) is darker (90% similar). NARS Breathless (LE, $30.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). Too Faced Warm Glow (Right) (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Guerlain Perles de Legende (LE, $65.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). ColourPop Spoon (LE, $10.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Morphe Spark (P, $14.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Dior Golden Glow (04) (P, $50.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). Sydney Grace PSL Extra Whip (P, $9.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Chanel Or Rose (LE, $70.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). MAC Rosy Glow (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). By Terry Light & Tan Vibes #3 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Solar Exposure (Highlighter) (LE, $60.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). ColourPop Queen Frostine (LE, $15.00) is lighter, less pigmented (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Nude Glow (Top) (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). ColourPop Hey Pudding (PiP, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). Benefit Dandelion Twinkle (P, $29.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Kaja Luna (P, $19.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

FORMULA OVERVIEW | According to Hourglass, the Strobe Lighting Powders have a “sheer base” paired with “ultra-fine pearl particles” that give a “naturally luminescent highlight … without a heavy metallic finish.” They are wet/dry powders with dry application for less of a highlight and damp application for a stronger highlight. If you find most highlighters “too much” for your tastes but find the Ambient Lighting Powders not enough, then you may enjoy the Strobe Lighting Powders. Hourglass also launched a slanted, sponge applicator designed to be used with this product, which is what I used to apply the highlight in the photos below, but I prefer regular brushes for more even application and easier blending. The powder definitely intensifies with damp application–you can see how it gets brighter, lighter, and more shimmery.

This was one of the more noticeably shimmery shades out of the range of four, though it is still going to be on the light-to-moderate side of highlighters. Hourglass is right on when they say they don’t get metallic. It is semi-sheer, lightly buildable dry, but it takes on a darker, more orange coloring when applied damp (adds slightly more color to the skin as well) and produces a stronger sheen. What’s nice about the effect is that either application yields a really refined, pearly sheen rather than noticeable shimmer particles on the skin. The texture is soft, smooth, and finely-milled with little excess powder kicked up in the pan (if you use their sponge applicator, even less excess than a brush). On me, it wore for eight hours.

Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder
Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder
Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder
Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder
Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder
Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder
Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder (Dry)

Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder
Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder (Wet)

Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder
Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder (Dry)

Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder
Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder (Wet)

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Guerlain Parure Gold
  • Guerlain Les Voilettes
On lips:
  • Bite Beauty Pastille Matte Lip Crayon
  • Sephora Fuchsia Mermaid Holographic Lipgloss

54 Comments

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Comments on this post are closed.
Tracey E. Avatar

Hi Christine, what brush or product did you use for the wet application? I’m less inclined to buy the corresponding brush unless it’s absolutely necessary.

Christine Avatar

As mentioned in the post, I used Hourglass’ sponge that they created for this product to apply all swatches: “Hourglass also launched a slanted, sponge applicator designed to be used with this product, which is what I used to apply the highlight in the photos below, but I prefer regular brushes for more even application and easier blending.”

Tracey E. Avatar

Sorry, Christone, I glossed over that. I’d prefer to use a brush from my own collection unless this sponge is so exceptional to use with this and other profucts. It doesn’t sound like that’s the case. Look forward to seing your review of the others in this series.

Momo Avatar

Hi, Christine. This may be a small error, but the powders are 0.16 oz, but you’ve written 0.12 oz. Unless they really are 0.12 oz. lol

I bought the Brilliant Light Powder, which is fine since I like golden powders, but I think I should have bought this shade instead. I didn’t realize that it would be so orange-y. I love it! It would be excellent for my tone. The Hourglass site’s description of this shade does not do it justice, and that’s why I’d passed on Euphoric. Thank you for your review. You’ve changed my mind.

Abir Avatar

Looks so lovely on you!
Christine, I was hoping you could help me decide between the Kevyn Aucoin celestial powder and the Laura Mercier matte radiance 01 highlight. I noticed that in your editorial awards you still chose the KA celestial as your favorite highlight. Can you explain why please?
I know both highlights are subtle and nonglittery but which one gives the most realistic glow. My favorite highlighter is the Becca liquid highlighter to give you an idea. But it doesn’t last as long as I want.
Anyway thank you so much!

Christina Avatar

You know, I’m not sure any of these four colours will suit my complexion. I thought the pale yellow one might, but it looks like it shows up as a soft yellow-white. I’m really fair, but I have distinct green tones to my skin, and I don’t want my highlighter showing up as peach, pink, orange, or yellow.

Still, the finish sounds exactly like my kind of highlight. I didn’t love my Dior Glowing Pink that was just released because I find it a tad metallic and I can see the shimmer sometimes–I just want a smooth sheen!

Christine Avatar

Hey Nicole,

I actually mentioned in the post that I prefer brushes over the sponge 🙂 I don’t think the sponge is necessary, and I don’t think it does a great job – it takes more work with the sponge than a brush. Hope that helps!

Abir Avatar

Christine, I don’t know if you have used the By Terry hyaluronic hydra-powder. I recently got a deluxe sample and wow! I’ve used the meteorites, ambient lighting and the Nars crystal powders. But this By Terry powder blew them all away.
The only tiny flaw I can find is that it has a slight white cast for the first 10 minutes, but it doesn’t last. I’ve read a lot of reviews and the people who got the white cast all said it disappeared. Although deeper skin tones will probably have a problem.
Just wanted to let you know.

Abir Avatar

Btw, I only get the tiny bit of white cast when I over apply and most of the people who reviewed didn’t get it. But like I said, the white cast doesn’t last.
It also didn’t flashback in photos.
It’s amazing for dry skin. This powder somehow feels hydrating. And nothing blurs fine lines and pores like this powder.

Dayana Romero Avatar

Would you say there is any difference between these strobe powders and their ambient lighting powders? In regards to their finish on the skin, it basically looks the same to me, but I could totally be wrong. Your opinion would be great since you have tested both products. 🙂

Fran Avatar

This is really pretty! It might be a bit too dark and orange to be a good highlighter on me — I think I’ll have to try it in order to find out. I’m really hoping that one of these shades is going to be a great color for me, because it sounds like the finish is exactly what I’m looking for.

Dani Avatar

Hi Christine! I was just wondering which you would recommend between this shade of the Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder and the Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Highlighter? Thank you so much!

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