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Sneak Peek: Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder Photos & Swatches

Hourglass Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

For spring, Hourglass has released a new formula, Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder ($38.00 for 0.16 oz.), which is available in four shades (one we saw in the holiday palette). They are housed in a mirrored, plastic compact and are similar in size to the Ambient Blushes. They are designed to be used wet or dry, so I have included swatches of both applications and in reviews, I will have applied them onto the face both ways as well. Full reviews to come!

See more photos & swatches!

Hourglass Brilliant Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder
Hourglass Brilliant Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

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

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

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 Incandescent Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder
Hourglass Incandescent Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

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

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

Hourglass Iridescent Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder
Hourglass Iridescent Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

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

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

45 Comments

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Mariella Avatar

I wondered the same thing and asked the question last week but, if Christine answered it, I have no idea where to look. I love the Incandescent that’s in the trio palette and would love a full size of it. Iridescent and Brilliant also look really nice but it’s Incandescent that I really, really want and for which I will likely set aside my Hourglass boycott.

Cassie Avatar

I emailed Hourglass and they told me that Incandescent strobe light is the same as the Incandescent light that is in the Ambient Lighting Palette.
From Hourglass:
“I am happy to say that they are one in the same. The highly requested Incandescent shade from the Ambient Lighting Palette is now available as a single powder within the collection of strobing powders.”

KK Avatar

Thanks for the head’s up Cassie! Really sweet of you to update us. And save some money! Since I have the palette already, I’m gonna pick some other colour! Thanks again!

nelleshoegirl Avatar

Is Incandescent Strobe the one that was in the holiday palette? And then, is that the same as the Incandescent Ambient powder in the Ambient Powder trio? So many glowy incandescent products to keep track of! 😉

Jessica Avatar

“Incandescent light” is in the Ambient Lighting Palette (3-pan, non-limited edition). “Iridescent strobe light” is in the Ambient Lighting Edit (6-pan, limited edition holiday). The “incandescent” and “iridescent” individuals are the same as the ones in the palettes. “Euphoric” and “brilliant” are completely new.

It is completely confusing. I have a hard time keeping track of all these ambient what’s-its with all the lighting powders, the blushes, the bronzers, the palettes, and now these strobe powders. But I keep buying them 🙁

Lorrin M Avatar

I think these are meant to be subtle. I would also be curious to see how these look on lighter skintones because they would probably stand out more.

Fran Avatar

These look like the kind of subtle highlighters that I like 🙂 — I guess it’s no surprise, since I’m a fan of the Ambient Lighting Powders and the Ambient blushes. Incandescent and Iridescent look like they would be good shades for me, although Incandescent may be very similar to BECCA Pearl, which I have (but in the Poured form, not powder… hmm… ) I noticed that they’re also selling a special applicator sponge to go with these — is that supposed to make it easier to apply them wet, I wonder? I would probably stick with dry application, myself.

Lacey Avatar

As an oily-skinned girl, I like that these aren’t as shimmery, frosty, or straight glittery. I like highlighters, but I have to be careful about it. That said, I’m not sure I see the difference in “strobing” and “highlighting,” so if these are supposed to be used some special sort of way, I’ll have to wait for some tutorials. 😉

Stephanie Avatar

You should definitely try the ambient lighting powders then! It was made for people with larger pores and it’s the only “highlighter” I found that is super subtle and doesn’t highlight my imperfections. I don’t feel glittery. I’m 35 and it feels very age appropriate, very natural and lot from within. I use diffused light as an all over finishing powder (I’m fair). I was thinking of trying the strobing ones for the high points of my face and hope it has the same qualities but with a little more pigment and shimmer

Valerie Avatar

I don’t know what I was expecting from these… something different. But I like what I am seeing. As someone with aging skin I like that these are more subtle. Ultimately I think I’ll need to swatch these next to the original ambient powders and see the difference in person. Euphoric, Incandescent and Iridescent all look beautiful to me. I don’t think Brilliant would look good on me.

Julie Avatar

“Strobing” means something pretty specific to me, and I thought it meant a strong highlight…these are not strong highlights at all. Pretty, but very light.

NeoNails Avatar

At first glance, these look like they’ll be best for anyone who wants a natural or subtle glow. I’m very fair, so I’m not sure if they would show up at all on me, so they’re a pass for now (unless your review tells me otherwise!)

In the meantime, I’m loving Colourpop’s Fanny Pack as an everyday highlighter. It’s not too stark or overpowering but has enough glow without the usual warm tones to throw off my cooler skin.

Christina Avatar

Hmm, these aren’t quite what I expected. I like that they’re not metallic looking as so many highlighters are, but they’re quite subtle dry–strobing tends to be a bit of a stronger highlight in my opinion–and I don’t think I would wear them wet (who has time to apply their highlighter wet?). Also, I’m really fair, so I’m not sure these would show up the way I want them to or I think they would end up looking like subtle blush on me.

I didn’t like the one that was in the holiday palette, so I’m very interested to hear your thoughts.

Leticia | Thee Limited Edition Avatar

These are gorgeous!! I think for the most part they all look better wet but Iridescent Strobe looks pretty both ways!

Jocelyn Avatar

I have mixed feelings about them. But then again, I felt the same way about the ambient lighting powders AND the blushes. I’m sure I will give them a chance but I have a hunch it’s going to be the same outcome. I hope they surprise me though!

Mariella Avatar

Whew…good to know. I love when things are permanent. I wish that new Dior illuminating powder were permanent (it’s not even available in Sephora in Canada yet….the nearest place to get it is 150 miles away! What’s a girl to do????)

Katherine T. Avatar

I like the yellow tones in Brilliant, and Euphoric looks like it could add some warmth, wonder if I can use as a setting powder/highlight in winter

nichole Avatar

I’ve become really disappointed in this brand. I’ve been waiting for them to put out an Ambiant powder that works for darker complexions. The one I have from the first release leaves a chalkiness behind and blending it out just blends it away completely. I’ll hold on to my old Hourglass shadows and reminisce.

Mariella Avatar

I only have one of the “old” Hourglass shadow duos – “Dune” – which was so wonderful. When they vanished, I knew Hourglass had something new in the works and I was so hoping/expecting that it would be a fabulous collection of shadows. Sadly, their newer palettes are both pricey and not so great.

Zella A. Avatar

Totally agree with you!! I have reached out to HG so many times about this, only to be told ” We’ve got something special planned” Lol and then their is nothing released for the true bronzed and the beautiful!! It’s sad really!!

Claire L Avatar

These are very pretty abs subtle, won’t be purchasing as I already have NARS Nico and Stila’s highlighter from Sending my Love. I’ll save my money for the Gwen Stefani palette, but it’s good to know these are permanent.

Tracey E. Avatar

I do like Hourglass blushes and lighting power. I got into it slowly and see no need to rush to add an Hourglass highlighter to my collection. The Incandescent looked about right for my skin tone. I dislike the term strobing, so the product’s name is a bit of a turnoff.

Bobbi Brown added an outer sleeve to rebrand PInk Glow and Bronze Glow as strobing products vs. the highlighters that they were in her Scotch on the Rocks Holiday Collection.

Sandra JT Avatar

I bought Brilliant before Christmas, the first yellowish swatch, and love it. I may buy another shade or two as Brilliant applies really nicely. This & the newer Laura Mercier ‘matte’ highlighter are my favorite highlighters – and products – of last year.

anne Avatar

I’m really excited for these, I ordered brilliant and incandescent yesterday. I’ve wanted incandescent since it was first released in the original ambient palette but returned that. I’ve tried a few of the ambient lighting powders since and didn’t really use them enough to justify keeping. To me most of them worked more as a finishing type powder, but I do have luminous light though and use it as a highlight so I suspect/hope these will be the same. Something that maybe shows as a soft glow vs swatching would be great!

Susan Dowman Nevling Avatar

Very pretty colors. Wonder if they will emphasize pores. I have a problem with that on my nose and a bit on my chin.
This may become my next obsession.

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