Hourglass Holiday 2019 Scattered Light Trio Review & Swatches
Ghost
Hourglass Ghost Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow Collection ($46.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a new, limited edition trio of copper, bronze, and plum shimmery cream-powder eyeshadows. Two of the shades exist in the permanent range, while one is new and exclusive to the set (Molten).
The three shades performed consistently with past shades in this formula–they were pigmented, blendable, long-wearing, and easy to use, though they are marketed as buildable. I’d argue that they’re quite pigmented but the creamier texture makes them easier to sheer out if desired. (If you need any tips on working with cream eyeshadow, check out this post!)
Scattered Light Eyeshadows retail for $29.00 and contain 0.12 oz., or run $241.67/oz. The set retails for $46.00 and contains 0.21 oz. of product, so it has a total value of $50.75. I think in the case of a product like this, 0.07 oz. is plenty of product for lots of use without fear of it drying out or becoming difficult to work with later on. The smaller jars are a bit less conducive to fingertips (depending on how large yours are) compared to the full-sized jar, but I could still get the pad of my index finger into the jar.
Ingredients
Look Using this Product
Ghost
LELimited Edition. $46.00.
Foil
Foil is a bright, golden copper with strong, warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. Applied dry, it had semi-opaque, buildable coverage, and it had opaque coverage with applied with a wet brush (or with two layers). The coverage was actually more true to the marketing than it has been with other shades–it’s intended to be buildable!
The texture felt lightly creamy, dense but not too compacted into the jar, and it had excellent adhesion to bare skin, which minimized fallout and kept the product’s intensity in place when I blended out the edges. It stayed on well for eight and a half hours on me before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Becca Sandstone (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop A Little Quarky (LE, $6.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Sephora Sandcastle (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Weekend (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Warm Wash #2 (LE, ) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Gold Rush (LE, $25.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Hourglass Graphite #2 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Hammer Time (LE, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- LORAC Honey (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- KKW Beauty Chicago (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$29.00/0.12 oz. - $241.67 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "buildable" coverage from "a sheer crystal-like shimmer to an opaque prismatic glitter finish." It is a "hybrid cream formula" that "dries down." Each pot has a plastic stopper that sits on top of the eyeshadow, which can be used to press the product together if it loosens over time.
The texture was very dense, felt more like a creamy powder than a cream--like if someone hadn't told me it was a hybrid, I would have just assumed it was a powder product. The brand recommends using fingertips for application, and that is the better way to apply for coverage and least fallout.
I tried dry and dampened brushes to varying degrees of success (some shades were easier to work with than others). The pigmentation varied, too, from buildable to semi-opaque. They were fairly blendable and had slight fallout during initial application. They lasted between seven and eight hours on me with slight, additional fallout over time (but did not irritate my eyes).
Browse all of our Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Foil
LELimited Edition. $29.00.
Molten
Molten is a medium-dark plum with warm, reddish undertones and micro-glitter floating over a pearly sheen. It had opaque pigmentation applied dry as well as with a wet brush, and fingertip application yielded similar, high-coverage results, which is all good news for those who prefer pigmentation, but the formula is billed at buildable so that is reflected in its rating.
The consistency was creamy, smooth, and blendable, so it was easy to work with and adhered well on my lid. I found the texture to be more emollient than past iterations of the formula. It wore well for eight and a half hours on me before I noticed signs of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Sydney Grace The Deep Love (P, $8.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Chameleon (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Seedling (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- ColourPop All Smiles (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Optic Fuchsia (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Gucci Beauty Azalea (Right) (DC, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Holidaze (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop All In (LE, $6.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Viseart Chant (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Lost Love (P, $6.25) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$29.00/0.12 oz. - $241.67 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "buildable" coverage from "a sheer crystal-like shimmer to an opaque prismatic glitter finish." It is a "hybrid cream formula" that "dries down." Each pot has a plastic stopper that sits on top of the eyeshadow, which can be used to press the product together if it loosens over time.
The texture was very dense, felt more like a creamy powder than a cream--like if someone hadn't told me it was a hybrid, I would have just assumed it was a powder product. The brand recommends using fingertips for application, and that is the better way to apply for coverage and least fallout.
I tried dry and dampened brushes to varying degrees of success (some shades were easier to work with than others). The pigmentation varied, too, from buildable to semi-opaque. They were fairly blendable and had slight fallout during initial application. They lasted between seven and eight hours on me with slight, additional fallout over time (but did not irritate my eyes).
Browse all of our Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow swatches.
Look Using this Product
Molten
PPermanent. $29.00.
Ray
Ray is a light-medium, rosy bronze with warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. It had opaque pigmentation applied dry or with a dampened brush, which was, unfortunately, not in line with the “buildable” marketing behind this formula. The product could certainly be applied with a fluffy brush or fingertip and diffused for a wash of color, but it wasn’t what I’d call sheer to start with!
The eyeshadow had a lightly creamy texture that was dense and very compacted in the pot, but it picked up well with a brush and applied evenly without fallout to my lid. The color stayed on nicely for nine hours with slight fallout over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Lisa Eldridge Emily (P, $27.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Better Society (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Rare Beauty Contentment (P, $22.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Moira Copper (P, $7.50) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Anastasia D3 (Norvina Vol. 4) (LE, $12.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Abbot Kinney (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Riding High (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Giorgio Armani #9 (DC, $33.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Hard Place (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Anastasia Cinder (LE, $12.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$29.00/0.12 oz. - $241.67 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "buildable" coverage from "a sheer crystal-like shimmer to an opaque prismatic glitter finish." It is a "hybrid cream formula" that "dries down." Each pot has a plastic stopper that sits on top of the eyeshadow, which can be used to press the product together if it loosens over time.
The texture was very dense, felt more like a creamy powder than a cream--like if someone hadn't told me it was a hybrid, I would have just assumed it was a powder product. The brand recommends using fingertips for application, and that is the better way to apply for coverage and least fallout.
I tried dry and dampened brushes to varying degrees of success (some shades were easier to work with than others). The pigmentation varied, too, from buildable to semi-opaque. They were fairly blendable and had slight fallout during initial application. They lasted between seven and eight hours on me with slight, additional fallout over time (but did not irritate my eyes).
Browse all of our Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
I’m glad to see that Hourglass is giving a bit of extra value (a whopping $6, I think) with this trio since their usual Holiday Grinch-i-ness is to do just the opposite. But I’m sure I’ve got dupes for all 3 shades, especially the 2 I like most.
This set is so stinkin’ pretty that I doubt that I can resist it! I’ve always loved Ray, liked Foil, but Molton seals the deal for me, I think!
As pretty as this is and as much as I love this formula from Hourglass; it’s, a skip for me. Too many dupes.
Pretty, but veeeeery expensive for what they are 😐
I love Molten and maybe have a similar shade in the Stila Glitter and Glow formula but nothing that is really close so I might pick this up and keep Molten for myself and gift the other two. Molten might be worth it to me!!
A really practical and versatile set of shades that would be wearable all year round. Gorgeous finish and a great rating too. I really love these shades.
I love this formula for a shimmering look. Molten is my favorite here
Hi Christine! I noticed ray got a different score from your previous review and was wondering if this meant you thought the formula seemed different? Thanks!
It was marginally creamier.
I REALLY truly wish they’d make the burgundy into a single bc I have every single other shade they make ???