Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette ($58.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a trio of Hourglass’ blushes, including one shade (Incandescent Electra) that’s exclusive to the palette. Luminous Flush and Mood Exposure were very similar to the individual, permanent versions I have, though they varied slightly as is the nature of the product (swirled, so yours may be lighter or darker, depending on how much the blush and illuminator portions are). The Mood Exposure in the trio has more of the illuminator showing, but the general composition, look, feel, and so forth, are in the line with the standalone shades. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes have a very soft, finely-milled feel that’s silky and a little powdery in the pan, but they don’t look powdery applied. They have good color payoff that’s buildable as well as blendable, so you can always take it down a notch if you prefer or go for full-coverage.
Full-sized blushes are $35 for 0.15 oz. or $233.33/oz., and each blush is 0.11 oz. in the palette for a total of 0.33 oz., so the palette contains $77 worth of blush. The Ambient Lighting Powders are $45 for 0.35 oz. or $128.57/oz. The Ambient Lighting Palette is $58 for 0.35 oz., so only a $45 worth of the Ambient Lighting powders, so the blush palette is actually a value-packed palette in comparison. If you rarely finish blushes, you may also consider that $58 for three blushes compared to $105 for three full-sized blushes (and similarly with the powder palette, $58 for three compared to $135 for three full-sized powders).
Everything about this palette is nice with regards to quality, wear, and color payoff, but I really wish the blushes had more variety in their undertones/colors–I think if you are very fair, you will notice the most difference between the three. On my medium skin tone, they look very similar with Incandescent Electra being the lightest and pinkest, followed by Luminous Flush, which is slightly warmer, and finally by Mood Exposure, which has a warmer, redder tone applied. I would have loved to see a cool-toned pink and more mauve-berry shade, because they could really be mixed and layered for even more variet (and that makes more sense to me for a trio format). This is how I felt about the permanent range when it initially launched as well. I hope Hourglass will consider adding more differentiated shades in the future.
Luminous Flush is described as a “champagne rose.” It’s a pop of light-medium, pink-coral with warm undertones and a satiny sheen. It had good color payoff with a soft, silky texture that was a bit powdery in the pan but looked soft, luminous on without emphasizing pores or skin imperfections. The color wore well for eight hours before fading slightly. Urban Decay Streak Blush (P) is warmer. Dior My Lady (003) (LE, $60.00) is pinker. NYX Apricot (P, $5.00) is warmer. MAC Petal Power (LE, $27.00) is more shimmery. Hourglass Diffused Heat (P, $35.00) is lighter. Tarina Tarantino Feather (P, $25.00) is similar. Tarte True Love (P, $26.00) is darker, pinker. Tarte Crave (LE, $26.00) is darker. NARS Day Dream (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery, darker. Physicians Formula Warm (P, $11.99) is darker. theBalm Frat Boy (P, $21.00) is darker. NYX Summer Peach (P, $5.00) is slightly pinker, brighter. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Incandescent Electra is described as a “cool peach.” It’s a light-medium pink with subtle warm, yellow undertones and a satiny finish. It had nice pigmentation, and the texture felt soft and smooth, though it was slightly powdery in the pan. It wore well for eight hours before fading, and it looked luminous without being too shimmery on the skin, so it didn’t emphasize skin imperfections or pores. MAC Lesson in Love (LE, $21.00) is slightly darker. Makeup Geek Spell Bound (P, $9.99) is darker, warmer. MAC Cheeky Bugger (LE, $21.00) is darker. Chanel Sakura (87) (LE, $45.00) is a touch darker. Charlotte Tilbury Love Glow (P, $40.00) is darker, more shimmery. Giorgio Armani Eccentrico (LE, $88.00) is more shimmery. Edward Bess Filled with Desire (P, $43.00) is cooler-toned. MAC Launch Away (LE, $21.00) is slightly cooler-toned. MAC Easy Manner (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Mood Exposure is described as a “soft plum.” It’s a medium-dark, plummy pink with warm undertones and a soft, satiny shimmer-sheen. The one in the pan seemed to have slightly less shimmer this time around, but it was within what I’d consider a normal variation for this type of product. It didn’t seem to impact the overall look of it once applied, which was softly luminous but not shimmery, so it didn’t emphasize pores. It wore well for eight hours on me. Surratt Beauty La Vie En Rose (P, $32.00) is very similar. MAC Corol #2 (LE, $21.00) is slightly more shimmery. Becca Raspberry/Opal (P, $27.00) is more shimmery. Bobbi Brown Nude Beach Blush (LE, $26.00) is darker. NARS Lovejoy (P, $29.00) is darker, more shimmery. bareMinerals The Indecent Proposal (P, $22.00) is darker. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Ambient Lighting Blush (2014)
LELimited Edition. $58.00.
Luminous Flush
LELimited Edition. $40.00.
Incandescent Electra
LELimited Edition. $40.00.
Mood Exposure
PPermanent. $40.00.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette
Hourglass Luminous Flush Ambient Lighting Blush
Hourglass Luminous Flush Ambient Lighting Blush
Hourglass Luminous Flush Ambient Lighting Blush
Hourglass Incandescent Electra Ambient Lighting Blush
Hourglass Incandescent Electra Ambient Lighting Blush
Hourglass Incandescent Electra Ambient Lighting Blush
Hourglass Mood Exposure Ambient Lighting Blush
Hourglass Mood Exposure Ambient Lighting Blush
Hourglass Mood Exposure Ambient Lighting Blush
The new exclusive shade is beautiful. The only problem is that I already have Luminous Flush, so I’d be really getting only 2 shades that I don’t have…So torn!
I really like the new shade as well! $58 is still cheaper than buying 2 single shades, if that helps any.
I also have Luminous Flush but still bought this palette and I’m glad I did. I just swatched my full sized LF and the smaller version in the palette to compare them in daylight. They’re nowhere near the same. This palette is definitely worth buying!
The colors look so similar on the cheeks! Not sure how I feel about that….
Yes, they do – it’s kind of like light, medium, and medium-dark with Mood Exposure running less pink.
This will be going home with me! I hope I can get a hold of it, because I’m sure it’ll sell out in approximately 2 seconds, flat.
Fingers crossed you can grab yours, Audrey!
Damn, I’m a little disappointed by the color selection in this palette. I’m more of a lipstick/eye shadow kind of woman, and I hardly finish blushes so I think long and hard about them when I buy. I thought this palette might be a good option to try out some of these blushes (which look beautiful!) but I’m around your coloring Christine, and I feel the same way about the color selection. Maybe someday we’ll see mini versions for a Sephora favorites pack 🙂
Yeah, like you could probably just get one and call it a day, to be honest, though it’s sure nice to have three, of course, since then you don’t even have to adjust 🙂 But it would have been cool (at least, to me) to have more variety within it so you could mix and match, layer, etc.
So glad I picked this up the moment it was available for VIBs.
Enjoy, Em! Did yours arrive yet?
I know right! I happened to be trolling Sephora around 3am and saw this palette had become available so I snagged it right up- lol! I have a few of their blushes already- including Mood Exposure (which is amazing!), so I knew that the quality would be there. Mine should be here Mon or Tues with the 3 day shipping- can’t wait:)
That’s actually not a bad price at all for these… they all look really natural and gorgeous on your skin tone!
xo,
Jenny
Thank you, Jenny!
I see what you mean about the lack of differentiation. I’m hoping that on my fair to light skin the differences will be more apparent. These shades do look different from the mostly pink and reddish blushes I currently own.
I think you’ll see more of a difference, and if you are cooler-toned, you may see a more dramatic difference between Incandescent Electra vs. Mood Exposure.
Gorgeous! I never finish blushes, so this is a great option for me!
Yay!
Not sure if I want this but I really love my Luminous Flush (which is my only blush).
Tarte’s holiday blush palette has more variety so I don’t know which one I want to invest in yet.
Tarte’s blushes are so hit and miss for me! I haven’t seen or tried this year’s holiday sets yet, though. Here’s hoping!
Thx u Christine. Beautiful. Can’t wait until I can get my hand on this. For the first time, I get more product per gram in this than Tom Ford. Yay.
Woohoo!!
This is definitely such a good value but the only new shade seems a bit off to me! I love Mood exposure on you.. might get it if I brave the costs!
Thank you, Divya!
While I do think these blushes look really beautiful, I highly prefer matte blushes because my skin gets pretty oily easily. I really like these though, but I have my eye on other holiday palettes and products coming out so this will most likely take the backseat on my shopping list.
What other palettes do you have your eye on?
Christine, I’m torn! I’m still debating on whether to get it or not. I have already mood exposure and I barely use it… But his palette is too pretty!
I guess the question is why don’t you use Mood Exposure?
Mine should be here Monday or Tuesday 🙂 I don’t have any of the Ambient Lighting products so I’m very excited. I wish it had a more diverse range of colors! Still, on my porcelain skin I think each one will show up well. I’m looking forward to blending them with my other blushes. Love the finish. Just seems meant for paler tones like me and that’s not super fair.
They should show up well for sure! I don’t think there’s a color payoff issue, just that the range seems too similar (when there are only a few shades in it anyway!).
Yeah, definitely. I love the pigmentation! I just hope one day they release a blush palette that caters to darker ones with more variation since the colors are so gorgeous. Every one looks amazing on you! Even the built up side looks stunning, natural, and not actually overdone.
Wow, I’m loving how Incandescent Electra looks. I thought it would be iffy on my super-fair skin, but I think it will work well. I do agree that including a cooler shade would have been nice. But, since the very, very light Ethereal Glow is the coolest shade in the Ambient Blush Collection, I think many would have been unhappy. I guess they were trying to include the most universally-flattering shades, then throw in a brand new, LE shade, so those with one or more of the permanent shades would still have a new baby. I totally agree that Hourglass should release more shades in the range.
Thanks for the great swatches and review. I’m happy that I decided to order this palette as I think I’ll be able to use and enjoy each shade.
I don’t think Ethereal Glow would have been a great pick either, since it won’t show up on some skin tones!
I guess they wanted a highlighting blush similar to the original platte, I like the look of Incandescent Electra thought, so here’s hoping it doesn’t sell out before it’s available to the VIB’s. But it’s kind of troubling that MAC Cheeky Bugger is darker because that one is REALLY light even on my fair skin
Well, it showed up on me, and I’m more medium, so I think you should be okay!
Usually Sephora sets aside stock for VIB Rouge, VIB, etc. if they do early access.
The limited shade looks so lovely but I have both mood exposure and luminous flush already…those are the only two I have and the ones in the palette (go figure haha). I can’t justify this for myself but maybe I’ll pick it up for my mom! Thanks for the review Christine!
xx
No problem, Lindsey!
I’m so getting this. I’m rather pale and pretty neutral toned so this is a dream palette for me. I’m so glad I’d held off on buying their blushes. This works out so well!
Enjoy, Sara!
I actually purchased Luminous Flush and Mood Exposure right before finding out about this palette. I quickly returned them and really hope I can get my hands on this! In the UK these are going for £56 so I am really going to be banking on ordering it online from the US to save but I know the demand will be even higher there. Fingers crossed!
I hope you can get it!
I am so excited I bought this literally 2 minutes after it became available for VIBs. I have Diffused Heat so I’m looking forward to 3 more colors! I was thinking about getting Ethereal Glow before this was announced but now I don’t know if I need it. Is Ethereal Glow super different or would I be better off waiting to get that once I run out of at least one or two other shades?
Ethereal Glow is pretty light, so unless you’re very fair, I don’t think it’s necessary!
I wear Siberia in NARS foundations most of the year, and IT Cosmetics CC Cream in Fair during the summer, so I’m pretty darn fair. But I think 4 Hourglass Blushes is probably enough at one time haha. If I have too many choices I’ll probably spend too much time just picking out a blush color and be late for work!
This is very tempting for me. I need to up my blush game and this is a great value for a product I was interested in anyhow. Plus these particular shades are probably great for adding a bit of warmth without looking like mud on slightly cooler skin tones.
Hopefully it works well for you, Erin!
Siiigh. It’s. So. PREEEEETTY.
They do look pretty in the pan!
I still like the idea of this (I haven’t picked up any of their blushes yet), but it still chafes that they’re range is so warm toned. If they add some cooler shades to the line up that just aren’t baby pink I’d be all over it!
There’s totally room for some cooler-toned shades in the range!
Loved your review. I have a more fair complexion so I hope these shades will show some differences on my cheeks. Hope I can snag one before it sells out!
Fingers crossed!
I’m a Sephora VIB, not a VIB rouge. Any idea when this will be made available to us? Will it be for sale on Hourglasses website too? If so, when? I really want this one.
They didn’t give me any specific dates! It will be available at all Hourglass retailers in October.
Thank You.
I would be way more excited about this palette if it included, say, Radiant Magenta, Dim Infusion and Incandescent Electra.
Bummer!
This is sooooo beautiful! I wish Sephora offered shipping to Iceland! I’m coming to America in November bu it will probably have sold out by then 🙁
Awww!
I’ve wanted the 2 permanent ones for a while, and although I don’t care much for the “exclusive” shade, this would still be a better deal-especially since I have a more than adequate amount of blush. However, if for some reason I miss this, and they don’t make this permanent, I won’t be heartbroken.
I hope you can get it!
I don’t have any products by Hourglass. If you had to choose between this palette or last years lighting palette, which would you pick? Are the blushes better quality than the blushes? Or perform better than the blushes?
Well, they’re different products, so it depends more on what you’re looking for/wanting to get out of it. We’re talking finishing powders vs. blushes!
OMG!!!!! Must have this palette!!!!!!
Enjoy, Jaine!
Wow, I love it! Plus, I don’t own anything by hourglass yet..
Unfortunately hourglass isn’t sold in the Netherlands, does anyone know if this will be available online with shipping to Europe?
I don’t, sorry!
I so wish I didn’t already have Mood Exposure and Luminous Flush, as this palette would have been perfect for me as I really like them both — and I love the look of the newest color!
Aww, that is the downside of buying them when they first come out 🙁
Do you think that the light shimmer emphasizes pores? I have oily skin and I’m afraid that this will just make me look more oily. Ive never tried these blushes before but I want to take a dive and buy this set.
Hi Sierra!
I believed I mentioned in the review, but none of these emphasized pores! 🙂
So excited for this. I ordered mine a few days ago! I don’t own a lot of blushers so this is a really good investment for me; I own one full sized ambient blush and it’s my go-to. Can’t wait to have three new shades!
Yay! Can’t wait for you to receive yours, Erin!
I am very fair, don’t have any of the HG blushes, but have been eying them, and never finish blushes sooooo this pretty much has my name all over it.
Woohoo!!
This blush looks really nice and luxurious! I will definitely splurge on this palette soon!
I hope you love it!
Incandescent Electra looks so pretty and natural on you! I’m glad this palette worked out well, since it’s been so popular and sought after! 🙂
Me too! 🙂
This is a good deal, but I don’t think the colors are sufficiently distinguishable to want to get one. I wish they had a build-your-own-palette option– I’d be willing to pay more for that!
That would be cool! I bet that it would be difficult to sell these as just pans given how they’re likely made!
I’ve wanted Mood Exposure for a long while so I’d get this just for that and consider that other two bonus for few extra $$. 🙂
Nice!
Always wanted to try the blushes but for the price I was hesitant. As soon as this became available I ordered it! It makes more sense to me to try out 3 different shades in a smaller form as it takes me years to use up a blush!
Can’t wait for you to receive yours, Sonia!
Oh, wow. Those are all stunning. I’m so lusting over this set.
It is a pretty set!
Don’t think this would work on NC 50 skin. I have Mood Exposure which is beautiful on my skin but the other two I don’t think so…:(
I hear ya, Tangie! 🙁 I wish they had some more options.
Oh man, I wish I didn’t want this, but it’s reeeeaaaaally pretty!
It is pretty!
Yes, Hourglass, take the only two shades I own and put a limited edition shade with them. So torn! Will probably have to skip this one though, for the love of sanity.
Awwwww!
Thank you for the swatches! I am debating this. I don’t have any Hourglass products and I have been very curious about these blushes and the Ambient Light Powders. I NEVER hit pan on anything, so I like that these are smaller, and give me some options. One more thing to add to my ever growing shopping list…
No problem, Madelyn! 🙂 It is a great option for those who don’t have any, AND don’t tend to finish blushes!
Any idea when this palette is available outside Sephora’s VIB Rouge? I’m so close to Rouge status but I’m not spending money on things I don’t want just to get one thing I do want.
No idea, Bridget! Hourglass only listed the date for VIB Rouge and then just “October.”
I was starting to consider getting this but I’ll stick with my guns and pass. The middle shade is going to be way too light for me. I do like the other shades though. I’ll have to grab them separately since they’re permanent. I really like Mood Exposure!
I think Mood Exposure could work for you!
I’m excitedly awaiting mine to arrive in the mail!! Love that Sephora made this Rouge-exclusive first! I’m in love with 2/3 shades, and I’m so glad I didn’t buy them individually at first! Would have regretted that now that there’s the palette version!
So glad you were able to grab one!
I was going to pass…but they do look really pretty. And the first palette was great too.
UGH MY WALLET CRIES.
Your poor wallet, Nina! 🙁
As pretty as I expected!
That’s always a good thing!
This sold out in just a few hours on Sephora online! Really want to try this!
I’m sure they have more stock coming!
Ahh, my kit is yearning for this haha!
Do you think you’ll grab one, Jade?
Hopefully haha!
Do you know if this is limited edition?
Yes, it is limited edition.
electra looks amazing on you. i am in for it.
Thanks, Heather!
I picked luminous flush but so want this palette and especially now with your FOTD 😀 😀 gorgeousness and mind blowing and waiting for Clinique matte reviews
Aw, thank you, Rashmi!
This looks absolutely amazing. I have to get my hands on it!
Jill x
Fingers crossed for ya, Jill!
I hope they make it a permanent palette (like they did the powders) since I don’t live in the US and won’t be able to pick it up this holiday season… It does seem gorgeous and like a good value.
Let’s hope so! Though if they do, I am sure it will be awhile before they tell us, lol!
No problem for me, it will be awhile before I can travel to the US and then get the palette (and some other makeup items) 😉
As beautiful as this palette is, I don’t think it’s worth it. I’ve seen so many blushes that are way cheaper and prettier. I think looking at the blush itself, it’s gorgeous, but looking at swatches I’m not impressed.
I’m glad you have other options you enjoy!
I really, really want this. I don’t have anything from Hourglass, and I’ve been eyeing the Ambient Lighting Blush line for a long time now. I hope I can get this palette.
I hope you can, too!
aw man i really wanted to love this! i’m so so happy i read your review before purchasing it. i’m a tad bit darker than you, and judging by your swatches, it’d be hard to spot a difference among the three. oh well. thanks for making shopping a lot easier!
Glad I could help, Sonia 🙂
I think I will pass on this because there is only one color I think will look nice on darker skin tones. The mood exposure. It is pretty but I am gonna have to pass on this one.
I ordered mine but wont get it until thursday. Im excited to see how they show up on my skin tone! I have Radiant Magenta and i use it almost everyday!! 😀
I think that its ridiculous to pay almost 60 dollars for blusher shades that look too similar next to each other. It makes you wonder if they were just too lazy to come up with more colors.
Love the Incandescent electra! Gorgeous!! looking forward to get these soon
gah! of course i own the two permanent shades in this! the LE one is so gorgeous but i do have cheeky bugger, so i guess i have a dupe of it. hahaha. i wish i could justify buying this!
Do you think this palette would suit someone with nw43 skin?
It’s not *great* since everything will be subtle.
I’m looking to get a blush palette, as I only have one blush currently-Benefit Coralista. I was wondering if you would suggest either this palette or the tarte pin up girl palette. I’m looking for a little bit more variety than my one shade, and have a more fair/light complexion. What would you suggest? Thanks in advance!
More variety? I’d go Pin Up then 🙂
I bought this a few days ago, despite the fact that I already have Luminous Flush. I managed to justify my purchase by designating it my ‘travel blush palette’. They swatched gorgeously in the store so I had to buy it, even though it was over $70 bloody dollars with tax in Canada. Out-fricken-rageous.
I can see myself using all of these shades quite a bit. More than the limited edition Hourglass powder palette that came out last year, which I rarely touch.
Hopefully you use this one way more than last year’s palette! 🙂
I just got this palette and I have a question. Is the back of the palette labeled incorrectly? Because from the description and pictures I’ve seen everywhere, Mood Exposure is supposed to be the plum one and it’s on the side that underneath it is labelled Luminous Flush. Has anyone else noticed this??
hey christine 🙂 what brush do you like to use with these hourglass blush & powders?
I like fan brushes with the powders, and then any blush brush for the blushes (nothing in particular stands out).
Hello! Beautiful post; I have medium skin and picked this up but in having trouble getting pigmentation to show up on my cheeks, any tips or special brushes I should use? Thanks so much!
Maybe Sephora’s Blush Brush?