Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette ($80.00 for 0.29 oz.) includes three Ambient Lighting Powders, two Ambient Lighting Blushes, and one Ambient Lighting Bronzer in a large, plastic palette with an interior mirror. If you don’t mind having to finagle your brushes just so or have no issues using two or three shades at a time, and you’re a fan of the Hourglass Ambient formulas, then it might be worth looking at. I think that with how out of line it is compared to their other palettes that it is hard to recommend, even if the quality is good, because I see more value in picking up one or two that you’d use often and love. I had some texture issues with Luminous Flush, which was much more powdery/dusty this time around. Otherwise, the blushes/bronzers were more or less of one shade due to the nature of it being a mixed composition (so they can vary from pan to pan quite a bit).
With respect to the size and quantity of the palette, here is what I wrote previously: One of the main concerns I saw from readers when the palette was announced was with respect to the size of the palette, both actual size as well as quantity. The pans are smaller than prior palettes, and the majority of blush brushes are too small (even my SUQQU/Chikuhodo Z brushes barely fit, and those are smaller cheek brushes). Here is how it breaks down for value:
- Ambient Lighting Edit: 0.294 oz. for $80.00 = $272.11/oz.
- Contains: $18.90 worth of Ambient Lighting Powder; $22.87 worth of Ambient Lighting Blush; and $6.28 worth of Ambient Lighting Bronzer
- Value: $48.05
- Ambient Lighting Blush Palette: 0.33 oz. for $58.00 = $175.76/oz.
- Value: $77.00 worth of Ambient Lighting Blush
- Ambient Lighting Powder Palette: 0.35 oz. for $58.00 =$165.71/oz.
- Value: $45.00 worth of Ambient Lighting Powder
- Ambient Lighting Powder: 0.35 oz. for $45.00 = $128.57/oz.
- Ambient Lighting Blush: 0.15 oz. for $35.00 = $233.33/oz.
- Ambient Lighting Bronzer: 0.39 oz. for $50.00 = $128.21/oz.
It’s a real shame that Hourglass priced this year’s palette so high; the value is really out of sync compared to the past palette releases. On one hand, you can justify spending more even if the quantity isn’t a great value to get six shades for the price of 2-3 products, but the difference in value of products to what you pay is so much more than most kits and palettes where a pesky thing like principles can come into play. I also think that having the actual size of each pan being so small makes it very hard to use; you really can’t use a powder brush for all-over dusting with the Ambient Lighting Powders (which is how they’re often used) or a blush brush (and forget about a bronzer brush!).
Dim Light is described as a “neutral peach beige powder.” It’s a light, peachy beige with warm undertones and a fine, satiny shimmer. It’s very close to my skin tone, so it doesn’t add or take away from my natural coloring, but on fairer skin tones, it may warm up the skin. I find it works well as setting or finishing powder dusted all-over, and it does a nice job of making the skin appear smoother and more diffused without reading powdery or heavy.
Iridescent Light is a “sheer illuminating highlighter.” It is a very light, peach-hued beige with white shimmer. The texture is soft but dusty (more so than most Ambient Lighting products) and produces a light sheen. I imagine it will be appealing to anyone who finds the average highlighter too much. I’m not sure if this will work as well over deeper skin tones, as it has a whiter base against my skin tone, but it may work and it may also work if layered over a blush. It wore well for eight hours on me. Urban Decay Luminous (P, $30.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Cle de Peau Pastel (11) (P, $55.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar). Chanel Jardin de Camelias (LE, $80.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). bareMinerals The Five Star Treatment (LE, $26.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight (P, $44.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Mystery Princess (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Too Faced Pop of Light (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). MAC Hot Sensation (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). MAC Coupe d'Chic (LE, $26.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Diffused Light is described as a “soft, warm pale yellow.” It’s a very light, yellowed white with very subtle shimmer. This shade is supposed to “reduce redness and give skin clarity.” It should work as a finishing or setting powder on some skin tones, and then will likely be too light for deeper skin tones. The powder softens and gives skin a smoother appearance without making it look flat or totally matte. Though it is more of a finishing powder by design, Hourglass’ formula has enough powderiness to it that it also extends the wear of my base by an hour or two.
Mood Exposure is described as a “soft plum.” It’s a muted, medium-dark pinky-plum with warm undertones and a satin sheen. This performed just like the full-sized blush I have–soft, smooth, blendable–with eight hour wear. Kevyn Aucoin Capri (P, $58.00) is cooler (90% similar). MAC Corol #2 (LE, $24.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Strip Blush (-, ) is lighter (90% similar). Black Opal Hibiscus (P, $8.95) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop I Need Space (DC, $12.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Surratt Beauty La Vie En Rose (P, $32.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). bareMinerals The Indecent Proposal (PiP, $22.00) is darker (85% similar). Too Faced Baby Love (P, $26.00) is cooler (85% similar). Hourglass Euphoric Fusion (P, $38.00) is more shimmery (85% similar). Bobbi Brown Nude Beach Blush (DC, $30.00) is darker (85% similar). MAC Sur (LE, $24.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Laura Mercier Chai (P, $30.00) is cooler (85% similar). MAC Sea Me, Hear Me (LE, $31.00) is darker (90% similar). Giorgio Armani Light Rose (LE, ) is more shimmery, more muted, cooler (85% similar). Too Faced Pink Sand (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Cle de Peau Perfect Peach (P, $60.00) is lighter (90% similar). Becca Raspberry/Opal (P, $27.00) is more shimmery (85% similar). MAC Sea Me, Hear Me (LE, $31.00) is darker (90% similar). NARS Lovejoy (P, $30.00) is more shimmery, darker, brighter (80% similar). MAC Lavish Living (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Luminous Flush is described as a “champagne rose.” It’s a soft, medium coral-pink with warm undertones and a satin finish. The color was similar to the full-sized version I have, but the texture was more powdery and prone to sheering out. It seemed drier, though it still sat well on the skin and didn’t look powdery applied.
Patrick Ta She's Passionate (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). NARS Bumpy Ride (P, $30.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). MAC I'll Hold My Breath #2 (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Seductive Beauty (Cheek Pop) (LE, $40.00) is darker (95% similar). Hourglass Diffused Heat (P, $40.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Make Up For Ever #215 HD Blush (DC, $26.00) is warmer (90% similar). Essence Shimmery Rose (P, $5.99) is lighter (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Solar Exposure (Blush) (LE, $60.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Tarte True Love (P, $29.00) is cooler (90% similar). MAC Sideshow You (LE, $24.00) is warmer (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Fair-Medium #1 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Dior My Lady (003) (LE, $60.00) is cooler (90% similar). LORAC Dance 'Til Dawn Blush #2 (LE, ) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). ColourPop Count Me In (P, $8.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). NYX Summer Peach (DC, $5.00) is cooler (90% similar). Guerlain Pink Me Up (P, $52.00) is cooler (90% similar). Physicians Formula Warm (P, $11.99) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). NYX Apricot (DC, $5.00) is lighter (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Kink & Kisses (504) (P, $42.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Hourglass Incandescent Electra (P, $38.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Luminous Bronze Light is described as a “medium tan shade infused with Luminous Light.” It’s a soft, medium brown with warm, yellow undertones and soft shimmer. It had good color payoff with a glowing finish that didn’t emphasize pores but was still noticeable. The color lasted for eight hours on me. MAC Baby Girl (LE, $28.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). MAC Delicates (LE, $35.50) is more shimmery (90% similar). Givenchy Ambre Saison (P, $52.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Delphic (LE, $34.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Chanel Lumiere d'Ete (LE, $80.00) is warmer (95% similar). Make Up For Ever #20M (P, $36.00) is lighter, warmer, lower quality (90% similar). Wet 'n' Wild Sunset Striptease (P, $4.99) is less shimmery (90% similar). Dolce and Gabbana Desert (P, $51.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Gold Dust (P, $68.00) is darker (90% similar). Hourglass Filtered Bronze Light (LE, $52.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Giorgio Armani Sun Kiss (100) (P, $64.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). MAC Sunny Side (LE, $34.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Naked on the Run Bronzer (-, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Nude on Board (LE, $30.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar). Rouge Bunny Rouge Goddess (P, $48.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Too Faced Chocolate Gold (P, $30.00) is darker (90% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Dune (P, $26.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Urban Decay Lit (P, $30.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Satin Shimmer (LE, $34.00) is darker (90% similar). Too Faced Spice (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Ambient Lighting Edit (Original)
LELimited Edition. $80.00.
Dim Light
PPermanent. $48.00.
Iridescent Light
LELimited Edition. $48.00.
Diffused Light
PPermanent. $48.00.
Mood Exposure
PPermanent. $40.00.
Luminous Flush
LELimited Edition. $40.00.
Luminous Bronze Light
PPermanent. $52.00.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette
Hourglass Dim Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Hourglass Dim Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Hourglass Dim Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Hourglass Iridescent Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Hourglass Iridescent Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Hourglass Iridescent Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Hourglass Mood Exposure Ambient Lighting Blush
Hourglass Mood Exposure Ambient Lighting Blush
Hourglass Mood Exposure Ambient Lighting Blush
Hourglass Luminous Flush Ambient Lighting Blush
Hourglass Luminous Flush Ambient Lighting Blush
Hourglass Luminous Flush Ambient Lighting Blush
Hourglass Luminous Bronze Light Ambient Lighting Bronzer
Hourglass Luminous Bronze Light Ambient Lighting Bronzer
Hourglass Luminous Bronze Light Ambient Lighting Bronzer
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I think 95% of the make-up lovers out there are gonna want this palette! 🙂
It actually seemed like a lot of readers were returning this palette after seeing how small it was 🙁
Um, not me, and I am a bona-fide makeup lover/hoarder. As Jenny Cupcakes so succinctly put it: I AM THE 5%. So am I.
Oh! Guess I guessed that wrong then, haha.
Well, not THIS makeup lover. I was all set to rush out and get it ASAP until I saw what a total ripoff (and, therefore, an insult) it was in terms of value. I can cope with small pans – it’s annoying but if this palette offered $80 worth of product for $45, I could deal with it. I would rather wait and save up for the blushes and bronzers of my choosing, and maybe even another Ambient Light powder in the full sized pans rather than buy this.
I didn’t realize that, but yeah, now that I know it makes perfect sense to not get it!
Yeah. Not me. I love me some Hourglass, but they tried to fool us with this palette. I’m disappointed. Everyone that I know that has bought this palette has returned it…
This has really changed the way I feel about the company in general. I used to love Hourglass but in all honesty, I am thinking about giving my business and my makeup dollars to companies that seem to value me more by giving me value purchases and by not ripping me off so blatantly.
I won’t buy it either, it’s a beautiful palette but it’s wayyyy too small for the price compared to the regular size!
Yeah, I realize now how little you’re actually getting with this palette, boo 🙁
I AM THE 5%
I’ve actually got mine in my purse right now so I can return it on my way home from work today. I have the diffused light in the full size and have hit major pan on it so I bought this so I could try out a few of their other products, and replace my diffused light, but the pan sizes are so small that it’s difficult to use any of the powders except maybe the iridescent light which I have been using as a highlighter. Overall, while I love hourglass I don’t love it enough to pay this much, for this little product, that is very difficult to use.
Seems like a lot of people did or plan to do the same. And it makes sense. I was just too caught up in the prettiness of it I guess, haha 🙂
I have to know how many times a day you change your makeup. Your skin always looks so healthy even though I know it must take a beating.
I have several of the items in this palette already, so I’ll be passing, but I can attest that their powders area beautiful. Mood Exposure is my go to blush.
When I take photos like this for the blog, it’s just in one go, so I’ll remove and apply maybe 4-8 cheek or face products (8 is about my max before my cheeks get too red/dry).
That’s insane. Thanks for your dedication to the makeup cause.
Wow you rock!
Great review as always, Christine! Sorry, I’ve got a rather long question!
I won’t be buying this palette mainly for value reasons, but I DO want to try out some Hourglass ambient lighting powders. I think I’m about the same skin tone as you (I probably have stronger yellow undertones though), and I’m trying to decide between Dim, Luminous, and Diffused. Which do you think would be the best choice? Ideally I’d like to use something that can be used all over or just down the middle to give some “radiance” while also blurring my enormous pores.
Thank you!
Luminous has the most shimmer, so I could probably go with Diffused!
I had planned on buying this but after seeing how small the pan sizes are and that I’d be getting less for more $$money I decided to pass. Thinking of buying the ambient lighting palette for $58 instead, which is still less for more but better than $80
I think that would be a better idea!
I was really excited for this, since I don’t own any Hourglass products, but when I saw how tiny it is and how poor the value per ounce is, I just can’t justify it.
I agree 🙁 It’s just too much above the value of it to be a great buy.
I never understand when palettes have worse value than singles. That’s pretty much the main reason I buy them! True, it is convenient to have multiple shades in one package, but if the price per ounce isn’t at least equal to the singles it’s not worth it in my eyes.
That’s definitely the general sense of palettes, though with some of the higher-end/luxury palettes it’s usually not a GREAT value, but it’s not usually this skewed. I feel like here it is hard to justify even comparing against the cost of six.
Okay, so I am no Einstein and I was initially confused as could be as to why this was being reviewed again. Now, I’m wondering if I need my eyes checked. Is this saying that the actual value is less than the price of the palette?
The first post wasn’t a review – it was just a sneak peek 🙂
Correct – you are paying almost double for the palette than the value of the contents.
Oh, Okay, lol..obviously I am no Einstein and you are a very impressionable writer!
I had crossed this off my wish list personally because I have all but the new powder individually. I’ll admit, I still longed to get it for that shade, because it is pretty, and my Dim Light is cracked. But, seeing the size sealed the deal for me. This is plain insulting. Holiday palettes and sets are supposed to be a “deal”.
I love your statement regarding “principles”. I do agree. Anyone would be much better off with one or two full sized powders than this. Hourglass can make some great stuff. But, they are making some not smart moves too.
No worries! 🙂
Even if it wasn’t a genuine deal, but given how pricey Hourglass products are individually, if it had been $50-60, then it would still be easily justified as “well, I’m getting six for less than the cost of two individual shades.” This is pretty skewed, even relative to their other two trio palettes!
Agreed! You deserve all the credit you receive and so much more for your honesty Christine.
They totally had me fooled. If had not been a reader of your blog, I likely would have snagged this up the second I could have and wasted my $. Thank you. 🙂
The only Hourglass in my collection is the Ambient Blush palette. I would have been all over this Edit, had they not repeated two of the blushes! Now I think I’ll just wait for the Sephora VIB sale, and pick up the original Ambient Lighting palette.
That is another good point – quite a few repeats! Too bad the blush palette wasn’t made permanent…
This looks so lovely, and perfect for travel… just wish that there weren’t so many repeated colors. I have all but the bronzer and the new ambient lighting powder, and from what I have heard/seen it is almost identical to Mood Light, which I have and hardly ever reach for. It is disappointing that they priced this so out of synch with their previous releases, but I have not made much of a dent in my two palettes or any full size powders that I have, and I use them very frequently. This might be just the right amount of product for those who don’t plan to use this every day. I do wish the price better reflected the size.
The new/exclusive shade is pretty but not particularly unique, IMO!
This palette is a skip for me. One Ambient Lighting Powder is $45 for 0.35 oz and for this palette they are charging $80 for 0.29 oz. Maybe Hourglass was hoping customers can’t do math.
It’s really out of line from even their other palettes!
Thanks for breaking it down like that! I think a lot of people wouldn’t realize the poor value and pick it up anyway, otherwise. How frustrating.
No problem, Lyn! 🙂
I have Diffused Light already, like it, and use as setting powder during winter time, but have barely made a dent in it. I like the colors here, but wish this palette was around $50-$60 instead of $80. I do hope they re-issue a cheaper version
I agree — $50ish would have been just fine!
I wanna know whose genius idea making the palette this small and this expensive was lol. $50 worth is product for $80 is ridiculous, especially when the pans are so small they’re barely usable! I know a lot of people that ordered it sent it back and I definitely took it off my christmas list!
Hourglass palettes aren’t exactly known as great deals, but paying say $10 more to try six shades, not so bad. Paying $40 more? Bad deal!
I’m going to put in my official request for 2 additional categories for scoring – Maybe these are separate from the product performance review but there for our knowledge. I think they’d be incredibly helpful
1. Usability. Good examples of where this might have been nice to point out are the Hourglass eyeshadows (very separate colors but messy/mingling shades, can’t depot), this Hourglass holiday palette (too small), the Mac shadows with the teeny thin striped pans (annoyingly narrow), loose pigments (messy- sometimes no sifter), the new Burberry camo eyeshadow palette (separated colors that are intertwined with some areas of pigment that are too small), the Cover FX Custom Cover Drops (the messiest product on the planet)…
and for Holiday: Value! That speaks for itself.
Thanks 🙂
Thanks for the suggestions, but we specifically removed value from the rating system a long time ago. Functionality is often captured by product or application, depending on what the issue was. 🙂
This is definitely too expensive when you get so little product. It would however be great for travel. Two blushes, a bronzer and three highlighters in a tiny palette.
If only they had priced this around $50! Like their other palettes.
I just wish they had made the palette a little bit bigger so the surface area was there to use a powder brush with them. The blushes and bronzer aren’t a concern for myself since I use smaller brushes for those…but my powder brush pretty much can cover all 3 of the lighting powders at once with its size!
I do think now that I’ve finally tried the Hourglass powders that I will be stocking my kit with a few of the individuals though!
It was a really odd choice given that the powders are often used all-over and most face brushes will be quite large!
Wow, this is absolute BS. They’re scamming their customers!
I was SO pumped to get this palette & try more of these blushes for when I saw the promo pictures because I thought the powders were going to be full-sized (and since holiday palettes like these usually give you better value or what you’re buying). I honestly DON’T understand why Hourglass would pull something like this. It’s disgusting.
It is surprising 🙁
If the SUQUU cheek brush doesn’t fit the pans must be tiny!
Haha!
Thank you Christine for your valuable work! Without your thorough review, I’m certain many more peeps would be purchasing this palette and subsequently being rudely shocked when they receive it.. I find price ‘gouging’ to be a most offensive tactic and it seems to be happening more frequently. Why?
I wonder how they came up with the price point on this – did they actually look at value vs. price or did they just think about how many shades you were getting?
Christine, your honesty is worth everything – that’s the reason you’re one of my favourite beauty bloggers!
♥
<3 Thank you!
Thanks for reviewing this. I think its a let down that this wasn’t palette exclusive new shades all around (not just the one). At least give the people what they’re asking for in something new and holiday. From a sales perspective, I can’t imagine this will sell as well as the previous palettes. Reminds me a lot of the older NARS eyeshadow palettes that would consistently have the same shades (galapagos anyone?).
The price point is a bit high. If the idea was to have more for your money, take it down to $60 at least. The only way I think this would have been OK is if it was all palettte exclusive shades. Hourglass could then (after holiday 2015) release these in normal sizes as they previously did with their Incandecent blush.
Between this terrible pricing decision and the reports of a racist company owner (reserving judgment until anything is confirmed), I think Hourglass may need to take a step back and re-think a few things! I LOVE the Ambient line, but I can’t support a brand who doesn’t respect its consumers.
Wow!! That value is awful!! I was also disappointed when I found out it was the same two blushes as the blush palette. Glad I decided to pass on this. Thanks!
Hourglass majorly goofed w ith this. Either it ought to be offered at a lower price, or better still, give us decent sized pans! Disappointing!
Kudos to you, Christine, for giving us the visuals for size perspective! It certainly makes it much easier to decide yay or nay for this. I am in the “nay” catagory, because those pans are to small for ease of use.
Thanks for this informative review! When the info about this palette was announced a few weeks ago I was disappointed that there were so many repeated shades, if you already own the blush & powder palettes (like I do). Plus the price tag, and at that time I didn’t even realize how little product you get!
Easy skip 😉
Maybe this will be one of those situations where the company realizes their mistake (when it doesn’t sell or gets tons of returns) and discounts the product. (I’m thinking of Last year’s Kat von D palette) Hopefully they’ll do better next year! 🙁 This saddens me. I was looking forward to it because I’m getting married next year and I’m doing my own makeup, so I thought this would be perfect. I have the blush palette already, so I’ll either buy 1 full size or buy the Ambient palette.
I was pretty excited about this when I first heard about it, even though it’s mostly things I already own. It has a lot of stuff that I use religiously. Now that I know about the terrible value I’ll have to skip it. Iridescent light is pretty, but not pretty enough to justify that gigantic markup.
I like it but I can’t get over the size!
I was really thinking about getting this because I got so curious about the Ambient powders but since it is small I think it would be better if I just get one Ambient lighting powder and one Ambient lighting blush.
I’m not usually interested in these kind of products but when I saw the press photos, I imagined the pans were going to be similar to previous palettes or even singles and thought that it would end up being a massive palette! And that pricing is so far out. I think $50-60 for the number of shades included as I don’t expect massive value from this kind of brand, but to pay over the price p/oz?! Noooope. This palette following those dud eyeshadow palettes has made me question Hourglass a bit.
I admit it – I want this because the palette is so pretty! I would never use the bronzer but maybe the others!
Even though I love the colours – it would suit me, I wouldn’t buy it. I think the palette is too small to really get your brush into and the product is expensive. I prefer mosaic blushes myself. I have the new Natio Sunkissed blush in a mosaic peachy colour and it is perfect.
This palette is a perfect example of why I’m so critical of holiday make up sets. You often think “oh, I’m getting all of these different products together for a much smaller price than if I purchased them separately!” When in reality, you are getting an extremely low amount of product, even for the price your paying. Before I purchase holiday sets, I always check the amount of product, and do the calculations. It’s such a shame, this palette had an incredible amount of potential.
I was already passing on this because I own three of the six shades from the blush and lighting palettes. Your breakdown and extremely detailed post is amazing. For someone who LOVES detail, I appreciate that your blog is so much more than one where the pictures do all the talking. Thank you!
I changed my mind and decided not to purchase the edit palette. I was looking forward to trying the product range but the lack of product for the price and miniature size pans made me reconsider. I have an Ambient lighting powder and a blush that I love and would rather buy the regular sizes at a future date. There’s lots of interesting makeup out there, so I reinvested my money in other brands.
I really appreciate this review. When the info. was released for this palette I was excited: I love the Ambient Light palette and was looking forward to trying more products from Hourglass. But after reading the review – and seeing how poor the value is (and at almost $100 here in Canada) – I will pass. Very disappointed in the company.
My pleasure as always, Joanne!
This palette is very frustrating!! Definitely not into it for the price. I have the blush palette which I enjoy and don’t feel the need for more blushes necessarily so I’d pick up one of the Ambient Lighting powders in full size if I really wanted. I’d just be more careful to get the one best suited for me.
Or even the Ambient Lighting Powder trio, since that palette is permanent!
I really wanted this at first, when I had no idea of the value, or how small the pans are. It is such a pity because I don’t have anything from Hourglass, not available here, and though this was a great opportunity.
Maybe next year 🙂
Let’s hope they do better by customers next year!
When I initially saw this my reaction was ‘HELL YES!’ And then I found out the actual piddly little size of each – 1.4 grams per pan?!? That’s shockingly pathetic. That’s the gram weight of an EYESHADOW, not a BLUSH.
I bought last year’s blush palette but definitely will NOT be picking this up. Hourglass can bite me as far as I’m concerned. There are many more brands/products out there which are giving really good value for money in the holiday collections. Obviously Hourglass is getting overly-cocky with their pricing & their sad little offerings.
It was a real surprise to see it be so skewed in value-to-price!
I was so excited to hear about this palette and totally disappointed when I learned what it contained. If the two blushes were new colors I would have purchased it even though it’s so small.
Same boat 🙁
The powders are stunning, and I love the packaging. The value isn’t there for me with these small sizes. I wouldn’t use the bronzer. I think it’s a beautiful splurge or gift, though. It’s probably quite handy for travel.
It’s such a difference in value vs. price 🙁
I was literally just reading your review on this palette because I was about to order it online (I always double check your ratings to justify spending more money on makeup) and I’m so shocked! Specially, since on the sephora website, it says this is at a $132 value?! Thank you for your honest review once again, otherwise I would have wasted so much money just to be disappointed later!
I was disappointed in this palette. I love the Hourglass Ambient powders and blushes, but the size of the pans in this palette are laughable; they are sample sized products at best. I kept it for travel, but would not recommend it to anyone who wants to try this product. I do not think it was a good value for the money at all and the size of the pans makes the product difficult to use any of the products singly.
LOL..Heck I returned the original powder when they first came out once I got it home and realized how easy it dusted up and how fast I was gonna go through it. I’ll stick with my guerlain meteorites which I might never get through (even have the crazy in paris which I took out all the pink beads and use it as a blush and it STILL is lasting FOREVER) I actually thought about buying the powder palete once it came out until I added it up and realized there were screwing people then. That put a bad taste in my mouth for the company so THIS doesnt surprise me. I’ll pay 60-70$ bucks all day long for makeup but at least when I buy my Chanel foundation I dont feel like there trying trick me into thinking Im getting a really good deal!
That’s true – transparency is key! It’s one thing to know you’re not getting a deal but another to feel like you are but aren’t!
Hi i was thinking about purchasing this pallet i don’t own any hourglass products and even if this is a bit pricey it means that i could try many different products from their range. I’m from Australia and at Mecca they are selling this for around $117 (wow i know) but the individual/ original ambient lighting powder is $66, the ambient lighting pallet is $87, the ambient lighting blush is $50 and the ambient lighting bronzer is $74. So i was wondering do you think it would be worth it?
The size is just so small 🙁 It’s just like… hard to use on top of being overpriced!
You guys think you have it bad! It’s $117 in Australia :”'(
Ouch!
Well I can’t say I wasn’t warned… I bought it anyway because I never had an hourglass powder and it seemed to me better to pay 80 and try six small shades than to pay 58 to try one… and as where I live we don’t have a place that sell those products I just can’t go to the store and try them… Anyway I have to say that I’ve been using and enjoying this palette daily, I am so thrilled with the way my skin looks with this products!!! I have never experimented that subtle glow, and the finish is flawless. I don’t regret the splurge and after try them all, next time I can choose my favorite and buy it individually.
As long as you’re happy 😀
Hello, I have fair skin with yellow undertone. Dim light changes my tone a little bit. Do you recommend Diffused Light as an all-over setting powder in my case?
I think it could work as an all-over powder!
Well I can’t say I wasn’t warned… I bought it anyway because I never had an hourglass powder and it seemed to me better to pay 80 and try six small shades than to pay 58 to try one… and as where I live we don’t have a place that sell those products I just can’t go to the store and try them… Anyway I have to say that I’ve been using and enjoying this palette daily, I am so thrilled with the way my skin looks with this products!!! I have never experimented that subtle glow, and the finish is flawless. I don’t regret the splurge and after try them all, next time I can choose my favorite and buy it individually.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Connie! As long as you’re happy, it’s all good.
Hi Christine, another 95%’er here! I ordered it today, after having seen it at the local Sephora my last few visits. So glad to see it got high marks even though everyone seems to be upset over the value/pan size. I am not daunted by pan size at all, having recently received some lovely Hakuhodo brushes that seem to be the ideal size for this palette. I do believe that there is something to be said about “value of variety” in terms of this palette: Hourglass is basically offering for you to try one of EVERY ‘finishing powder’ they make, AND a “new” product (not too confident we will ever see it outside of this palette, much like Incandescent Light). Not to over-defend them because it is highway robbery, but I am very excited and in favor of this versatile and beautiful palette.
All good, Anime! If you feel like you’re getting enough value out of it, that’s really what counts! 🙂
I just got this palette for $63 and i’m really happy with it,
It’s perfect for someone who has alot of makeup but wants this for touch ups and to blend with others powders for unique looks