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). Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight (P, $44.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% 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). MAC Coupe d'Chic (LE, $26.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% 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). 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). ColourPop I Need Space (DC, $12.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Strip Blush (-, ) is lighter (90% similar). Black Opal Hibiscus (P, $8.95) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). bareMinerals The Indecent Proposal (PiP, $22.00) is darker (85% similar). Surratt Beauty La Vie En Rose (P, $32.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Too Faced Baby Love (P, $26.00) is cooler (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). 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). Giorgio Armani Light Rose (LE, ) is more shimmery, more muted, cooler (85% similar). MAC Sea Me, Hear Me (LE, $31.00) is darker (90% similar). Too Faced Pink Sand (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (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.
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). 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). Hourglass Diffused Heat (P, $40.00) is lighter, warmer (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). 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). 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). Chanel Lumiere d'Ete (LE, $80.00) is warmer (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). Make Up For Ever #20M (P, $36.00) is lighter, warmer, lower quality (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). MAC Gold Go Lightly (LE, $28.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). IT Cosmetics Warm Radiance (P, $34.00) is more shimmery, lighter (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). Hourglass Filtered Bronze Light (LE, $52.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Gold Dust (P, $68.00) is darker (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). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

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