Hourglass At Night Ambient Lighting Blush Review & Swatches
At Night
Hourglass At Night Ambient Lighting Blush ($40.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark coral with moderate, warm undertones and fine, golden pearl that gave it a luminous sheen. It had rich color coverage with a soft, silky texture that wasn’t powdery nor too firmly-pressed into the pan.
The blush applied evenly to bare skin, diffused well along the edges, and the more blended in the powder was, the more luminous the finish became–glowing but not overtly shimmery (so definitely not in pore-emphasizing territory!). It stayed on beautifully for almost nine hours on me before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Just a Pinch (P, $31.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Cover FX Spiced Cinnamon (Right) (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Beach Bum (P, $25.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Independence (P, $26.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS High Demand (LE, $30.00) is darker (90% similar).
- NARS Spark Got Hot (LE, $30.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Becca Watermelon/Moonstone (P, $27.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Love Lust (P, $60.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Tarte Seek (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- NARS Make You Mine (LE, $30.00) is lighter (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$40.00/0.15 oz. - $266.67 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have “depth and dimension” unlike traditional blush, be “lightweight and airy,” and have the “perfect balance of pigment and powder.” Hourglass says it uses “an advanced ‘miscelare’ technique,” which means to mix in Italian (per Sephora) and is how the marbled effect is achieved. The blush is also supposed to have “buildable color.” It does bring to mind the concept of a lot of baked formulas on the market, but I think the texture is softer and more finely-milled than most.
The texture is very soft and delicate; it feels exactly like the Ambient Lighting Powders. In an all-over powder, I don’t mind what can sometimes veer on powderiness, but in a blush, it can be easy to overload color onto the blush and then onto the skin. I wish it was slightly firmer or less powdery, which would minimize waste and make it more foolproof to apply.
Browse all of our Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush swatches.
Ingredients
Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Boron Nitride, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Octyldodecanol, Benzoic Acid, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Diamond Powder, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-7, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Potassium Sorbate, Silica, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sorbic Acid, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Tin Oxide, Trimethylsiloxysilicate. May Contain (+/-): Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 40 Lake (Ci 16035), Carmine (Ci 75470), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
As much as I love this, I will probably still get Nabla Independence highlighter instead. For one, it got an A+. And really does give a natural slightly sunburnt, windburned, right off the beach effect.
I’m looking at your cheek picture, Christine and it almost looks plummy on you in the centre of the application. Or maybe that is a bit of cheek shadow making me see this way. I definitely think the stronger reddish undertones make this more interesting to me.
I was thinking the exact same thing. A plummy coral. It’s absolutely stunning.
This looks quite lovely. I’m too light for this one right now.
Love this shade and glad it reviewed so well. I am seriously considering this as I don’t have any dupes. Likely because it isn’t a shade I normally gravitate to but I really think this could work for me, especially when I use a light hand. I also think this would be stunning on my daughter so likely a good Christmas gift.
Hourglass makes one of my favorite blush formulas. Usually the shades are not deep enough for me to enjoy. When I saw this I was so happy! I ordered it and their new mascara. Glad it got a good score!
This is so pretty! I love the finish on Hourglass blushes
What a beautiful shade with that very light shimmer. I think this would be perfect for those whom the shade suits.