Hourglass Brilliant Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder Review, Photos, Swatches
Hourglass Brilliant Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder
Hourglass Brilliant Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder ($38.00 for 0.16 oz.) is a light yellow with a fine, pearly shimmer-sheen finish. Guerlain Perles de Legende (LE, $65.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Becca Moonstone (P, $41.00) is glossier (90% similar). Tarte Highlight (Tarteist) (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Tarte Burst (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Dior Luxurious Beige (LE, $82.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Hourglass Hypnotic Strobe Light (LE, $40.00) is more shimmery, darker (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
According to Hourglass, the Strobe Lighting Powders have a “sheer base” paired with “ultra-fine pearl particles” that give a “naturally luminescent highlight … without a heavy metallic finish.” They are wet/dry powders with dry application for less of a highlight and damp application for a stronger highlight. If you find most highlighters “too much” for your tastes but find the Ambient Lighting Powders not enough, then you may enjoy the Strobe Lighting Powders. Hourglass also launched a slanted, sponge applicator designed to be used with this product, which is what I used to apply the highlight in the photos below, but I prefer regular brushes for more even application and easier blending.
The powder definitely intensifies with damp application–you can see how it gets brighter, lighter, and more shimmery. This particular shade doesn’t get too amplified on the cheeks once applied and blended out for me. I don’t think it’s capable of being a dramatic highlighter, as the shimmer is quite fine and gives more of a sheen, which I imagine is an effect that many will enjoy. It is more shimmery than most of the Ambient Lighting powders (which are supposed to be finishing powders), but it is the least shimmery/shiny of the four Strobe Lighting Powders. The texture of the powder was soft, silky, and kicked up a little excess, but it seemed less than I get with the regular Ambient Lighting Powders. I think this shade could also work for brightening the under eye on some complexions. The size is in line with the blush compacts, not the larger powders, for reference. On me, it lasted for eight hours as a highlighter.
See more photos & swatches!
Hourglass Brilliant Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder
Hourglass Brilliant Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder
Hourglass Brilliant Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder
Hourglass Brilliant Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder
Hourglass Brilliant Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder
Hourglass Brilliant Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder (Dry)
Hourglass Brilliant Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder (Wet)
Hourglass Brilliant Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder (Dry)
Hourglass Brilliant Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder (Wet)
Yeah, I’ll definitely be adding these to my stash. A subdued, office-friendly highlighter!
Yay!
This is pretty, but I need another highlighter like I need another whole in my head…
Ha!
Yep, just as I thought, very pretty on you! But not the product for me.
Thank you!
This gives you a lovely lit from within look. I like it!
Thanks a lot, Miss Jae!
Oh that would work wonderfully for my under eye circles of doom. I am very pale and cool toned so I have some real serious purple going on.
I bet it could!
OMG, this is pretty. I had a feeling these were going to put a dent my wallet. I don’t really like a super strong highlight which is why I typically use a fan brush and still sometime that requires a light touch. I’m waiting to see the rest of them to chose which to get first. I am so,so happy they are permanent with all the Spring goodness coming out! I think these may push Too Faced Warm Glow off the wish list. I’ve been trying to get in the store to see that one. But,my Sephora is so slow!
Christine, is there any similarity to Diffused Light with this one?
This has a lot more of a sheen on the skin to me, IMO. All of the regular Ambient Lighting Powders have a stronger powder base color/appearance on with sparser shimmer (or none).
Ok,Thanks! That means I surely need to keep them on my wish list!
I love this whole look! It’s so simple but wonderful.
Thanks, Paula!
This looks great on you! Definitely not the right color for me (waaaay too yellow!), but I really like the level of luminosity…it’s definitely there, but subtle!! Looking forward to your reviews on the other shades–maybe one will work for me!
It’s a nice level of sheen!
This highlighter \ strober looks lovely on you, but it’s your lip color you’re wearing here that is wowing me!!! Too bad I missed out on Sephora Fuchsia Mermaid, dang it! Because it over Pastille is *perfection*.
Aww!
Thanks for the review, Christine! So excited about these. How does the shimmer level compare to Radiant Light? I know the colors are completely different but I’m trying to compare the “glow level” haha.
Much more shimmer than Radiant Light! It is more evenly distributed in the Strobe Lighting powders, but in a way, seems finer as I don’t really see them individually on the skin.
Oh my God. I think I’m going to love these! I have a hard time finding highlighters I can use for everyday thanks to my textured skin…but I think these ones are going to be really, really good for me!
Awesome, Aditi!
It’s kind of amazing to me that Hourglass did not release a highlighter a year or two ago!
It is!
I love this one! It works well on your skin tone and I think it would be good on my fair skin as well.
Thanks, Valerie!
Need to try this out in store… neeeeed.
Would you say Mary-Lou Manizer is lighter or Darker compared to this shade?
Darker in a way, only because the way the Mary Lou formula is… it is more noticeable on, I think – adds more color.
I’m torn now because this powder on my skin is VERY similar to the Laura Mercier Highlighter 01. Highlighter 01 is slightly more beige in comparison but blended out they look identical. *_*
It’s very subtle, which I actually prefer, but I’m not sure this shade deserves to be called “Strobe”. It’s more of a luminizing powder really.
When I watched how-to videos from makeup artists, strobing didn’t seem any different than highlighting, but if you look at one brand’s “strobe” product to another, it varies as much as highlighters do.
A really gorgeous highlighter.
It is!
Yes, these are exactly what I was hoping they would be. More than the ambient powders, but less than other highlighters. Thank you for the review! Glad to know the sponge is something that isn’t absolutely necessary.
My pleasure, Valerie!
Very pretty! I’m looking forward to seeing the other shades!
Yay!
How did you feel it handled pores?
It didn’t emphasize pores. As always, if it had, I definitely would have mentioned it as it would have resulted in a lower rating! 🙂
This particular shade wouldn’t be the one to tempt me. Dodged one…
Phew 😉
I commend Hourglass for expanding on their line, but I’ve seen the highlighters and I’m a little underwhelmed. There are much better highlighters out there that are equal if not better quality. These are very nice highlighters but they fall short of the massive impact the ambient lighting powders had on me; but that’s just my personal opinion.
Again, I feel like my comments have been mostly negative lately but I think it’s just me trying to keep from buying things I don’t need haha. I’ve been on a highlighter and bronzer kick lately so I won’t need any for a loooong time.
Of course this looks wonderful on you, but you can wear anything. You can legitimately pull off blue and green lipstick for God’s sake! I wish I had your confidence. Thanks again for the great, unbiased review!
Nothing wrong with critical comments or trying to remind yourself that while nice, it isn’t quite right for you! 🙂
Ooh, very interesting! When I think of strobing, I think of strong highlighters/beams of light, but I prefer my highlighters more subtle. I like the yellow undertones in this one, better match for my skin. I have Ambient Powder in Diffused Light but it’s too matte for winter, and now that I’m wearing medium to full coverage foundation, a sheerer, sightly shimmery powder might be nice
I think perhaps that’s the influence of Instagram, but when I hear from makeup artists, strobing doesn’t sound like it is supposed to be actually metallic, lol – kind of seems like it depends.
I bought one last night without waiting to see swatches so I hope it’s good! I have been disappointed by all Hourglass products except for the blush! I would have loved to love the Ambient powders like everyone else, but it was not meant to be!
Aww!
Subtle but lovely!
Agreed!
What a pretty subtle highlighter.
Not sure if it’s a must, but it certainly is something I’ll consider after I lift my ban.
Thank goodness they’re permanent!
This is gorgeous, definitely on my wishlist.
Awesome 😀