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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

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). Tarte Burst (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Becca Moonstone (P, $41.00) is glossier (90% similar). Tarte Highlight (Tarteist) (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (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.

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

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
Hourglass Brilliant Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder (Wet)

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
Hourglass Brilliant Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder (Wet)

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Guerlain Parure Gold
  • Guerlain Les Voilettes
On lips:
  • Bite Beauty Pastille Matte Lip Crayon
  • Sephora Fuchsia Mermaid Holographic Lipgloss

54 Comments

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Nicole Avatar

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?

Julie Avatar

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!

Andrew Avatar

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!

Katherine T. Avatar

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

Stephanie | thefantasia.com Avatar

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!

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