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