Hourglass Ethereal Glow Ambient Lighting Blush Review, Photos, Swatches
Hourglass Ethereal Glow Ambient Lighting Blush
Hourglass Ethereal Glow Ambient Lighting Blush ($35.00 for 0.15 oz.) is described as a “cool pink.” It’s a cool-toned, pale pink with a satin-matte finish. NARS Sex Fantasy (LE, $29.00) is darker. NARS Mistinguette (LE, $29.00) is darker, brighter. Chanel Brompton Road is less cool-toned and more sparkly but is almost as light. See comparison swatches.
I was really happy to see a distinctly cool-toned shade in the range (finally!), but with only one, I wish it was a bit darker so that it would be more versatile and also work for more skin tones. This is a shade that is going to work best on very fair skin tones, as it is quite light. On my medium skin tone, though I tried my best, it really doesn’t show up. It might be usable as an all-over brightening powder for light-medium to medium skin tones. It only looked chalky on me when it was really heavily layered, but as a sheer wash, it seemed somewhat brightening. It had good pigmentation–even though it’s very light, it’s not sheer, which is also buildable and easy enough to blend or sheer out if you want a lighter application. The texture was very soft and silky, but it was also on the powdery side where a lot of excess powder built up along the edges of the pan and along the rim of the compact, so go easy when putting your brush to the powder. To the best I was able to tell, the powder lasted well for eight hours (it was very faint on me!).
Ethereal Glow
PPermanent. $40.00.
Hourglass Ethereal Glow Ambient Lighting Blush
Hourglass Ethereal Glow Ambient Lighting Blush
Hourglass Ethereal Glow Ambient Lighting Blush
Hourglass Ethereal Glow Ambient Lighting Blush
Hourglass Ethereal Glow Ambient Lighting Blush
Hourglass Ethereal Glow Ambient Lighting Blush
I received mine in the mail a couple of days ago and there is hardly any pink showing and I’m thinking about exchanging it. Otherwise it’s just like their other highlighting powders of which I own one. Not happy.
Of all the blushes, this one is least blush-y and more like the regular range, but if you’re super fair, it’ll be a light blush (which may be something one is looking for).
Gwen, I had a similar experience! The left 2/3 of mine is all white, and the right 1/3 is lightly marbleized pink. But, i decided to keep it anyways, since I don’t have the original Ethereal Light powder and it works for me as a nice all-over shade/highlighter; I like it better than the original for that purpose because of the bit of pink.
But I may go a little crazy later on and try to find a much pinker one, like the one shown in this review…
You may also find the more you use it, you’ll “unearth” some more of the pink.
I didn’t see you comment when I made mine, but that’s what I was thinking too.
Thanks for your feedback, Woolyowl & Christine. I was thinking it may become more pink as I use it, and it works its way down in the pan. But that may not be worth it in the long run. I’ll check the Sephora store near me to see if they can help.
Just chiming in to say mine is the same, except more of the pink is on the left. I think I’m going to keep it, though, because I was in need of a better highlighter, anyway. I have their LE trio of powders, but I like that this one is lighter. And I was actually looking for a reallyyy light cool-toned pink, so I’m pleasantly surprised! 🙂
Out of all of the colors so far, this is my favorite. I was really excited to see the Mood Light blush swatches but it didn’t look like anything I was expecting. Overall, I’m not too excited about these blushes. I think I may pass and start saving up for my first Tom Ford blush.
Which TF do you want most?
I just got my Radiant Magenta from Sephora’s VIB sale last night and I’m not sure it’s the color for me. I’m a NW15 and I love bright blush colors, so this one threw me a bit. It’s very bronzey when it mixes, so maybe I should exchange for another color? I just don’t know when it will be in stores to be able to do that.
That being said, the formula is A+++. So finely milled, it reminded me of the MUFE HD powder. Fine and super blendable.
It should pop into stores in a couple of weeks, Ashley, though you could just return in store, I think!
Christine, how does this compare to Benefit Dandelion? I’m very fair and I’m wondering if I can wear this as a blush the way I can with Dandelion.
Dandelion is warmer and not as light I would say!
This and mood exposure were on my wish list. I’m definitely going to have to try it in store now. Since I’m able to use dandelion as a blush, do you think this might work for me?
Yes, I think so!
I’ll definitely pass on this one. It’s pretty, but even on my light skin, it’ll just be a subtle highlighter, and I have enough of those. If the pink were just a bit deeper, I could see ot working as a blush for the fairest skins, which is nice, but of one has any natural pink tones, it’ll really just blend in.
Yeah, it is very subtle!
This is just the kind of blush color I’ve been looking for-if you had to pick between this and Nars Sex Fantasy, which would you recommend? I’m ok with it being a bit light because I am quite pale.
If you want something even cooler-toned, Sex Fantasy, otherwise Ethereal Glow.
It’s really nice to see a completely different shade for those who might find the other 5 a little too warm!
Agreed!
Even though I regularly use the Ethereal Light ambient lighting powder, this was the blush I was least drawn to. It will probably show up as an extremely subtle blush on my skin tone, but I’m not sold on this one. I’ve heard that pretty much anyone darker than an NC20 can’t get this to show up very well on their skin… that’s such a shame. Seems like a missed opportunity to me.
I mean… some of it shows up, LOL, if heavily layered, but it’s not really a blush I’d say on light-medium or darker skin tones!
Well, so long as it works SOMEHOW in a usable fashion – even if it’s a finishing powder or a highlighter! 🙂
I bought Ethereal Glow and absolutely love it! I’m very fair with cool undertones so it goes beautifully with my skin. I thought it had great pigmentation, and had plenty of pink swirled in with the finishing powder. It is stunning, I’m definitely glad to have this one, I don’t think the other colors would have worked as well with my skin. If anyone is unhappy with theirs I will gladly take yours as a back up 😉
Happy to hear that it’s working well on you, Mallory!
This is one that I purchase, but since I’m the same skin tone as you, I’ll be exchanging it for Luminous Flush (the only one I don’t have when my Sephora store gets these in stock. Thanks for the review!
Sounds like a good plan, Mindy!
Oh how I wish this were a little bit darker, because the formula looks lovely! I’m fair, & super cool-toned, & I have the opposite experience…I pull out all the warm tones in everything, so anything with the slightest bit of coral or brown looks like orange mud on me! Maybe it’s because my skin is too light to really alter a shade, so I get contrast instead?
Christine, would you say this compares at all in texture or tone to Benefit Dandelion? Thank you for all your great work! This is the first site I pull up everyday!!
Dandelion is less powdery, I would say! I think Dandelion is also warmer…
Dandelion is pink on me, but the sheen leans more warm and very peachy.
Thank you both! Not sure if I got a bum one, but my box of Dandelion is just a soft pink with no shimmer that I can detect! I may have to go swatch this!
For some reason it reminds me of Nars Sex Appeal. How do they compare, Christine?
Sex Appeal is peach and warm-toned!
This one is probably too light for me. But that’s fine because I already put enough of these blushes on my wish list, lol 🙂
LOL!
Hooray!! A cool toned one! 😀
This one looks quite pretty in the pan, and will probably register as a blush on my vampire complexion, but I think I’ll pass. I’m learning throughout my blush adventures that my favourite kind of blush is a super pigmented one that I can sheer out to any desired level.
Still, it’s nice to have paler, less in-your-face blushes as options!
Ahh, yes, a definite pass if you want the versatility of something more pigmented! 😉
Pretty! A little too light for me personalyy, though. It’d make like a nice highlighter, I think, depending on how much you use.
It could work as a highlighter, at least for some skin tones!
I’m surprised how good that looks on you for how cool it is! It looks a bit warmer then Sex Fantasy to me in the pan at least. I’ll have to swatch compare on my cool skin when I get a chance!
Yes, I think it’s warmer than Sex Fantasy by a bit!
Yes, this is very subtle on you, but it still has a nice glow. I have porcelain, cool-toned skin and I am loving this. Your compact seems to be a good balance of powder and pigment. My compact is definitely more pale powder than pink, but it does apply on my cheeks as a subtle baby pink with the promised moonlit glow. Layering gives me a bit of lilac, which I also love. I’ve used this probably 6-7 times and I am uncovering more pink, so there will be some variation even in the same compact. I’m kind of surprised that Sephora or Hourglass haven’t addressed the variations other than stating “no two are alike,” as I bet there will be lots of exchanges and opening of boxed stock in stores. That could be a mess. I’m a happy, pale girl with moonlit, light pink cheeks in broad daylight, so it’s all good here 🙂
Happy to hear more pink is coming through!
I just love me some Chanel Brompton Road it has a subtle but beautiful sheen i use for highlight , but this one from hourglass will look like with white giz in my cheeks =S
Aww!
I’m a bit confused. I got a note that Hourglass said they had limited supply of these. Are these limited Edition??? 🙁 I really hope they are permanent. I can’t be bothered with the mad rush for makeup.
They are permanent!
I don’t think this would show up on me as a blush, but I was thinking of getting Ethereal Light and I might get this instead because it might work better as a highlight that blends into a blush rather than being obvious (I was worried Ethereal would make me look ghostly too). Plus, hopefully, this will be cheaper.
You get a lot more product with the Ambient Lighting Powders, FYI!
I really like this…but on me…and I’m a lot lighter than you but not super light…it barely shows up as a blush. And I need to pile on more than I normally do to get it to look like blush. But! It’s beautiful dusted on my eye lids as a highlight/shadow and really balances out fuchsia lips (which I can’t wear without a really light overall look…and I use this as a blush with a little bronzer).
I really like these blushes but do wonder how three looked so much the same; and this one is so very light. Odd decisions. Still, all the ones I tried were so pretty! Thanks for getting quick reviews up!
Glad you found a way to make it work for you, Megan! 🙂
Way too pale for me but I still love the color! It’s gorgeous
I wish it was just a litttttle darker!
I’m fair & cool toned & just looking at Hourglass Ethereal Glow blush even I’d like it a bit darker. It’s a pretty pink, but it’s going to be barely there on your face. Plus, sometimes those pale pinks look powdery or dry on. It makes me feel like why bother & just skip the blush.
That’s true! If it was a little darker, it could be used very lightly or at its full intensity (and still not be too much!).
Although I’m cool-toned, I don’t think I’ve ever worn or even seen a truly cool-toned blush. Once they hit the stores for real, I must swatch Etherial Glow, but I must say I’m drawn more to some of the warmer ones. (Can’t believe they’re sold out even before the launch! They should thank their bloggers for that!)
I think it’s really due to the success of the Ambient Lighting Powders that these sold so quickly initially! 🙂
Hi, Christine, thanks for the review! I think this is a really pretty color. I see others are comparing it to Dandelion, which I love. I’m pretty fair (NC15, NARS Gobi, Armani Lasting Silk 4.75) with warm to neutral undertones…would you recommend this for me?
I think it could work – it seems to be mixed; some really fair readers have found it too light, others have found it nice as a blusher! I would say if Dandelion is something you use ALL the time, then you may like this one as it is similarly light.
This one doesn’t do much to excited me. Even though I’m super pale, I still prefer bolder blush shades!
You’re not alone!
Would you say this is similar to MAC Well Dressed?
It’s lighter!