Hourglass Ethereal Light Ambient Lighting Powder ($45.00 for 0.35 oz.) is described as an “opalescent sheer, cool white powder.” It’s a very light, ivory beige with subtle, cool undertones and a delicate shimmer-sheen finish. MAC Hot Sensation (LE, $26.00) is similar. Cle de Peau Pastel (11) (P, $55.00) is more shimmery. NARS Paloma Highlight (P) is similar. Chanel Jardin de Camelias (LE, $65.00) is warmer. MAC Forever Marilyn (LE, $26.00) is pinker, cooler-toned. Guerlain Mythic (P, $55.00) is more shimmery. Guerlain Clair (02) (P, $62.00) is slightly more luminous. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

Lo and behold, I never reviewed this shade of the Ambient Lighting Powders! For those unfamiliar with the formula, it’s a finishing powder, which is supposed to “capture, diffuse, and soften the way light reflects on your skin.” This is the lightest of the six available, and it is also one of the shades with the least visible shimmer/sheen to it. Hourglass says that all six shades available are universally flattering, though I’m not sure that this will work on deeper skin tones (and certainly would recommend one of the darker shades in that instance). On my medium skin tone, it softens the look of pores, lines, and my skin’s natural texture to a more even, smoother-looking canvas, while giving just enough of a natural finish that the skin doesn’t look dull or lifeless, but it doesn’t look shiny or shimmery either. The texture is lightweight and doesn’t look cakey, though it is so soft that it does kick up some excess powder when used. It extends the wear of my base products by about a half hour to an hour, though it is a finishing powder so it’s a happy bonus but certainly worth mentioning.

Hourglass Ethereal Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Ethereal Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Ethereal Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Ethereal Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Ethereal Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Ethereal Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Ethereal Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Ethereal Light Ambient Lighting Powder