Hourglass Holiday 2016 Ambient Strobe Lighting Blush Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
Spring 2017
Hourglass Holiday 2016 Ambient Strobe Lighting Blush Palette ($62.00 for 0.27 oz.) is a new, limited edition trio of shimmering blushes for the holidays.
From my understanding, the palette actually contains a new formula–a mix between the Ambient Lighting Blushes and the Ambient Strobe Lighting Powders–which is code for “shimmery blush.” The formula is supposed to impart “glowing color and a natural-looking, radiant finish.” In terms of value, both the Ambient Lighting Blushes and Ambient Strobe Lighting Powders retail for $38, while the blushes contain 0.15 oz. and the highlighters contain 0.16 oz., so let’s call a 50/50 mix and go with 0.155 oz. for calculations, which is $245.16/oz. The palette contains $66.19 worth of product. If you just do a per-ounce calculation against the standalone blush, then it has a value of $68.40, and if you do it against the standalone highlighter, then it has a value of $64.13. In all cases, you are getting a bit more than what you’re paying for, but you will get three shades for less than the cost of two (not that any of these are available on their own).
I was a bit confused over the inclusion of Incandescent Electra in the palette, as a shade by the same existed in another trio, and while it had similar colors in its pan, the one in this palette is dominated by the coral, so it was quite different–much more colorful, darker, and only really shares the undertone of the previously-released shade. Hourglass’ website says that it is the same as the previously-released shade, though. The products are marbled, so there can be variation in depth based from shade to shade, but this was beyond a mere variation! Also, per Hourglass, this is a holiday palette!
Spring 2017
LELimited Edition. $62.00.
Get a shade-by-shade breakdown of this palette, along with individual photos and swatches…
Incandescent Electra
Incandescent Electra is a bright, medium coral with warm, orange and red undertones paired with a luminous sheen. The pigmentation was intense, while the consistency was soft, lightly dusty without being dry, and smooth. It applied easily to the skin, as the consistency allowed for quick, easy blending and the shimmer didn’t emphasize my skin’s natural texture. It wore well for eight hours on me before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Sephora Heated (P, $14.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Seductive Beauty (Cheek Swish) (LE, $40.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Chanel Sunkiss Ribbon (LE, $70.00) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Clinique Melon Pop (P, $21.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Lines & Last Night (502) (P, $42.00) is darker (95% similar).
- KIKO 108 Orange Coral (DC, $12.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever B302 (P, $23.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Bowery (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Essence Pretty Peach (P, $5.99) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Hourglass Iridescent Rose (LE, $40.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$38.00/0.15 oz. - $253.33 Per Ounce
The Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder is designed to have the “illuminating effects” of their Strobe Lighting Powder with “vivid cheek colors.” The formula features “buildable color” with a “natural-looking, radiant finish.” The texture of the powder is very, very silky and finely-milled, which can result in noticeable powder that gets kicked up in the pan, though they apply beautifully to the skin and never look dry or dusty actually applied (which is where it counts!). One of the things I have noticed over the years is that the depth of color can vary dramatically depending on the marbling of the powders; some have more of the “Strobe” shade and others have more of the “blush” shade. They last between seven and eight hours on me typically.
Browse all of our Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Blush swatches.
Ingredients
Ingredients: Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Boron Nitride, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Octyldodecanol, Silica, Dimethicone, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Alumina, Water/Aqua, Benzoic Acid, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Diamond Powder, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-7, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sorbic Acid, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Tin Oxide, Trimethylsiloxysilicate. May Contain (+/-): Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Carmine (Ci 75470), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Incandescent Electra
PPermanent. $38.00.
Brilliant Nude
Brilliant Nude is a medium brown with warm, peachy undertones and flecks of gold shimmer and sparkle. The shimmer was larger in this shade, and while it didn’t emphasize the skin, there were larger bits of sparkle that sat on the skin and might not be everyone’s cup of tea. It felt a little drier, too, which made it more prone to sheering out on the skin. If you have oilier skin or apply on top of damp foundation, I expect it to be harder to notice that feeling in the texture. The pigmentation was good–mostly opaque and buildable–and lasted for a solid seven and a half hours.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Suqqu Yawakouki (05) (P, $34.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Warm (Winter 2016) Highlighter (LE, $60.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- By Terry Tropical Sunset #4 (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Chanel Tweed Beige (140) (P, $45.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Sephora Secretive (19) (P, $14.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Viseart Bronze #1 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Chanel Light (P, $58.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- By Terry Savannah Love #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Surratt Beauty Coup de Genie (P, $32.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Clinique Sorbet Pop (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$38.00/0.15 oz. - $253.33 Per Ounce
The Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder is designed to have the “illuminating effects” of their Strobe Lighting Powder with “vivid cheek colors.” The formula features “buildable color” with a “natural-looking, radiant finish.” The texture of the powder is very, very silky and finely-milled, which can result in noticeable powder that gets kicked up in the pan, though they apply beautifully to the skin and never look dry or dusty actually applied (which is where it counts!). One of the things I have noticed over the years is that the depth of color can vary dramatically depending on the marbling of the powders; some have more of the “Strobe” shade and others have more of the “blush” shade. They last between seven and eight hours on me typically.
Browse all of our Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Blush swatches.
Ingredients
Ingredients: Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Boron Nitride, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Octyldodecanol, Silica, Dimethicone, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Alumina, Water/Aqua, Benzoic Acid, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Diamond Powder, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-7, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sorbic Acid, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Tin Oxide, Trimethylsiloxysilicate. May Contain (+/-): Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Carmine (Ci 75470), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Look Using this Product
Brilliant Nude
PiPPermanent in Palette. $38.00.
Euphoric Fusion
Euphoric Fusion is a muted, medium rosy mauve with strong, warm undertones and a luminous sheen. The finish of this shade was the shiniest, but it didn’t have the same glittery look as Brilliant Nude. If you applied it with a lighter hand or a fan brush, you could tamp down the sheen a bit. The consistency was soft, finely-milled with slight dustiness, but it had semi-opaque, buildable coverage. On my skin, the blush lasted for seven and a half hours before fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Lethal Cosmetics Ornamental (P, $15.50) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Tarte Prim (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Cool (Winter 2016) Highlighter (LE, $60.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- bareMinerals Golden Gate (LE, $22.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Makeup Revolution Make Love Instead (P, $5.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Edward Bess South of France (P, $45.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- CoverGirl Medium Rose (DC, $9.99) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar).
- Milani Dolce Pink (P, $7.99) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Rio (LE, $34.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- NARS Blissful (P, $30.00) is darker (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$38.00/0.15 oz. - $253.33 Per Ounce
The Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder is designed to have the “illuminating effects” of their Strobe Lighting Powder with “vivid cheek colors.” The formula features “buildable color” with a “natural-looking, radiant finish.” The texture of the powder is very, very silky and finely-milled, which can result in noticeable powder that gets kicked up in the pan, though they apply beautifully to the skin and never look dry or dusty actually applied (which is where it counts!). One of the things I have noticed over the years is that the depth of color can vary dramatically depending on the marbling of the powders; some have more of the “Strobe” shade and others have more of the “blush” shade. They last between seven and eight hours on me typically.
Browse all of our Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Blush swatches.
Ingredients
Ingredients: Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Boron Nitride, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Octyldodecanol, Silica, Dimethicone, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Alumina, Water/Aqua, Benzoic Acid, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Diamond Powder, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-7, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sorbic Acid, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Tin Oxide, Trimethylsiloxysilicate. May Contain (+/-): Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Carmine (Ci 75470), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Is this sold out already?
No, it’s not.
Christine, can you post the dupes for me? Thanks! Oh, I’ve been waiting for a review on this one!! I hesitated because I saw “Ambient Strobe Lighting ” in the name, and I had swatched the strobing powders in store, didn’t like them, thought they were disco balls, especially in sunlight. Was worried the blushes would be the same, but these look much more forgiving. If I don’t have dupes in my stash, I might use my $25 Sephora reward card to get this.
I’m sorry, Katherine, I selected but did not submit the dupes into the system, so they weren’t showing. They are showing now, but it was completely my fault, and I’m so sorry for providing an incomplete, worthless review!
Oh Christine, your review is great! You just forgot to post the dupes, don’t be so hard on yourself. To err is human. (Sigh) Just as I suspected, I have no close dupes and I don’t have any Hourglass blushes either. In fact, these shades are dupes of a number of HE blushes that I was eyeing, and some were LE. So this is definitely a strong candidate for that $25 Sephora gift card.
Not sure if my comment went thru, had computer issues yesterday with the site, but don’t be so hard on yourself Christine. Great review, you just forgot to post the dupes, it happens, we all make mistakes. I don’t have any dupes for these, might get it with my $25 Sephora card.
Christine! Please don’t ever consider your reviews as incomplete or worthless. Your site is the most valuable resource on the web even if it would contain a mere 5% of what you usually provide us.
We’re your guests and this is your house. Please don’t ever apologize for being human. We all make mistakes, and no one is perfect! It’s unfair to expect that from yourself. That was just a minuscule omission. With the amount of work that you do, coupled with the consistency that you manage to deliver, I’m shocked you can have it all sorted. You are amazing!!! Don’t ever doubt this. We’re here with you!
If you don’t do it right, don’t do it at all, is my motto – missing something key like dupes means I did a really shoddy job, even if it was an honest mistake (which I make plenty of them) – but it’s important not to shrug it off, because I can’t improve if I give myself forgiveness for even something minor, because they aren’t minor – it’s something published and seen by people and it was missing important info! That’s just how I feel and how I find I work better – anything I let go will get forgotten!
While I respect your professionalism, I can’t help but think you’re being too hard on yourself. A small mistake here and there can happen to any one. You fixed it so quickly too. It does not reflect poorly upon you, given your track record. You have built a reputation for being exactly the opposite of ‘shoddy’! A mistake here and there does not change that.
That would be true if I didn’t litter the site with small mistakes like that *every day*!
This is a very warm-toned palette! Hourglass powder products (which I otherwise adore) do tend to run warm, but I was hoping for at least one cool-toned shade to be included! Euphoric Fusion is super-pretty (although maybe a bit shiny for me), but I think the other two colors have way too much orange in them for me. Orange on my cheeks just leads to a kind of Halloween clown-like look.
Ethereal Glow is by far my most-frequently-used blush, but most of their other blushes are somewhat difficult for me to wear because of cool undertones (Mood Exposure works fairly well, and I love Radiant Magenta, but the golden part comes through more strongly than the fuchsia part on me). If they came out with more cool-toned blushes, I’d be wearing them all the time. But this palette will probably be a pass for me 🙁
It is quite warm-toned, but a couple of readers said that mine is different from theirs, so maybe I just got the bad one!
Love your reviews.
Dit-to. Only mood suits me…and dim in summer only. I’m not major cool. These lust don’t look good on me. If they did an all cooler set, I’d be all over it.
Christine will you be posting dupes for these? I’m still using the first blush palette and still love it but I’d be interested to see dupes for this new one. Do you really think the Electra shades differ enough to have both? Thanks!
Sorry, I am a complete and utter idiot! I didn’t enter the dupes to the database, so they aren’t showing. I’m so sorry again, Michelle – what a horrible thing for me to forget to do! They are showing now.
Christine you are WAY too hard on yourself! I don’t even know how you can remember your name most of the time. ? I had a feeling it was just a technical glitch. I’m ever grateful for your reviews – the only ones I read and trust. ?
Not even! I just didn’t go through and add them (I select the dupes, but then I go through and “vote” on them – it’s that last step I forgot about!).
I just received this palette and I love it, but my normal Sonia Kashiuk blush brush kicks up so much extra product and makes a bit of a powdery mess, even if I try to be gentle. Would you tell me what brush you would use with this?
I used my SUQQU brushes with the palette!
I don’t like any of them, so this is a very easy pass for me! Also considering how expensive this will be in CAD. It was always a pass!!
Money saved!
Me too – and yay – money saved!
Exactly Deborah!!! 😀
Yay!! LOL
I swear, if this is still available come January (or a MIRACLE), I am buying this now that I’ve both seen the mathematical equation showing this to be a much better value than I had originally believed, plus the shades themselves are lovely! That last one will go *perfectly* with MAC x MC I Get So OCC & Butterfly Being! ?
Fingers crossed!
I ordered this palette from the Cyber Monday sale, and it’s interesting to see how different yours is from mine. My middle shade has almost none of the brown mixed in, so I have been using it as a highlight. My plum shade has very little of the white mixed in, so it is quite bold on my fair-light skin.
I don’t mind variation with the marbleized products, but it is a problem when there is so much variation that the resulting color is TOTALLY different. 🙁 I wish mine had more purple in it!
My coral shade had literally no coral color, I can only use it as a highlighter. My plum shade has a lot of purple in it, which I really like, but unfortunately it cracked…
I’m so bummed, it looks like two of the shades have carmine in them. I would have loved to finally try out their blushes!
Aww!
Do you think this palette is worthwhile if I already have the Ambient Lighting Blush palette from, oh when was it, 2014? (That was such a great palette! Served most of my blush needs for a good long while, until I discovered that quite a few more colors would add variety to my collection!)
Just depends on whether you’d wear the shades often enough! 🙂
WOW my euphoric fusion is super purple with only a few light veins in it. So weird how these come out completely different.
I’m very jealous, Michelle! I’m really sorry about that. I bought mine from Sephora, but I guess I just keeping getting duds. I’m sorry again!
I received my palette a couple of days ago. I’m really enjoying it. Fortunately, my Euphoric Fusion has more color in it than the strobing powder. The Brilliant Nude in the palette I received has about an equal mix of blush and strobing power. On me it’s a soft neutral blush. Perfect with a smoky eye. I haven’t worn Incandescent Electra yet but I’m thinking it will be fine because there is more blush than ambient strobing powder. Because the marbleizing can differ from palette to palette I prefer to purchase these products in store when possible.
I’m glad to hear yours is better than mine!
Do you know when this will be re-released at Sephora?
Hourglass listed 12/5 on Instagram for Sephora.
I bought this during the Sephora cyber Monday sale, and I just used it today.. I’m not sure how I feel about it. The blushes are nicely pigmented but I can’t get over how chunky the glitter in them is. I’m considering returning it 🙁
Oh no! 🙁 I only found the sparkle to be noticeable in the center shade, but the other two were okay for me!
Christine do you know when this will be released now that cyber Monday is over?
It’s on Hourglass’ website now!
Oh cool. Hopefully it’ll come back to Sephora when their gift card promo is active 🙂
Bah I really wanted this but they won’t be shipping them to Australia or stocking them at local retail partners. I missed out on the palette in 2014 and have been waiting for a redo since. That said I’ll be bummed if I got more highlight swirls than colour swirls.
They won’t? Wow! So weird.
I know right! Apparently it will be on Space NK UK on Jan 27th, will pick it up from there though I’ll have to pay around $20 extra. Wrote to net-a-porter too but they didn’t know if they’ll get it. If they do it will be awesome because they do competitive pricing with flat rate shipping.
My middle nude shade is all highlighter, no nudey-ness:(. I really should have swatched this in person before buying but I was so excited I jumped the gun. One pan that is total highlight and all three a little too shimmery for my larger pores. I do love the euphoric color though…maybe I can tone down the shine w a setting powder?
I wish they had more consistency – it can be marbled, but it is crazy to have so much variation between palettes 🙁
I read the Sephora reviews on this product and I’m glad I didn’t buy it. They look gorgeous but I hate shimmer in blush. I’m surprised it’s coming so soon to Sephora 12/5? That’s still during the gift card promo time. I’m gonna be mad if all the Cyber Monday exclusive stuff comes out during this time because it is nowhere near Spring!
December is when spring starts to arrive, though it seems like maybe a week or two early – but it definitely trickles in during December!
I had this in my cart at Sephora. Almost purchased it. I own HG Diffused Heat blush and love it. But I have a Nars custom blush palette to make a dent in. This looks like a nice one.
The NARS palette will take you awhile, I’m sure, to get through 😀
I bought this palette the day it launched and I have already returned it, it was so shimmery, almost glittery really, that I just couldn’t use it. Mainly thats because I prefer a matte blush or a satin but these are just like woah! Now when I ordered it I didn’t realize it was a Strobe Lighting Blush Palette, I just got so excited because I love their regular blushes and the previous blush palette is a dream! Also the colors on this just weren’t as nice as I’d like, especially the nude shade, what a let down.
Thanks for the review!
I’m glad you were able to return it! These are definitely shimmery blushes.
Damn. I didn’t think I’d be so ooooooh-y and aaaaaaah-y over it as I am. DAMN! 🙂
Nice!
I have some of their strobe powders,bronzer, and blush, but my favorite is still the ambient light powders in Luminous light and Dim light. The blushes and bronzer seemed too powdery, dusty to me.
I’m glad you have a few that you like, at least!
Their blush shades always seem to lean a little too warm for my taste. If I didn’t have such an extensive blush collection, I would consider it, but there is nothing in it that calls my name. At least this blush palette seems to have a shades that are more distinguishable from each other than the first blush palette (if I remember correctly), and it should suit a nice range of skintones.
They are warmer for sure!
I’ll have to compare my pans to yours. I haven’t had a chance to swatch or wear it yet!
Let me know!!
I have more color in all my pans. My Brilliant Nude looks dustier than yours when swatched but that does blend out. It also looks more sheer for both Brilliant Nude and Euphoric Fusion. It might be my RT blush brush though. My Euphoric Fusion seems to have some chunkier glitter in the pan but doesn’t translate to skin. Incandescent Electra is pretty much the same. I’m not sure if it’s my tools or my skin but they seem slightly more sheer than yours. I also didn’t really try to build them or use much product. On me, BN is really bronze, almost like a shimmery bronzer. EF almost reminds me of a slightly warmer Mood Exposure. While, IE is a red coral with a peach sheen on my skin but it’s certainly the most satin finish instead of luminous or sheen.
Thank you for getting back to me, Erin!
Hey Christine I commented on another page but wanted to comment again just to thank you for all the work you do. You not only get reviews up in SUCH a timely manner (I honestly find myself forever shocked at how quickly you review things and I also wonder what sort of skincare you must use to keep your skin so beautiful when it must go through such a battering!) but you respond to ALL comments personally and your reviews are SO thorough and consistent. I have returned MANY an item and saved so much money since I discovered your blog four years ago. Please don’t be sorry when something as minor as dupes are missing (and for only a short period of time) or when you feel you haven’t gotten something up fast enough. You don’t HAVE to do ANY of this for us-we are just very very privileged that you do. So THANK YOU. For providing the most timely, comprehensive and trustworthy service on the internet. You are the ONLY person I can rely on for completely honest, unbiased reviews.
You are very kind, Natasha! Thank you for some Monday motivation 🙂
I’m gonna pass on this palette, but I hope Euphoric Fusion becomes available on its own.
Btw, love your eye makeup! 🙂
Thank you, Leticia!
Would this work for my coloring? Light-medium olive (e.i. “Kermit the frog” skin? Thanks!!!
I think so!
Incandescent Electra is actually a permanent color just so you know. It is a stand alone blush you can buy by itself in a single too, not just in a palette.
The euphorian fusion shade is the best of all.It’s perfect for everyday use too.