Hourglass Holiday 2017 Ambient Metallic Strobe Lighting Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
Holiday 2017
Hourglass Holiday 2017 Ambient Metallic Strobe Lighting Palette ($62.00 for 0.30 oz.) contains three new, limited edition highlighters that can be used wet or dry. The brand described the formula as “formulated with intensely concentrated, multifaceted pearl particles” to give “the most reflective glow.” It’s supposed to have a “velvety texture.” These seem to be an intensified version of the brand’s Ambient Strobe Lighting Powders, but this formula is not presently available individually. The Metallic variation has a lot more pearl and is aptly described as “metallic.”
The powders had a soft, lightly dusty texture in the pan, but they blended out nicely on the skin and were definitely high-shine, intense highlighters on the skin (both dry and damp). They were fairly pigmented with coverage ranging from medium, buildable to full depending on the shade and whether it was used dry or damp with damp application always yielded more coverage and a shinier finish. The highlighters wore well for seven and a half to eight hours on me.
Value
The formula is not available as a standalone product at this point in time, but it seems most comparable to the Ambient Strobe Lighting Powders, which retail for $38.00 and contain 0.16 oz. each or $237.50/oz. Based on that, the palette contains $71.25 worth of powder.
Holiday 2017
LELimited Edition. $62.00.
Absolute Strobe Light
Absolute Strobe Light is a soft, peachy beige with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. The powder felt a little soft and dusty in the pan but sat well on the skin, but that softness helped it stay blendable and easy to control. Applied dry, it had medium, buildable coverage with a high-shine finish that was smooth and did not emphasize my skin’s natural texture. Applied damp, it had opaque coverage that was metallic in finish but still managed not to highlight my skin’s natural texture at the same time. This shade wore well for seven and a half hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- LORAC Destined (LE, $23.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Here Kitty Kitty (DC, $12.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Milani Moon Glow (P, $10.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Tarte Strobe (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Girl Wonder (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Medium-Deep #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- bareMinerals The Brilliant Sunset (LE, $26.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Illuminating Glow (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Tantalize Glo (Highlighter) (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- NARS Corniche (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The brand described the formula as "formulated with intensely concentrated, multifaceted pearl particles" to give "the most reflective glow." It's supposed to have a "velvety texture." These seem to be an intensified version of the brand's Ambient Strobe Lighting Powders, but this formula is not presently available individually. The Metallic variation has a lot more pearl and is aptly described as "metallic."
The powders had a soft, lightly dusty texture in the pan, but they blended out nicely on the skin and were definitely high-shine, intense highlighters on the skin (both dry and damp). They were fairly pigmented with coverage ranging from medium, buildable to full depending on the shade and whether it was used dry or damp with damp application always yielded more coverage and a shinier finish. The highlighters wore well for seven and a half to eight hours on me.
Browse all of our Hourglass Ambient Metallic Strobe Lighting Powder swatches.
Absolute Strobe Light
LELimited Edition.
Pure Strobe Light
Pure Strobe Light is a pale, yellowed gold with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. The consistency was soft without being dusty and was easy to blend out on the skin. It had good color coverage both wet and dry, though the damp application yielded a much more intense, metallic finish and fully opaque coverage. In practice, I felt like it did not matter whether I used it dry or damp as the finish was still a strong, metallic sheen on the skin and a “blinding” highlight so-to-speak. It did not emphasize my skin’s natural texture. The highlighter stayed on well for eight hours before fading slightly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Anastasia Sunburst (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Linda Hallberg Cosmetics Virgio (P, $21.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop School is Fun (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Too Faced Rainbow Strobe (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Anastasia Summer (LE, ) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- Becca Moonstone (P, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Earth (LE, $6.99) is warmer (90% similar).
- Milani Summer Glow (P, $10.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Zoeva Glowing Still (PiP, ) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Sun Ceremony (LE, $2.99) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The brand described the formula as "formulated with intensely concentrated, multifaceted pearl particles" to give "the most reflective glow." It's supposed to have a "velvety texture." These seem to be an intensified version of the brand's Ambient Strobe Lighting Powders, but this formula is not presently available individually. The Metallic variation has a lot more pearl and is aptly described as "metallic."
The powders had a soft, lightly dusty texture in the pan, but they blended out nicely on the skin and were definitely high-shine, intense highlighters on the skin (both dry and damp). They were fairly pigmented with coverage ranging from medium, buildable to full depending on the shade and whether it was used dry or damp with damp application always yielded more coverage and a shinier finish. The highlighters wore well for seven and a half to eight hours on me.
Browse all of our Hourglass Ambient Metallic Strobe Lighting Powder swatches.
Pure Strobe Light
LELimited Edition.
Lucent Strobe Light
Lucent Strobe Light is a medium gold with warm undertones and a metallic finish. It had medium, buildable pigmentation when applied dry, and that was not much of a surprise as the consistency was drier, though certainly soft and incredibly finely-milled. Applied damp, it yielded opaque coverage and an over-the-top, mirror-like shine on the skin. The powder was a dream to apply regardless of dry or damp application, as it blended out with ease and did not accentuate my skin’s natural texture.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Milani Sunglow (P, $10.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Becca Opal (P, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Moon Glow (P, $48.00) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Frosted (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Reflects Gilt (Top) (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Anastasia So Hollywood (DC, $28.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Becca Prosecco Pop (DC, $38.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Rare Beauty Flaunt (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Lancome Amber Lights (P, $23.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC Rosy Cheer (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The brand described the formula as "formulated with intensely concentrated, multifaceted pearl particles" to give "the most reflective glow." It's supposed to have a "velvety texture." These seem to be an intensified version of the brand's Ambient Strobe Lighting Powders, but this formula is not presently available individually. The Metallic variation has a lot more pearl and is aptly described as "metallic."
The powders had a soft, lightly dusty texture in the pan, but they blended out nicely on the skin and were definitely high-shine, intense highlighters on the skin (both dry and damp). They were fairly pigmented with coverage ranging from medium, buildable to full depending on the shade and whether it was used dry or damp with damp application always yielded more coverage and a shinier finish. The highlighters wore well for seven and a half to eight hours on me.
Browse all of our Hourglass Ambient Metallic Strobe Lighting Powder swatches.
I only really like the last one, so this is a pass for me. But dang! These are beautiful!
They are pretty!
Well, this might be the most vanilla thing I have seen recently…
Bland, extremely dupeable and relatively expensive (especially considering the weight of product included).
Hard pass. š
Maybe next time!
I have a comment on that last comment. I am aging and still love my makeup but I’m somewhat Limited in Shades that I can get away with. I am white but not pale and not really quite medium and it’s weirdly difficult for me to find a highlighter that looks natural but glowing. In this particular palette I found my true love. Not because I don’t want to venture off into other colors that are more popular but this one actually gives me three different options in one palette that all look good on my skin tone. She’s right that there’s never pallets suited for my skin tone. I just purchased the other hourglass palette that came out a week or so before this one and it’s just too dark for the most part. This is Pure Heaven. I have obviously the palette are ready but I’m debating on whether I should go ahead and purchase it back up. I have been laid off so money is limited. I’m trying to decide whether to buy a backup of this or the new Anastasia glow kit called sweets. I have been agonizing and going back and forth about it all day long LOL. Anyway I just wanted to say that I wish more cosmetic companies produced more vanilla looking pallets more often. I have drawers full that I can’t use. Just got the Laura Mercier new one and that’s too dark. Since I’m over 40 I can’t tan in the summer so I’ll never use any of that. This is a freaking miracle to have found one with all colors that I can use.
I think “wicked shiny” is the appropriate reaction here. I’m not sure I could pull them off with my acne scars. They are pretty soft these days so maybe a swatch is in order.
Let me know if you try any, Erin!
It is a really lovely palette for ppl with a medium (and darker?) skintone. I would totally get it if I could pull it off!
Aw, too bad! š
that is my thoughts as well. Pure Strobe Light might run to yellow warm on my pale skin like the other Strobe Lighting powders.
It is easy. Look at the dupe list and ask yourself if you could pull those off. I love the look and finish of this palette but I know for a fact the dupes wouldn’t highlight on me… Even be waayyyyyyy too dark. Most highlighters give me a shine more than they highlight so I shouldn’t push my luck to far off hehe.
Money saved! There will be one for us one day!
Despite the fact that this palette didn’t get an A rating or recommendation, it sounds really nice from your descriptions in the review!
It is nice! š
This is beautiful but will be the first palette from Hourglass that I will skip. I have realized that as I continuously list the subdued glow of the Laura Mercier 01 highlighter as my favorite I have no business purchasing an entire palette of metallic highlighters. As you say…”money saved.” š
Good call, Karen! It doesn’t sound like these are the type of finish for you for sure!
I’m not a fan of the original strobe lights -I swatched them in store, and they looked like glitter bombs, these metallic ones look a lot more wearable
Interesting that you think these would be more wearable!
Hello. That’s the first thing that struck me when I got it in the mail. As soon as I put them on I immediately recognized that they were nothing like the old strobe powders. They were metallic a little bit but didn’t have the glitter. I think it’s much different. I almost skipped it because I thought it would be like the old strobe powders which I didn’t care for. I’m so glad I got it. I love it so much that I’m considering buying a backup before it sells out probably forever. I still cannot understand why makeup companies produce a pallet that’s wildly popular and it goes out of stock never to be seen again. Then if you want your back up you have to pay $300 on eBay LOL
good to know , will check it out, thank you!
I’m pale think mac nc/nw 10, and this palette works on me. Granted they’re not the typical “white” highlighters but I really love the fact that there is zero glitter in this formula yet it looks “wet” on the cheekbones. I hate having glitters in my highlight and this is the 1st formula that has zero glitters yet gives me the glow that I want. I am thinking of getting another 2 back ups, that’s how good it is, to me at least. I really hope that Hourglass will produce the exact same formula in full size compacts with more color selection, like they did with the Strobe Powders (which I didn’t like because of the glitters).
Did it leave a hard pan when you used a wet brush?
No, if it did so, I would have mentioned it š
They are lovely shades, but very, very expensive for a reasonable (but not perfect) rating. And you would have to love/need/wear all of the shades to make it worthwhile.
By the way, I really love your eye look in the photos Christine.
Thank you, Genevieve!
This is currently sitting in my Sephora cart. I’m completely on the fence about it. It’s so pretty, but I have so many highlighters. I just don’t know.
I’m on highlighter overload but I like this palette. Hourglass powders and blushes are bomb!
Wow, that is REALLY shimmery, to much for me to pull off I think.
I’m pleased that this trio isn’t the blatant value ripoff of their other holiday release this year (and for the past 3 years, I think) but I’m not a huge fan of their “Strobing” powders and, to be honest, I’m pretty much boycotting Hourglass, after being a regular customer for years.
I keep going back and forth on this one.I have dupes but I think these would be nice to layer with other similar shades of highlighter.That is what I normally do and I like the wet shine they are giving off.
These are straight up gorgeous.!!!!
Iām now getting into the less glittery in your face highlights and these look like heaven.