Hourglass Iridescent Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder ($38.00 for 0.16 oz.) is a light peach with a hint of rose tones and a luminous sheen. Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Highlighter (LE, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). bareMinerals The Brilliant Sunset (LE, $26.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). NYX Narcissistic (P, $9.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Surratt Beauty Duchesse (P, $32.00) is lighter (90% similar). Cle de Peau Sand Beige (13) (P, $55.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop On Tempo (PiP, $12.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light (LE, $40.00) is lighter (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

FORMULA OVERVIEW | 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 is supposed to be the same as shade in the holiday palette (it is confirmed on Hourglass’ website), so if you were after the new-but-exclusive shade, it can now be had individually, though I found the standalone to be more shimmery. It was the most shimmery out of the four shades, but I would still classify it as a subtler highlighter than your average highlighter formula. It definitely highlights with a luminous sheen that catches and reflects the light beautifully without emphasizing pores, and I find it is hard to “overdo” it, which makes it easier to work with and can be used on better and worse skin days. The texture was soft and silky, blendable and sat well on the skin without looking powdery. It is more pigmented and keeps its coverage/intensity when applied damp than dry, which is as intended, and the level of highlight is more reflective with damp application. The highlighter wore well for eight hours before fading on me.

Hourglass Iridescent Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

Hourglass Iridescent Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

Hourglass Iridescent Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

Hourglass Iridescent Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

Hourglass Iridescent Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

Hourglass Iridescent Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder (Dry)

Hourglass Iridescent Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder (Wet)

Hourglass Iridescent Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder (Dry)

Hourglass Iridescent Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder (Wet)