Hourglass Luminous Light Ambient Lighting Powder Review, Photos, Swatches
Hourglass Luminous Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Hourglass Luminous Light Ambient Lighting Powder ($45.00 for 0.35 oz.) is described as a “champagne pearl.” It’s a light peach with a white shimmer but really goes on mostly colorless on the skin. This shade is designed to “create a soft, incandescent candlelight glow.” It seemed just slightly brightening but added a fine sheen all-over the skin. When blended, I did not see any shimmer particles actually on the skin, though swatched heavily on the arm or hand will show some–but these seem to really blend and sheer out. The effect is, indeed, luminous. I would describe it as a step above glowy or a sheen, because I think the effect is a bit more obvious as a result of the sheen of the powder overall.
The texture of Hourglass’ Ambient Lighting Powders is incredibly finely-milled; so soft that there is a tendency for excess powder to kick up and around the product. I did not experience powderiness on the skin, but it was enough excess to see it disperse in the air and get all over the compact. Though, on the plus side, I think that powderiness will work well for those with oily skin types, as it will help to mattify a bit during application. Luminous Light seemed to yield a rather luminous sheen, not so over-the-top that it acts like a traditional highlighter but not quite as subtle as other finishing powders. It may be touted as a finishing powder, but it worked well to set my makeup, too, and helped prolong the wear of my foundation by an hour or so.
Luminous Light
PPermanent. $48.00.
Hourglass Luminous Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Hourglass Luminous Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Hourglass Luminous Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Hourglass Luminous Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Hourglass Luminous Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Hourglass Luminous Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Hourglass Luminous Light Ambient Lighting Powder (left – Hourglass Luminous Light; right – no powder)
Hourglass Luminous Light Ambient Lighting Powder (left – Hourglass Luminous Light; right – no powder)
I see no difference between the two sides of your face, maybe next time take a picture with all your face with the powder and one without?
I tried that before but felt that in a single shot was more helpful, because it ensures that the lighting and color are 100% the same since it’s in the same photo.
I can honestly never tell a difference between with powder and without.
To be fair, the effect of a finishing powder is supposed to be subtle 🙂 I find that they’re more noticeable in real life, because you can move and tilt and the like. Usually, when someone says something like, “Are you using different skin care?” It’s because I used a finishing powder.
Hi Christine,
How does this compare to the pressed Meteorites?
Pressed Meteorites are subtler!
Hm, don’t know.. The only difference I see is that one the left pores are more visible (and this is with powder, yes?). But maybe the picture doesn’t do it justice.
I know what you mean about it being subtle, it’s like the Guerlain Meteorites. It’s hard to translate in pictures how well it perfects your skin, but in person, your skin just seems to glow more. I think this champagne one sounds amazing, and your skin looks absolutely radiant. I am so checking this one out!
Looks good Christine! Does look luminous!
Are you liking this over the Diffused Light?
I think I prefer Diffused over Luminous 🙂
How are they different? Is diffused more noticeable? 🙂 Thanks for your reviews!
Luminous is too glowy for me for all-over, personally 🙂
The light on the left side of your face looks a little more diffused, but that could be the texture of your skin altering light patterns. Otherwise, I agree with others. It really doesn’t look much different. I think a lot of people will feel like they’re paying $45 for nothing. Maybe it shows more in person. Finishing powders may just be one of those things that you have to test in person.
I couldn’t agree more!
This one might be for the dry skinned folks.
The half of your face with this on looks like my face without blotting powder (the beginning stages of oily shine).
Hi Christine,
How close would this be to MAC Shell Pearl, Amber Glow or Light Year? It looks lovely and I love these kind of more subtle highlighters, but I wonder if it’s materially different than those I have. I also have NARS Albatross/Nico, Benefit Watt’s Up and Dior Amber Diamond.
I think I should stop buying this kind of product, but I do love them. 🙂
Most like NARS Nico in texture/effect, I would say – slightly less sheen than Nico!
Thank you. I like Nico a lot but that’s confirmation that I don’t need yet another of this type of product.
When you say left side, do you mean the left side of the photo or your (Christine’s) left cheek?
Of the photo!
Thanks for this review! I’m interested in a few of the shades, but there aren’t a whole lot of reviews out there yet. I have to order online (Hourglass isn’t sold anywhere near me) so I want to see swatches of them before I buy. I’m interested in seeing the more lavender-tinted one.
The biggest difference I can see is the pores are more noticeable on the side with the product (no offense!). Being that my primary skin issue is larger pores, I’ll be skipping this.
I have to agree, the pores on the left side are way more noticeable. How odd. I can tell a SMALL difference. Not worth the money, imo. You’re cute as a button though!
I think the main reason the pores look more noticeable is not the hourglass but the heavily caked on foundation underneath!
I’m becoming more and more interested in Hourglass products. The more I see, the better they seem.
It’s indeed not that obvious, but I personally think that’s a good thing. You want the powder to be on your face but not IN your face, know what I mean 😉
I’ve never had much luck with Hourglass face products but I was hoping these would prove different. But so far any review I have seen of these has left me unimpressed. This one is no exception. The only difference I see between the two sides is that your pores look larger on the side WITH powder on. I’m wondering if these will end up being a great concept but poorly executed. I will reserve final judgement until such time that I can check them out in person.
I should have looked at your comments before posting mine but my perception of this is just like yours – I think Christine’s own skin looks nicer than the side with the powder.
I think people are looking for a big difference, but there really isn’t one. I have the new NARS powder and LOVE it, but I’m sure nobody can see it on me– which is the point! What you want is a very subtle effect that can really only be seen in person (through tilting your head and such).
What you want is for people to think your skin looks a bit nicer and glowy, but can’t quite figure out why 🙂 I do think this may be one of those things you really have to try in person, though.
I have to say that I think I like the side of your face with no powder better than that with the powder. The left side looks oilier (rather than glowier) and your pores look larger. Your own skin looks much nicer.
Excited about these. I had a good time swatching the shades at Sephora, and this is the one I liked best on myself. It’s kind of pricey, so it may be a while before I purchase it. I want the brush too, even though it isn’t essential. I am in love with the Gypsy eyeshadow duo, the only Hourglass item I own. They seem to be everything MAC isn’t, without being boring. Apples and oranges, I know. But after the disappointment of the frequent crappy releases, it is refreshing to see a brand with fewer items but more quality and universal appeal.
Honestly, even with the powders I can usually see a difference between the two sides, but I can’t see any difference here! Subtle indeed!
Christine,
If you had to pick one Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder, which one would you pick? Is there one that stands out among the rest of them in terms of making your skin look the best?
I haven’t tried all of them, so it’s hard to say!
I was wondering the same thing. I really need to go to Sephora when I have some time and get a SA to try all the shades on me and then go out into the galleria to check the results of each (I guess I could try 2 at a time, one on each side of my face). At these prices, I want to make sure I get the one that gives the best results.
Do you think the Hourglass lukinous light family the same type of product as Guerlain Meteorites Family, except the highight shades?
I think the product is, but this particular shade has a stronger sheen!
I have had radiant light almost since the day it came out and I have to say that I love it. It has the slightest hint of color and almost like a blurring effect on the skin. I put it on over my foundation and while it’s not earth shattering, I just look better….more put together and my skin looks nicer. It’s hard to explain.
Lately I have been putting the new NARS translucent powder on top and that is really spectacular as well…..two great products I am happy about!
Can you recommend any brushes that you would apply this with, other than the hourglass one? Thanks Christine!
I like MAC’s 134! I’ve also used OCC’s powder brush with this!
I usually feel like I can *just* see the difference between the two sides of your face when you photograph finishing/setting powders – like the Guerlain Pressed Meteorites. In this case I genuinely can’t!
Hi, Christine. What foundation are you wearing with it?
I believe it’s Giorgio Armani Maestro!
I love hourglass products. It doesn’t surprise me that you gave this product such a high grade.. Hourglass will never let you down! I can’t wait to get this product.
I think this color washes you out, it is too light. You can see a white shade on your naturally pigmented skin. I think one of the others shades with a touch of color would compliment your skin. The luminous light shade would be more appropriate for very fair skin. Thanks for the review, I would to be able to wear this shade either.
I have been visiting Temptalia for awhile now and I have honestly never seen you give a product an A+ rating (I’m sure I’ve missed a bunch of products here and there — I wish I had more time to browse around this site). I LOVE this powder, and I use the same color. It is one of my absolute favorite daily makeup products and I’m not surprised that you rated it as such. I would like to try it in a few other colors and I actually saw that a bunch of reviewers on Sephora’s website say they have purchased it in more than one shade.
I am constantly looking for products that will give me that glowing, luminous effect and nothing ever really makes the cut. Powders end up caking up and liquid luminizers usually mess up any bronzer/highlighter I put on under or over it. Hourglass’s Lighting Powder is AMAZING, it does everything I have ever looked for in a highlighting powder. So happy to see that others agree and it even got a coveted A+ mark 🙂
Thank you so much, Amanda! 🙂
What lip product(s) are u wearing here? Gorgeous!!!
Benefit Fauxmance
how does it compare to Dior Amber Diamond
highlighter? I tried a few of these on
at Sephora yesterday, I really liked them!
I picked this one up as it looked
lovely on esp.when you look at it in the
direct sunlight.I am thinking about getting
the bronze looking one when the sale starts.
This isn’t a highlighter – this is a finishing powder, so they are definitely different!
Christine are these powders a good value in your opinion? Is the Amount of product generous for the price?I know they are not the cheapest products, hah, thankyou.
Yes, I think they are 🙂
Are there any inexpensive dupes for this?
Not that I can think of. I know Physicians Formula looks like a dupe for Guerlain’s Meteorites, but they’re so much more frosted in comparison.
You look absolutely beautiful! I think the side of your face with the powder looks bit more luminous and gives your skin a softer and more airbrushed appearance.