Hourglass Mood Light Ambient Lighting Powder Review, Photos, Swatches
Hourglass Mood Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Hourglass Mood Light Ambient Lighting PowderHourglass Mood Light Ambient Lighting Powder ($45.00 for 0.35 oz.) is described as a “soft, sheer lavender pink powder.” It’s a nearly-matte, pale pink with neutral undertones. The aim of this powder is to imitate the “softest, most forgiving light and [to brighten] the complexion.” Like the other Ambient Lighting Powders, the effect is subtle, natural, and it is the, “Did you change your skincare regimen?” kind of product. Mood Light has a softening, lightly luminous effect that’s hard to really pin down. I can see this particular shade working well on all skin types, because it’s subtle and won’t make oilier skin appear oilier.
The texture of the powder is very, very soft and silky, but it can be a little powdery–which does work well for minimizing or absorbing oil for those who have normal to oilier skin. Even though my skin can be dry, I didn’t notice this powder emphasizing dryness either. The powder is very soft, so a soft brush and light hand will be key to minimizing excess product getting dislodged from the pan. It’s designed to work as a finishing powder, but I’ve found it helps just as well to set and prolong my base makeup (by about two hours) as it does to finish it, so I usually use this as my setting and finishing powder.
Mood Light
PPermanent. $48.00.
Hourglass Mood Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Hourglass Mood Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Hourglass Mood Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Hourglass Mood Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Hourglass Mood Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Hourglass Mood Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Hourglass Mood Light Ambient Lighting Powder (left) / No Powder (right)
Hourglass Mood Light Ambient Lighting Powder (left) / No Powder (right)
Honestly, these kinds of powders always make me feel crazy, because I can never tell the difference. Even in person, even on myself, it’s hard for me to see much change. I have dry, pale skin. Maybe it’s the kind of thing that works better over a tan.
The difference is pretty subtle. I find that these mostly really soften the appearance of my skin and give a great “lit-from-within” look. Initially I don’t notice much difference, but I really notice a difference when I’m in bad lighting (bathrooms at my University), then I find the difference is much more noticeable. Typically the lighting in some of these places can make me look sickly, but with these finishing powders I still look great. While these powders aren’t necessity in a makeup collection, I think they really are a wonderful addition
YES! I just noticed that. I was a bit sad when I purchased these and saw close to no difference, but when I was in a badly-lit place, I looked like I was glowing! That’s the best way to see the difference, in my opinion.
But I do agree with you, it’s not a necessity.
I agree. The effect is subtle and your comment about seeing the difference in bad lighting situations particularly holds true for me as well.
I’m not sure about the Hourglass one but I know after I bought Guerlain Meteorites (major splurge!!) it made my foundation last all day. Even after I applied my Chanel translucent powder I’d still have to touch up my nose and chin but finishing powder just did the trick. In terms of how it looks…I suppose due to different skin types and different oil levels on peoples skin, its a personal thing! On me it just makes my skin look ‘softer’ or something. Hope that helped a bit!
I use this one as a blush on myself 😉 Here’s an idea of how pale I am: I can actually over-do this and look very rosy. LOL!
That’s actually good to know. I’d been eyeing for that purpose since it came out. I just may have to look into that tomorrow at Sephora.
Me too!!! When I was swatching Mood I was like “Huh…this would work as a nice vintage pink blush on me…”
I really really want a brightened pale pink color for all over though .-. I really love me some lovely pink glow 24/7.
It has the exact same effect on me. I either use it as a soft blush or even as a contour. If I apply it all over, it looks like I’ve been out jogging for a while. I actually love combining this with my other Ambient powders. Definitely in love with these.
I’ve been using these kind of like Guerlain’s Meteorites, but if the colors were separate instead of all jumbled together – My favorites on myself lately have been Diffused, Dim and Mood. I’ve had good luck just swirling my brush over all three OR using the pale yellow on the highlight points and the tan-ish one on the contour areas with the pink one as blush 🙂 Either way I’ve found they look really nice! Love em! I ended up buying the other three (the Virgo in me would NOT let the issue go) but I haven’t done much with them yet.
Those are the three I have too 🙂 I’m trying to persuade myself that I don’t need the full set…
Yep…..the Virgo in us will prevail. I have Radiance, Ethereal, Dim, and Luminous. I can’t seem to let these things alone as they do put that extra special topping on your make-up that may not be necessary for some.
I was wondering about that! I am super pale too. So this would be like putting blush all over my face then! Sexy!
Eeek, that’s good to know. This was one that caught my eye during the press release, but given that I’m an NC/W15 at my summer’s darkest, I might have to consider that before buying.
It almost functions as a bronzer on me (NW5-10). I can wear it lightly as a finishing powder, but only if I bring it all the way down my neck or use a slightly too pale foundation.
You can’t be paler then me. lol I’ve off the chart pale.
But definitely a blush shade when i was able to swatch it in store.
Christine, of the Hourglass Ambient Powders you’ve tried so far, which would you recommend for someone with MAC NC15/MUFE 117 skin? I was looking at Mood, Diffused, and Dim.
Honestly, they all look very, very similar on, so I don’t think one is really better than the others.
I tried a few of these in stores, and I honestly and surprisingly admit that I prefer the effect of the (pricier) Guerlain Voyage-Mythic. It seems to blur a bit more, without any obvious sheen-like effect. I also like that it isn’t as powdery as the Hourglass ones, which can translate to chalkiness if applied heavily–something that I tend to do with my super oily skin type.
Sigh. Yay for liking the more expensive option… Lol! Thank God I don’t wear any color cosmetics, because many of the offerings like lipstick, blush, and eyeshadow from Guerlain are fantastic in virtually every characteristic; except price. And I’d still buy them!
I think a dodged a bullet there (or several of them). 😉
wait your left or my left??
Your left 🙂
Oh, I can see the difference – it looks like it’s diffusing light so everything is softened. Cool, I’m definitely going to have to check that out.
What I notice is how the pores look larger where the powder is…am
I the only one that sees this?
Me too
It looks that way a teeny bit to me, too. I have the yellow-toned “Diffused Light” and it’s pretty nice, but it didn’t accomplish what I was hoping for (very slight glow, but no frostiness or sparkles, and mainly minimize pores). So far the best thing I’ve found for that is the Guerlain Meteorites (which I also found via a Christine review!). That stuff actually elicited out-of-the-blue unsolicited “your skin looks so smooth! amazing! what’re you doing different?”
Loved it. Why can’t we vote anymore?
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Thanks for that link which allows me to compare the three Ambient powders. I think Luminous (peach) would be the one for me. I don’t know what I ever did before I discovered Temptalia, haha!
I can never tell the difference in a photograph.. I need to see these sorts of products in person.
I agree. I looked at a few of these in person. I’m super pale so they all kinda scare me. Even just putting them on the back of my hand they show up as pigmented. I think I will just stick with the Guerlain Meterorites.
I definitely need this one. I had the chance to play with it while I was in Sephora and Mood Light was my favorite of the bunch. The price makes it a “purchase with birthday money” product or maybe I’ll treat myself to this when I hit my first goal weight so I can feel like I earned it =p
I have Radiant Light and love it. I do really want to purchase another and was set on Dim Light, but now I’m kind of considering this one too
My skin is pretty fair, and I usually can’t really tell much difference when using powders like these. I wish they worked better for me dangit, but they don’t! Very frustrating! 🙁
I want a color like this on a blush 😛 would love a Burberry one but since the brand doesn´t exist here, I will look for a Mac blush, hopefully there is one like this.
Just curious what brush you use with this? Tried a couple of these in Sephora and decided on this one, but didn’t end up buying it. They recommended the Hourglass brush of course, so I was curious what you use?
I used Hourglass’ the first few times, but I prefer MAC’s 134.
Wow this really is subtle but makes a beautiful difference! I really want to check out some of these other shades–I have Radiant Light but can’t use it all over my face as I have oily skin with large pores and the RL powder contains more shimmer as well as bigger shimmer particles
I have this but haven’t actually worn it yet; when I tried it I didn’t really see a difference, and then I packed it and forgot about it. I might give it a try one of these days and see if I like it more. I’m trying to convince myself I don’t need all six!
I live in the Netherlands and I’ve never seen any of this… Nor in England or France though! Is it quite new? Would the effect be similar as Meteorites on a slightly darker complexion as well? Because the review makes it sound like a must-have!
Yes, it is somewhat similar to Meteorites, though I’d say that Meteorites are more softening and less powdery (so they aren’t as mattifying).
Total sucker for any product like this. I have the Houglass Dim and I may have to add this one to the wishlist as well.
Reminds me of Shiseido Luminizing Satin Face Color PK107 Medusa which I simply adore and use it ONLY as a highlighter.
Do you think this would work well on darker skin tones? I’m NC45, and I want something subtle but radiant
I think it could! You might like one of the warmer ones more, though – this isn’t as radiant as some of the others I’ve tried.
Such a lovely effect from that powder! i think I will pick it up during a sale.
I really want to buy this during Sephora Chic Week, unfortunately all the shades I want was out of stock. As a consolation, I bought Chanel Les Beiges and quite happy with it!
Hopefully you’ll do a comparison review of both when Chanel Les Beiges available in US… 😀
Or maybe… a comparison review of Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders, Chanel Les Beiges, NARS Light Reflecting Powder and Guerlain Meteorites Voyage Mythic! *LOL*
Saw this review and watched one on YouTube of the Mood Light Ambient Lighting Powder. Basically, after reading and seeing both I had to try it! I purchased it from Sephora and OMG… I LOVE IT. I have Pink/Cool undertones and it wears beautifully. I could most definitely notice a difference… It made my skin look luminescent, healthy and it made my skin just look fabulous. I am so glad I ran across this review! Definitely not a highlighter but if you’re looking for that, “overall glow” this is your product! I love the packaging, too.
Oh and it wore for a full 8 hours for me at work…