Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadows Reviews & Swatches
Aura
Hourglass Aura Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow ($29.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium copper with warm, rosy undertones and a sparkling sheen. It had sheer coverage applied in a single layer, and it was buildable to medium coverage in two to three layers. I tried to achieve opaque coverage with this shade and needed four layers and a dampened brush. My guess was that the drier, more flaky texture in the pot resulted in a consistency that was harder to pick up, apply, and blend out. It lasted for seven and a half hours on me with slight fallout over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Bikini (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Kaja Coral Starlight (PiP, ) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- NARS Earthshine (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Anastasia Rose Quartz (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Gleam Girl (82) (P, $26.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Stellar (5) (P, $36.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Celestial Pearl #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Affinity (476SF) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Paradiso (Cream) (LE, $45.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Laura Mercier Kiss From a Rose (P, $29.00) is cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$29.00/0.12 oz. - $241.67 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "buildable" coverage from "a sheer crystal-like shimmer to an opaque prismatic glitter finish." It is a "hybrid cream formula" that "dries down." Each pot has a plastic stopper that sits on top of the eyeshadow, which can be used to press the product together if it loosens over time.
The texture was very dense, felt more like a creamy powder than a cream--like if someone hadn't told me it was a hybrid, I would have just assumed it was a powder product. The brand recommends using fingertips for application, and that is the better way to apply for coverage and least fallout.
I tried dry and dampened brushes to varying degrees of success (some shades were easier to work with than others). The pigmentation varied, too, from buildable to semi-opaque. They were fairly blendable and had slight fallout during initial application. They lasted between seven and eight hours on me with slight, additional fallout over time (but did not irritate my eyes).
Browse all of our Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Look Using this Product
Aura
PPermanent. $29.00.
Blaze
Hourglass Blaze Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow ($29.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark copper with warm, rusty red undertones and a sparkling sheen. It had medium coverage applied in one layer, which was buildable to opaque coverage with a second layer. The texture was smoother, lightly creamy, and thin without being too thin or too slippery on my skin, so it applied evenly and blended out well without losing its intensity. There was a touch of fallout when I blended it out on my lid, and then there was a little more after eight hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Dreams #3 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Rose Gold (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Rose Gold (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Cozyyy (LE, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- Anastasia Rose Pink (PiP, $12.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Patty (401M) (PiP, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar).
- elf Big Dipper (P, $6.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Azalea (PiP, $29.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Moira Stay Golden (P, $7.50) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Late Night (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery (95% similar).
Formula Overview
$29.00/0.12 oz. - $241.67 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "buildable" coverage from "a sheer crystal-like shimmer to an opaque prismatic glitter finish." It is a "hybrid cream formula" that "dries down." Each pot has a plastic stopper that sits on top of the eyeshadow, which can be used to press the product together if it loosens over time.
The texture was very dense, felt more like a creamy powder than a cream--like if someone hadn't told me it was a hybrid, I would have just assumed it was a powder product. The brand recommends using fingertips for application, and that is the better way to apply for coverage and least fallout.
I tried dry and dampened brushes to varying degrees of success (some shades were easier to work with than others). The pigmentation varied, too, from buildable to semi-opaque. They were fairly blendable and had slight fallout during initial application. They lasted between seven and eight hours on me with slight, additional fallout over time (but did not irritate my eyes).
Browse all of our Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Look Using this Product
Blaze
PPermanent. $29.00.
Foil
Hourglass Foil Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow ($29.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a light-medium copper with strong, warm golden undertones and a sparkling, metallic sheen. It had a stronger reflective quality to it than other shades, partially because it was one of the lighter/brighter hues, too. The texture was fairly smooth, lightly creamy, but it felt more like a powdery than a cream to me (almost like it was a little dried out already). It had medium coverage applied in a single layer, which was buildable to full coverage with two to three layers. I found this applied best with a dampened brush over fingertips or a dry brush. It wore well for eight hours with slight fallout over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Becca Sandstone (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- LORAC Honey (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop A Little Quarky (LE, $6.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Sephora Sandcastle (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Weekend (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Warm Wash #2 (LE, ) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Gold Rush (LE, $25.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Hourglass Graphite #2 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Hammer Time (LE, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- KKW Beauty Chicago (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$29.00/0.12 oz. - $241.67 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "buildable" coverage from "a sheer crystal-like shimmer to an opaque prismatic glitter finish." It is a "hybrid cream formula" that "dries down." Each pot has a plastic stopper that sits on top of the eyeshadow, which can be used to press the product together if it loosens over time.
The texture was very dense, felt more like a creamy powder than a cream--like if someone hadn't told me it was a hybrid, I would have just assumed it was a powder product. The brand recommends using fingertips for application, and that is the better way to apply for coverage and least fallout.
I tried dry and dampened brushes to varying degrees of success (some shades were easier to work with than others). The pigmentation varied, too, from buildable to semi-opaque. They were fairly blendable and had slight fallout during initial application. They lasted between seven and eight hours on me with slight, additional fallout over time (but did not irritate my eyes).
Browse all of our Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Foil
LELimited Edition. $29.00.
Reflect
Hourglass Reflect Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow ($29.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a soft, rosy copper with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had semi-sheer pigmentation in a single layer, which was buildable to full coverage with two to three layers. The consistency was smooth, lightly creamy, and thin without being clingy or difficult to apply or blend out along the edges. The color stayed on well for eight and a half hours on me and didn’t seem to have any fallout.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop 11:11 (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- bareMinerals Bubbles (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Smokey Eyes are Forever Love Eyes Enhance (LE, ) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Stargirl (LE, $6.00) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Faze (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes #6 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Muse #1 (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Too Faced Cutie Patootie (LE, $16.00) is lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Good to Go (LE, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
- Tarte Medium (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$29.00/0.12 oz. - $241.67 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "buildable" coverage from "a sheer crystal-like shimmer to an opaque prismatic glitter finish." It is a "hybrid cream formula" that "dries down." Each pot has a plastic stopper that sits on top of the eyeshadow, which can be used to press the product together if it loosens over time.
The texture was very dense, felt more like a creamy powder than a cream--like if someone hadn't told me it was a hybrid, I would have just assumed it was a powder product. The brand recommends using fingertips for application, and that is the better way to apply for coverage and least fallout.
I tried dry and dampened brushes to varying degrees of success (some shades were easier to work with than others). The pigmentation varied, too, from buildable to semi-opaque. They were fairly blendable and had slight fallout during initial application. They lasted between seven and eight hours on me with slight, additional fallout over time (but did not irritate my eyes).
Browse all of our Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Looks Using this Product
Reflect
PPermanent. $29.00.
Smoke
Hourglass Smoke Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow ($29.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium taupe with warmer undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. The eyeshadow had semi-sheer pigmentation in a single layer, which built up to full coverage with two to three layers. It had a smoother, lightly creamy texture that applied evenly to bare skin and blended out with little effort. On me, it lasted well for eight and a half hours before fading slightly. This shade had a minimal amount of fallout present at the end of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Omigaud (LE, $17.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Tarte Glam Girl (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Anastasia Pink Champagne (P, $12.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Sand Tropez (Faerie Fayre) (LE, $20.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Anastasia Dazzling (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Inferno (PiP, $25.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Snake Eyes (LE, $4.50) is warmer, better quality (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Scream (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Paris (P, $6.25) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever ME612 Silver Brown (P, $17.00) is darker (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$29.00/0.12 oz. - $241.67 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "buildable" coverage from "a sheer crystal-like shimmer to an opaque prismatic glitter finish." It is a "hybrid cream formula" that "dries down." Each pot has a plastic stopper that sits on top of the eyeshadow, which can be used to press the product together if it loosens over time.
The texture was very dense, felt more like a creamy powder than a cream--like if someone hadn't told me it was a hybrid, I would have just assumed it was a powder product. The brand recommends using fingertips for application, and that is the better way to apply for coverage and least fallout.
I tried dry and dampened brushes to varying degrees of success (some shades were easier to work with than others). The pigmentation varied, too, from buildable to semi-opaque. They were fairly blendable and had slight fallout during initial application. They lasted between seven and eight hours on me with slight, additional fallout over time (but did not irritate my eyes).
Browse all of our Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
These don’t really say “glitter” to me, more of a metallic foil look.
Yeah, they aren’t full-on glitter.
Even though I see 3 shades that I really love, I cannot help but see these as nothing more than an overpriced ColourPop SSS eyeshadow ripoff? Perhaps I’m being a little too harsh in my judgment? But no, I don’t think so.
Smoke, Blaze and Reflect are the ones I love the the loos of, but I do have dupes for miles! (thank goodness)
They definitely have a completely different texture and feel compared to the Super Shock Shadows, IMO.
Christine, would you mind elaborating on the differences between these and the Colourpop SSS? It’s been a while since I’ve placed a CP order, so it’s hard for me to do a proper comparison, and when I searched the HG aim Sephora I definitely thought, “aren’t these just like Colourpop, but pricier?”
I would consider these like a pressed loose powder, not a cream eyeshadow. Super Shock Shadows are wet to the touch – they are much, much more emollient. They’re not comparable in feel/texture/application, IMO.
They’re A LOT (I’m talking like near exactly the same!) like the “eco soul glam eyes” shadows from the Saem and are also made in Korea. Imo better to save the $$$ and get it from the Saem unless there’s a shade that’s really not dupeable.
Thank you for posting that, I hopped on eBay and got a few. I don’t mind saving some $$!
Glad I could be of help 🙂
H’mmm. I’ve never been a huge fan of Hourglass and this isn’t doing anything to change my mind. Pretty, safe, neutral colours in a new format – nothing deep, dramatic or bold.
Meh.
I wish there was more variation since there aren’t that many shades to begin with!
These look pretty, but the packaging and formula is almost identical to Korean brand The Saem’s Eco Soul Glam Eyes… except they’re a third of the price!
L’Oreal/Giorgio Armani have both done similar versions as well, which released many years ago.
These are all gorgeous shades, but so many of them seem fairly similar to each other, with only a small difference. But I do love them. A really lovely eye look Christine.
I agree, I think it’s a shame they released shades that are so similar in tones to each other. I’d love to try the formula but every single shades seems rosy, and I don’t like rosy tones on my eyes at all. I don’t mind neutrals, but where are the taupes, the silvers, the cool browns?
I actually have these. I love them. They make my eyes look glowy and dewy even. I apply them with my fingers. As expensive as they are, they should apply well with different tools, but they’re so lovely on me that I’m ok with just using my fingers.
How do you wear them? Do you wear just one at a time, do you pair with anything else? Share, share!
I have aura and it’s a gorgeous color on me. I put it on top of a matte taupe shadow and it really popped. I’m not sure why you gave it a c- Compared to the other colors ? I love it
Hi Audra,
The review above stated all of the issues I had with it!
I wish I hadn’t. It’s Houglass, but these are so ho-hum and dupeable for the price. I picked up two with a Beautylish order.
Have you had a chance to try them yet? I can’t tell if they look ho-hum based on my swatches or from what you tried, lol!
I have tried, but I do not love. I think my disappointment stems from my eye shape and skin age. I imagine if I had big unhooded eyes, it would showcase to better effect. Still, this isn’t my first kick at the can and these shimmer/glitter hybrids are now going to be a firm no.
Gotcha! 🙂 Thank you for replying back!!
Thanks for reviewing these, Christine. I’m intrigued enough to check out Blaze when in Sephora again.
I’m intrigued by these but they look underwhelming from the swatches BUT it seems like really shiny things like gloss don’t photograph well.
I am disappointed they aren’t more cool toned I’ll be trying Smoke.
Thanks Christine!
I bought reflect a week ago and been wearing it ever since. Just this, applied with fingertips and my last extensions. I am in love. I really like cream/liquid shadows as they are super fast and I’m super lazy… I have at least 7 others formulas and this is my favorite by far. No fallout, color stays on for my 10 hours shift (I’m a nurse so I have 0 time for touch up!!) and it takes about 20 seconds to do both eyes. I plan on getting more but they are expensive!! But IMO they are worth it!
I have Aura and love, love, love it. I am actually surprised by how much I love it. As a mom of two, I wanted something that could be quickly swiped on as I usually only have a few minutes to get ready in the morning. Either by itself or layered over other eyeshadows, I find it stays on all day and night with minimal fallout and no creasing – and I have hooded eyes that are seriously crease prone. I will definitely be buying more colours.
How would you describe the difference in MAC’s “Vintage Selection” paint pot as opposed to the Hourglass “Smoke” shadow?
Vintage Selection’s formula is a true cream, so the entire finish is completely different!