Hourglass Surreal Light Ambient Lighting Edit Palette ($80.00 for 0.30 oz.) includes a finishing powder, bronzer, two blushes, and highlighter inspired by Surreal Light, which is a new shade in the Ambient Lighting Powder family (currently only available in this palette). This palette will work best for someone who is less concerned about a “value-packed” palette/is unlikely to finish their products and really needs everything in a single compact. I think the palette, all being in the same family of Surreal Light, ends up getting muddled a bit between the blush, bronzer, and highlighter with the Surreal Effect blush being the one lone shade that stands out as a bit different. It is a distinctively warm-toned palette, so it will likely not work for everyone. The texture seemed a bit drier across the majority of the powders as the permanent range, though I did not notice the dryness as applied to the face in practice.

Like last year’s palette, the only value is in whether you like the idea of getting five shades for less than the cost of two or three full-sized Hourglass Ambient Lighting products (which range from $38 to $50 in price). There’s only $53.30 worth of product in the palette, so it’s obviously not a value-packed palette. This is something that will be best for someone who wants everything in a single palette and will wear at least three of the five shades often. This year’s palette is marginally better in value than last year’s (which was $48.05 in product value at the same $80.00 price point), but their palettes prior to that were significantly better in value.

• Ambient Lighting Powder | 0.14 oz. is worth $18.40
  Ambient Lighting Blush | 2 x 0.04 oz., 0.08 oz. total, is worth $20.27
• Ambient Lighting Bronzer | 0.04 oz. is worth $5.13
• Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder | 0.04 oz. is worth $9.50
• Total Value: $53.30

Surreal Light is a light, yellowed beige with fine gold shimmer over a matte finish. This is the original Ambient Lighting Powder, which is a finishing powder, so it is something applied after setting powder, at the very end (hence “finishing!”) to “diffuse” and “soften the look of the skin.” It added very subtle warmth and made my skin appear smoother and more matte, but this particularly iteration had very subtle shimmer, which added a little bit of light all-over but was only noticeable in certain lighting in person. The texture was soft, a little dusty and prone to kicking up excess product in the pan, but it applied well and dispersed easily. It was sheer, as promised (and as you would expect for a finishing powder). Tarte Filtered Light (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). Too Faced Light Cocoa (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Guerlain Perles de Legende (LE, $65.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Dior Luxurious Beige (LE, $82.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Dior Cosmopolite (LE, $45.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Surreal Glow is a light-medium peach with warm undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-sheer to semi-opaque coverage, which is in line with the brand’s promise of “buildable color.” It does not deliver the “otherwordly glow” much, as it is more satiny and just keeps the blush from appearing totally flat. The texture was soft, a little dry and dusty, but it blended well and was impossible to overdo on my skin tone as it barely showed up (that’s a warning for those with similar skin tones!). I think this color would be better on fairer complexions. It wore well for seven hours on me before fading. NARS Silent Nude (LE, $30.00) is lighter (90% similar). Kevyn Aucoin Sahara (P, $54.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Kevyn Aucoin Sahara (P, $54.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Make Up For Ever B304 (P, $23.00) is darker (90% similar). Kevyn Aucoin Sahara (P, $54.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Clinique Sorbet Pop (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Glossier Dusk (P, $18.00) is darker, glossier (85% similar). Zoeva CR040 (P, ) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Benefit Gold Rush (PiP, $29.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Sisley Paris Mango (3) (P, $85.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Catrice I Am Nuts About You (P, $5.99) is cooler (85% similar). By Terry Savannah Love #4 (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Benefit Georgia (2020) (P, $29.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar). Surratt Beauty Coup de Genie (P, $32.00) is lighter (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Surreal Effect is a light-medium pink with warm, coral undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-sheer, buildable pigmentation that was very soft, silky, and smooth without being dusty or excessively powdery. The texture sat well on the skin, and it did become a little more satiny when buffed and blended on the skin. For reference, I get noticeable color when applied to my skin, but it is very subtle and doesn’t get any more intense than as shown in the face swatch below, so it would not be good for someone with deeper skin and/or someone who wanted bolder blush. This shade stayed on well for seven and a half hours. Pat McGrath Aphrodite Amour (LE, $44.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar). NYX Hamptons (P, $6.50) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar). MAC Nippy's Pink Rose (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). MAC Cheeky Bugger (LE, $24.00) is brighter (95% similar). ColourPop Enchanted Mirror (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Blush (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). Milani Berry Rays #4 (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar). Chantecaille Bliss (LE, $44.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Frantic Pink (Discontinued) (DC, $60.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Fun Ending (LE, $24.00) is lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Dream Garden (LE, $7.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). KVD Beauty Delilah (Light) (DC, ) is warmer (90% similar). Burberry My Burberry Blush (P, $68.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). MAC Mocha (P, $24.00) is darker (90% similar). By Terry Savannah Love #1 (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). LORAC Tinge (PiP, $23.00) is lighter (90% similar). Clinique Blush Pop (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). Lethal Cosmetics Blossom (P, $15.50) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Makeup Geek Spell Bound (P, $10.00) is more muted (90% similar). Kevyn Aucoin Pink Sand #2 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Surreal Bronze Light is a soft, light-medium brown with warm, rosy undertones and a soft, dusting of gold shimmer. It had semi-sheer to medium, buildable coverage that sat well on the skin, even though the texture seemed a little thin and dusty. I had no trouble blending and diffusing the color, and it showed up a little more noticeably than Surreal Glow. I think it would be a lovely option for someone wanting a subtle bronzing shade that wasn’t too yellow or too orange in tone. It wore well for seven and a half hours on me. MAC Spring Bling (LE, $35.50) is darker (95% similar). MAC Golden Rinse (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop Jet Set (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Laura Mercier Bronze (03) (P, $40.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Optical (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Essence Bespoke (P, $2.99) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Wild Card (LE, $8.00) is darker (90% similar). Urban Decay Streak Bronzer (-, ) is more shimmery, brighter (90% similar). Dior Soft Terra (001) (LE, $49.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). Too Faced Sun Bunny (Left) (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Clinique Sunkissed Pop (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze (Original) (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Wet 'n' Wild Bronze Dynasty (LE, $4.99) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Urban Decay Sun-Kissed (P, $28.00) is warmer (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Tantalize (106) (P, $49.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar). Dior Soft Sunlight (002) (P, $48.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). Natasha Denona Bronze (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar). NARS Samoa (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Surreal Strobe Light is a soft, light-medium yellowed peach with warm undertones and gold shimmer. It had sheer coverage that did not really build-up, while the texture was drier and looser. It is supposed to be sheerer, though this is a lot sheerer than the other permanent shades. I do not think this would apply as well over drier skin types as it would just not stick well, but if you normally wear primer, liquid foundation, and so forth, it should be okay. It does add a nice, luminous glow that isn’t metallic or shiny, so I think those who like a a more subtle sheen may like the finish of it. This highlighter wore well for seven hours on me. MAC Glow Rida (LE, $22.00) is darker (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty The Afternooner (Highlighter) (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Cle de Peau Sand Beige (13) (P, $55.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Clinique Nude Glow (P, $27.00) is lighter (90% similar). Essence Be My Highlight (P, $4.49) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Cle de Peau Gold (12) (P, $55.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Urban Decay Side Piece (LE, $26.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light (LE, $40.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Hourglass Surreal Light Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Surreal Light Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Surreal Light Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Surreal Light Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Surreal Light Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Surreal Light Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Surreal Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Surreal Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Surreal Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Surreal Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Surreal Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Surreal Glow Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass Surreal Glow Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass Surreal Glow Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass Surreal Effect Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass Surreal Effect Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass Surreal Effect Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass Surreal Bronze Light Ambient Lighting Bronzer

Hourglass Surreal Bronze Light Ambient Lighting Bronzer

Hourglass Surreal Bronze Light Ambient Lighting Bronzer

Hourglass Surreal Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

Hourglass Surreal Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

Hourglass Surreal Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder