Vol. 4

Hourglass Vol. 4 Ambient Lighting Edit Palette ($80.00 for 0.29 oz.) is a new, limited edition holiday offering that contains four existing shades and two new, exclusive shades (Filtered Bronze Light and Luminous Glow). The powders performed consistently with other Hourglass powders, so those who enjoy these palettes will likely enjoy this one, too, if the included shades work for your skin tone.

The palette contains $10.51 worth of Ambient Lighting Powder, $5.13 worth of Ambient Lighting Bronzer, $20.27 worth of Ambient Lighting Blush, and $9.50 worth of Metallic Strobe Lighting Powder for a total value of $45.41. If you expect to use most of the powders but don’t usually finish products or often travel, it might be “worth” it to you, though typically palettes like these offer more for your money (since you are buying in “bulk” in a way) or else aren’t nearly so drastic in the difference between value and price.

Ingredients

Dim Light

Dim Light is a soft peach with warm, brownish undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had translucent coverage, as anticipated, that was easy to apply all-over to the face. The finish of this shade had a bit more luminosity compared to Diffused Light, so it softened my skin texture while adding a slight, brightening effect and finish. That being said, it was a subtle effect and more noticeable in person, and as I often feel about finishing powders, it’s an extra je ne sais quoi at the end that brings everything in at the end but isn’t a night and day kind of difference! While it is a finishing powder, I’ve used this to set my makeup in the past and have found that it adds an extra hour to two hours of wear to my base and certainly doesn’t interfere with the longevity of any other cheek/base products. The texture was smooth and finely-milled, easy to work with, and fairly consistent with the standalone version I have, though I’d say this wasn’t quite as soft.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

• Formula Overview
• Ingredients
• Look

Formula Overview

$48.00/0.35 oz. - $137.14 Per Ounce

The Ambient Lighting Powders breathe life back into the skin after you’ve applied foundations and setting powders–especially if you have more mattifying base products on. They’re not full-on highlighters, but they’re not exactly setting powders (by Hourglass’ definition, they are finishing powders).

If you have very oily skin, you may still need your usual setting powder, but for my normal-to-dry skin, the Ambient Lighting Powders work as a setting and finishing powder in one for me. I get extended wear out of my base products, but the powders also smooths the skin’s appearance, minimizes pores and imperfections, and gives the skin a natural luminosity (not shiny, not shimmery). It is that something extra that someone won’t see and go, “Oh, nice lipstick!” but “Did you do something different with your skin?” When people start asking you about your skincare routine, that’s when you know a product is really delivering on its promises!

The only negative I have to say about the products is that the texture is very, very soft, so depending on the brush you use, excess powder can be kicked up (and wasted).

Browse all of our Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder swatches.

Ingredients

Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Boron Nitride, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Octyldodecanol, Benzoic Acid, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Diamond Powder, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-7, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Potassium Sorbate, Silica, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sorbic Acid, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891).

Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.

Looks Using this Product

A Warmer, Smoky Eye with Luminous Skin featuring Melt Gun Metal & Dark Matter

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A Copper, Green & Teal Look featuring Chanel Splendeur et Audace

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Diffused Light

Diffused Light is a soft, translucent beige with subtle, warm yellow undertones and a natural finish. It’s fairly pale and translucent (packed on heavily in the swatch just so give everyone an idea of color), so it can easily be dusted all-over the face. The effect it gave was soft and diffusing where it blurred my skin texture and lines just a bit; not enough that it was erasing my age, but it had a soft focus effect. It was consistent with the individual powder I have. The consistency was soft, velvety and, smooth with a smidgen of powderiness in the pan but it sat well on my skin. As a finishing powder, it doesn’t fully mattify or take down the natural finish of one’s foundation but can double as a decent setting powder (but those with oilier skin types may find a true setting powder is better). I often use the Ambient Lighting Powders to set areas of my face that I want to be less matte or aren’t as prone to breaking down (and then use a setting powder where I need it rather than everywhere).

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

• Formula Overview
• Ingredients
• Look

Formula Overview

$48.00/0.35 oz. - $137.14 Per Ounce

The Ambient Lighting Powders breathe life back into the skin after you’ve applied foundations and setting powders–especially if you have more mattifying base products on. They’re not full-on highlighters, but they’re not exactly setting powders (by Hourglass’ definition, they are finishing powders).

If you have very oily skin, you may still need your usual setting powder, but for my normal-to-dry skin, the Ambient Lighting Powders work as a setting and finishing powder in one for me. I get extended wear out of my base products, but the powders also smooths the skin’s appearance, minimizes pores and imperfections, and gives the skin a natural luminosity (not shiny, not shimmery). It is that something extra that someone won’t see and go, “Oh, nice lipstick!” but “Did you do something different with your skin?” When people start asking you about your skincare routine, that’s when you know a product is really delivering on its promises!

The only negative I have to say about the products is that the texture is very, very soft, so depending on the brush you use, excess powder can be kicked up (and wasted).

Browse all of our Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder swatches.

Ingredients

Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Boron Nitride, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Octyldodecanol, Benzoic Acid, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Diamond Powder, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-7, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Potassium Sorbate, Silica, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sorbic Acid, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891).

Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.

Looks Using this Product

A Smoky, Purple & Blue Look with Viseart Cool Mattes 2

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A Pink & Lavender Look with NABLA Cosmetics

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An Olive & Green Look with Melt Cosmetics Gemini

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Euphoric Strobe Light

Euphoric Strobe Light is a soft peach with warm, yellow undertones and a soft, luminous finish. It had an incredibly finely-milled and velvety texture that felt smooth to the touch and blended out effortlessly on my skin. The pigmentation was semi-sheer to medium that could be built up but more so in intensity and shine, though it can be used with a dampened brush for a more noticeable sheen. It wore well for eight hours on me. The color, finish, and performance was consistent with the permanent, standalone version I have.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

• Top Dupes
• Formula Overview
• Ingredients

Filtered Bronze Light

Filtered Bronze Light is a soft brown with warm, rosy undertones and a natural sheen. It had opaque pigmentation with a soft, smooth, and blendable texture that was thin without being stiff or difficult to apply and blend out. I wouldn’t describe it as buildable, but the softer texture did make it so I could use a lighter hand for more gradual application. It stayed on well for eight hours on me.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

• Top Dupes
• Formula Overview
• Ingredients

Luminous Glow

Luminous Glow is a soft coral with warm undertones and a luminous sheen. It had medium, buildable color coverage paired with a soft, silky consistency that was a smidgen powdery in the pan but blended out easily on my skin. This shade sat nicely on my skin without emphasizing my skin’s natural texture but still had a glow. It lasted for eight hours on me before fading noticeably.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

• Top Dupes
• Formula Overview
• Ingredients
• Look

Top Dupes

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• MAC New Romance (P, $29.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
• Huda Beauty Healthy Peach (01) (P, $21.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
• MAC Just a Pinch (P, $31.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
• Chanel Voyage de Chanel (LE, $70.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
• Essence Shimmery Rose (P, $5.99) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
• MAC Sippin' on Stars (LE, $31.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
• MAC Oh My, Passion! (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
• Tarte Seek (LE, $29.00) is darker (90% similar).
• Natasha Denona Alba (P, $38.00) is lighter (90% similar).
• Benefit Shellie (P, $29.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).

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Formula Overview

$40.00/0.15 oz. - $266.67 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to have “depth and dimension” unlike traditional blush, be “lightweight and airy,” and have the “perfect balance of pigment and powder.” Hourglass says it uses “an advanced ‘miscelare’ technique,” which means to mix in Italian (per Sephora) and is how the marbled effect is achieved. The blush is also supposed to have “buildable color.” It does bring to mind the concept of a lot of baked formulas on the market, but I think the texture is softer and more finely-milled than most.

The texture is very soft and delicate; it feels exactly like the Ambient Lighting Powders. In an all-over powder, I don’t mind what can sometimes veer on powderiness, but in a blush, it can be easy to overload color onto the blush and then onto the skin. I wish it was slightly firmer or less powdery, which would minimize waste and make it more foolproof to apply.

Browse all of our Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush swatches.

Ingredients

Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Boron Nitride, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Octyldodecanol; Benzoic Acid, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Diamond Powder, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-7, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Potassium Sorbate, Silica, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sorbic Acid, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Tin Oxide, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, May Contain: (+/-): Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Carmine (CI 75470), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)

Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.

Look Using this Product

A Smoky Copper & Plum Look featuring Charlotte Tilbury Stars In Your Eyes

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Euphoric Fusion

Euphoric Fusion is a soft, rosy plum with warm undertones and a luminous sheen. I found that it bordered on pink-coral applied to my skin and seemed a touch lighter compared to my standalone version. It had medium, buildable pigmentation, which was as described, that applied evenly and smoothly to bare skin. The texture was soft, slightly dusty in the pan, but it blended out beautifully and gave me a glowing finish that didn’t emphasize my skin’s natural texture. It wore well for eight hours on me before fading noticeably.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

• Top Dupes
• Formula Overview
• Ingredients
• Look

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

• Lethal Cosmetics Ornamental (P, $15.50) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar).
• bareMinerals Golden Gate (LE, $22.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
• Tarte Prim (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
• Tom Ford Beauty Cool (Winter 2016) Highlighter (LE, $60.00) is cooler (90% similar).
• CoverGirl Medium Rose (DC, $9.99) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar).
• Milani Dolce Pink (P, $7.99) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
• Makeup Revolution Make Love Instead (P, $5.00) is cooler (90% similar).
• Edward Bess South of France (P, $45.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
• Tom Ford Beauty Ravish (Discontinued) (DC, $60.00) is darker (85% similar).
• MAC Rio (LE, $34.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).

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Formula Overview

$38.00/0.15 oz. - $253.33 Per Ounce

The Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder is designed to have the “illuminating effects” of their Strobe Lighting Powder with “vivid cheek colors.” The formula features “buildable color” with a “natural-looking, radiant finish.” The texture of the powder is very, very silky and finely-milled, which can result in noticeable powder that gets kicked up in the pan, though they apply beautifully to the skin and never look dry or dusty actually applied (which is where it counts!). One of the things I have noticed over the years is that the depth of color can vary dramatically depending on the marbling of the powders; some have more of the “Strobe” shade and others have more of the “blush” shade. They last between seven and eight hours on me typically.

Browse all of our Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Blush swatches.

Ingredients

Ingredients: Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Boron Nitride, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Octyldodecanol, Silica, Dimethicone, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Alumina, Water/Aqua, Benzoic Acid, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Diamond Powder, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-7, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sorbic Acid, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Tin Oxide, Trimethylsiloxysilicate. May Contain (+/-): Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Carmine (Ci 75470), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891).

Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.

Looks Using this Product

Brighter Pastels for Easter 2017

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A Smoky Copper & Plum Look featuring Charlotte Tilbury Stars In Your Eyes

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Hourglass Vol. 4 Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Vol. 4 Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Vol. 4 Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Vol. 4 Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Vol. 4 Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Vol. 4 Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Vol. 4 Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Dim Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Dim Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Dim Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Dim Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Diffused Light over set foundation (your left) vs. Set foundation only

Diffused Light over set foundation (your left) vs. Set foundation only

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light (left) on top of / Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Foundation

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

Hourglass Filtered Bronze Light Ambient Lighting Bronzer

Hourglass Filtered Bronze Light Ambient Lighting Bronzer

Hourglass Filtered Bronze Light Ambient Lighting Bronzer

Hourglass Filtered Bronze Light Ambient Lighting Bronzer

Hourglass Luminous Glow Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass Luminous Glow Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass Luminous Glow Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass Luminous Glow Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass Euphoric Fusion Ambient Strobe Lighting Blush

Hourglass Euphoric Fusion Ambient Strobe Lighting Blush

Hourglass Euphoric Fusion Ambient Strobe Lighting Blush

Hourglass Euphoric Fusion Ambient Strobe Lighting Blush

Hourglass Vol. 4 Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Vol. 4 Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Vol. 4 Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Vol. 4 Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Vol. 4 Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Vol. 4 Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Vol. 4 Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Dim Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Dim Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Dim Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Dim Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Diffused Light over set foundation (your left) vs. Set foundation only

Diffused Light over set foundation (your left) vs. Set foundation only

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light (left) on top of / Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Foundation

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

Hourglass Filtered Bronze Light Ambient Lighting Bronzer

Hourglass Filtered Bronze Light Ambient Lighting Bronzer

Hourglass Filtered Bronze Light Ambient Lighting Bronzer

Hourglass Filtered Bronze Light Ambient Lighting Bronzer

Hourglass Luminous Glow Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass Luminous Glow Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass Luminous Glow Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass Luminous Glow Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass Euphoric Fusion Ambient Strobe Lighting Blush

Hourglass Euphoric Fusion Ambient Strobe Lighting Blush

Hourglass Euphoric Fusion Ambient Strobe Lighting Blush

Hourglass Euphoric Fusion Ambient Strobe Lighting Blush