Here’s a preview of the recently released, limited edition Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette ($80.00 for 0.29 oz.). One of the main concerns I saw from readers when the palette was announced was with respect to the size of the palette, both actual size as well as quantity. The pans are smaller than prior palettes, and the majority of blush brushes are too small (even my SUQQU/Chikuhodo Z brushes barely fit, and those are smaller cheek brushes). Here is how it breaks down for value:

• Ambient Lighting Edit:  0.294 oz. for $80.00 = $272.11/oz.
  • Contains:  $18.90 worth of Ambient Lighting Powder; $22.87 worth of Ambient Lighting Blush; and $6.28 worth of Ambient Lighting Bronzer
  • Value:  $48.05
• Ambient Lighting Blush Palette: 0.33 oz. for $58.00 = $175.76/oz.
  • Value:  $77.00 worth of Ambient Lighting Blush
• Ambient Lighting Powder Palette: 0.35 oz. for $58.00 =$165.71/oz.
  • Value:  $45.00 worth of Ambient Lighting Powder
• Ambient Lighting Powder: 0.35 oz. for $45.00 = $128.57/oz.
• Ambient Lighting Blush: 0.15 oz. for $35.00 = $233.33/oz.
• Ambient Lighting Bronzer: 0.39 oz. for $50.00 = $128.21/oz.

It’s a real shame that Hourglass priced this year’s palette so high; the value is really out of sync compared to the past palette releases.  On one hand, you can justify spending more even if the quantity isn’t a great value to get six shades for the price of 2-3 products, but the difference in value of products to what you pay is so much more than most kits and palettes where a pesky thing like principles can come into play.  I also think that having the actual size of each pan being so small makes it very hard to use; you really can’t use a powder brush for all-over dusting with the Ambient Lighting Powders (which is how they’re often used) or a blush brush (and forget about a bronzer brush!).

See more photos & swatches!

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette with MAC 129 Brush

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette with MAC 129 Brush

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Dim Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Dim Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Iridescent Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Iridescent Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass Mood Exposure Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass Mood Exposure Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass Luminous Flush Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass Luminous Flush Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass Luminous Bronze Light Ambient Lighting Bronzer

Hourglass Luminous Bronze Light Ambient Lighting Bronzer