Hourglass ambient lighting blush- review and swatches

It is no surprise that I myself had fallen deeper and deeper into the Hourglass ambient hype, so when they announced that they were going to expand their ambient line with blushes two years ago, I knew I had to have them!  Fast forward to today, I now have all the shades and thought it would be a good idea to do swatches for you guys.  These have easily became my most favourite blushes of all time and they are the no brainer choice when I do my make up. Lets cut to the chase and get started WHOOO~ o(〃＾▽＾〃)o 

Full name of product:
Hourglass ambient lighting blush

Limited edition/ Permanent?:
Permanent

Description:
“A groundbreaking hybrid that combines the customized lighting effects of Ambient Lighting Powder with a spectrum of breathtakingly modern hues for seamless, soft-focus, and multidimensional color.

Discover a new way to blush. Hourglass has fused Ambient Lighting Powder, the cutting-edge collection of finishing powders, with an array of vivid cheek colors, creating a hybrid product that is unique, contemporary, and revolutionary. Unlike traditional blush, which tends to be flat, Ambient Lighting Blush uses Photoluminescent Technology to exhibit depth and dimension. The airy, lightweight powders contain optically transparent particles that amplify the colors to a multidimensional level, effectively reinventing the way you view blush.

Each handmade blush is formulated using an advanced miscelare technique to create the perfect balance of pigment and powder, and no two look alike. (“Miscelare” means “to mix” in Italian.) The six shades—ranging from soft coral to cool pink—offer a wardrobe of captivating accent lights for cheeks. They deliver a radiant, natural finish and offer buildable color to imbue the entire complexion with an otherworldly glow.”

Price:
$35 USD/$41 CAD

Amount of product:
0.15 oz

Duration before expiration:
12 months (1 year)

Where to buy:
Sephora
Hourglass online
Hourglass in store (California)
Nordstrom online

Shades available:

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, May Contain (+/-): Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Carmine (Ci 75470), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891)
Product packaging:
All of Hourglass’s product packaging are very classy, sleek and chic.  Their ambient powders, blushes and bronzers all have this mirrored, high quality plastic that makes their products look high end, although it attracts finger prints and oils easily.

Inside there is a nice sized mirror which I can see half my face…eh it works.  The powder itself is kind of like a square dome and all of them are unique since they are all marbleized and allegedly “handmade”. 

 I would suggest if you guys are buying these in person, ask the staff if you can open them to check the marbling before you purchase. As you can see in the picture above, these two shades are the same color (Incandescent electra).  The blush palette was last holiday’s limited edition product and had three shades, two shades that was permanent and one shade (the middle one) which was limited edition.  Recently, they came out with a “new” shade and it caught my fancy, so I went home with it.  Little did I know that the “new” shade was actually the limited edition shade from the palette but they swatch slightly difference due to the marbling.  In the full sized one, there is significantly less marbling of the pink shade, while the one in my palette was almost 90% pink.  The one in my palette swatches a lot more peachy coral, while the one in the full sized one swatches more of a pale pinky coral.The back has the label nicely printed with the name easily legible, although I wish the label was not clear since the packaging’s reflectiveness make it slightly harder to read.

Color/ pigmentation:
As you know, there are 7 shades in the line and all of them are suppose to be base off of their regular ambient powders mixed with other blush shade pigments (wow that really makes no sense, oh dear).  There are different finishes such as matte, satin and slightly shimmer.  But if you have had experience with Hourglass powders, you would know their “matte finish” somehow still keeps the life likeness of your skin with their very subtle and natural looking sheen to the skin.

Mood exposure: soft plumy, dusty rose shade (satin finish)

Incandescent electra: cool tone, pinky shade (fine shimmery sheen finish)

Luminous flush: warm tone, rose pink shade (satin finish)

Dim infusion: muted browny, coral shade (satin finish)

Diffused heat: warm toned, soft poppy shade (satin finish)

The picture does not show the reddish marbling as true to real life, but it is a lot more reddish in person than it is pink.

Radiant magenta: golden fuchsia shade (satin finish)

Ethereal glow: cool, pale pink shade (satin finish)

Texture/ Finish:
As you can see from the pictures above and my description, out of the seven shades that are offered in the line, one is shimmery and the rest is all “matte/ satin” finish.  I say matte loosely because Hourglass’s ambient powders have a slight sheen to them to keep the skin’s life like qualities which a lot of people, including me.  The texture of the powders are very finely milled, very silky to the touch and it looks very natural on the skin. They are so finely milled that when I go and dab my brush on these blushes, they pick up a bit of loose powder.  So I would suggest not to swirl your brush in these but tap them gently.

Some people might not like these and might say the are under pigmented since they are on the more natural side.  People with pale skin tones would find Ethereal glow, dim infusion, diffused heat easier to work with since they are on the lighter color payoff out of the seven, however you could make any of these blushes work with the right brush and the right amount of product.  The only shades I would say that would work with people with deeper skin tones would be radiant magenta, diffused heat, luminous flush and mood exposure.  For my chocolate ladies out there, not sure if these would work great for you as the pigmentation might not be vibrant enough to stand out on your deep skin type.  I’d suggest NARS blushes if you are on the deeper skin tone.

Lasting power:
For my dehydrated dry skin, on top of my BB cushion that I do not set with any powder or anything, stays on my face the whole day with no problem, about a 8+ hour day.

Fragrance:
These do not have a fragrance to them

Pro:
-natural looking finish
-has a range of shade that would work with a variety of skin tones

Con:
-pigmentation might not be vibrant enough for those with deeper skin tones
-expensive!!!

Repurchase?:
Yes, but that is if I will ever go through one which I highly doubt I would.

Stars given out of 5:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Overall:
I really like these blushes and they have easily become a go to product.  I have changed, make up wise.  Five years ago, I really liked the western style of make up with the heavy eye make up, and everything super done up.  Fast forward to present, I have gotten really into the Korean way of make up and skincare with the heavy emphasis of taking care of your skin (as you can tell with their 10+ products for their skincare routines) and very natural looking make up.  If you were to have handed me these five years ago, I would have been like uhh… no next! But I really love these now since they have a very natural, skin like, “hey is she wearing make up?” look.  My favourite out of the seven is mood exposure since I like more old lady shades, ethereal glow (however I have to build it up to the pale pink shade) and radiant magenta although I have to use a very very light hand with it.  I usually don’t like shimmers in my blushes, but incandescent electra is also one of my go to shades.  In the pan, it looks like the blush is infested with shimmers, however on my skin it looks very natural and not glittery at all, I LIKE! (๑♡⌓♡๑)  Overall I would recommend these blushes if you prefer a more natural , everyday looking make up looks and if you are already are a fan of Hourglass’s ambient powders. Are they really worth the money?  Probably not the best bang for your buck, but if you already are a fan of their powders, you’d easily fall in love with these as well.  Two thumbs up and would recommend.

What do you guys think about these blushes?  Which shades catches your eyes? Have you tried Hourglass’s ambient powders before? And when you buy these for yourself?  Let me know in the comments down below (￣･Θ･￣).

Also follow me on my social media platforms to see what I’m doing and what I’m getting in the mail :D.  Mail time is always fun time for me.～(^з^)-♡ 
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