Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light has been on my wishlist for a long, long time, and I finally decided to splurge on it as soon as my financial situation became a little more stable. Let me tell you one thing: this powder is everything I had hoped it would be, and then some; and I don’t regret this purchase one bit.
Hourglass claims these powders will “capture, diffuse and soften the way light is reflected on skin, brighten the appearance, and conceal skin imperfections, pores and wrinkles”.
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| Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in “Diffused Light” |
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| Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in “Diffused Light” |
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| Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in “Diffused Light” |
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| Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in “Diffused Light” |
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| Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in “Diffused Light”: left – swiped; right – closeup of the swipe. It’s invisible when blended into the skin. |
Ambient Lighting Powders are not tailored to match complexions like most similar products; instead they’re meant to add a specific “light” effect to your skin, making it look smoother and more even-toned. The shade I bought, Diffused Light, is described as a “soft, warm, pale yellow … that conceals redness and gives skin clarity – like a soft ray of morning light”.
The packaging is absolutely gorgeous: like most [all?] Hourglass products, this powder comes in an elegant antique bronze-colored container. Rounded edges make it very comfortable to hold, and even the clasp looks beautiful.
You will need to use your own applicator, because these powders don’t come with brushes. Hourglass recommends using their Ambient Powder Brush [of course they would], but any large powder brush will do, or maybe even a fluffier Kabuki brush that isn’t too dense. I normally use Le Metier de Beaute Kabuki Brush – it’s a nice size for these powders and grabs just enough product with minimal waste.
Speaking of waste, Ambient Lighting Powders are fairly powdery, which makes it very easy to scoop too much. I don’t think overapplying is going to be an issue, since these are virtually invisible on the skin, they just won’t last as long.
Just as advertised, Diffused Light works well to minimize the redness and mimic the glow of the morning light, and I just love that effect! The formula is so finely milled, it’s virtually invisible on my face. How do I know it’s there? Because it just adds that subtle “blur” effect, making my skin look slightly photoshopped. I think it’s a great shade for everyday wear, just because the powder is not in-your-face obvious, so even if you work at a place where wearing makeup is frowned upon, Diffused Light will make your skin look great and won’t give you away.
The longevity is impressive as well – I applied the powder in the morning, and it was still there at the end of the day when I was removing my makeup.
THE VERDICT
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light is the kind of product that will make people compliment your beautiful skin and not your makeup. It’s a very flattering shade that helps minimize redness and discolorations, while slightly blurring out imperfections, fine lines and enlarged pores.
PRODUCT RATING
99%, A+
Formula 9.5/10 | Application 10/10 | Pigmentation 10/10 | Longevity 10/10 | Product 10/10
PRICE & AVAILABILITY
$45 USD for 0.35 oz. Available at Sephora.
Ingredients:
Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Boron Nitride, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Octyldodecanol, Silica, Benzimidazole Diamond Amidoethyl Urea Carbamoyl Propyl Olymethylsilsesquioxane, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sorbic Acid, Olyacrylamide, Benzoic Acid, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Potassium Sorbate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Laureth-7, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trimethylsiloxysilicate. May Contain : Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Ci 77163 (Bismuth Oxychloride),Ci 77491 (Iron Oxide),Ci 77492 (Iron Oxide), Ci 77499 (Iron Oxide),Ci 75470 (Carmine).
