HOURGLASS Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder in Brilliant Strobe Light | Review and Swatches

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HOURGLASS Ambient Strobe Lighting Powders and the Ambient Strobe Light Sculptor are the latest releases from HOURGLASS, and they absolutely live up to, if not exceed, expectations.

The Ambient Strobe Lighting Powders are stunning highlighting powders that are ultra finely milled, that glide across the skin effortlessly, and that deposit pigmentation evenly. They neither settle into pores, nor do they emphasize fine lines. They are absolutely stunning, and leave skin with a gorgeous ethereal glow. 

The Ambient Strobe Light Sculptor is essentially a variant on the ever-popular makeup sponge, but it was specifically conceived to use in conjunction with the Ambient Strobe Lighting Powders. It is remarkably effective in its ability to apply and blend the Ambient Strobe Lighting Powders with exceptional precision, great ease and without a steep learning curve.

HOURGLASS Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder Features:

• Ambient® Strobe Lighting Powders are formulated in a sheer base with concentrated ultra-fine mico pearl particles in varying sizes and refraction levels to give off a naturally luminescent highlight to the skin without a heavy metallic finish. 

• Developed with Photoluminescent Technology to capture, diffuse and soften surrounding light to refine the appearance of the skin.

• Can be used wet or dry for varying levels of intensity, taking you from day to night - from an everyday, wearable strobe highlight to a dramatic evening strobe highlight.

• Available in 4 universally flattering shades for all skin tones.

• Designed to be used with the Ambient® Strobe Light Sculptor for the most effortless application.

Left to Right: Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder in Brilliant Strobe Light and Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder in Iridescent Strobe Light (reviewed here). 

Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder in Brilliant Strobe Light is described as a, "shimmering gold powder imparting a lustrous highlight." It is a stunning pale gold powder that is ultra-finely milled to the extent that it has a rather creamy consistency. This ethereal and refined gold shade will flatter a variety of skin tones, and it is even flattering on cooler-toned skin, like mine. It spreads across the skin and deposits color effortlessly and evenly, and it neither settle into fine lines, nor does it accentuate pores. Instead of depositing discernible glitter, that looks decidedly artificial, it leaves skin with a stunning luminous glow. 

The Ambient Strobe Lighting Powders are formulated to be used wet or dry whether one opts to use a  brush or the Ambient Strobe Light Sculptor that was created specifically for the Ambient Strobe Lighting Powders. HOURGLASS suggests that it is best applied with the Ambient Strobe Light Sculptor, and that whether used wet or dry one can easily "achieve varying levels of intensity, taking you from day to night."

Whether you prefer to use a brush or the Ambient Strobe Light Sculptor, Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder in Brilliant Strobe Light and Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder in Iridescent Strobe Light could not be easier to use. Simply dip your tool of choice into the powder and sweep it wherever a luminous finish and ethereal glow is desired. 

Brilliant Strobe Light: A shimmering gold powder imparting a lustrous highlight.

Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder in Brilliant Strobe Light

As was the case with Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder in Iridescent Strobe Light, I actually prefer applying Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder in Brilliant Strobe Light wet rather than dry. One might surmise that it would create a metallic foiled effect, when, in fact, it creates a more luminous finish than it does when applied dry. I found that the damp application accentuated the pale golden hue without appearing harsh or metallic. There is a more pronounced, albeit subtle, sheen that occurs when it is applied damp.

Available in 4 shades:

• Iridescent Strobe Light: An illuminating pink powder imparting a soft highlight.

• Incandescent Strobe Light: An opalescent pearl powder bestowing a celestial highlight. 

• Euphoric Strobe Light: A pearlescent beige powder bestowing a natural highlight.

• Brilliant Strobe Light: A shimmering gold powder imparting a lustrous highlight.

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

Ambient® Strobe Light Sculptor is, "an innovative highlighting tool uniquely designed to add light and dimension to the face to create a refined, natural highlight. Designed to be used with the Ambient® Strobe Lighting Powders, the dual-ended sculptor features an angled side to fit perfectly on the high points of the face, and a velvety-soft flocked side to soften and blend for the most natural and smooth finish."

As I stated in my Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder in Iridescent Strobe Light review, I thought that I might prefer using a traditional brush to the Ambient Strobe Light Sculptor, but after some experimentation I concluded that the Ambient Strobe Light Sculptor offers greater precision than a brush. It is firm enough not to yield too much against the skin, and the angled side offers perfect placement wherever you want to highlight the face. 

The Ambient Strobe Light Sculptor is a wonderful angled sponge made to apply the Ambient Strobe Lighting Powders to the skin either wet or dry, and it is nothing short of a brilliant tool to apply these gorgeous powders. 

Suggested Use:

For a soft, sheer highlight - Sweep the angled side of the Ambient® Strobe Light Sculptor across the powder and apply to the tops of your cheekbones, bridge of nose and cupid's bow. Gently blend in with the flocked side for a smooth finish. 

For a more intense highlight - Dampen the angled side of the Ambient® Strobe Light Sculptor and sweep across the powder. Apply to the tops of your cheekbones, bridge of nose and cupid's bow. Gently blend in with the flocked side for a smooth finish.

Ambient® Strobe Light Sculptor Features:

• Cut at the optimal angle to effortlessly highlight the high points of the face.

• Velvety-soft flocked side softens and blends for a natural, smooth finish.

• Dense texture picks up the perfect amount of highlighting powder to achieve a natural strobing effect. 

• Composed of high-grade, anti-microbial material. 

• Can be used wet for a more intense highlight.

Overall Assessment: HOURGLASS Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder in Brilliant Strobe Light is a gorgeous golden highlighter of the highest quality, and it is stunning whether applied wet or dry. The overall effect is a lovely and refined luminosity– rather than a more pronounced metallic glitter. If you love highlighters, then you really need at least one of these beauties in your life.

HOURGLASS Ambient Strobe Lighting Powders $38.00 each from HOURGLASS, Nordstrom, Space NK, Barneys New York and Sephora.

HOURGLASS Ambient Strobe Light Sculptor $22.00 from HOURGLASS, Nordstrom, Space NK, Barneys New York, Sephora and Net-A-Porter. 

Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own (Affiliate Links).

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