Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder

I was ultra-intrigued when I saw Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder ($45) at Sephora online. Then I read a couple of glowing reviews (the powder would make me glow), and I was sold. I had to have one - except that the colors looked fascinating, so I ordered three. One is in my take-back box at the moment, along with a few Stila Color Balm Lipsticks I never opened.

Carisa Janes, Founder of Hourglass, had articulated something I've observed. “I learned early on how different types of light can truly flatter the complexion. Growing up, my mother had pink light bulbs in all of the lamps throughout the house. She loved pink light because it was the softest and most flattering, and she always wanted to look good. I used this concept of lighting in Ambient Lighting Powder.” Think about how good you look in soft candlelight in a restaurant. If you've never noticed, pull out a mirror and look!

"This universal finishing powder features state-of-the-art technology to recreate the most exquisitely flattering types of light." When I read that, I was sold.

Create your perfect light. Ambient Lighting Powder is a groundbreaking collection of finishing powders that capture, diffuse, and soften the way light reflects on your skin. Ambient’s illuminating particles are one of the first ever to exhibit both photoluminescence and color-correcting capabilities. The transparent micron-sized spheres with an entrapped diamond core - called photoluminescent technology - do not simply cloak imperfections like traditional powder, but rather, alter and refine the perceived appearance of the complexion by manipulating and filtering out harsh light. Delivering a multidimensional luminescence to every skin tone, skin appears softer, younger, and lit-from-within. With six universal shades available, you can choose to create your desired lighting effect - not unlike having a personal lighting technician. Ambient is free of talc, gluten, fragrance, parabens, and nanoparticles.

I had high expectations. So high, I even ordered the Ambient Powder Brush ($35), a densely packed brush said to be ideal for evenly dispersing Ambient Lighting Powder all over the face. It comes equipped with extra-soft, high-grade Taklon bristles and is packaged in a protective travel-pouch.

Here are Diffused Light, a pale yellow, and Dim Light, said to be a neutral peach-beige. The brush is shown below.

The brush was an experiment. It's relatively large, which is good for applying powder to the entire face, and also useful for getting into the corners near the nose. On the other hand, it's not a great tool for buffing, something you might want to do with your finishing powder. It's soft. It feels good, but won't buff the powder once you apply it - if you wish to buff it into your foundation.

This is where my story derails. I found nothing novel, unique, or noteworthy about these Ambient Lighting Powders. Perhaps I selected the wrong shades for my complexion, but I had the impression that I could mix and match to suit the appearance I wanted to create. I don't want to discourage you from trying these. They seem to be popular, but maybe they are best for different skin types and complexions.

Here are the two shades I've been testing, pictured in full sun. Because they are finishing powders, I had to apply them heavily to my arm so that they would show up in photos.  Diffused Light is shown at the top, with Dim Light below. The colors are as-described: light yellow and a peachy, warm beige.

Neither of these powders makes me glow - no glow, no shine, no special effects. In fact, you can see in my photos that my own skin glows from the direct sun more than the swatches.

One would never apply these powders as heavily as I did for these swatch photos. So imagine these color sheered out significantly and what do you get? A tinted powder. If you want to use them for color correction, I think they would be great - along the lines of Bobbi Brown's Retouching Powders. Actually, the only one I can use as a finishing powder is Diffused Light. Dim Light is too dark for my skin. I can only use it where I wish to create shadows.

Since these powders have received such critical acclaim, I feel like there's something wrong with me - my expectations, my approach, my application, my impressions. How could reviewers claim to glow with an ethereal light? One had darker skin for sure, but I just don't get the glow.

I'm going to throw this one open for suggestions and feedback. Did I buy the wrong colors? Hourglass says, "Choose one or more and step into your perfect light." I'm wondering if I should have purchased Mood Light, a sheer lavender-pink. Have you tried these new wonder-powders? What colors? What did you think?

I'm not giving up yet. However, I'll be holding my Guerlain and Chantecaille powders tightly and with a renewed appreciation.

Photo at top courtesy of Sephora; other photos by Best Things in Beauty