February 25, 2014

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Review

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush are back in stock across the board and I’m sure many of you are exciting to check them out for yourself! I just wanted to go over some of the things I liked about these blushes and some of the things that disappointed. I’m kinda hopeful some of my thoughts my help you along your way in deciding if you do or do not need to try them.

Let’s take a look at this recap review.

So far I’ve reviewed four of the six shades of Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes available. I had a really good time with them but I had grievances too and some disappointments.

Reviews:

 

Hourglass radiant magneta Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass radiant magneta Ambient Lighting Blush swatches

Hourglass Radiant Magenta Ambient Lighting Blush fotd

Radiant Magenta

Hourglass Mood Exposure Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass Mood Exposure Ambient Lighting Blush swatches

Hourglass-Mood-Exposure-Ambient-Lighting-Blush-fotd

Mood Exposure

Hourglass dim infusion Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass dim infusion Ambient Lighting Blush swatches

Hourglass Dim Infusion Ambient Lighting Blush fotd

Dim Infusion

Hourglass Diffused Heat Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass Diffused Heat Ambient Lighting Blush swatches

Hourglass Diffused Heat Ambient Lighting Blush fotd

Diffused Heat

As a lover of the soft focused finish I get from Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder I have to admit that you’ll get that same soft focused finish from Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush. The blushes have an absolute seamless finish. You can’t tell where they begin and your skin ends as the color creates a very natural, even finish on skin same as the powder does. I think the blushes look very, very natural no matter how lightly or heavily you apply them. This isn’t to say they are sheer because they are not but they have a knack for never looking over done. I know I can use that in my life because I apply blush very heavily, guilty as charged.

I think they got promoted as a glowing blush of sort when reading the promotional material for them and this is slightly disappointing. I’m not glitter, shimmer, or sparkle but just more of a finish like you’d get from MAC Power Petal. It’s that soft glow-y look of health. Unfortunately Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush lacks that somehow. The entire idea of Ambient Lighting Powder is to give skin a bit of a candlelit glow and even the powder doesn’t quite produce that. It’s more of a softer, even focused which is equally as a flattering as a glow but slightly disappointing if you expected that glow. The finish for me was more of a softer semi-matte consistency because there isn’t any real sparkle, glitter, shimmer, or even an iridescence here. The interesting thing about the blushes which I’m unsure if people realized or not is the fact their base if an Ambient Powder shade. So each blush is based upon a single Ambient Lighting Powder shade and Hourglass simply swirled in a complimentary color blush. It’s quite an interesting concept really but I think in combining the two sometimes you’re missing out on the effect the powder produces.

I think the formula is slightly disappointing because it is a bit dense, drier, and even dare I say chalky and powdery. Not the chalky aspect and even the dryness and density of the powder isn’t an issue because it blends flawlessly! The real issue is even though dense these kick up a heck of a lot of powder when you swipe through them and that’s quite wasteful as you’ll find yourself tapping access off. At $35 each I don’t think you can really afford to waste that much powder each time you use the blush.

Which brings me to another point…..price. $35 for what you’re getting is a little expensive. I do so urge you to try out a Laura Geller Blush m Brighten versus these as they are merely which are a few dollars cheaper and will give you a nice glow. I wish they would more around $25-$30 and even $30 is pushing the envelope slightly.

I have to admit I have a love hate relationship with Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush. On one hand I think the formula has a suburb natural finish but many other aspects contribute to my disappointing with the product including formula, price, and other points. This seems to be a season of blushes and many other competitive brands have produced blushes that are cheaper this Spring!

Do you need them?

I’d say yes but maybe around or during the Sephora Friends and Family Sale when you’ll get 20% off that $35.

Can’t wait?

Maybe just try one shade and see what you think!

Tried them already?

I’d love to hear your mini review or thoughts!

I purchased this item.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Georgia

    From your reviews I will pass. But I did buy The Balm How bout them apples….and I am in love. Hands down best purchase in a long time. I get 6 great blushes for the price of one Hourglass blush.,and some hot cowboys to look at…need I say more?

    • Isabella Muse

      I am glad to hear it as I loved the palette too Georgia 😀 they are great cream blushes!

  • melanie

    I do agree with you on the product being chalky and powdery but its not terrible. I have 5 of them with the exception of Radiant Magenta. Dim Infusion is not to chalky at all a normal brush to product payoff. What I love is these blushes are so pigmented and such long wearing for me I am able to justify the price plus I use them often. I have very oily skin and these hold up well. If you have oily skin outside of the normal tzone a product that holds up is a holy grail product. I do see the lighting and glow effect in each but I am no expert. I am quite impressed with the Hourglass line, I have the primer the ambient powders and anxious to try one of the foundations for oily skin. I love spending money on products I don’t need. Its not going to change I have stopped trying LOL !!!!!

    • Isabella Muse

      not at all it blends very well with some with this type of texture and the wear is fairly excellent on my drier skin 😀 aw I’m glad you’re enjoying them that’s REALLY ALL that matters 🙂

    • Claudia

      I have a quick question, I have 4 of the blushes and am trying to decide whether I should return Diffused Heat or Luminous Flush but I just can’t decide. Which do you like better?

  • carolineL

    I too have a love/hate relationship with these blushes. I have Mood and Ethereal and wished I picked up Radiant Magenta instead of Ethereal. It just doesn’t show up well on my NC30 skintone. It does show a nice “glow” when I use it as a highlighter. Mood is a beautiful color and reminds me of Tarte’s Exposed blush. Mood didn’t do any dimming effects on me but love the color. So, I love how Ethereal makes me “glow” and Mood is just pretty, but I hate that it is just a blush. Nothing more. Too expensive for what it doesn’t do. I’m in the fence about returning them.

    • Isabella Muse

      I think I’m keeping them because they are pretty I just wish there was something more unique about them…color is beautiful as is the formula but..I dunno I expected something else from them!

  • Icequeen81

    In the swatches they look a bit chalky, but applied on you they look great , of course you can tell us better about the texture and how long it stays
    but I miss a bit shade description,

  • Gwen

    Hey Muse! Long time, no talk to…I got a new job along the way…anyway…I wasn’t as thrilled with the blush as I have been the powder. The powder has become my hg and I never thought I’d say that cause I am fickle as they come when it comes to makeup. I’ve missed being in the loop, back on now and that’s better….oh yeah, my grandaby that’s coming is a BOY! I’m taking him to baseball games and teaching him how to do Grammy’s eyeliner. I’ve never mastered the cat eye either….
    blessings to you darling girl..xoxox

    • Isabella Muse

      congrats Gwen 😀 new job, new grandbaby, sounds like 2014 is off to a good start my dear! LOL well I hope he can master it bc if so I’m coming over so he can do mine too ;-D <3! I really loved the powder too but the blush just wasn't that great 🙁

  • Abryda

    I purchased just 1 Muse, & just like you I was a little disappointed myself. I’m happy with what I purchased but I will not be buying any others & I am a big fan of Laura Geller products which I pretty much have every single blush & brighten she came out with & that’s a little bit of what I expected from the Hourglass that glow which I LOVE from Laura Geller. She has a true beautiful Ethereal blush if anyone is interested. Thx for the review Muse.

    • Isabella Muse

      I really love the Laura BnB’s too Abryda and really wished that Hourglass had captured some of that with these….! They are a beautiful formula I just wished for more luminosity!

  • Evie

    Hi my beautiful Muse. I have only recently discovered your website and I absolutely love your reviews, thoughts and gorgeous pictures. I find you highly informative and have already made a few purchases (or decided against a couple of things) because of you. I was curious if you had ever or were ever thinking of doing a review on the Laura Geller m Blush that you had mentioned. I would love to see your reviews and pictures before I go and buy it. Thank you for you insightful information Isabella Muse. You’re doing a great job.

    • Isabella Muse

      Hi evie how are you feeling today? So nice to meet you and thank you for commenting today! I’m super flattered 🙂 I’ve actually done a few reviews on her blushes in the past if you have a look in the archives here’s some of my past reviews but there are plenty others 🙂 https://www.musingsofamuse.com/2013/09/laura-geller-dreamsicle-blush-n-brighten-review-swatches.html and https://www.musingsofamuse.com/2013/06/laura-geller-pink-buttercream-blush-n-brighten-review-swatches.html

      • Evie

        You are so wonderful. Your website is so convenient, but I was a little lazy to go through the entire listings of Laura Geller on your search engine or the blush section. Thank you very much. I guess I’m a little late to the party on that one. You’re so great. I just lost my mother to breast cancer last Monday and I swear, looking at your site’s reviews and different make up, along with everything on Sephora’s site, has been like therapy. You are so upbeat and charming, it truly makes me feel a little better on the inside. Plus helping me to save money and pick out quality products is something my mama would be proud of. Thank you.

        • Isabella Muse

          evie, I’m really sorry! Just took a moment to email you. I’m super close to my mom so I can’t even begin to understand what you are going through. I’m thinking of you. <3! I'm glad Musings and my dorky self maybe helped you a little! Get your mind off your sadness! awww I bet she would be. no, thank YOU! Thank you for sharing your time with me, time that's very precious. Be well and please stop by anytime to just tell me how you are doing it doesn't have to be about makeup :) I'd love to just say hello to you....lord knows we all get off topic here about tv, games, books, anything :) remember to laugh, really it is the best medicine. and if you need inspiration I'm positive some of my weird beauty unusual posts will crack you up here's a little link hopefully it'll give you something to giggle out right now during a time of feeling badly :( https://www.musingsofamuse.com/category/bits-bobs/beauty-most-unusual if you need anything I’m just a comment away! many many hugs!

          • Evie

            Thank you for everything. You are truly a sweetheart. Best wishes…and I will definitely be coming by when I need a good laugh, distraction or great beauty review. Thank you, darling, you have made my day today much brighter (and that is a great feat for it has been raining nearly half of the day today!)

          • Isabella Muse

            hi evie sorry for the delayed reply been swamped 😀 <3! I hope you're doing well together! hehe anytime...I'm a dork so I'm sure I can make you smile at something! And you as well 😀 ugh we are having the worst Winter with the coldest weather and rain isn't the half of it 😀