February 11, 2014

Hourglass Diffused Heat Ambient Lighting Blush Review & Swatches

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

Hourglass Diffused Heat Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass Diffused Heat Ambient Lighting Blush is possibly my favorite Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush thus far. I’ve been reviewing each shade individually as you may know because I had hopes that the formula would differ from shade to shade.

Thus far I’ve been a bit disappointed.

Here are some thoughts.

I thought surely my try out with the shade Dim Infusion was a fluke but unfortunately I’ve had the same experience with Hourglass Diffused Heat Ambient Lighting Blush.

Diffused Heat brings together a poppy shade of blush and combines it with a base of Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder which is a soft, warm pale yellow. Hourglass has simply taken everything we love about their Ambient Lighting Powder and added swirls of color pigment to the mix. In my experience the powder gives skin a soft focused glow and I really loved that however, I fail to see that with the blush which is one reason I was disappointed.

I was under the impression the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush was going to provide a luminous glow but in the end you simply get a semi-matte shade of silky baked blush. The beautiful marbled effect is stunning and quite reminds me of the sugar-free (or shimmer free) version of Laura Geller Baked n Brighten Blush. If you desire more of a glow I’d highly suggest try out some of the Laura Geller Baked n Brighten Blushes with a shimmery finish as they provide a good deal of color as well as glow, glow that unfortunately the Ambient Lighting Blush finish lacks.

Hourglass Diffused Heat Ambient Lighting Blush swatches

The texture is soft, very silky but also has a bit of a powdery kick up and some chalkiness. I realize chalky and blush doesn’t sound like a good combination but the finish is very fine. The powdery kick up makes me highly suggest using a lighter hand as you can get a bit too much going on if you’re applying heavily. I wish the powder was dense, it would make for a lot less waste as I find myself swirling and tapping off a ton of excess. It does have a very natural flush of color once blended out though so it is worth the work.

The problem? The lack of glow…where are you glow?! I get more of a matte to semi-matte finish with this. The blushes are promoted to give skin some sort of glow and luminosity but I fail to see it which makes me say, well, this is a nicely formulated blush but there isn’t a lot of special here to warrant paying $35 for it. If it did provide a glow, well, I think I’d be more inclined to rave.

Hourglass Diffused Heat Ambient Lighting Blush fotd

So far, two down, and two more to go in my review series of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Collection!

Tell me your thoughts on them!

I’d love to hear!

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

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‘.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  • Robyn

    I’m glad I didn’t jump on the VIB pre-sale. I was hoping for a glow as well. As much as it kills me to say…so far, I won’t be picking any of them up. Darn. I was so looking forward to them.

  • katrosado

    It looks lovely on you 🙂 Thank you for reviewing Muse. Initially I was excited about these but as reviews have come out I think I’m going to have to pass. They are gorgeous in the pan though!

    • Isabella Muse

      aw my pleasure and thanks kastros 🙂 they really are beautiful! but aren’t as special as I had hoped for!

  • Sarah

    So glad to see a review on these that doesn’t wax poetic about how amazing and obsession-worthy they are. I am no overly impressed and I’m glad you feel the same! Lots of hype but many of the colors all turn out looking so similar! And the formula and pigmentation is good, but not great. Pretty average blush if I do say so! Thanks for the reviews!!!

    • Isabella Muse

      I think they kinda are at first sarah, the promo images made me DROOL! but finally trying them ended up into not as great an experience le sigh! 🙁 my pleasure! Too bad they weren’t as great as we all expected!

  • Phyrra

    I like the color on you. I’m disappointed with the Ethereal blush I bought. Not pigmented enough.

    • Isabella Muse

      sigh 🙁 I didn’t get that one, so far so good on pigment but the glow isn’t there that I expected or wanted!

  • Christine

    When the promo ads came out over these new blushes, I wanted at least two. The ones I wanted are the ones you reviewed: Dim Infusion and Diffused Heat. I can now say these blushes don’t look like they are worth the $35 price tag. I love the Ambient Lighting Powders, but these blushes are a miss. I’m glad I waited for reviews of these blushes and the reviews seem to be similar across the board. Now I can purchase 3 of the Clinique Pop Blushes. Thank you for saving me money!

    • Isabella Muse

      aw my pleasure christine I THINK the clinique pop blushes are much nicer imho!

  • Robin

    Im glad these are a bust. I think I will get cheek pop blushes by Clinique. Better price and great colors.

  • Deb

    I picked up two of these Muse when they went on pre sale for VIBs. I agree with you about the glow part but I have to say I like them because the colors are diffused enough to work with my very pale skin. Actually, I was a little worried about the glow because I have large pores even on my cheeks so I have to be careful. Glad to say, these did not show or collect in the pores at all. What I did was tap over them lightly with my regular Ambient Lighting powder after I finished my makeup and that put just enough soft focus glow on my cheeks to satisfy me. And yes, I wish I didn’t have to do that extra step because that’s what these were supposed to do for you, right? But I use the Ambient anyway so it’s not a big deal. My bottom line verdict is Hourglass missed the mark here only because these turned out to just be another nice blush.

    • Isabella Muse

      that’s my thoughts exactly Deb, just a nice blush, but nothing super unique or different about the formula and at this price, there are many “nice” blushes for less out there 🙁

  • Al

    I was so excited for these when I first saw the promo images, but the swatches are disappointing. I mean, they’re nice blushes, but to me, they all kind of look the same. I can’t help but wonder if these blushes would have been better without the infusion of the Ambient powders. The color portions of these blushes are pretty.

  • Majick

    This review cinches it for me. I was so disappointed when I ordered from Sephora to get my b-day gift and the blushes were not available. (I ended up ordering the Nars Narscissitic palette, hope i like it, and forgot the darn b-day gift. ugh)
    Anyway, I’m thinking that if I just get a few more of the Ambient powders and mix them with my already great blushes from Tarte – VIOLA! how about a color called Diffused Bliss? or Dim Dazzled? LMAO
    I really wanted one of these blushes but I think I’ll treat myself to another ambient powder color instead.

    • Isabella Muse

      maybe during Sephora FF grab ’em? 🙂 they would be worth it at a discount teehee!

      • Majick

        You so bad! LOL! Maybe I will. 😊 Then again, maybe they’ll be there when I order again to get my b-day gift. I really cannot believe I placed that order and didn’t add the gift. I’m really out of practice. Ha ha

        • Isabella Muse

          oh NO! you missed your little bday gift!? haha doubt it wasn’t anything major to get excited about typically it’s the shower gel from philosophy what was it this year?!

          • Majick

            Muse, the gifts are getting better. This year it’s a lippie from MUFE! Prob just a sample size but at least it’s not the shower gel (that I still have unopened from 3 years ago. LoL
            And, GOOD NEWS, Ulta is now doing b-day gifts too; and, I just got a full size CK Mascara from them. they send an email. I’m going to try the mascara tomorrow, it looks pretty cool- has this wind out brush? I’ll keep you posted. LoL

          • Isabella Muse

            LOL it’s always the worst Philosophy shower gel ever, that freaking vanilla cupcake! lol! AWESOME! that’s pretty damn good! 😀