Your makeup kicks @ss.
Hourglass, Hourglass,
Face powders lit with all the sass.
Hourglass, Hourglass,
Prepare to drop some major cash!
They say that you should never give up on your dreams…but I don’t think they were referring to me and my dream of becoming M.C. Makeup, because I’m a sh*tty rapper! I might know all the words to most of Lil’ Kim’s songs, but that doesn’t mean they come out in the right order, haha.
This palette, though? — the new Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit – Volume 3? It IS coming out in the right order, because this is the third year in a row that Hourglass has done a palm-sized travel kit o’ powders for the holidays, and it’s numero three.
I love the first one, Vol. 1, and still use it all the time. The second one, however, I bought but soon returned because, even though I thought it was beautiful, it wasn’t right for my skin tone. It was too light.
Like the first one, Vol. 3 has six pans of face powder that I think will suit more skin tones than ever. It also looks pretty chic in that gorgeous rose gold packaging, but it should…because it’s $80.
Of the six pans, three are re-promotes — Dim Light, Diffused Light and Luminous Bronze Light — and three are NEW! — Surreal Halo and Surreal Halo (which are blushes), and Hypnotic Strobe (a highlighter).
Both Surreal Halo and Pure Effect are darker and more intense than the colors in last year’s palette, which is potentially fantastic news for marvelous medium-toned mavens and darker damsels.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit – Volume 3: the six shades
- Dim Light — This subtly luminous peachy beige can set your makeup, and it doubles as a highlighter. It creates that trademark Hourglass Ambient Powder sheen.
I dig this one. I’ve been using it as an all-over face powder and to set concealer.
- Diffused Light — This warm pale yellow can set, highlight and conceal redness, but I can’t really work it now because I still have a tan from summer. For now at least, it’s borderline chalky on me.
Lighter lovelies are in luck, and I suspect that it’ll also work better for me as we get closer to winter.
- Luminous Bronze Light — This medium tan has golden undertones and creates a subtle golden sheen. I think it works better as a bronzer than a contouring powder, but watch out — if I apply too much of it over large areas on my face, it looks muddy and kinda dirty (especially on my cheeks).
I much prefer Hourglass Radiant Bronze Light, which is warmer and more golden, but this one’s also very pretty if you get the amount right.
- Surreal Halo Blush (NEW, exclusive to this palette) — This bright berry is absolutely GORGEOUS and creates a very natural flush. I don’t have anything else quite like it in my Hourglass collection.
I like applying it by doing big sweeps with a large fluffy brush because, for some reason, it looks REALLY good when you cover a lot of skin with it.
- Pure Effect Blush (NEW, exclusive to palette) — This bright petal pink is brighter and more intense than the other pink Hourglass blushes out there.
I like layering it on top of Surreal Halo, where I’ll do a small pop of color on the apples of my cheeks. 🙂
- Hypnotic Strobe Highlighter (NEW, exclusive to palette) — This shimmering champagne gold is great for subtle highlights.
What pores, bruh?
In true Hourglass fashion, these powders are supposed to look good in whatever kind of light you happen to find yourself in. They even say that your skin is supposed to look like you just ran it through a filter, so smoother, softer and more radiant (but not greasy). They call it “Photoluminescent technology,” which is marketing speak, but in this case I don’t think it’s making these powders sound fancier than they are. These finishes are uncommonly kind to my 40+ skin, regardless of the lighting situation.
I took these pics in natural light, and I think my skin looks luminous. It also stayed this way all day long, so huzzah! I love it.
$80 is MAD CRAY, though
If you’re a lady of a certain age, you might fall head-over-heels in love with this palette, but if you’re a teenager or a 20-something with porcelain skin, and you’ve never seen a pore up close in your life, sh*t girl! — enjoy it while you can, ’cause it doesn’t last forever. Save those pennies for a day when you’ll actually need something with skin-smoothing power like these.
Basically, if you’re >30 and all about high-end products that don’t look heavy and won’t highlight your pores, that $80 might be worth it.
Also highly recommended if you’re new to Hourglass
Unlike many brands, Hourglass consistently releases LE products that are just as well made as their permanent products, and Vol. 3 is no exception.
This is pure speculation, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they added the two blushes and highlighter to the permanent line someday. They’ve done it before, so I’m just sayin’… If you’re already rocking a robust Hourglass collection and own singles of the re-promotes in Vol. 3, you may want to wait.
Otherwise, yeah, if you’re new to the line, are OK with the price, and are — ugh, I don’t want to say “mature,” because it’s so played out — but let’s just say that if you’ve been kicking @ss and taking names for several decades, then Vol. 3 is pretty splurge-worthy.
If you’re interested, it’s available now online and at Hourglass counters.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. So…poop. I touch it now. Like every day.
Not my poop! I mean the baby’s poop. She’s going through a “Let me reach into my diaper and see what’s up” phase.
Seriously, it’s all fun and games until there’s poop all over the place. LOL.
Anyway, that’s why I haven’t been around much today. The Coywolf has been extra needy.
She’s over her cold, though, so that’s a BIG PLUS. Right now I’m trying to figure out if I want to have French fries or Chinese food for dinner. Or both. Hmm… Maybe some Tom Ford Lipstick will help me decide.
Hope you had a good day. 🙂
Linda Libra Loca says
I am unsure, still. It is lovely, but I rarely reach for Dim Light, which is the only Hourglass powder I own, and I don´t think I would get much use out of the bronzer, so I guess I can save my money. It really is pretty though!
Glad to hear that she is over her cold. My son is just on the verge of getting ill again, I still hope we can fight it with tea and cuddles, but last night was not good. Desperately trying to make it through the office hours awake now!
Karen says
Poor little guy. I hope he’s 100% soon! It’s hard to see them not feeling well.
Kim says
Hi there! Glad to hear that Connor is just poop-painting and not seriously under the weather. 🙂 Hourglass has so many beautiful products that look awesome on everyone. I’m normally so sad that they break me out but, at $80, I’ll get over my disappointment at not being able to use this palette quickly. HAHA!
Karen says
Bummer that their products break you out, girl… But I guess that just leaves more room in your heart for Chanel. 🙂
Kim says
I love that you’re always glass half full. Even though your suggestion is going to make my wallet half empty. HAHA! Oh, and the face oil in my mascara worked like a charm. I’m so pleased that you mentioned using oil to thin things out.
Daewyn says
Damn, that palette looks amazing! I’m slowly trying to expand my blush and highlighter collection, but 80$ is too steep a price for me atm. That Pure Effect Blush looks totally gorgeous – the entire thing is super tempting.
Karen says
Hi Daewyn,
Let me know if you need any blush or highlighter recs. I have a few that I love!
Happy Thursday. 🙂
Daewyn says
I would love to hear some of your favorites blush/highlighters – That would be amazing! I’m fair-skinned with a neutral undertone (my favorite highlighter at the moment is Vermeer from the Anastasia Beverly hills Modern Renaissance palette lol)
Kim says
(cough) Chanel Malice (cough).
Daewyn says
Uhhh – that looks super pretty. I’ll have to put that on my “to-buy” list 🙂
Dru says
Just got mine in the mail yesterday! So excited to try it out today:)!! I slept on the first one, second was too light, and third is just right;)
Karen says
Hi Dru,
I’m going to wear mine today too! What are you pairing it with?
Have a great Thursday!
Dru says
Hi Karen,
Jouer TM in Bronze, BB Full Cover Concealer in Honey, Chanel Noir Petrole and a sheered out byTerry Bronzed Moon on the lid…then I’m gonna go cray and use all six pans of the Hourglass palette;) Ya know…the usual for a Costco run…lol!
Xoxo,
Dru
Karen says
Hey Dru,
I need to get on that BB concealer… I’ve heard so many great things about it but just haven’t had the chance to give it a try yet. Oh, and I love a dark base with bronze layered on top. I might have to do that today because, ya know, when you take your kid to story time at the library, it’s always better with a smoky eye, LOL!
Barb says
I don’t own any Hourglass products, other than the Vanish Stick Foundation (which I love <3). I do ogle them when I'm in Sephora but haven't purchased any. Maybe I'll ask for a gift card for Christmas and finally break down and grab some.
I'm glad the coy wolf is feeling better and have fun with the poop :)!!
Karen says
Hey Barb,
That Vanish Stick Foundation is THE BEST. Do you have a face oil around that you like? Mix a little bit into it on the back of your hair… It’s magical.
If you’re looking for a place to start in Hourglass I’d recommend any of the blushes. 🙂
Happy THURSDAY!
Lex says
Wow… can’t wait for this to hit stores in the UK – very curious about it. Though I do wish Pure effect was available on its own… 🙁
And hello by the way! I had vanished for quite some time – just been insanely busy. Had a vacation in Biarritz, Fr, and it was amazing, but pretty much as soon as I got back, I got swamped with work. But I do still read your blog whenever I get a change, usually just before bedtime 🙂
Lex previously posted … Guerlain haul: Terracotta Chic Tropic bronzer, KissKiss Matte Lip Color, Intense Liquid Matte, the Eye-stay primer, & Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil
Erin says
It’s so tempting cause I wanted #2 after I saw it in person but was on super tight budget. I like the travel aspect of this and that it’s basically all the face powders you need in one. I have the bronzer in another palette so that’s why I’m torn on this one.