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Hourglass Cosmetics

Hourglass Holiday 2025 Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palettes

September 19, 2025

Hourglass Holiday Palettes 2025

The Hourglass Holiday Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palettes have launched for 2025 this year and they are beautiful! I picked up three of the four and already put them to the test with demos on Instagram. While I do think there are a lot of repeats and similar shades I do think these are stunning. By popular request I’ve put together a review and a few side by side comparisons to previous year’s palettes.

All the palettes have officially launched now at Nordstrom, Sephora, Bluemercury, Ulta Beauty and Hourglass ($94 each). Each palette has a matching dual ended Ambient Lighting Edit Brush II ($52 each). The Horse Palette is exclusive to Sephora.

Hourglass Holiday Palettes 2025

In addition there are some other sets that have launched including a Face and Eye Travel Brush Set, Best Sellers Set and Sculpt Gloss Duo. I have my eye on the brush set although they look like minis or short handles from the stock photos. I do still have and own the Vegan Travel Brush Set (this one has all full sizes) which I love and use every week, but the new one this year looks great for a more compact option.

Deer Palette

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Deer Palette 2025

The Deer Palette is the lightest option and I think it’s a beautiful one for a more natural look. You can see it in action here. On my medium tan skin the colors pull more on the barely there side, but if I apply a cream or liquid blush first the powders apply with a bit more pigment when layered.

  • Finishing Powder Dream Light
  • Finishing Powder Aura Light (new)
  • Bronzer Diffused Bronze Light
  • Highlighter Iridescent Strobe Light
  • Blush Radiant Peach (new)
  • Blush Vibrant Pink (new)

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Deer Palette 2025

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Deer Palette 2025

Look wearing the Deer Palette:

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Deer Palette 2025

I pulled last year’s Dragon Palette from 2024 swatches to compare.

Hourglass Deer vs Dragon

Swan Palette

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Swan Palette 2025

The Swan Palette is the medium tone option and I love it. I do think all the shades look very similar to previous year’s options (even the new shades), but that mauve purple is SO beautiful I think this is worth a look. If I had to pick one to travel with this seems to give the most look options with the 3 different blush tones. You can see it in action here.

  • Finishing Powder Dim Light
  • Highlighter Golden Hour (new)
  • Bronzer Natural Bronze
  • Blush Luminous Coral (new)
  • Blush Sunset Flush (new)
  • Blush Mauve Fusion (new)

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Swan Palette 2025

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Swan Palette 2025

Wearing same makeup look as the items in the Deer Palette look, lip color is the Hourglass Phantom Glossy Balm in Mist, below wearing the Sunset Flush Blush

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Swan Palette 2025

Below wearing Mauve Fusion

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Swan Palette 2025

I pulled last year’s Evil Eye Palette 2024 to compare. I think I like the look of last year’s better, especially with the pink highlighter, but both are very pretty.

Hourglass Swan Palette vs Evil Eye Palette

Horse Palette

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Horse Palette 2025

The Horse Palette and Brush are both exclusive to Sephora and has all repeat shades. I do think this is my favorite out of all three, but since it has all repeats you might want to shop your stash if you already own a lot of previous years’ palettes. You can see it in action here.

  • Finishing Powder Soft Light
  • Blush Mood Exposure
  • Highlighter Supernatural Strobe Light
  • Blush Iridescent Coral
  • Blush Iridescent Rose
  • Bronzer Glistening Bronze Light

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Horse Palette 2025

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Horse Palette 2025

Makeup worn is same as above, but lip color is the Unlocked Lipstick in Dahlia. Below wearing Mood Exposure + Glistening Bronze Light.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Horse Palette 2025

Below wearing the blush in Iridescent Coral

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Horse Palette 2025

I was a little hard pressed to pick which one to compare this to, but decided to pull the swatches from Leopard 2023 but I do think there are probably others that the Horse 2025 palette is similar to given the repeats.

Hourglass Horse Palette vs Leopard

Overall love. I think the brushes are beautiful and so well made. Based on the feedback you’ve given me so far the consensus is mixed. Some of you are head over heels in love with the launch while others feel there are still too many repeats and similar shades. At this point I definitely do not need another one since I’ve collected the holiday launches for so many years. I still really look forward to the launches and do get a lot of use out of these. Palettes can be hard to love since there is usually one or two shades I am not crazy about, but with these I can say EVERY single shade is wearable. I love that you can mix and layer too. They’re really great for travel or if you need to throw something in your purse to do your makeup on-the-go.

I skipped the darkest palette Fox because the deepest ones are usually too dark for me. I have seen a lot of great tutorials which makes me want to check it out though. If I pick it up I’ll do another review.

The new Hourglass Palettes are all available now. You can find them at Nordstrom, Sephora, Bluemercury, Ulta Beauty and Hourglass.

Hourglass Cosmetics Lips

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm – New Shades

February 6, 2025

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm

Hourglass added four new shades of their Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm ($38 each) and they are incredibly beautiful. Three of them are shimmers and one is a new red. Out of all the Hourglass lip formulas this is probably my favorite, especially since I love a glossy lip.

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm New Shades: Secret, Invite, Wander and Red 0

Above left to right:

  • Secret is a rose with gold shimmer (think MAC Sophisto vibes, but not as frosty)
  • Invite is a medium tan brown with gold shimmer
  • Wander is a light peachy pink with golden shimmer
  • Red 0 is the most perfect wearable red for those who don’t like to wear red

Below also wearing:

Secret

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm Secret

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Invite

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm Invite

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Wander

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm Wander

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Red 0

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm Red 0

Every single color of the new Phantom Glossy Balm is wearable and even though Wander is on the lighter side it still shows up on my lips – the pigment is perfect. The regular non shimmer shades are very soft and almost melty feeling once they’re on the lips. The shimmer version is smooth without texture but they have a slightly stiffer feel which I actually like better.

Since these are glossy balms lasting power isn’t going to be long, but they don’t slide off easily and I really like that the finish is forgiving so it fades nicely. They are nicely hydrating and smooth without feeling thick.

The Hourglass team sent a beautiful press box with the new shades and also included three from the permanent lineup. I’ve reviewed them here, here and here but thought I’d add them here too including Desire (rose mauve), Lure (plum) and Sense (the best nude pink).

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm swatches

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm swatches

Overall love. Every single color is one I think could be universally flattering. I’ve finally found my new holy grail red. I was hoping the peach orange shade Mystic in the Holiday 2024 Duo would be out individually but it looks like it’s only available in the set (still in stock). I might end up buying the set before it sells out since I love peachy coral shades.

Available now at Nordstrom, Sephora, Hourglass Cosmetics and all other Hourglass retailers.

New Hourglass Phantom Glossy Balm shades provided for review.

Bronzer + Blush Highlighters Hourglass Cosmetics

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palettes 2024

September 10, 2024

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palettes 2024

Hourglass dropped three limited-edition palettes and I literally cannot believe it’s already that time of year. There are three palette combinations in the Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette for this year ($90 each). This year they finally launched palettes with mostly new shades and I could not be more thrilled. You can find them now online at Hourglass Cosmetics for the early access. They will be launching globally at other retailers from 9/20.

The three palette options this year include:

Dragon Palette (lightest)
Evil Eye Palette (medium tone)
Lotus Flower Palette (deeper tones)

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palettes 2024

You can order a customized palette online at Hourglass, but I ordered these as the pre-made options. For skintone reference I am wearing the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 6.5. I wear the Hourglass Veil Skin Tint in Shade 9 (reviewed here).

Dragon Palette

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked DRAGON 2024 via The Beauty Lookbook Blog

The Dragon Palette has the lightest tones and variations but I think it’s a versatile one and can be worn on light/fair to tan skin tones. I love this one – it really surprised me because it looks very ordinary in the pan but the shimmers and diffused quality of the powders are really flattering. It’s warmer than last year’s Jellyfish palette.

  • Dream Light Ambient Lighting Finishing Powder – a soft light pearl with a soft opal sheen
  • Peach Fusion Ambient Lighting Blush – soft shimmery peach
  • Divine Light Ambient Lighting Finishing Powder – pale transcluent powder with a pink tone
  • Mauve Haze Ambient Lighting Blush – soft mauve pink
  • Soft Bronze Ambient Lighting Bronzer – mid-tone neutral warm bronze
  • Sunlit Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder – metallic champagne

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked DRAGON 2024 via The Beauty Lookbook Blog

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked DRAGON 2024 via The Beauty Lookbook Blog

Look below wearing the Dragon Palette on the cheeks, Dragon Bronze on the eyes topped with the Hourglass Voyeur Eyeshadow Stick in Phoenix and Urban Decay Moondust in Cosmic Craze + Phantom Glossy Balm in Crave

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked DRAGON 2024 via The Beauty Lookbook Blog

Evil Eye Palette

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked EVIL EYE 2024 via The Beauty Lookbook Blog

The Evil Eye Palette is the medium tone palette of the three. At first glance I thought it would be nearly identical to last year’s Leopard. Side by side swatches show the tones are indeed different with a cooler pink highlight, more neutral/pink tones vs warmer shades. They are similar but I think there are noticeable differences.

  • Soft Light Finishing Powder – sheer soft peach beige
  • Rose Gold Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder – metallic rose pink champagne
  • Pink Fusion Ambient Lighting Blush – soft cool pink glow
  • Oasis Glow Ambient Lighting Blush – shimmery light apricot/peach/tan
  • Vibrant Coral Ambient Lighting Blush – pink coral
  • Natural Bronze Ambient Lighting Bronzer – medium neutral bronze

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked EVIL EYE 2024 via The Beauty Lookbook Blog

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked EVIL EYE 2024 via The Beauty Lookbook Blog

Look below wearing the Evil Eye Palette on the cheeks, Hourglass Scattered Light Eyeshadow in Reflect, Phantom Gloss Balm in Lucid + Pat McGrath LUST Gloss in Peach Perversion.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked EVIL EYE 2024 via The Beauty Lookbook Blog

Lotus Flower

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked LOTUS FLOWER 2024 via The Beauty Lookbook Blog

The Lotus Flower Palette is the darkest variation this year. It’s more neutral in undertone compared to last year’s Snake palette. On my medium tan skin tone the new Lotus Flower pulls warmer than what I see in the pan, but it will probably be more neutral on darker skin tones. I love the colors in this palette, but not so much on my skin tone. The shades are stunning for sure, but since the tones are darker they do require an ultra light hand for my skin tone.

  • Gilded Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder – a stunning warm golden shimmer
  • Desert Flush Ambient Lighting Blush – burnt peach
  • Eternal Light Ambient Lighting Finishing Powder – warm amber tan
  • Radiant Rose Strobe Light Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder – metallic copper rose shimmer
  • Red 0 Ambient Lighting Blush – deep berry pink
  • Bronze Heat Ambient Lighting Bronzer – deep bronze

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked LOTUS FLOWER 2024 via The Beauty Lookbook Blog

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked LOTUS FLOWER 2024 via The Beauty Lookbook Blog

Look below wearing the Lotus Flower Palette on the eyes and cheeks + Phantom Glossy Balm in Slip

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked LOTUS FLOWER 2024 via The Beauty Lookbook Blog

My two favorites are the Dragon and Evil Eye. These arrived at the perfect time as I’ll be traveling soon and will most likely bring one of these with me. Are they worth the price or the splurge? I think they are. I love every single color and each palette has enough shades for a full face look – I often use at least 1 or 2 of the shades on the eyes too.

By popular request, here are side by side swatches of the 2023 palettes vs this year’s 2024 launch:

Hourglass Holiday Palettes 2024 vs 2023 swatches

In case you want a closer look at previous palette launches, here are the blog posts (there are lots more, but here are the more recent ones):

Holiday Palettes 2023: Jellyfish, Leopard and Snake

Holiday Palettes 2022: Butterfly, Elephant and Tiger

Holiday Palettes 2021: Face Universe, Face Universe Unlocked, Edit Vol III

Holiday Palettes 2020: Sculpture Palette, Sculpture Unlocked (quad)

I ordered these palettes the second they launched at the Hourglass website. Since then they’ve added a few more holiday items including a Holiday Brush ($52, 2 variations), new Glossy Balm Duo ($55, Trace and Mystic), Brush Set ($150), Full Face Set + Bag ($270) and a few other sets you can check out here.

Available now at Hourglass Cosmetics. Holiday Launches arriving on 9/20 to Nordstrom, Sephora, Ulta Beauty and all other Hourglass retailers.

Bronzer + Blush Hourglass Cosmetics

Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush Review + Swatches

August 6, 2024

Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush Review and Swatches

Hourglass launched a new liquid blush in dropper format called the Unreal Liquid Blush ($36 each). They also added a new No 15 Blush Brush ($46) which is angled to go along with the new launch. The Hourglass team sent all the shades for review and I have swatches and a closer look today.

Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush Review and Swatches

These Unreal Liquid Blushes are in a small bottle with a dropper at the top. To dispense there is a soft button at the base you press to dispense one drop. They recommend applying to the back of your hand and picking up product with the brush and applying in a stippling method.

Product is very pigmented but with some fluidity, so it is easy to blend and build. There are seven shades and I think the color range is very good. Tones are very flattering although most of them are on the warm side with 3 being peach/coral so if you prefer cooler tones these might be too warm.

  • Scene is a nude pink, this pulls very natural on my skin but still shows up
  • Whim is a bright pink, this one is my favorite
  • Vision is a warm rose
  • Moment is an orange
  • Future is a coral with a hint of pink
  • Imagine is a burnt orange
  • Craft is a berry

Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush Review and Swatches

Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush Review and Swatches

Formula is very easy to dispense without it overflowing. I also like how easy they are apply and blend. Another plus is these didn’t pull off my foundation or powder off when I blended it on top of my base. The Craft shade took a little more effort to blend smoothly since it has the most contrast with my skin tone. They remain dewy on the cheeks after blending but not as dewy as the Pat McGrath Divine Cream Blush.

The Unreal Liquid Blushes are described as being able to last up to 12 hours but this was not the case for me. While the color does stay on the cheeks for a while, after 3-4 hours or color faded on my cheeks and they looked more dewy than when I first applied it. I do think they will hold up better in cooler weather, but even in cooler weather I don’t see them holding up for a full 12 hours.

Looks wearing each blush shade with a coordinating lip color. For skintone reference I’m wearing the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 6.5.

Scene Unreal Liquid Blush + Tide Unlocked Satin Lipstick + Sense Phantom Glossy Balm

Hourglass Scene Unreal Liquid Blush + Tide Unlocked Satin Lipstick + Sense Phantom Glossy Balm

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Whim Unreal Liquid Blush + Reveal Phantom Glossy Balm

Hourglass Whim Unreal Liquid Blush + Reveal Phantom Glossy Balm

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Vision Unreal Liquid Blush + Uncover Lip Liner + Wish Phantom Glossy Balm

Hourglass Vision Unreal Liquid Blush + Wish Phantom Glossy Balm

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Moment Unreal Liquid Blush + Lucid Phantom Glossy Balm

Hourglass Moment Unreal Liquid Blush + Lucid Phantom Glossy Balm

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Future Unreal Liquid Blush + Dove Unlocked Satin Lipstick + Lucid Phantom Glossy Balm

Hourglass Future Unreal Liquid Blush + Dove Unlocked Satin Lipstick + Lucid Phantom Glossy Balm

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Imagine Unreal Liquid Blush + Haze Phantom Glossy Balm

Hourglass Imagine Unreal Liquid Blush + Haze Phantom Glossy Balm

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Craft Unreal Liquid Blush + Impulse Phantom Glossy Balm

Hourglass Craft Unreal Liquid Blush + Impulse Phantom Glossy Balm

Overall I love the colors even if there is one too many peach/orange tones (just my opinion though). I like that the pigment level is easy to control. Lasting power could be improved but that would mean they would have to alter the formula and finish to something less dewy.

Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush Review + Swatches

The brush is very well constructed and works beautifully for blending. I really love the Hourglass brushes, I own quite a few in my collection and use them all the time. I do think you can use any one in your collection though.

If you’ve been curious about these I hope you found this review helpful!

Available now at Sephora.

Shop the Post

 

Blushes sent for review consideration.

Hourglass Cosmetics Lips

New Hourglass Lip Launches: Unlocked Soft Matte Lipstick, Lip Liners + New Shades Phantom Glossy Balm

February 6, 2024

New Hourglass Unlocked Soft Matte Lipstick and Lip Liners review

My spring lip testing continues with a look at the newest launches from Hourglass Cosmetics. They launched a new Unlocked Soft Matte Lipstick ($38 each), Shape and Sculpt Lip Liners ($29 each) and four new shades of their Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm ($36). I hauled these from Sephora but they’re also available at Hourglass, Nordstrom, Bluemercury, Neiman Marcus and all Hourglass retailers.

Unlocked Soft Matte Lipstick

New Hourglass Unlocked Soft Matte Lipstick review

The Unlocked Soft Matte Lipstick is a soft blurred matte lipstick with full coverage. They’re very opaque with full coverage and according to Hourglass they’re infused with a primer for smooth application. I found they did indeed apply smoothly but there was some tugging and looked dry on my lips. Granted a matte finish can look dry, but these felt like they sucked all the moisture from my lips making them feel a little tight.

Most of the colors I tried pulled very warm on me. The matte finish made these look a little muted/faded on me, but it could just be the colors I picked out. They swatch beautifully on the hand. On my darker pigmented lips I did not really like any of these shades. Poppy is pretty and right along the lines of a shade I would wear, but in real life it emphasizes my lip lines and looks very dry.

I do think they are long-wearing but they felt so dry & uncomfortable on my lips I couldn’t leave them on long enough to see how long they would last.

  • Magnolia is a pale warm nude pink
  • Tulip is a cool-toned pink
  • Tigerlily is a burnt orange
  • Peony is a warm brown beige
  • Foxglove is a very warm berry
  • Poppy is a muted coral (not shown above because I dropped it and the entire tube was smashed)

Swatches:

New Hourglass Unlocked Soft Matte Lipstick and Lip Liner swatches review

For skin tone reference I am a match to the Veil Hydrating Skin Tint in Shade 9 right now (reviewed in this post here). I think the original/regular Unlocked Lipsticks are far superior in terms of formula, comfort and color selection.

New Hourglass Unlocked Soft Matte Lipstick looks

Shape and Sculpt Lip Liners

There are seven new Shape and Sculpt Lip Liners. As a neutral lip lover I picked up the four lightest colors. Formula is very long-wearing. Application is relatively smooth. Shades pull very warm and I’m not sure the colors aren’t unique enough to justify if you already own a lot of neutrals.

  • Shade 1 Expose does not show up on my lips, but these days I feel like most of the new lighter neutral pencils do not
  • Shade 2 Flaunt is a warm pink rose beige
  • Shade 3 Tempt is a deeper brown pink
  • Shade 4 Undercover is a darker terracotta brown rose

Hourglass Shape Sculpt Lip Liners

Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm swatches

Last we have a look at the new shades of Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm. I love this formula although in the hot summer months they can get a little melty in the tube. They’re soft, glossy, hydrating and have a slight cooling sensation. Hourglass added the 2 shades from their Holiday 2024 Duo Set and I’m thrilled they’re permanent! These are very balmy so the lasting power isn’t super long, but this is a formula I don’t mind reapplying. Just an FYI price for what you get is pretty high. A number of you have told me to me these were not worth it for you because you used them up in a matter of a few weeks with daily use and re-application. I kinda agree, but I like these enough to splurge on. New Shades include:

  • Crave – warm pink
  • Rouse – plum brown
  • Reveal –  bluer-toned pink (cooler version of Crave)
  • Wish a pretty coral color

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm swatches

I swatched these next to some of the other Phantom Glossy Balms I own:

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm swatches

Overall the matte lipsticks are a miss for me. I think there are better matte lip formulas out there like from brands like Pat McGrath, Lisa Eldridge, Charlotte Tilbury and Armani to name a few. That being said I usually do not like or wear matte lips and I have seen a lot of positive reviews on these – I might be the only one who does not love these.

Lip liners aren’t bad. The colors don’t really jump out to me, but formula is long-wearing and I think they could be neutral staples if you don’t have a lot of lip pencils.

I love the new shades of Phantom Glossy Balm. I think they’re fresh, flattering and perfect for year round – they have me looking forward to warm weather months.

Available now at SephoraHourglass, Nordstrom, Bluemercury, Neiman Marcus and all Hourglass retailers.

That wraps up my Hourglass lip launch review! If you tried these let me know what you thought!

Bronzer + Blush Highlighters Hourglass Cosmetics

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palettes 2023

September 13, 2023

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette Holiday 2023 - Jellyfish

This year Hourglass has three new limited-edition Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palettes ($90 each) and they are stunning. They’re currently available online at Hourglass Cosmetics and will be launching at Sephora starting 9/22.

You can also customize the palette combination of the compact + palette inside on the Hourglass website (they have an exclusive Owl design) although I ordered the palettes as they are named/pre-designed. There are repeats in each palette but Hourglass gave us quite a few new shades this year.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palettes Holiday 2023

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palettes Holiday 2023

Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked – Jellyfish

The Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked – Jellyfish is probably my favorite although I’m not thrilled about the finishing powder repeats. They are nice to have and work well to set or blur, but I think the vast majority of us already own the setting powder and are craving all new shades.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette Holiday 2023 - Jellyfish

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette Holiday 2023 - Jellyfish swatches

Lunar Bronze swatches warm on my arm but it’s actually more neutral. The pink blushes are neutral and the new highlighter pulls cool-toned on me. I am currently in between MAC NC30 and NC35 (I’m wearing NC35 in the new MAC Studio Radiance Serum Foundation) and this one surprisingly shows up on me. At first glance I thought there could be a chance it would be too light but it works for me!

  • Diffused Light Finishing Powder (repeat, available individually)
  • Rose Fusion Blush (new)
  • Opal Strobe Light Strobe Powder (new)
  • Bronzer Lunar Bronze (new)
  • Diffused Heat Blush (repeat, available individually)
  • Ethereal Light Finishing Powder (repeat, available individually)

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette Holiday 2023 - Jellyfish

Look wearing:

Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked – Leopard

The Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked – Leopard Palette seems the most versatile to me but it has a lot of repeats in it. I do think if you’re new to Hourglass or makeup and want a good mix of shades that you can wear with almost any lip, this is it.

  • Dim Light Finishing Powder (repeat, available individually)
  • Celestial Strobe Light Strobe Powder (repeat from Holiday 2022 Butterfly Palette and 2023 Blush & Glow Palette)
  • Mood Exposure Blush (repeat, available individually)
  • Iridescent Rose Blush (repeat from Holiday 2019 Ghost)
  • Ethereal Flush (new)
  • Lustrous Bronze Light Bronzer (repeat from Holiday 2022 Elephant)

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette Holiday 2023 - Leopard

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette Holiday 2023 - Leopard swatches

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette Holiday 2023 - Leopard Look

Look wearing the same as the above look, but with Scattered Light Eyeshadow in Ray and Phantom Glossy Balm in Slip

Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked – Snake

The Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked – Snake is the most unique as it has almost all new shades. It pulls very warm and reminds me of the Holiday 2022 Tiger Palette, but isn’t as orangey. This year’s Snake Palette has more pink tones but still pulls warm.

  • Radiant Light Finishing Powder (repeat, available individually)
  • Coral Haze Blush (new)
  • Infinite Strobe Light Strobe Powder (new)
  • Sun Beam Blush (new)
  • Mystic Flush Blush (new)
  • Solar Bronze Bronzer (new)

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette Holiday 2023 - Snake

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette Holiday 2023 - Snake swatches

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette Holiday 2023 - Snake look

Look wearing the same as the above look, but with Scattered Light Eyeshadow in Foil and Phantom Glossy Balm in Lucid

I tried to get the same camera and lighting settings as last year to do side by side swatches. I think they’re close enough to give you an idea of how different/similar they are. Full review of Holiday 2022 here.

Holiday 2023 vs Holiday 2022 Palettes

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palettes Holiday 2023 vs Holiday 2022

Overall I think the Holiday 2023 palettes are really beautiful. For me they were worth the splurge even though they’re incredibly expensive. Are any of them must-haves? I think it depends on how many other Hourglass palettes you own, but I do think this year’s palettes are among the prettiest ones I’ve tried.

Based on the feedback from many of you, opinions seem mixed. A good portion of you are like me: love these and collect them every year, even if there are duplicates and similarities. Then there are quite a few who passed on the last year’s palettes and aren’t quite sure about this year’s because you own one or two from several years ago and either never used them or think there are too many similarities to justify another one.

With the holiday season approaching (sets come out earlier and earlier every year), I think there will definitely be some upcoming sales like Friends and Family discounts or gift card events etc. You might want to bookmark these or add these to your wishlists for those times.

Currently available at Hourglass Cosmetics. Customization options are exclusive to Hourglass. Pre-designed palettes will be launching at all retailers starting September 22.

What do you think about these palettes? Did you order any of these yet?

Hourglass Cosmetics

New Launches from Hourglass

July 26, 2023

New Launches from Hourglass

Hourglass launched a few new items this summer and I have a closer look today! Today’s post covers the new Veil Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation ($49), new shade of Veil Translucent Setting Powder ($49) and four new Phantom Glossy Lip Balms ($36 each). I ordered mine from Sephora.

Veil Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation

Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation Shade 9

The Veil Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation is a balmy tint with a hydrating feel but nice dry down. It has very sheer coverage that is barely there. I didn’t know what to expect because hydrating tints usually feel thick or heavy on my skin – but the concept was really interesting to me so I ordered it sight unseen. It does have a semi-thick texture but blends out easily with a sponge. Once set with powder it has very good lasting power – it stayed put all day without any touch ups required.

For shade matching, I ordered Shade 8 based on their shade chart. I am a match to Shade 8 in the Ambient Soft Glow Foundation formula (which runs very olive). Shade 8 in the Skin Tint ended up being too light and peachy/pink so I ordered Shade 9 which is a better match but still a bit light. Since the formula is sheer it’s forgiving and I can make it work.

A few of you messaged me on Stories saying you’re a Shade 8 in Ambient Glow and found Shade 10 to be a good match in the Hydrating Skin Tint.

Formula-wise I think it’s surprisingly good, especially since most Hourglass foundations don’t work well for me color-wise or formula-wise. It makes my skin look pretty good! You can see the transformation here (I’m having a bad skin week and I think it smoothed out the skin nicely).

Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation Shade 9

I still prefer something with more coverage like the Too Faced Healthy Glow Moisturizing Skin Tint or Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Complexion Touch. But if you want a hydrating tint with very natural sheer coverage, the Hydrating Veil Tint is definitely worth checking out.

Veil Translucent Setting Powder

Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder in MEDIUM

The Veil Translucent Setting Powder was one I really loved a while ago. I used it up and never repurchased but they added tinted shades in Medium and Deep which I think are great. It’s lightweight and very natural looking. In terms of a blurring effect the Givenchy Prisme Libre is still the better option for an almost airbrushed look, but the Hourglass powder is still very good.

Phantom Glossy Lip Balms (New Shades)

Phantom Glossy Lip Balms (New Shades)

Last but not least we have a look at the four new shades of Phantom Volumising Glossy Lip Balms. All four shades are really beautiful, naturally flattering and easy to wear. It’s been a while since I have worn these even though I own a bunch of colors. I forgot how soft and almost melty the texture is and I’m not sure how I feel about them in this heat. I for sure love these in cooler temperatures. Right now they feel like they will almost slide off the lips in heat. The good news is they seem to stay put pretty well, but adding a liner underneath does help extend the wear.

  • Sense is a peachy pink
  • Desire is a pretty soft mauve raspberry
  • Rise is a neutral beige
  • Impulse is a pretty muted red

Hourglass Phantom Glossy Lip Balms (New Shades)

Full beauty breakdown below wearing:

Hourglass Phantom Glossy Lip Balms Sense

Hourglass Phantom Glossy Lip Balm Desire

Hourglass Phantom Glossy Lip Balm Rise

Hourglass Phantom Glossy Lip Balm Impulse

New from Hourglass Cosmetics

Colors are pure love. I wish the formula wasn’t quite as soft in texture though.

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That wraps up my Hourglass haul review! Did you check out any of these new launches yet? What did you think?