This year Hourglass released two limited edition palettes for the holidays. The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette that has six new shades that are exclusive to the palette and Ambient Lighting Edit Vol 4 palette that I already reviewed here.
The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette is cruelty free and vegan. Hourglass actually donates 5% of each purchase to the Nonhuman Rights Project which is such an amazing cause.
The formula of this palette is infused with Photoluminescent Technology that diffuses and blurs imperfection on the skin but also gives plenty of radiance.
As I mentioned before, all six shades that come in the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette are totally new, never before seen shades. With their previous palettes, they always have repeat shades and also shades that are part of their permanent line. Which for some people that collect their palettes or have most of the blushes and bronzer, it can get repetitive.
The shades that come in the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette are:
- Ambient Lighting Powder in Soft Light: light golden beige with a subtle sheen
- Ambient Lighting Powder in Filtered Light: soft tan with a satin-like luminosity
- Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Golden Bronze Light: warm bronze with a golden sheen
- Ambient Lighting Blush in Nude Glow: warm peachy pink with golden luminosity
- Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Flush: warm rosy pink with a radiant finish
- Ambient Metallic Strobe Lighting Powder in Champagne Strobe Light: champagne gold with a metallic finish
The quality of the powders is the same as the other palettes. When it comes to Hourglass powders, they can’t go wrong in my eyes. They are all beautiful and subtle on the skin and make my skin look better. They give radiance and glow to the skin without being over the top. If you are looking for the glow in within look, then you will love these.
Since I have both palettes that got released this year, I figured I can do a comparison for anyone who is debating which palette to get.
I feel like the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette features deeper shades so it will be suited for light/medium skin tones and up. The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Vol 4 Palette has lighter shades so it is more suited for lighter skin tones. Especially with the face powders, they are suited for fair up to medium skin tones.
Also if you already have the previous palettes, I think the Unlocked Palette is a better choice since it’s all new shades. For me, I think I prefer the Unlocked Palette just because of the shade selection. Both blushes that come in this palette are on the neutral side which I prefer and the bronzer in the palette is deeper so it shows up more on my skin.
On the other hand, I prefer the face powders in the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Vol 4 palette because they are lighter. Filtered Light from the Unlocked Palette is a tan shade so it doesn’t work for me for all over the face (it will work in summer when I’m tanner).
Swatches of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette (direct sunlight)
Swatches of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette (natural light)
Swatches of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Vol 4 Palette (direct sunlight)
Swatches of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Vol 4 Palette (natural light)
Bottom line, it all comes down to shade preference. I think both palettes are beautiful and the quality is there. For me, I will get more use of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette just because of the shades. The bronzer and the blushes both suit my skin tone really well. Also Nude Glow reminds me of Mac Warm Soul which is my most used all time favorite blush. It literally goes with every makeup look.
Heads up, Hourglass is doing their first ever sales event for Black Friday. You can get $20 off on orders $125+, $30 off on orders $150+ and $50 off on orders of $200+ no code necessary.
*Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Vol 4 palette provided by Beautylish. The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette was purchased by me.