Hourglass Diffused Heat, Dim Infusion and Luminous Flush Ambient Lighting Blushes, Spring 2014, Photos, Swatches and Review

Ambient Lighting Powders are one of the best-selling products from Hourglass. These powders, with photoluminescent technology, soften and diffuse the way the light reflects on your skin. Since their release last spring, they have raised the bar on finishing powders, letting you look your best in any light. When the product was first launched a year ago, it caused nothing short of a riot. Hoping to hoping to expand the line, they recently released a new "hybrid" product focused specifically on the cheeks and cheekbones.

Hourglass Diffused Heat, Dim Infusion and Luminous Flush in studio lighting

Ambient Lighting Blushes are marbled mixtures of Ambient Lighting Powder and classic cheek color. Hand made in Italy using a technique called miscelare to achieve the perfect ratio of blush to powder, like a snowflake, no two blushes are alike. Designed to add dimension and luminescence, Ambient Lighting Blushes bathe the cheeks with a softly, flushed luminosity.

Hourglass Luminous Flush, Dim Infusion and Diffused Heat in studio lighting

Intended to be matched with the corresponding Ambient Lighting Powders, there are six different shades of blush. Though you aren't required to use the powders with the blushes.

• Dim Infusion (Subdued coral blush fused with Dim Light to add warmth)
• Diffused Heat (Vibrant poppy blush combined with Diffused Light for a subtle halo effect)
• Ethereal Glow (Cool pink blush fused with Ethereal Light for a moonlit luminosity)
• Luminous Flush (Champagne rose blush fused with Luminous Light to evoke a candlelit glimmer)
• Mood Exposure (Soft plum blush fused with Mood Light to brighten the complexion)
• Radiant Magenta (Golden fuchsia blush combined with Radiant Light for a summer glow)

Hourglass Luminous Flush, Dim Infusion and Diffused Heat in studio lighting

Diffused Heat ($35 for 0.15oz/4.2g) is a swirling blend of Diffused Light, a soft, warm pale yellow, and a striking crimson red blush. There is fine shimmer that is visible in the pan. When swirled together and used, Diffused Heat becomes a light medium to medium light, delicate, warm-toned, salmon pink with red undertones and a satiny-matte finish. Though there is shimmer in the pan, most of it falls off when it is applied with a brush.

Hourglass Diffused Heat in studio lighting

Hourglass Diffused Heat in studio lighting

Hourglass Diffused Heat swatches in studio lighting

Hourglass Diffused Heat swatches in studio lighting

Dim Infusion ($35 for 0.15oz/4.2g) is a rippling combination of a muted tea rose and Dim Light, a neutral peach beige. When worn, Dim Infusion becomes a light medium to medium light, somewhat subdued, warm-toned, peachy red orange with a hint of pink and a soft, luminous, glowing sheen. On me, it works more as a bronzer than a blush.

Hourglass Dim Infusion in studio lighting

Hourglass Dim Infusion in studio lighting

Hourglass Dim Infusion swatches in studio lighting

Hourglass Dim Infusion swatches in studio lighting

Luminous Flush ($35 for 0.15oz/4.2g) is a whirling fusion of intense french rose and Luminous Light, a champagne pearl. On the skin, Luminous Flush becomes a medium light to medium, subdued, warm-toned, dusty rose, a shade of pink-red with a delicate, illuminated finish.

Hourglass Luminous Flush in studio lighting

Hourglass Luminous Flush in studio lighting

Hourglass Luminous Flush size comparison in studio lighting

The Ambient Lighting Blushes are the first products to be packaged in Hourglass's new, updated packaging. The blushes are housed in the same style of compact, this time an antique rose gold compact with bold, matte black lettering in a familiar typeface instead of the old rosy brown case and stylized gold font. The outer packaging remains the same. The blushes are significantly smaller and thinner than the powders.

Hourglass Luminous Flush swatches in studio lighting

Hourglass Luminous Flush swatches in studio lighting

I found the texture of the Ambient Lighting Blushes to all be similar. They were all incredibly soft, satiny and smooth. I noticed that Diffused Heat felt perhaps a touch superior, more silken and sleek. I could also feel a difference between the two different components of each blush, more so with Luminous Flush. Though that was only at first until the surface wore down somewhat. Though extremely finely-milled, they are also quite powdery and somewhat chalky. As you apply them, you can literally see the dust flying in the air.

Hourglass Luminous Flush, Dim Infusion and Diffused Heat swatches in studio lighting

The main thing that I have noticed about the Ambient Lighting Blushes is that the resulting color end up with, is largely determined by what your blush looks like in the pan. I have seen some blushes with little powder and others with little color. What you end up with can also be dependent on where you sweep your brush on the compact. If you place your brush in the center of the compact, and most of the color in your compact is on the outer edges, than your color can also differ.

I also noticed that the "Luminous Light" powder in "Luminous Flush" is significantly darker than the actual Luminous Light Ambient Lighting Powder is. The "lighting powders" in Luminous Flush and Dim Infusion are virtually the same color. Though their corresponding Ambient Lighting Powders produce the different results.

Hourglass Luminous Flush, Dim Infusion and Diffused Heat in studio lighting

I have somewhat mixed feelings regarding the Ambient Lighting Blushes. The artist in me finds them beautiful and reminiscent of Jackson Pollock's drip paintings. They are simply stunning and look exquisite on. Yet, I'm not quite sure if they live up to their promise. I typically have normal to oily skin, yet I found them drying when I wore them, with makeup or alone on bare skin. I imagine the "drying" effect would be magnified on someone with drier skin. I also found the smaller size of the compact somewhat difficult to use. It was challenging to swirl a larger, fluffier blush brush inside and get an even mix of color.

Though I appreciate that each blush is unique, I wish there more consistency from blush to blush, with a more even mix of powder to pigment. Then there is the subject of wear time. These seem to fade rather quickly. I've read of these lasting anywhere from three to eight hours. When I tested them, they lasted about four to five hours before I noticed any fading and by six hours they had faded considerably. I would recommend testing and purchasing in a store before you buy, so you can select a blush with an even mixture of color and powder.

 For more swatches and reviews, check out Temptalia, My Lucite Dreams, Will Work for Makeup and Musings of a Muse.

I purchased my Ambient Lighting Blushes at Hourglass Cosmetics and Sephora. They are also available at Barney's and Space.NK.

What do you think of the new Ambient Lighting Blushes from Hourglass? Have you tried them yet? Do you have a favorite?