I have to assume there is some kind of witchcraft going on here because I don't understand how this product can be this magical!

I am not one to spend a lot on powder because I feel like powder is powder - but this is not powder. It is like airbrushing your face - evening out the tone and texture and adding the perfect amount of colour and luminosity (I use it in place of a bronzer because I have fair skin).

As other reviewers mentioned, I definitely recommend using this IN ADDITION to a setting powder as it does little to control oil and your tzone will be shiny if you use this alone.

But man oh man, I've never seen anything like it.

This had been on my wishlist for quite some time so it wasn't exactly an impulse buy. I was really excited to finally get it. I got this in Diffused Light. I was underwhelmed as it did absolutely nothing for me. I quickly returned and felt like I had bought into the hype.

I was so excited for these! Sad, but definitely a no go. I tried dim and diffused light. I didn't notice anything spectacular when I put them on, and within an hour or 2 I was terribly greasy and my pores looked huge! Not a fan :(

I am not sure why - considering my overall dislike for powder highlighters on mature faces - but I bought this based on the you tube hype I was listening to ... big mistake. I paid $45 for this product in "diffused" light. The price, for the result you get, is almost obscene. (and, to boot, mine came through the mail from Sephora slightly cracked)

I had hoped that this might be a subtle enough highlighting powder for my more lined 58 year old face. No way. I have to say that initially I didn't see much of any effect. None. Then I worked with it a little bit more and could see some effect, but precious little.

It is my opinion that this is a case of a very high end brand coming out with a new product which generated a lot of hype for not a lot of quality product. I, frankly, have not purchased one Hourglass product that has worked for me. Considering the prices, I may not be experimenting with their line any longer.

I bought this in the shade diffused light. It does give a natural brightness and softness to your skin's appearance. unfortunately the effect only lasted for 2 hours, after that it was no longer noticeable and it settled into my pores. For the price this should be more long wearing.

I've gone through and read some of the negative reviews of this product and I feel as though some people are not using this product correctly. First and foremost, this is an AMAZING finishing powder that all have a slightly different effect. They work well on all skin tones, except for maybe Radiant which is a little too dark for my super pale skin. The product is meant to give a soft-focus effect with a touch of luminosity - a great change from the normal total-matte look I go for because of my oily skin.


The key to using this product correctly is to use it as a finishing powder (the last step after you have done your makeup as you normally would). I would not recommend using this as an actual powder to set your foundation, nor do I recommend using this as an oil control powder. It is talc-free and will do nothing for oil control. So if you have oily skin, like I have, use your normal oil control powder, or whatever you use to control oil, then use the Hourglass powder as the finishing touch.


Also, this product should be used with a light hand. A little goes a long way, and I feel as though some might be putting on too much which only adds to an unfair negative review. These powders do have some pigment to them (they are not translucent) so just a light sweep over the face is ideal. Hourglass came out with a brush designed for this product, but it's almost as expensive as the powder itself and I find it unnecessary. I use it with a fluffy powder brush and it works great. It REALLY does make my skin look so much better and not completely flat and fake. There is a glow-from-within feel to it and I have been getting compliments on how much healthier I look. Right now I only have the Diffused and Luminous colors, but I plan to own them all eventually (except for Radiant which I don't think would suit my skin color).

Uhh.. I don't get it about this product, why was everyone raving about these? I bought Dim Light, returned it, bought Diffused Light, it's a nice powder, but nothing magical.

EDIT: I ended up returning Diffused Light too, I bought the Cargo Blu-Ray powder and prefer that. This product is not worth the hype it gets, in my opinion. I have dry skin and was hoping this powder would work on my skin type, it doesn't, looks cakey even if I use a tiny amount.

I am so happy I found this product. I have light medium combination skin so I wear primer with matte full coverage foundations. I use HD powder on the t- zone but they make my skin look too matte. I have not had luck with setting sprays because my t-zone is too oily and setting sprays do not really help my foundation stay on and often make my whole face look oily. I did not buy this product as a mattifying setting powder so I still use my It Cosmetics powder on my tzone and I lightly swipe a little of this all over my face and WOW does it make my skin look better...It looks like skin! I love the soft glow and blurring of imperfections. I love how it softens and blends my contour/blush and makes my skin look so smooth! Yes it is expensive but I use so little at a time I know this will last a very long time. I am planning on collecting all the colors when I have discounts codes for Sephora.

I love this product. I purchased it in Ethereal Light. The product has a whitish case to it which does not translate to the skin. I purchased it online, so I can't really comment on the various 'lighting scenarios' the other shades are supposed to create. But as far as a powder goes, I consider it perfection, HG status, as it does what a perfect powder (IMO) does: mattifies without creating a powdery look. I've purchased many (MANY) powders (I probably have 10 at home) and all have some negative: I have several Guerlain meteorites which are pretty, but variably sparkly. I have MAC powders which are visible on the skin. I have some natural brand powders (Jurlique loose powder - I can see the powder on my skin; Living Nature luminous powder - a little shimmery). This powder is perfect as my skin looks matte without looking flat or powdery, and there are no sparkly bits (which sometimes I love & want, but not daily). There's a suggestion of luminosity and it makes my skin look closer to flawless. I would definitely repurchase & recommend. continued >>

Ok this is for the Ambient lighting in Diffused Light.....I did not care for this....it looks chalky to begin with, looks ok after a few minutes, but a few hours later it does setlle in my lines and kind of separates making my skin actually look worse instead of better....if you check on the Ambient Lighting in Dim Light, you will see I give it a completely different review....needless to say, this one will be going back to Sephora.