When I finally enter Valhalla after my Viking funeral, I wanna be wearing rose gold Lucent Strobe Light from the Hourglass Ambient Metallic Strobe Lighting Palette ($62 and available meow) on my cheeks. My plan is to roll up to the afterlife lookin’ like Pat McGrath herself glowed my @ss up.
I could pat-pat-pat and blend-blend-blend these highlighting powders on my face-face-face all day-day-day, and I know that’s weird to say because, as you know, I’m not the biggest fan of metallic highlighter that wolf whistles and catcalls as you’re strutting down the street, but the metallics in this palette are magical. Yeah, they’re shiny, and yes, they’re bright, but the powder grains are almost imperceptible. They’re even finer than the particles in the BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Powder Highlighters, and that results in a high beam glow that looks creamy and expensive. And that’s a rare find, my friend!
So, even when you apply them on skin that has fine lines (like — *ahem* — mine), instead of looking like you’ve just unceremoniously dumped a bucket of frosty highlighting powder on your starter wrinkles, which is what usually happens when I wear metallics on my cheekbones, your skin glimmers and glows without calling attention to those areas that aren’t porcelain smooth.
Picture MAC Hush or Pearl, but as a powder instead of the classic Cream Colour Base formula. That’s what these look like. It’s a delicate shine, but still a visible shine, and once your eye finds it, you can’t look away. They’re like a Tiffany crystal vase — expensive ($62!) and beautiful — and they catch light from every angle.
I use my fingers to apply these highlighters, just like in this video.
Ambient Metallic Strobe has three shades — a rose, a gold and a rose gold — all which are new and exclusive to the palette. You can find it now at Hourglass counters for $62, which, yes, is totally bananas, but let me say it one more time: HIGHLIGHTS WORTHY OF A VIKING FUNERAL.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Okay Karen, you have me sold on these. I have the Fenty highlighter combo in the lightest shade, but I’m finding I only like the subtle side (which is the side most don’t like) and don’t like the overly shimmery side, though I do like the color more because I’m really pale. LOL! I like the subtle side because it looks more like a sheen than shimmer or metallic, so if the Hourglass ones can accomplish this, maybe I’ll exchange my Fenty for the Hourglass. I’m forever on the hunt for a beautiful sheen without any visible particles and without looking like frost or metallic. I don’t have lines, but I have exceptionally dry skin and texture.
Hi Christina,
Ahh, so you get me then! I’m not a big fan of chunky or frosty shimmer either, which as you know is the current trend in highlighting. You might also want to check out the Hourglass Ambient Powders, too, while you’re at Sephora. They’re even more subtle than the Strobes. Are you a MAC person? If you have dry, textured skin, Cream Colour Base in Hush is a dream!
As you can tell I could talk about highlighters with a soft sheen for days. 🙂
I am a MAC person, so I’ll definitely check out the cream products. For some reason, I never think to wear cream highlighters, probably because I had oily skin when I was younger.
But these Hourglass ones look so good on you. I have to check them out!
Totally get that. I used to have oily skin, too, and never ever used to use creams. Now that I’m a dry mess (so dry my face hurts, ugh!) I love them.
The CCBs are fun!They have that dewy, glossy glow that’s unique to a cream (I also love the way it sits on skin). You can also use them as a base for eyeshadows, or as a standalone shadow. I’ve recently started mixing a tiny bit of face oil into mine and loooove the results.
I ordered mine! All of the reviews have been so positive. I’m sooo glad there’s not chunky glitter or sparkle. It just gleams like the plumped skin of a child. I can’t wait for it to arrive. I love your posts, never miss them. You’ve made me spend lots of money! lol
I’m sad-face emoji-ing all over this. They’re just so beautiful. Like all the Hourglass powders I so desperately wish I could wear. 🙁 On the bright side, you’re definitely making highlighted forearms a thing. HAHA!
Your skin is totally heavenly and worthy of Valhalla here ?
Thanks, girl! I haven’t heard from you for a while and am hoping you’re OK. How have you been?
It’s been a minute, hasn’t it? I’m okay! Busy, I’m working and also taking a class right now (French literature, middle ages through 18th century) and I also helped put together a show last weekend where all the proceeds went to eating disorder treatment. It went really well!
Hettie, Mina, and Jiji are fine. There are some rogue squirrels in our yard that like to tease Hettie though ? how are you?
Oh cool. Do you like the class and the teacher? Read anything good so far?
I’m glad your show went well! I have a friend who products community theater plays and she loves organizing everything. It allows her to stay a part of the community without having to invest all the extra time in rehearsal as a performer.
Things on this end have been challenging. The baby just seems to be growing faster than I can keep up, LOL! She needs me a lot. I keep telling myself that I’ll eventually figure out a way to balance everything but it’s taking me a while. I have to be hyper organized, which isn’t really my creative style naturally (I like organically feeling my way through writing and photography). I just keep telling myself that I’ll get there eventually.
Oh… we had some drama here last night! The electric and gas company was releasing some natural gas from pipes in our neighborhood and the smell wafted up our hill into the circle where we live, and it was VERY strong. Of course I didn’t realize this until after I called the company to report an emergency. They made us immediately evacuate right during the time at night when we put the baby to bed and get everything ready for the next day. Instead, El Hub, the baby, Tabs and I hung out in our 4Runner for an hour waiting for the emergency crew. Our neighbor had to do the same as well so we weren’t alone. Turns out it was fine, and just a pocket of gas that needed to move through the houses.
Glad everyone was okay with the gas thing! That’s scary!
Connor Claire is so tall now, can hardly believe it.
It was pretty frightening. There was an entire neighborhood in the Bay Area south of us that literally blew up because of a gas issue, which is why I ended up calling the emergency line.
Yeah, I can hardly believe she’s that big, either. I took her to the pediatrician last week and she said Connor was “tall and skinny.” Tabs of course has been the perfect big brother. He always keeps her company during snack time. 🙂
Hey Karen!
What brush did you use for these highlighters?!
? Thank You !!!!!
Hi Renae,
I either use my fingers or a tapered eye brush like the MAC 224. I feel like with both I get better control. Let me know if you have any other questions! Happy to help with technique.