Thursday 27 October 2016

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Hourglass Ambient Surreal Light Palette (a.k.a. The Marble Palette!)

It. Is. Finally. HERE.

The long-awaited and much-coveted Hourglass Ambient Surreal Light Palette (lovingly known on Instagram as The Marble Palette) has finally arrived on our shores in Australia. Can I hear a hallelujah!? Or a highlight-lujah? (ha.)

This stunning palette has been on my wish list ever since I discovered it, and $116 later (yup, it's a doozy!), this Mecca-exclusive set of ambient lighting powders was in my hot little hands.

Since it's a bit exxy, and is highly probable of selling out, I completely fast-tracked this blog post so I could show you guys some swatches and give you my first impressions of the palette, if you're wondering whether it's worth the price. Plus, I even compare it side by side to the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette!

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Hourglass Ambient Surreal Light Palette (a.k.a. The Marble Palette!)

Packaging

First up, we need to talk about that case. SERIOUSLY, THAT MARBLE THO.

Hourglass have obviously kept a close eye on the beauty blogger community on Instagram, because literally every one I know is obsessed with marble. The surest way to our hearts? Marble makeup. Makes sense.

The semi-matte casing on the Ambient Surreal Light is a different direction from the brand's usual metallic packaging, but they've definitely still kept to their minimalist, and frankly, really classy design. 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Hourglass Ambient Surreal Light Palette (a.k.a. The Marble Palette!)

And I know a lot of us will likely buy the palette just for the super sexy packaging alone. Did I swatch this palette before buying it? No. But did I get up early on release day to just place my online order on Mecca? Yes.

Hourglass marketing team, you got me this time (and every time. Let's be honest).

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Hourglass Ambient Surreal Light Palette (a.k.a. The Marble Palette!)

The Powders

Once you pop open the lid, you're greeted by a huge mirror and five brand new shades from Hourglass that are exclusive to this palette. They've literally got your whole face covered, with an:

Ambient Lighting Powder in Surreal Light - A soft, champagne shade of finishing powder.

Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Surreal Bronze Light - A neutral bronze swirled with Surreal Light.

Ambient Lighting Blush in Surreal Glow - A fair blush pink swirled with Surreal Light.

Ambient Lighting Blush in Surreal Effect - A cool-toned pink and peach shade.

Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder in Surreal Strobe Light - A warm, golden highlight.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Hourglass Ambient Surreal Light Palette (a.k.a. The Marble Palette!)

I am SO HAPPY that the Surreal Light includes a massive pan of Ambient Lighting finishing powder, because I go through that stuff like air (I've finished THREE). It gives the most stunning glow to your complexion and makes your skin look flawless. It's pretty much magic. And you get 4g of it compared to 1.4g of the blushes, bronzer and highlighter. Good proportions! 

You'll see my old Ambient Lighting Edit Palette (last year's release) later down in this post, and I've used the finishing powder right down to the pan. Really pleased that I've got a tonne of it in this palette!

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Hourglass Ambient Surreal Light Palette (a.k.a. The Marble Palette!)

Swatches

Okay, let's be real here. While the shades ARE gorgeous, they are definitely really shimmery and only have medium-strength pigmentation. For some of you, that may be a deal-breaker, especially for a $100+ palette.

But for me, I'm actually GLAD that they're sheer - I like my face powder, blush, bronzer and highlight to look subtle, and nothing annoys me more in my morning makeup routine, than a blush that won't freakin' blend out! (Unless it's uneven liquid eyeliner. You know what I'm talking about.)

And luckily all these shades are really blendable and flow quite seamlessly into each other as they pretty much have the same formulation as each other. I will say though, that if you have more tan skin you might find it a bit hard to get these powders to show up on your complexion unless you really build them up. Fair and medium-toned beauties will love it.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Hourglass Ambient Surreal Light Palette (a.k.a. The Marble Palette!)

Ambient Surreal Light VS Ambient Lighting Edit

So, if you already own the Ambient Lighting Edit, is the Ambient Surreal Light worth it? Well, if you're a ride or die Hourglass fan like me, then the fact that the Surreal Light has five completely new shades will be enough to win you over.

Both palettes are exactly the same size, except the Ambient Lighting Edit has six shades in total (with the addition of a yellow highlighter, which the Surreal Light doesn't have a version of).


I was never going to not buy the Surreal Light (been saving since the release announcement!), but if you already own the Ambient Lighting Edit and don't find yourself reaching for it very often, then by all means, save yourself the small personal loan (seriously though).

But if you love the Hourglass powders and are a big fan of marble, then trust me, you won't regret adding this stunning palette to your collection.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Hourglass Ambient Surreal Light Palette (a.k.a. The Marble Palette!)

The Hourglass Ambient Surreal Light Palette is limited edition and available at Mecca Maxima, Mecca Cosmetica and Mecca.com.au for $116 (that also gets you free shipping!).

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Hourglass Ambient Surreal Light Palette (a.k.a. The Marble Palette!)

What are your thoughts on this palette? Let me know in the comments below!




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5 comments

  1. Mine just arrived in the post today, I found you from Instagram. I love this review, great to see the comparisons. I missed out on the last Ambient Light edit so I was stoked to get this one, I can't wait to do my makeup tomorrow morning!! X

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    1. Aww thank you for checking to Taken By Surprise! I hope you're loving your palette, I'm obsessed with mine! xx

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  2. I was just looking at this palette today and it looks gorgeous! I saw your post on Instagram and immediately gave this post a visit haha.
    It looks amazing and I don't own anything from hourglass but I just bought the Jacklyn Hill face palette and the Charlotte Tilbury filmstar bronze & glow so I'm having trouble justifying how many face products I need in my life haha xD

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    1. Thank you for coming to visit! Ahhh this palette is so gorgeous, I'm a huge fan of all of the Hourglass powder-based products - they give your makeup the most stunning, natural, literally lit-from-within glow! Ooooh and I've seen the Jaclyn Hill palette and only JUST managed to resist, it's also a super pretty one! x

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Thank you for all of your lovely comments, I love reading them <3 Make sure to leave a link to your blog so I can come say hi! Otherwise look out for a reply on the post :) Love xx

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