Hourglass - Ambient lighting powders + blush

I've always been fascinated with the Hourglass powders but never thought it would work for my combo/ oily skin because these powders weren't matte. If you have seen my FOTDs you'll know that I use the Diffused powder (light yellow powder) under my eyes and everywhere I have some redness. I've always liked the powder but didn't think the other powders were for me, but since the palette was made permanent in the collection I thought it was a good place to start. 

When I saw the blush palette I knew it had to get it - it is simply too beautiful to pass on!

The powders and blushes are all very smooth and finely milled. The blushes has a nice pigment and can be worn as a sheer hint of color or be build up for more of a pop of color. I knew I'd love the blush palette, not only because the colors are stunning but because blush is the product I love the most and the thing I change the most in my routine.

I was very unsure about the powder palette. I didn't know if the powders would match my skin tone since the swatches I saw online were very dark. Of course these powders are supposed to be a last step in your routine and you're not supposed to pack it on, only sweep it lightly over the areas you want the "lighting effect" on. To my luck the powders work on my skin tone but I do have to be careful with the darkest color because it can look orange on me.

I did my makeup as usual - BB cream, concealer, mascara, brows and lips. I put some oil control powder on my T-zone since the powders doesn't provide any oil control. Then I swept Diffused under my eyes and on any redness on my skin followed by Dim all over the face. I bronzed my skin lightly with Radiant and highlighted with Incandescent. For blush I used a little of every color in the palette. 

When I was done I looked at my skin close up in the mirror and I felt disappointed. I didn't see a difference other than a slight "glow" to my skin. I thought the whole "lighting effect" was a scam and that I had just spent my money on an indifferent powder palette. Then I got up from my makeup table and wanted to check my outfit before heading out the door. I looked at my face again and yelled "WOW!". I couldn't believe the difference the powders had on my skin when I was in natural daylight, so I checked all the mirrors I could find and inn every one of them my skin looked so healthy and glowing like never before - and I was even going through a breakout at the time but it wasn't even that noticeable anymore. I even caught my reflection in a car window and thought "damn those powders are good!". They are like a filter you put on pictures - just in real life!

I'm super happy I tried the powders out! I can't explain how they work they just do, and I'm loving the result! 

~Kira