Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer : Luminous Bronze

I was planning to write this review last week but I just wanted to give it a proper test run as it is on the much pricier side at £42.

This is the new Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Bronze from Hourglass.

Before the Ambient Blushes and Bronzers, came the Ambient Lighting Powders which were designed to mimic the effect of soft focus lighting on the skin. 

A lovely idea no?

The blushes and bronzers are infused with these ambient powders in order to create that same airbrushed finish.  

Enough waffle, onto the Bronzer. 

One thing that I found a bit of a let down was the shade range; there are only two.
I just think it's a bit disappointing as we have 7 beautiful blushers, but only 2 bronzers. 

This is the lighter of the two, Radiant Bronze Light is darker, but to be honest there isn't a huge difference when blended into the skin.

I wish they had created more than two shades so people with fairer skins and much darker skins could get involved.

Luminous bronze is a warm tan shade with a fine gold shimmer running through. 

The texture of this Bronzer is one of its best points, it is very smooth to the touch and said smoothness helps it to blend effortlessly into the skin.

Even though it is not picking up in the photos, one of my concerns was that when you look at it in the pan, there is some very obvious shimmer going on.

I am  ALL about that glow, but tonnes of shimmer on my cheeks?
Not so much.

The most important thing with this bronzer is to go slow. VERY slow. 

I swirl my brush ever so gently and then tap off any excess.

Then I apply to my temples, tops of my cheeks and just touching the jaw, in a 3 motion.

If I need more, I just repeat the process.

When I have achieved my preferred level of bronzing, the result is absolute seamless luminosity- the name does not lie. If you can be light handed with this I am sure you will love it- I don't end up with sparkling tinkly cheeks (which was my preferred look about 14 years ago at school discos) I end up looking warmer and healthier.
This honestly is beautiful. Just beautiful. Well done Hourglass. 

Here is where I want to add a little warning, as when this is used incorrectly you will end up orange and super shimmery.

Here is a swatch to show you what the colour actually looks like

You can see there is some serious pigmentation going on here, which is a good thing. 

However, here is that heavy swatch in bright day light:

BAM. Shimmery.

If you are heavy handed and don't blend properly and then walk out into bright daylight, it can look pretty darn obvious. 

Bottom Line : I love this bronzer and it is a pleasure to use.

I couldn't really believe how luminous it looked without looking like I had doused myself in highlighter. For those glow-getters out there, I think you should look into this one. 

Just take your time with application, that is all. 

If you do tend to be heavy handed, perhaps use a duo-fibre brush (Real Techniques makes one of the best) so it does most of the hard work for you.

If you are looking for an alternative that is a bit lighter but still brings some glow (though perhaps not as much as Hourglass) and kinder to the purse, maybe look into Liz Earles Radiant Glow Bronzer which I reviewed here.

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A glimpse of what is coming up....

Hello Everyone.

Just a quick little post here to show you what will be up on the blog soon!

I was feeling quite spendy in town on Saturday, so I picked up a few bits and bobs.

I have yet to try the new Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Bronze on my cheeks, but I swatched it in SpaceNK and holy crap it is stunning.

Here's hoping it looks as beautiful on the face otherwise I have made a very expensive mistake! 

 I have played with the Laura Mercier Paint Wash Liquid Lip Colour in Fuchsia Mauve- what a stunning colour!

You can see I have two little Elemis samples - the Papaya Enzyme Peel and the Pro- Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm, I picked them up in this months Marie Claire- definitely track a MC down if you can, I have only used these two a couple of times but so far so good.

All in all there are some beautiful things here so if you are interested, keep checking in as they will all be reviewed fully on the blog very soon! 

Have a good week everyone, 

XXX

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Face Of The Day

Here's a look at whats on my face today!

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua : This is one of my favorite foundations of all time. I use the shade B20 and it matches me perfectly, giving me a light/medium coverage that looks natural and glowy.

This is totally day time appropriate although I have worn it at night as well.

You have to give it a good shake as its a very watery foundation, but it just blends into nothing on the skin.

I sometimes use a brush with this, but as of late I have been loving just massaging it in with fingers.

If you love natural, glowy bases- check this one out.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush : I feel quite harsh talking about this beautiful palette as it was a limited edition, but the shade on the far left (Luminous Flush) and far right (Mood Exposure) are both permenant.

The middle shade Incandescent Electra was initially a palette exclusive, but I saw on Temptalia that Hourglass will soon be releasing this as a single, permanent shade!

I'm so glad because I adore this shade, everyone should have the chance to own it.

I love all of these blushes as a whole, baked products are my obsession at the moment as they look so natural.

These blushes look glowy and genuinely achieve that lit from within look. I love these- I highly recommend.

Also they are pigmented, but they blend in seamlessly so you don't get that harsh block of blush on your face.

Incandescent Electra is my go to whenever I'm tired as it perks up my face without being obvious and due to the subtle shimmer, it negates the need for highlighter.

Incandescent Electra

I don't know if that swatch helps at all! But it is a lovely peachy pink.

By Terry Ombre Black Star in Bronze Moon : I love this, if you weren't sure which shade to get, go for this one. The formula is exceptional, fairs better without primer (which is basically unheard of in my books) its appropriate for all occasions and its so damn easy to work with.

Just a note though, I also have the shade 'Misty Rock' and I think the Bronze Moon formula is better, as its just that bit smoother and doesn't crease at all. MR doesn't, but at the end of the day, I can see a few lines starting to appear and it looks ever so slightly patchy.

I love both of them, but if you're going to spend £29 on one eyeshadow, you want it to be perfect, and for me BM just takes the lead here.

I sweep this over my eyelid, the formula just glides across, and then I blend through the crease.

A gorgeous, sheeny bronze eye in no time. You will look polished with zero effort.

Perfect on days like today, when you just can't be bothered.

                                             

Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick in Sexy Sienna : This is still my number one at the moment, read a full review here.

Benefit Gimme Brow : I love this stuff so much I've nearly run out. I have the shade medium/dark which is a perfect match, it's nice and ashy, none of that warm red undertone creeping through...I made that mistake in my teens. It didn't suit me.

If I am having a good brow day- if they have just been threaded, I only really need to use this on its own. When the brows are unruly, I tend to use my Benefit Browzing, but always with this after, to set and add texture.

I have sparse eyebrows, which annoys me as I have dark hair and dark eyes, yet not much in the way of eyebrows.

I'm not bothered about having Cara Delevinge brows, I just want my brows to look groomed, fuller and natural. Gimme brow does this by darkening the eyebrows that I do have, and adding volume making it look like I have more hairs than I do.

Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curlers : I have to curl my lashes everyday and these do a lovely job at grabbing the lashes and giving them a good lift. Some curlers can pinch the lid (which is as unpleasant as it sounds) but I rarely run into that problem here.

I am also wearing Benefits 'They're Real' mascara - a full review is on its way!

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