The Hourglass Holiday Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palettes have debuted for 2025 this year and they are truly gorgeous! I acquired three out of the four and have already tested them with demonstrations on Instagram. Although I notice many repeat shades and similarities, I still find these palettes to be stunning. By popular demand, I’ve compiled a review along with a few side-by-side comparisons to last year’s palettes.
All the palettes are now officially available at Nordstrom, Sephora, Bluemercury, Ulta Beauty, and Hourglass ($94 each). Each palette comes with a corresponding dual-ended Ambient Lighting Edit Brush II ($52 each). The Horse Palette is exclusive to Sephora.
Additionally, several other sets have launched, such as a Face and Eye Travel Brush Set, a Best Sellers Set, and a Sculpt Gloss Duo. I’m eyeing the brush set even though they appear to be mini or short-handle from the product images. I still possess the Vegan Travel Brush Set (this one has all full sizes), which I adore and use every week, but the new set this year seems excellent for a more portable option.
Deer Palette
The Deer Palette is the lightest option and I think it’s a lovely choice for a more natural appearance. You can see it in action here. On my medium tan skin, the colors lean towards a barely-there effect, but when I apply a cream or liquid blush first, the powders apply with a bit more pigment when layered.
- Finishing Powder Dream Light
- Finishing Powder Aura Light (new)
- Bronzer Diffused Bronze Light
- Highlighter Iridescent Strobe Light
- Blush Radiant Peach (new)
- Blush Vibrant Pink (new)
Look featuring the Deer Palette:
I retrieved last year’s Dragon Palette from 2024 swatches for comparison.
Swan Palette
The Swan Palette serves as the medium-tone option and I absolutely love it. While I believe all the shades closely resemble options from last year (even the new shades), that mauve-purple hue is SO beautiful and definitely worth considering. If I had to choose one for travel, this palette seems to provide the most look possibilities with three distinct blush tones. You can see it in action here.
- Finishing Powder Dim Light
- Highlighter Golden Hour (new)
- Bronzer Natural Bronze
- Blush Luminous Coral (new)
- Blush Sunset Flush (new)
- Blush Mauve Fusion (new)
Wearing the same makeup look as items in the Deer Palette, with lip color being the Hourglass Phantom Glossy Balm in Mist, below wearing the Sunset Flush Blush
Below wearing Mauve Fusion
I compared it to last year’s Evil Eye Palette 2024. I find last year’s more appealing, especially with the pink highlighter, but both are quite pretty.
Horse Palette
The Horse Palette and Brush are both exclusive to Sephora and feature all repeat shades. I think this might be my favorite of the three, but since it has all repeats, you might want to check your collection if you already own many of the previous year’s palettes. You can see it in action here.
- Finishing Powder Soft Light
- Blush Mood Exposure
- Highlighter Supernatural Strobe Light
- Blush Iridescent Coral
- Blush Iridescent Rose
- Bronzer Glistening Bronze Light
The makeup worn is the same as mentioned above, with lip color being the Unlocked Lipstick in Dahlia. Below wearing Mood Exposure + Glistening Bronze Light.
Below wearing the blush in Iridescent Coral
I found it difficult to choose which palette to compare this to, but I decided on swatches from Leopard 2023, though I believe there are likely others similar to the Horse 2025 palette due to the repeats.
Overall, I’m very pleased. The brushes are stunning and exceptionally crafted. Based on the feedback from you all, the consensus appears to be mixed. Some of you are utterly in love with the launch, while others feel there are still numerous repeats and similar shades. At this stage, I definitely don’t need another because I’ve collected the holiday releases for many years. However, I still eagerly anticipate the launches and find many uses for these. Palettes can sometimes be hard to appreciate as there’s often one or two shades I’m not fond of, but with these, I can confidently say EVERY shade is wearable. I adore that they can be mixed and layered too. They’re fantastic for travel or if you need to grab something on the go for makeup touch-ups.
I opted out of the darkest palette, Fox, as the deeper shades are usually too intense for me. However, I’ve seen many excellent tutorials that make me consider checking it out. If I do purchase it, I’ll create another review.
The new Hourglass Palettes are available now. You can find them at Nordstrom, Sephora, Bluemercury, Ulta Beauty, and Hourglass.
**Hourglass Holiday 2025 Ambient Lighting Edit: Unlocked Palettes Collection**
As the holiday season draws near, beauty fans eagerly await the arrival of limited-edition collections from their beloved brands. This year, Hourglass has introduced its long-awaited Holiday 2025 Ambient Lighting Edit: Unlocked Palettes Collection, a breathtaking selection of items that promises to enhance your makeup routine with their luxurious formulas and beautiful packaging.
**The Collection Overview**
The Hourglass Holiday 2025 Ambient Lighting Edit: Unlocked Palettes Collection exemplifies the brand’s dedication to cruelty-free beauty and innovative formulations. Renowned for their capacity to create a flawless, lit-from-within radiance, Hourglass has assembled this collection to incorporate a diverse array of shades and finishes that cater to all skin tones and preferences.
**Palette Features**
1. **Versatile Shades**: Each palette within the collection showcases a harmonious collection of six shades, including blush, bronzer, highlighter, and finishing powders. These shades are designed for mixing and matching, offering endless customization and creativity.
2. **Innovative Formulas**: The Ambient Lighting Edit palettes utilize Hourglass’s revolutionary Photoluminescent Technology. This advanced formula captures, diffuses, and softens surrounding light to enhance the skin’s appearance, providing a natural, luminous finish.
3. **Cruelty-Free Commitment**: Consistent with Hourglass’s pledge to ethical beauty, the Holiday 2025 collection is entirely cruelty-free. The brand prioritizes animal welfare, ensuring that no animals are harmed in the production of their products.
4. **Sustainable Packaging**: In line with Hourglass’s environmental initiatives, the packaging of the Unlocked Palettes Collection is both luxurious and eco-friendly. The palettes are encased in sleek, recyclable materials, reflecting the brand’s commitment to minimizing its carbon footprint.
**Palette Variations**
The Holiday 2025 collection features several variations of the Ambient Lighting Edit: Unlocked Palettes, each tailored to meet different skin tones and preferences:
– **Ethereal Glow**: This palette comprises soft, cool-toned shades ideal for creating a fresh, ethereal look. It includes a delicate pink blush, a shimmering pearl highlighter, and a cool bronzer.
– **Golden Hour**: Perfect for those who adore warm, sun-kissed colors, this palette showcases a rich coral blush, a golden highlighter, and a warm bronzer that emulates the glow of a sunset.
– **Midnight Radiance**: For a more dramatic evening appearance, this palette offers deep, sultry shades. It features a berry-toned blush, a champagne highlighter, and a deep bronzer for added depth and dimension.
**Application Tips**
To maximize the use of the Hourglass Holiday 2025 Ambient Lighting Edit: Unlocked Palettes, consider the following application suggestions:
– **Layering**: Start with the finishing powder to set your foundation and create a smooth base. Layer blush, bronzer, and highlighter to add dimension and warmth to your face.
– **Blending**: Utilize a fluffy brush to seamlessly blend the powders into your skin. The finely milled formulas ensure a natural, airbrushed effect.
– **Customization**: Mix and match shades to craft your unique look. The versatile palettes allow for countless possibilities, from subtle daytime radiance to bold evening glamour.
**Conclusion**
The Hourglass Holiday 2025 Ambient Lighting Edit: Unlocked Palettes Collection stands as a testament to the brand’s commitment to innovation, luxury, and ethical beauty. With its versatile shades, cutting-edge formulations, and dedication to sustainability, this collection is essential for anyone looking to refine their makeup routine with a hint of elegance and sophistication. Whether you’re gifting it to someone special or indulging yourself, these palettes are destined to become treasured additions to any beauty collection this holiday season.
