[unpaid/sample/affiliate/ad] I absolutely adore these new, limited edition Hourglass palettes for winter 2022. How do you bring something different to a successful line that keeps the aesthetic and the integrity of the brand? It looks like Hourglass has found the answer in these illustrated palettes using artist Katie Scott to depict wildlife vividly and impactfully. Hourglass has for some time been a supporter of the Nonhuman Rights Project and 5% of annual profits will go straight there. And, I know, 5% doesn’t sound like much, but Hourglass is a global brand under the Unilever umbrella so I feel there will be a significant donation from this collection.

When something like this comes in, I can’t wait to get my camera and start taking pictures. In fact, I could take pictures all day really because I’m so drawn to the visuals – this is when my job is an absolute joy. For all the plain mascaras and red lipsticks that pass through, much as I am happy to see them, they don’t exactly light the same fire, and I always feel grateful for things that are so impactful.

It’s taken me a long time to understand these palettes – they’re really for people who love the intricate detail of make-up and the sheer pleasure of using light reflection and colour to create a flawless finish, although with that said, they’re really more user friendly than you might imagine so just as good for quick flick of the brush and go. Each palette contains two finishing powders, light as air whispers of brightening and mattifying powder. They also contain two strobe powders which have translucent light reflection in them so you can enhance and draw light to cheekbones (I’ve never understood the brow bone highlight thing) that’s understated and elegant rather than metallic and obvious. Finally, two blush shades which need just a touch with a brush to bring colour. There are three new shades – Soft Flush and Sunset Glow blush and Golden Champaign strobe.

The Butterfly palette (above) is probably best for lighter tones that need a touch of warmth – close up, the theme is mellow glow with champagne aspects and golden touches. The blushes both have a touch of raspberry to them – one leans more to peach with raspberry, the other raspberry with peach if you understand my meaning. I’d say it’s the most ‘suit-all’ of the three limited edition palettes (the third is a beautiful tiger).

There is more heat in the Elephant palette – it has a warm, sunset aspect with pops of peach and pink, a bronzer and a golden strobe. The two finishing powders are Dim Light and Soft Light, which brings me back to the origins of the palettes which was all about ‘candlelit’ glow; a soft, diffused finish that gives lightfulness and ‘vaseline on the lens’ type finish (god bless Angela Lansbury, the queen of the blurry camera).

You can see how well this particular palette translates to summer and holiday looks. The new shades for this palette are Beaming Strobe Light (gold), Lustrous Bronze Light (bronzer), Radiant Rose (blush) and Iridescent Coral (blush).

In this collection is a Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm duo featuring Rouse and Slip – I love these barely solid oils that give such a juicy wash of gloss.

Below is Slip and above is Rouse. At £78, the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette Unlocked Limited Editions are considered purchases. Butterfly is HERE, Elephant is HERE and Tiger is HERE. The Phantom Duo is £45 HERE.