Photograph well: the powder that acts like a beauty filter

I was having dinner at a global event recently when we ended up talking about finishing powders. Given the calibre of attendees, I was a bit surprised but that is a different post. As someone who spends considerable time speaking on stages, often under pretty harsh lighting, it’s taken me years to find makeup that actually photographs well. Trust me, I have had ALL of the horrible photos taken of me. Maybe I will share some mistakes in future posts for comic relief.

So let me talk about my most expensive makeup items: my Hourglass powders. I have to preface this by saying these are not budget-friendly whatsoever. I’ve tried finding a dupe for them, they do not exist. They last forever and they are worth the investment.

The Game-Changer: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Infinity Powder

The first one is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Infinity Powder. When you open it, it basically looks like a highlighter, this marbled, swirled compact that’s quite beautiful to look at. But it’s not glittery or shimmery, and it doesn’t behave like a typical highlighter on the skin. I would add a photo of this one, but mine is in awful shape after being literally all around the world in my handbag.

This is actually a blend of two Ambient Lighting Powders and an Ambient Strobe highlighter, hand-blended using something called the “miscelare technique.”  The result is what I can only describe as a filter for your face. Obviously it doesn’t work like Photoshop, but I absolutely notice when it’s missing. It gives this incredibly natural, soft-focus finish that I personally love.

To me, it genuinely creates this lit-from-within glow that’s hard to pinpoint until you see a photo of yourself. When I talk to my friends about it, I just always say “It does something!”. Candidly, one of my best friends always robs it out of my bag when we are out in the evenings. I say evenings, as I don’t go out at night anymore (IYKYK) . 

I dust this all over my face and reapply during the day. Now, I’m someone who carries a large handbag and I’m arguably a maximalist, so I’d love to tell you I carry everything in a tiny clutch. This is not true. I often have full-size products with me, including this powder and on long days I carry a mattifying one as well.

The downside is that the Infinity powder is that it is described as being best “for fair to medium skin tones”. However, the ambient lighting finishing powders are just as nice as come is a wider range of colours, which is what we want to see from brands. I’ve used up more than one of these and it is hard to go back to any other powder. There is just something about the Hourglass powder formulas. This comes from someone who has tried everything from L’Oreal to Elf and from Laura Mercier to Charlotte Tilbury. 

These are my absolute favourites.

The Limited Edition Palettes Worth the Hype

Which brings me to the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked palettes. I am always super excited when it is September as it is conference season again! No, I jest. The main reasons I am excited are threefold:

1. Beauty advent calendars
2. I can start planning how to decorate my 4 Christmas trees.. Maximalist.
3. The limited edition hourglass palettes are released

The latter palettes come out annually and feature limited-edition artwork. This year’s collection includes four designs by Ukrainian tattoo artist Sasha Unisex, featuring animal artwork in Fox, Swan, Horse, and Deer designs.

I bought the Deer palette, and if the others are typical Hourglass quality, I’d happily recommend them. Each palette includes six shades of blush, bronzer, and highlighter designed to “diffuse, enhance, and add glow to the complexion”.

What’s brilliant about these palettes is having a finishing powder, highlighter, blush, and bronzer all in one compact. The Deer palette is particularly beautiful for people with warmer skin tones, there’s a gorgeous peach blush that’s become my go-to.

The Reality Check

Here’s the honest truth: these products are investment pieces. The Veil powder retails for around €60, and the limited edition palettes are about €100.

But here’s why I justify it: when you’re frequently photographed, filmed, or presenting under various lighting conditions, having makeup that performs consistently is worth the premium. I never have photo flashbacks anymore, which is crucial when you’re in professional settings. This is when the flash photography makes you look weirdly shiny and pale.

The Veil powder has become my non-negotiable item. The palettes are useful because everything is in one compact and I like to travel with it. 

The Bottom Line

If you’re someone who needs makeup to perform under scrutiny, whether that’s high-definition cameras, stage lighting, or just wanting to look polished in professional settings, these Hourglass products deliver. They’re luxury pricing, but they’re also luxury performance.

The Veil powder especially has earned its cult status. It’s one of those products that makes you wonder how you managed without it once you start using it regularly.

Are there cheaper alternatives? Of course. But if you have the budget and need makeup that photographs beautifully while looking natural in person, these are worth considering. 

I will talk about my MANY budget items in another post.