Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush: Diffused Heat

If you have read my post on the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure, you will know that I wasn't too keen on this blushes from the beginning. I saw them in Mecca on the first day of their Australian release date and swatched one of the pale colours (Dim Infusion or Ethereal Glow) and didn't see the vibrancy and pigmentation that I usually go for in blushes. 

I purchased Mood Exposure on a whim and also at the recommendation of the Sales who helped apply some to my cheeks. At the time I was tossing between Mood Exposure and Diffused Heat. Only about 15 minutes after my purchase, I thought "what the hell, just buy both" so I went back in. But to my dismay, Diffused Heat was all sold out. It's been quite a while that anything I've ever wanted to buy from a cosmetics brand was sold out, so I was left feeling very empty and zombie-like. Like I didn't know what to do with my life anymore. After this state of shock subsided, I was a woman gone wild. I made it my life's mission to get my hands on one anyway I can. And here it is. After having it for two weeks or so now, I can confidently say, I need more Hourglass blushes.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush - Mood Exposure

I really didn't want to be bullied into buying this range of blushes from Hourglass by the blogger/youtube community. These blushes came out in Mecca Cosmetica in the last week of February and I didn't give them a second glance. I swatched Dim Infusion and my first thought was "just another blush with swirly pattern, it's probably an overhyped product just because the ambient lighting powders did so well." I had this mentality that if a product was too much anticipated due to the success of its predecessor, it will probably have a high chance of disappointing you. So I went home thinking "Ha! Not going fall for this marketing trap!" 

Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder (Blush) - Santa Barbara

Recently I strolled through David Jones (beauty section, of course!)  pushing my pram looking for Christmas specials. I walked past the Bobbi Brown counter and a new display caught my eye. I sidled over and swatched the new bronzer and blush. The bronzer is light, perfect for fair skinned ladies (and gents), but i already have ----loads that I couldn't imagine ever finishing. The blush is gorgeous peach-pink with finely milled gold shimmer flecks throughout. It instantly reminded me of Nars Orgasm, theBalm Hot mama and sleek's Rose Gold.

I was quite excited about this, as this was hailed as a "new" product by the Bobbi Brown counter that I visited, but to my disappointment, it had already come out in the U.S. (like...a year ago) when I tried to find reviews of it on google. Story of my life. 

This is a very true colour representation of the blush. I know sometimes the colour changes in pictures due to the lighting and angle. 

I apply the blush with my Real Techniques blush brush

front view

side view

When compared next to Orgasm, Santa Barbara is more peachy where as Orgasm has a pink base underneath the gold shimmer. Bobbi's blush is also more pigmented and the product seems to be more powdery making it easier to be picked up by a brush. Having said this, you will have to apply with a light hand in order to avoid a blush patch in the centre of your cheek.

Nars Orgasm

L-R: Nars Orgasm, BB Santa Barbara

L-R: Nars Orgasm, BB Santa Barbara

To take home one of these babies you will need to part with $60, which I know is quite steep for a blush. Bobbi Brown is infamous for doubling their prices once their products get imported into Australia. But you do get 8g of gorgeousness in this compact as opposed to $45 for 4.8g of product for a Nars blush. If you are looking for a summer blush and bronzer, I strongly suggest you try these from Bobbi Brown at a Myer or David Jones.