We're going to let you in on a little secret: as much as the world of K-beauty would have us think otherwise, so-called "glassy" skin is more often achieved with more than skin care alone. Enter this facial balm, which delivers the illumination of a highlighter, with the kind of dewy-wet finish that used to be reserved for editorial shoots and ethereal Met Gala appearances.
We didn't think we could have loved Hourglass's Ambient Lighting Powders any more — the diffused setting powders have a way of adding the most subtle glow that never looks quite like makeup. But we were proven wrong (way wrong) with the latest addition to the brand's franchise, which combines a swirl of two powder shades and a highlighter shade. Somehow it makes us look as if we're draped in the most flattering light of all — the endless warm glow of an infinity installation.
Petroleum jelly gets an upgrade in this petrolatum-based face gloss, thanks to the inclusion of complexion-warming mica and hyaluronic acid. The formula is also lighter and less tacky than standard petroleum jelly, something that kept flyaway hairs from sticking to our glossed up skin. In addition to using the gloss as a topper for blush and bronzer, we pressed a few dabs onto eyelids as a diffused eyeshadow and used it on high points of the face as a subtle highlighter.
When this subtle highlighter hit the market, it instantly became the one to beat for those looking for a natural glow that doesn't look makeup-y. Nearly two years later, it still is. The balm is translucent, but not sticky and the shades (clear and champagne, rose and the tiniest touch of bronze) add a little something to bounce light without adding a bunch of shimmer to the skin.
What's more, it's packaged smartly, too: the stick component makes the balm travel friendly, which is perfect because we take the stuff with us wherever we go (even if it's just from our vanity to our home office down the hall).
Real talk: oftentimes, we skip over bargain highlighters because they tend to look too glittery on skin. But instead of leaving a disco finish, this vegan, blush-highlighter hybrid deposits just a trace of color and glint for a diffused glow that flatters the whole complexion, not just the cheeks.
