After reviewing the New Holiday Hourglass Universe Face Palette, I realized I needed the Hourglass Universe Unlocked Palette 2021. The reason I quickly purchased Universe Unlocked is because the Holiday Universe Palette is really more for fair, light and light-medium complexions. The Universe Blush Shades are too light for me. On the other hand, the Universe Unlocked Palette shades are more for medium, tan, and deeper complexions. And that’s me! Another reason I purchased the Universe Unlocked Face Palette is , it is not a holiday palette! Of course you could gift it for the holidays. And, wear it during the holidays. Although, the Unlocked version of the Universe Palette is also about Hourglass’ philanthropic mission to unlock the cages of wild animals that have been locked up in captivity.
Much like Chantecaille’s philanthropic animal conservation mission, Hourglass donates a percentage of the profits from Unlocked to the Nonhuman Rights Project. The project works for the fundamental rights of wild animals. The charity is very meaningful for me because of my love for all animals. Today, someone came to fix my hot water heater, and asked me if I was running a doggie daycare. I replied that it was my own daycare because I have a lot of pets. Dogs, parrots, and an iguana are my other “children.”
The Packaging
Like the Holiday Universe Face Palette, the “philanthropic” palette is not Hourglass’ usual plastic palette. In fact, the compact, made of tin, saves about 11 plastic water bottles per palette. 
Instead, the tin palette, has a metallic marbleized design, like the Universe Palette. However, the Unlocked palette is has deeper bronze and chocolate shades swirled around. That gives you the first indication that the shades are going to have more intense tones than the lighter Universe Palette. You guess it! The Unlocked version packs a lot more punch than the holiday Universe palette. 
Both palettes have a magnetic closure.
Once you pry the lid from the bottom of the palette, underneath the lid is a nice big mirror. 
On the other side of the palette are the five shades. Two of the shades are existing best sellers. Three of the shades are brand new limited editions.! If I were comparing the two Universe, and Universe Unlocked, the Holiday Universe Palette has four brand new shades, and one oldie, but goodie. Finally, both palettes have an all over face powder, 2 blushes, a bronzer and a highlighter.
The Formula
The state of the art formula sets your makeup and adds multidimensional luminescence. As a result, it offers a soft-focus filter effect on your skin. Also, Color Correcting particles capture and diffuse all types of light. As a result, the powder burrs imperfections such as pimples, enlarged pores, and wrinkles.
Photoluminescent technology diffuses surrounding light to give your skin that lit from within look. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders are known for their ability to create the illusion of being lit from within. Furthermore, the bronzer, and blush shades are mixed, in small batches, by hand. No two powders will look alike. In other words, you and I could have the same blush. Mine will look different than yours. So, you can think of it as your own, unique blush or bronzer!
Finally, the brand is cruelty free, and vegan. Also, the formula doesn’t include talc, alcohol, oil, parabens, sulfates and phthalates.
The Shades
Ambient Lighting Powder Radiant Light
First, Ambient Lighting Powder Radiant Light, a golden beige shade, has a radiant finish. Radiant Light is an all over finishing powder. Therefore, brush this on top of your foundation. Wear this all over your face.
Ambient Lighting Bronzer Radiant Bronze Light
Next, Ambient Lighting Bronzer, in Radiant Bronze, a warm bronze shade, has a radiant finish. This bronzer can be used to sculpt and add dimension to your face. Brush this on your hairline. Also, brush the bronzer on your jawline. Then, brush the warm bronze shade in the hollows of your cheeks. Even more, brush some bronzer on your temples.
Ambient Lighting Blush Rose Heat (New)
Then, Ambient Lighting Blush in Rose Heat, a deep berry shade, has a radiant finish. Wear Rose heat on the apples of your cheeks. Also, you can carry the blush up to your temples. I like to add some blush to the outer part of my brow bones.
Ambient Lighting Blush Coral Flush (New)
Also, Ambient Lighting Blush in Coral Flush, a bright peony shade, has a radiant finish. Wear Coral Flush on the apples of your cheeks. Also, you can brush it upwards to your temples. Finally, add a touch of blush to the outer third of your brow bones.
Ambient Metallic Strobe Lighting Powder Solar Strobe Light (New)
Finally, the Ambient Metallic Strobe Lighting Powder in Solar Strobe Light, a metallic champagne shade, has a metallic strobing finish. This is your highlighter. Wear this shade on your upper cheekbones, brow bones, down the center of your nose and on your Cupid’s bow.
My Final Thoughts on The Universe Unlocked Face Powder….
First, I love that the Universe Unlocked Face Palette packs more punch than the Holiday Universe Face Palette. Both Palettes use Hourglass’ State of the Art Ambient Lighting Powder to mimic flattering, good light. The Universe Unlocked Palette, like the Universe palette are high tec powders that capture and diffuse all types of light. Therefore, they blur imperfections as if you were sitting under studio lights. In fact, both palettes are your very own lighting team, in your pocketbook!
xoxo
Let me know which palette, the Universe Holiday 2021 Palette, or the Universe Unlocked philanthropic palette, you like best in the comments section below.
