Cover Hourglass unveils its 2026 Holiday Collection, bringing together the worlds of luxury beauty and fine jewellery
Hourglass unveils its 2026 Holiday Collection, bringing together the worlds of luxury beauty and fine jewellery
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More than a choice of shades, Hourglass' four holiday palettes each carry a different meaning, from love and luck to protection and new beginnings, with jewellery designer Lauren Rubinski behind their designs
Every year, makeup enthusiasts look forward to one particular holiday release: Hourglass' limited-edition festive palette. Beyond its much-loved Ambient Lighting powders, part of the excitement lies in seeing how the beauty label reimagines its palettes each year, from illustrated motifs to playful animal-inspired designs. With every release bringing a fresh look to the collection, beauty lovers are always eager to see what comes next, as social media feeds soon fill with unboxing videos and first impressions.
For 2026, Hourglass is keeping that excitement alive with another special edition, this time joining forces with jewellery designer Lauren Rubinski for the Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked palettes. Bringing her eye for fine jewellery and symbolism to the collection, Rubinski introduces four designs inspired by love, luck, protection and new beginnings.
More than just a choice of shades, each palette carries its own story, giving this year's holiday release a personal touch.
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Above The Parisian jewellery designer, Lauren Rubinski
The Parisian jewellery designer, Lauren Rubinski
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Her relationship with jewellery began long before she established her own design identity. Growing up, she was surrounded by pieces that were closely tied to her family. Her father loved gifting jewellery to her mother, while her grandmother began sourcing stones in India during the 1980s and pairing them with pieces crafted in Italy, something rather uncommon at the time.
One of her earliest memories was collecting Dodo Pomellato charms with her sister. Birthdays, holidays and special milestones became occasions to add another charm to their collections, with each one marking a moment in their lives. These experiences shaped how Rubinski views jewellery today, as something that can hold memories rather than simply complement an outfit.
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Above The four symbols: the heart, horseshoe, clover and key
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That same appreciation for sentimental pieces can be seen in the details of the Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked palettes. She has always been drawn to symbols as there is something ancient and universal about them. She mentioned that she was a little superstitious. For the collaboration, Rubinski chose four familiar symbols: the heart, horseshoe, clover and key, each representing love, luck, protection and new beginnings.
After all, many of us have something we keep close for sentimental reasons, whether it is a piece of jewellery passed down through the family, a gift from someone special or a little charm we believe brings good luck. Rubinski was drawn to the idea that these familiar motifs could carry a similar sense of personal attachment.
I love the idea that a symbol can hold intention, that it can become something you carry with you, almost like a personal lucky charm
For Rubinski, the collaboration was an opportunity to bring her approach to jewellery into the world of beauty. She was drawn to the idea of creating something that could be appreciated beyond its everyday function, much like a piece of jewellery.
“Jewellery has always been my instinctive form of self-expression. It feels permanent and intimate, almost like a second skin, and carries memories in a way that feels deeply personal. Makeup has always played a slightly different role for me. It is more immediate and just as expressive, with the power to transform not only how you look, but how you feel,” she shares.
In that sense, she sees a natural connection between the two. Both allow people to express their identity, create personal rituals and tell their own stories. It is this shared sentiment that informed her approach to the collection, with each palette designed to feel like an object worth keeping.
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I design for someone who is free. Someone who doesn’t follow rules or trends too closely but instead chooses pieces that resonate with them personally.
The collaboration also reflects values that go beyond aesthetics. Rubinski appreciates Hourglass' commitment to vegan and cruelty-free beauty, as well as the Unlocked collection's support for the Nonhuman Rights Project.
As for what she hopes people take away from the collection, it comes down to creating something they can hold on to. Whether gifted to someone special or kept for themselves, the palettes are intended to be more than a beauty essential, but little reminders of love, hope and the good things still to come.
Aliya Qarina is the Junior Style Writer at Tatler Malaysia with an interest in fashion and beauty. Her writing often focuses on contemporary style, beauty culture and emerging trends.
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