Makeup Geek Ablaze Highlighter Review, Photos, Swatches
Ablaze
Makeup Geek Ablaze Highlighter ($20.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a brighter, medium-dark copper with warm, red undertones and a golden shimmer-sheen finish. This shade looked pinker and redder buffed and blended out with a warmer, more golden/copper sheen. When it was applied more heavily, it appeared a bit darker and less rosy.
According to Makeup Geek, the formula is supposed to be “super-smooth” and “incredibly pigmented.” Ablaze was intensely pigmented with a soft, smooth, almost cream-like texture. The finish was nearly metallic, but it did not emphasize my skin’s natural texture or the look of my pores. I can imagine this will be particularly stunning on deeper skin tones (which it was designed for), while other lighter skin tones could easily wear it as a highlighting blush. The highlighter was easy to apply, spread across the skin, and diffuse for subtle edges. It lasted just over eight and a half hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Windmill (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Bora Bora (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Fervor (Right) (PiP, ) is brighter (90% similar).
- Becca Bronzed Amber (LE, $38.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Firework (P, $20.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar).
- Coloured Raine Bourgeois (P, $25.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Happy Accident (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Laura Geller Pink Grapefruit (P, $28.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Phoenix (LE, $39.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Salt New York Rust (P, $16.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$20.00/0.25 oz. - $80.00 Per Ounce
According to Makeup Geek, the formula is supposed to be “super-smooth” and “incredibly pigmented.” The majority of the range is beautifully done with smooth, slightly denser textures that are blendable and easy to work with. They have good pigmentation, though some shades are more buildable than "incredibly pigmented." Most shades lasted between eight and nine hours on me.
Browse all of our Makeup Geek Highlighter swatches.
Ingredients
Triethylhexanoin, Magnesium Myristate, Silica, Boron Nitride, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin. May Contain: Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Tin Oxide (CI 77861), Iron Oxides (CI 77499, CI 77491, CI 77492), Carmine (CI 75470)
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Looks gorgeous on you as a blush!
Thank you, Ariella!
Oh wow, looks even better on/swatched! Gorgeous.
Happy to hear it!
I’m pleased that they came out with colors to suit such a wide range of skin tones. This one’s not for me, but it’s pretty!
I am with you, Fran! I like the range.
Ablaze is amazingly beautiful! I just love this one! On me, it would also definitely be a highlighting blush. Might want this even more than that MAC mixup blush I’ve been waiting for…hmmm.
Ablaze is a nice one!
This literally STOLE my breath. I gasped so loudly at the swatches. Oh my GOSH!!
Christine, and Makeup Geek are killing me!! LOL.
Awww! 🙂
Oooh purty! I keep hoping MUG will come out with a kit with multiple shades, since I can’t decide which color(s) to get, and I can’t finish a full size one either
They have bundles, which are probably about as cheap as a palette would be!
That might be a little to much for me, perfect for ebony skin though.
It should work well on deeper skin tones!
Just when I think that MUG has nailed it, there’s a new colour / formula / product to take my money away! I’m a huge fan of the NYX Bronzed so I’m glad to hear that this is a pretty similar colour. I think I’ll be sticking with Nyx’s offering for now as it’s available in Canada already!
Glad there’s a good NYX dupe for ya!