Urban Decay Afterglow Highlighter Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
Afterglow
Urban Decay Afterglow Highlighter Palette ($34.00 for 0.64 oz.) is a four-pan highlighter palette exclusively available at Ulta. It features four new shades in the brand’s Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter formula, which is supposed to be buildable, lightweight, and will give the “perfect glow.” A full-size Afterglow Highlighter retails for $26 and contains 0.23 oz. or costs $113.04/oz. The palette contains $72.35 worth of product (or comparatively, the palette costs $53.13/oz.).
I really enjoyed the quality of the products in the palette: the only “downside” was that they were more pigmented so if you’re someone who really hoped for sheer highlighters, these might be too much for you.
Afterglow
LELimited Edition. $34.00.
Bliss
Bliss is a light gold with strong warm, orange undertones and a metallic sheen. It swatched and applied much lighter than it appeared in the pan (where it looked more like a peachy orange). The highlighter was richly pigmented, though the soft, blendable formula was forgiving and easy to sheer and diffuse for less coverage if desired. You would need a very light hand to get semi-sheer coverage, though. The highlighter lasted for eight hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Dior Strobe Gold (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- Viseart Ablaze (Highlight) (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- NARS Crique (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Givenchy African Light Gold (LE, $41.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Tarte Champagne (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Tarte Authentic (LE, $28.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Makeup Revolution Liquid Euphoric Gold (P, $9.00) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Incandescent (Top) (PiP, $75.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Earth (LE, $6.99) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Estee Lauder Courreges (LE, $32.00) is warmer (95% similar).
Bliss
LELimited Edition. $26.00.
Peroxide
Peroxide is a light pink with subtle, cool undertones and a sparkling, frosted finish. The texture was smooth, slightly looser than the average shade in the formula, but it applied easily and was more buildable (as it was supposed to be). It had buildable pigmentation from medium to mostly opaque (two to three layers, depending on how heavy handed you are or whether you use a dense brush). The highlighter blended out easily on my skin and did not seem to emphasize my skin’s natural texture. It started to fade on me after eight and a half hours of wear.
Top Dupes
- Sephora Twilight (P, $16.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- bareMinerals Clear Radiance (LE, $26.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Becca Prismatic Amethyst (LE, $38.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Kevyn Aucoin Ibiza (Center) (PiP, $44.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Glitz (P, $20.00) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Winter Rose (LE, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Dose of Colors Pearl Dust (P, $28.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Aura (P, $26.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- Stila Transcendence (PiP, $32.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- NYX State of Flux (P, $6.99) is more shimmery, less pigmented, cooler (90% similar).
Look Using this Product
Peroxide
LELimited Edition. $26.00.
NSFW
NSFW is a light-medium, peachy coral with warm undertones and a frosted sheen. It had good color coverage–semi-opaque and buildable to opaque coverage in two layers–that applied evenly to bare skin. The powder was smooth, finely-milled, and almost cream-like as it was soft but still a bit denser (so no powderiness!). It had a very strong, reflective sheen, but it seemed to smooth out my skin rather than accentuate imperfections and pores. It wore well for almost nine hours on me before fading.
Top Dupes
- Charlotte Tilbury Lightgasm Multi-Glow (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Smashbox Shimmer (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Milani Flashing Lights (P, $12.99) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Kevyn Aucoin Starlight (P, $44.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Dior #001 (DC, $56.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Venus Nectar (P, $48.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Viseart Highlight #2 (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Spotlight (LE, $26.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Fair-Medium #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Dior Peach Delight (007) (LE, $50.00) is darker (90% similar).
NSFW
LELimited Edition. $26.00.
Side Piece
Side Piece is a medium gold with strong, warm orange undertones and a pearly sheen. The shimmer was finer in this shade compared to the other three highlighters in the palette. It had opaque color coverage in a single layer, though the soft, blendable texture made it possible to use a lighter hand or blend and diffuse the product across a wider surface area for sheer to medium coverage. It stayed on well for eight and a half hours on me before fading.
Top Dupes
- Makeup Revolution Gold Addict (P, $6.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Electric Slide (DC, $10.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Laura Mercier Infatuation (LE, $45.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Goddess Glow (P, $5.99) is lighter (95% similar).
- Maybelline Molten Gold (P, $9.99) is warmer (95% similar).
- NARS Ibiza (P, $38.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- L'Oreal Golden (P, $12.99) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- LORAC Fearless (LE, $23.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- NARS Double Take (LE, $42.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Becca Topaz Flashes Gilt (LE, $34.00) is lighter (95% similar).
I’m a little torn on this… I do like the colors (it seems more like a light, shimmery blush palette (which is perfectly fine for me!), but sets like this are definitely getting a bit redundant. And I hate the cardboard packaging!! I don’t think I’ll jump on this yet, but I’ll be watching the sale section 🙂
I hear ya, Julia — the shades themselves are not particularly unique if you have a lot of highlighters already.
Really pretty but a big no to LE blush/highlighter palettes.
Any particular reason why you’re saying no to these types of palettes?
Mostly because they are LE and I’m trying to buy more permanent products but also most of these palettes come with a few shades that don’t work with my fair skin.
This ones not so bad, but Side Piece would be very orange on me. 😉
The only one I’m iffy on is side piece. But even so, I still would use it.
I’m liking the lower price as well, it won’t be too much more in CAD!
I’ll have to pick this up next time im in the US. as I refuse to pay ULTA’s shipping!
Sounds like a good plan, Shannon!
Hi Shannon – I think in Canada urbandecay.ca will carry it. So you don’t have to wait to go to the US.
The colors are very pretty!
They are! I feel like it’s a bit dupable all in all, given the highlighter craze, but it’s a nice set for those who need it!
As if I need another cheek palette, I’m crazy about this one! Especially, as it has dupes of full-size highlighters that are either on my wishlist, or ones that I would at least love to try. And NO weird chalky, white bases on any of them!
Ooh, nice! Sounds like it might be perfect for you, Nancy!
Unless you get a palette like mine in which case they’re all sheer! Wow, like totally different palettes! I’ve already given mine away. It was so dry and poorly pigmented I couldn’t use it for anything.
Oh no, you should have returned it! 🙁
You’re absolutely right. I hate returning things but I really need to start doing it. Such a waste of money (that I can use to buy more things 😉 )
I understand – I’m super slow to return – but at this price point, I really feel like you should!
Already gave it away. But in the future, and I’m sure there will be less than stellar items in the future, you’re right and i will save the receipts and return.
Oh my gosh, those are all freaking gorgeous! Adding this to my cart right now!!
I hope you love it, Alicia!
I thought this was a blush palette when I saw the photo. And for me it would be highlighting blushes. I don’t need this palette, but I do like it.
It could be for someone with lighter skin!
Really like this especially NSFW which I don’t have a dupe for. Not too keen on Side Piece which is a little too yellowy orange for me though. It is a pretty colour but not on me!
Aww, darn! I’m not sure if it’s worth it if you wouldn’t use one of the four!
This looks gorgeous. Sadly I’m on a low buy until September when I will be visiting the US. who knows. If I see it IRL here in the U.K. I may be tempted.
Thank you, Val! Good luck on your low-buy!
How did you manage to get 7 eyeshadows in that look!!!? Well it’s gorgeous and I love it! Would love to see a break down.
Looks are posted in my looks’ section of my profile!
I need this like a hole in the head but I do love the colors and finishes. I actually like that its a cardboard packaging because it would be light and good for travel. I am concerned about excessive pigmenting though, I do not like to struggle to get a light application, hopefully I can test at a store.
Being as pale as I am these might come off more like blush on me.
How does NSFW compare to the Gwen Stefani blush color hush?
You can compare any two swatches right on this page under “Compare Any Two” or use the Swatch Gallery: http://www.temptalia.com/swatch-gallery/#sbs