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Urban Decay Fireball Afterglow Highlighter Review, Photos, Swatches

Urban Decay Fireball Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter
Urban Decay Fireball Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter

Urban Decay Fireball Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter ($26.00 for 0.23 oz.) is described as a “peach with pink shift.” It’s a muted, medium peachy-orange with strong yellow tones paired with a pearly shimmer that shifts from cooler pink to warmer, pinky-copper. Becca Pink Sapphire (LE, $38.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar). Urban Decay Twilight (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (90% similar). Huda Beauty Winter Rose (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar). Milani Flashing Lights (P, $12.99) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Coronation (LE, $12.00) is warmer (90% similar). Anastasia Hard Candy (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Urban Decay OC (DC, $26.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Fireball (DC, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker, more pigmented (90% similar). Dior Peach Delight (007) (LE, $50.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). Too Faced Canary Diamond (P, $34.00) is more shimmery (85% similar). Dose of Colors Melonade (P, $28.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Mr. Wind (LE, $10.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). Bobbi Brown Opal Glow (LE, $48.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Swipe Right (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Paradise Lust (Top) (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). Kevyn Aucoin Starlight (P, $44.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar). MAC Hot Damn-oiselle D'Avignon (LE, $42.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar). Huda Beauty Ibiza (LE, ) is darker, warmer (80% similar). Huda Beauty Zanzibar (LE, ) is darker, warmer (80% similar). NYX Rose Gold (P, $6.50) is darker, warmer (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

The new Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter formula is supposed to be “finely-milled” with “sheer,” buildable payoff that “blends in easily” and eight-hour wear. It had sheer to semi-opaque coverage with a smooth, finely-milled texture that was blendable on the skin. It seemed to have a low-level sheen than an overtly shimmery finish applied; it was the least shimmery of the three shades in the highlighter range released for summer. On me, the color wore well for eight hours before fading. I would consider this to be more of a highlighting blush on several skin tones. It is a sheerer, less dense, and slightly less shimmery take on the same Fireball eyeshadow–their colors are similar, but the texture and payoff make the blush look much more subdued. If you already own the eyeshadow, you might consider trying out the color as a blush to see if it’s something you’d use often; assuming you don’t mind a softer, sheerer version for a blush, the blush is a better value if you use it as such ($113/oz. vs. $380/oz.)

Urban Decay Fireball Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter
Urban Decay Fireball Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter

Urban Decay Fireball Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter
Urban Decay Fireball Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter

Urban Decay Fireball Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter
Urban Decay Fireball Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter

Urban Decay Fireball Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter
Urban Decay Fireball Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter

Urban Decay Fireball Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter
Urban Decay Fireball Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter

Urban Decay Fireball Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter
Urban Decay Fireball Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter

Urban Decay Fireball Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter
Urban Decay Fireball Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aqua Foundation
  • Guerlain Les Voilettes Loose Setting Powder
On eyes:
  • BH Cosmetics Foil Eyes Palette
On lips
  • Too Faced Honey Bear La Creme Lipstick

43 Comments

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EvilStepQueen Avatar

We got this in at the little Sephora I work at, and I had to try it on. Mind you, I have oily skin, this highlighter gave me a slight sheen with the prettiest soft glow. I don’t know how to describe it, but it definitely didn’t enhance my pores or make my skin look oilier. It is quite soft. I suggest stopping in wherever there’s a makeup counter and trying some on!!!

Tammy B Avatar

I am really love that eyeshadow look and lipstick. I’ve seen them in your photos a couple times this week and I am beginning to get tempted…

Renee Q. Avatar

I am not even a highlighter person, but I must have this!!! It is simply gorgeous…love the peach/pink shift and low-level sheen…it looks stunning on you, Christine.

Julia Avatar

Hmm, much more subtle than I expected. I already have ABH Hard Candy, so lucky for me it’s an easy pass! For those looking for a stronger effect and/or a lower price point, I would also suggest looking into Looxi Beauty Venom (when it’s back in stock). It’s a deeper warm rosy base with a strong golden orange shift. Valley Girl is also a fun one, it’s more of a gold-on-orange (it is in no way like the site’s description of bubblegum pink!).

Nancy T Avatar

It really would, huh?!? I could envision doing that while using just CP Poolside under both for a supergliwy bronzed cheek for summer. It goes on my wish list!

Chrissye Avatar

As soon as I saw the promo for this item, I went to my stash and looked for the eyeshadow. I tried the eyeshadow as a highlighter on my oily skin and found that I loved it, it looks great. So, I think if you have the eyeshadow, no need to buy this highlighter.

Alicia Johnson Morris Avatar

I finally picked this up yesterday (04-08-16) and I sure wish I had broken down and gotten it sooner! It gives a lovely glow to the skin, not glitter-city or funky looking ? I have more than my fair share of highlighters but this one is unique in color. This is going to totally rock for summer as a blush for me (I’m pretty fair skinned).

Randee Avatar

I love the way this looks! I already have the Balm Cindy Lou Manizer though, how would you say this compares? Would you consider it a dupe or is it worth also getting UD Fireball?

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