Highlighter has become a must-have product for achieving that luminous, lit-from-within glow. Whether you prefer a subtle sheen or a blinding highlight, choosing the right product can make all the difference. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to decide which highlighter is best for your skin type and tone. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best highlighters on the market, helping you find the perfect glow to elevate your makeup look.
Why Highlighter Is Essential for a Radiant Look
Highlighter enhances your natural bone structure by reflecting light from your skin, giving you a radiant, youthful glow. It can also add dimension to your face, making it appear more sculpted. When applied to areas like the tops of your cheekbones, brow bones, and the bridge of your nose, highlighter creates a beautiful contrast against your matte foundation, giving your complexion a natural radiance.
Best Highlighters for Every Type of Glow
- Best Powder Highlighter: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter
- Why it’s great: Becca’s iconic highlighter has a buttery-soft powder formula that melts into the skin, leaving behind a natural, luminous finish. It’s buildable, so you can go for a subtle glow or layer it for an intense, beaming highlight.
- How to apply: Use a fan or fluffy highlighting brush to dust the highlighter onto the tops of your cheekbones, brow bones, and down the bridge of your nose.
- Best for: Normal to oily skin types.
- Shade recommendation: “Champagne Pop” is a universally flattering shade that works for many skin tones, offering a warm, golden glow.
- Best Cream Highlighter: RMS Beauty Living Luminizer
- Why it’s great: This cult-favorite cream highlighter gives your skin a dewy, fresh-faced glow that looks incredibly natural. The coconut oil-infused formula is ideal for those who want a glossy, hydrated finish.
- How to apply: Tap the highlighter onto the high points of your face using your fingertips for a seamless, lit-from-within glow. You can also layer it under powder highlighter for extra radiance.
- Best for: Dry or mature skin types that need extra hydration.
- Shade recommendation: “Living Luminizer” is the go-to shade, offering a translucent pearl glow that works for light to medium skin tones.
- Best Liquid Highlighter: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
- Why it’s great: This liquid highlighter is a game-changer for achieving a glow that looks like it’s coming from within. The formula is lightweight, blends easily, and can be mixed with foundation or worn alone for an all-over glow.
- How to apply: Dab it onto the tops of your cheekbones, down the bridge of your nose, and on your cupid’s bow using the applicator. Blend it with your fingers or a damp beauty sponge.
- Best for: All skin types, especially those looking for a versatile product that can double as a foundation enhancer.
- Shade recommendation: “Light/Medium” is perfect for fair to medium skin tones, offering a soft, golden glow.
- Best Drugstore Highlighter: Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter
- Why it’s great: For a drugstore option, Maybelline’s Master Chrome Highlighter offers intense pigment and a metallic sheen that rivals high-end products. It’s incredibly reflective and perfect for those who love a bold highlight.
- How to apply: Use a highlighter brush to apply the powder to the high points of your face. For an extra pop, apply it to the inner corners of your eyes and your collarbone.
- Best for: All skin types looking for a budget-friendly highlighter.
- Shade recommendation: “Molten Gold” is a beautiful golden shade that complements medium to deep skin tones, offering a warm, radiant glow.
- Best Natural-Looking Highlighter: Glossier Haloscope
- Why it’s great: Glossier’s Haloscope provides a subtle, natural-looking glow thanks to its unique formula that combines a solid oil core with pearlescent pigments. This hydrating highlighter is perfect for those who prefer a “no-makeup” makeup look.
- How to apply: Swipe the stick directly onto your cheekbones, brow bones, and down your nose. Blend with your fingers for a seamless, dewy finish.
- Best for: Dry skin or those looking for a subtle, everyday glow.
- Shade recommendation: “Quartz” offers a soft, dewy sheen that works well for light to medium skin tones.
- Best Highlighter Palette: Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit
- Why it’s great: This palette features four shades that can be used individually or mixed together to create a customized glow. The formula is highly pigmented and blends effortlessly, making it a go-to for both subtle and bold looks.
- How to apply: Use a fan or highlighter brush to sweep your desired shade onto the high points of your face. Mix and match shades to create a multi-dimensional glow.
- Best for: All skin types, especially if you like to have a variety of shades to choose from.
- Shade recommendation: “Sun Dipped” is perfect for medium to deep skin tones, offering a range of warm golden and bronze shades.
How to Choose the Right Highlighter for Your Skin Tone
- Fair to Light Skin: Opt for pearl, champagne, or light pink highlighters to avoid a harsh contrast against your skin.
- Medium Skin: Choose golden, peachy, or rose gold highlighters to bring warmth and radiance to your complexion.
- Deep Skin: Bronze, copper, and deep gold shades work best to enhance your skin’s natural glow without looking ashy.
Bonus Tips for Applying Highlighter
- Less is More: Start with a small amount and build up the intensity. It’s easier to add more product than to take it away.
- Use a Damp Sponge for Extra Intensity: For an intense glow, apply highlighter with a damp beauty sponge. This technique works especially well with cream or liquid highlighters.
- Apply to Key Areas: Focus on applying highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones, brow bones, down the bridge of your nose, and on your cupid’s bow for a natural, lit-from-within look.
Conclusion:
Whether you’re looking for a natural dewy glow or a bold, blinding highlight, there’s a perfect highlighter for every skin type and makeup preference. From creams to powders, these highlighters will give you that radiant, lit-from-within glow that elevates any makeup look. Experiment with different formulas and shades to find the one that makes your skin shine.
