A good highlighter is a makeup bag essential. It can instantly elevate your look, adding a radiant glow and making your skin appear smooth and luminous. Celebrity makeup artists swear by highlighters for their ability to revive a dull complexion and create a fresh, healthy-looking finish.
To help you find the perfect highlighter for your needs, we’ve compiled a list of top picks from makeup artists and beauty editors. From creamy sticks to shimmering powders, there’s a highlighter for every skin tone and type.
Choosing the Right Highlighter
When selecting a highlighter, consider your undertones. Golden and red undertones are best for darker skin tones, while rosy and coral undertones complement lighter skin well. Pearlescent and iridescent highlighters are universally flattering, offering a gorgeous glow with minimal effort.
Skin type, desired finish, and format are also important factors. For instance, if you have dry skin, a cream or balm highlighter might be a better choice than a powder formula.
Application Techniques
For powder highlighters, a small domed-tip brush with soft bristles is ideal for distributing the product evenly without emphasizing texture. For liquid and cream highlighters, a small complexion sponge can help concentrate the product and create a more natural finish.
To apply, swipe highlighter directly to the high points of the face, including the cheekbones, center of the nose, and cupid’s bow. These are areas where the sun naturally hits. For a more diffused finish, dab your brush on the highlighter and apply using a patting motion. Creamy or balmy formulations can also be applied with fingers.
Highlighter isn’t just for the face. You can apply it to the cheekbones, brow bone, décolletage, shoulders, and even the legs for an all-over glow.
Tips for Achieving the Perfect Glow
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Prepare your skin.
Highlighter works best on well-moisturized skin. A radiant base allows the formula to amplify your natural glow.*
Master the art of blending.
Whether you use your fingertips, a beauty sponge, or a brush, thorough blending is key to achieving a seamless finish.*
Set your highlighter.
For lasting results, set your highlighter with a setting spray. This will help blend the product and extend its wear.*
Experiment with different application techniques.
There are no rules when it comes to makeup. Blend until you achieve a look that you love.Top Picks
* Chanel Baume Essentiel Multi-Glow Stick
* Merit Day Glow Highlighting Balm
* Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick
* Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter
* Yves Saint Laurent Nu Halo Tint Highlighter
* Saie Glowy Super Gel
* Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette
* Ami Colė Light-Catching Highlighter
* Refy Gloss Highlighter
* Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette
* Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Highlighter & Balm Duo
* MAC Cosmetics Strobe Cream
* Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate Highlighting Duo
* Ilia Liquid Light Serum Highlighter
* RMS Beauty Luminizer Highlighter
* Ortega Ethereal Glow Balm
