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5 min read
Discover your best ever skin thanks to these glow-giving formulas…
Whether you’re after a subtle healthy-looking sheen or a super-hydrated, post-facial glow, the right highlighter can instantly transform your complexion.
But – from liquid to powder, balm to all-over bases – there are so many different formulas to choose from, and shopping for the best highlighter for your skin type can be a minefield.
Are you looking for something to give your skin a healthy-looking radiance? Do you want a product that will make your cheekbones pop? Maybe you’re after a formula that will give you that viral golden hour glow…
Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you, and have hand-picked our favourite highlighter formulas – each with a slightly different finish, so that you can shop the best formula for you…
Best balm highlighters
Balm highlighters are great for giving you a fresh-faced, super-hydrated look and are perfect for achieving that lit-from-within glow. Their creamy texture melts into the skin, making them ideal for dry or sensitive skin types. They’re great for a ‘no make-up make-up’ look, giving you a dewy, natural radiance.
Use balm highlighters on the high points of your face, such as your cheekbones and brow bones, or dab a little on your eyelids and lips for an all-over glow.
Tower 28 Beauty SuperDew Highlighter Balm
Purposely made without shimmer or glitter, this balm highlighter is designed to grant a glassy, luminous finish that looks effortlessly natural.
Shop Tower 28 Beauty SuperDew Highlighter Balm at Revolve, £17
Chanel Baume Essentiel
A highlighter for people who hate highlighters, this moisturising balm imparts subtle radiance to the face. Its creamy texture instantly melts onto the skin and reflects the light for a natural-looking glow.
Victoria Beckham Reflect Highlighter Stick
Infused with a blend of skin-nourishing ingredients and subtle pearlescent pigments, this balm highlighter stick creates a natural-looking, dewy finish. The result? A lit-from-within radiance that looks like you just stepped out from an hour-long facial.
Best powder highlighters
For those who prefer a more controlled application, powder highlighters are the way to go. They can offer a subtle sheen that can also be built up for more intensity. Powder formulas are excellent for all skin types, especially for those with oily or combination skin, as they can also help to set make-up and reduce unwanted shine. You can use them to highlight your cheekbones, brow bones and the bridge of your nose for a natural, glowing finish. They’re also perfect for a quick touch-up during the day.
Guerlain Terracotta Luminizer The Shimmering Powder
Infused with natural argan oil, this cult powder highlighter creates a dazzling radiance on the skin – mimicking that summer holiday golden hour glow thanks to two shimmering shades.
Shop Guerlain Terracotta Luminizer The Shimmering Powder at John Lewis, £46
Makeup Revolution Mood Switch Aura Powder
If you’re looking for an other-worldly iridescent shimmer, this is the highlighter for you. The prism powder has a light-reflective formula that melts into the skin for serious shine.
Shop Makeup Revolution Mood Switch Aura Powder at Boots, £6.99
Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Highlighter
An oldie but a goodie, this powder highlighter has been loved for decades by make-up artists for its ability to give a natural-looking sheen to the skin. The baked powder formula is buildable, meaning you can add a little for a light-reflective glow or a lot – for a glass skin finish.
Best liquid highlighters
Liquid highlighters are ideal for achieving a dewy, radiant finish that looks like you’ve just stepped out from having a facial. These highlighters are incredibly versatile and can be mixed with foundation for an all-over glow or applied to the high points of your face for a targeted highlight. Their lightweight texture makes them perfect for layering under or over make-up, creating a seamless, skin-like finish. They’re also great for those with dry or mature skin, as they add hydration and avoid settling into fine lines.
Lumene Invisible Illumination Instant Illuminizer
For your best ever skin (only glowier) this liquid highlighter is perfect. The lightweight, buildable formula is enriched with hydrating Nordic algae, glow-boosting willowherb and soothing vitamin E for a more even and luminous-looking complexion, while the light-reflecting pigments leave your complexion radiant and glossy.
Shop Lumene Invisible Illumination Instant Illuminizer at John Lewis, £27.50
Iconic London Illuminator
A bestseller and for a good reason – this viral highlighter is the ultimate glazed skin finish. Its pearlescent pigments give a molten finish to the skin, meaning you only need the tiniest amount to really glow.
L'Oréal Paris Glow Mon Amour Liquid Highlighting Drops
This highly pigmented liquid illuminator is great for both subtle ‘no make-up’ days and full-on glamorous skin. Use the concentrated drops under your foundation for a natural-looking glow, mixed with your foundation, primer or moisturiser to add radiance or use alone for a highlight that pops.
Shop L’Oréal Paris Glow Mon Amour Liquid Highlighting Drops at Sephora, £9.99
Best all-over highlighters
For those who want to achieve an all-over radiant glow, highlighter bases are a must-have. These products are designed to be used under your foundation or on their own to create a luminous base for your make-up. They give your skin a beautiful, lit-from-within look that’s perfect for any occasion. These bases are particularly useful for dull or tired skin, instantly brightening your complexion and giving you that healthy-looking sheen.
Vieve Skin Dew
Enriched with skin-loving ingredients, this award-winning highlighter adds a golden hour glow to the face and body. Mix with your favourite face base to add a dewy sheen to the skin that lasts all day long.
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
Designed to give you a ‘lit-from-within’ look, this award-winning formula primes, highlights and offers light coverage in one. It also blurs the appearance of pores and fine lines for a smooth finish. Wear under foundation or alone to give your skin a beautifully radiant sheen.
Shop Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter at Cult Beauty, £39
Armani Fluid Sheer Highlighter
This weightless formula is available in an extensive range of shades to bring a natural-looking glow to various skin tones. It can be worn as a make-up base for a subtle result, blended with your favourite foundation for a natural-looking glow or on top of your foundation to highlight, blush or warm the complexion.
Mac Strobe Cream
A backstage beauty must-have, this iconic highlighter can be mixed with your moisturiser or make-up to give the skin a healthy-looking sheen. Super-powered with potent botanicals, it instantly boosts the look of dull, flat or tired-looking skin while brightening and adding light-reflecting luminosity. It really is the ultimate quick fix for skin.
Images: courtesy of brands
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