If there’s ever a time to level-up on dazzle, it’s the festive season. Glaze those cheekbones in pure gold, dust on frost and ice, go hog-wild with the glitter; anything goes at this time of year.

It’s only been a few years since highlighters became a make-up bag staple. In that time many of us have fallen in and out of love with the compacts and tubes of shimmer and glow. 

While you may be running out of time to master the perfect bronze cut crease or candy cane liner (yes it’s a thing), a new highlighter is a no-tutorial-required way to get playful this party season. 

Charlotte Tilbury’s Bar of Gold palette oozes the make-up artist’s trademark Hollywood glamour. The ‘wet’ powder formula softly sculpts for a serious glow. The best-selling original gold shade is accompanied by a blushing rose gold and deeper gold bullion. Stash it in your bag for on-the-go options or experiment with all three to create a custom finish.

£49

The outer circle of Glossier’s Haloscope delivers glow from infused crystal extracts, while the inner circle is a vitamin-rich solid oil to hydrate and nourish your skin. True to Glossier’s skin-first ethos, Haloscope will work on your natural glow while giving you that little bit extra. Glitter free and oh-so-dewy, try the pale rosy Quartz to add a flush to fair complexions or rich Topaz for warming deeper skin tones. 

£18

With shades in lilac and bright orange, the Fenty Killawatt collection threw out the rule book. The long-wear highlighters can be built up to super-intensity and stay on well into the night. Yellow-gold shade Trophy Wife became an instant icon and while ‘3D Hyper-Metallic Gold’ is a bold choice, embracing the daring hue will leave you feeling fearless.

£26

You’ll be hard pushed to find a bad review of Iconic London’s vegan illuminator drops. Pat on with fingertips for a high-gloss look or add a couple of drops of the concentrated liquid shimmer to your foundation, moisturiser or primer to enhance a lackluster (or hungover) complexion. A little goes a long way so don’t be daunted by the colour of Terracotta brown shade Glow, yes it’s a dream on dark skin but blended out can give medium skin tones a sun-soaked bronze.

£30

The best-selling Champagne Pop BECCA Pressed Highlighter, has earned its stripes as a firm favourite. Award-winning and loved by celebs, influencers and not to mention the Stylist team, the creamy formula contains light reflecting pearls that enhances your skin. Soft gold with peach undertones, universally flattering Champagne Pop is the cult favourite of the 10 shades but the BECCA website can match you to your perfect shade.

£30

For serious sparkle, Too Faced’s Diamond Highlighters contain real crushed diamonds.  Encased in a compact that looks more like it should open to reveal a clockwork ballerina,  it’s a sparkle that means business. With pink, blue and gold hues infused to imitate the rainbow glow of  a diamond, a dusting of this highlight delivers a magical radiance that won’t be dimmed.

£28

Rose gold options are good if you’re olive skinned or yellow undertones. Traditional yellow golds may be a little draining but a hint of rose will give you the colour you need for a perkier complexion. Zoeva’s Strobe Gel highlighter in Nova gives you a fine gold glitter in a rose gold gel, balancing out the yellow. Best applied with your fingertips, the little pots are the perfect highlighter to pop in your clutch.

£11

Set in irresistible folds and swirls like molten gold, Laura Mercier’s face Illuminator in Addiction doesn’t just look like the crumpled silk bed sheets of Sophia Loren, it feels like them too (or, how I imagine said bedding to feel). The finely-milled highlighter is as smooth as cream with the lightness of a powder. The soft and flattering shimmer can be revved up to full metallic glory when you need to up the anti (and trust us, you’ll want to up the anti).

£32

Image: Getty