The Best Highlighters for a Radiant Glow

When it comes to makeup, achieving a radiant glow is often the ultimate goal. Highlighters are the secret weapon to illuminate your features, add dimension to your face, and give your skin that lit-from-within appearance. Whether you prefer a subtle sheen or a bold, blinding highlight, there’s a product out there for everyone. In this guide, we’ll explore the best highlighters available on the market, tips for choosing the right one for your skin type and tone, and techniques for application to achieve that coveted glow.

What Makes a Good Highlighter?

A good highlighter should be versatile, easy to apply, and deliver a radiant finish without looking overdone. Here are the key factors to consider:

1. Formula:
   • Powder Highlighters: Ideal for oily skin or a more controlled application, powder highlighters are easy to blend and build.
   • Liquid Highlighters: Great for dry or mature skin, these provide a dewy, natural finish and can be mixed with foundation for an all-over glow.
   • Cream Highlighters: Perfect for a seamless, skin-like finish, cream highlighters work well on normal to dry skin.
2. Shade:
   • For fair skin tones, look for champagne, pearl, or pink undertones.
   • Medium skin tones glow beautifully with gold, peach, or bronze shades.
   • Deep skin tones shine with copper, golden bronze, and rich gold highlighters.
3. Pigmentation: Highlighters should have just the right amount of pigment to add glow without looking harsh or streaky.
4. Longevity: Choose a product that lasts throughout the day, even in warm or humid conditions.
5. Finish: Depending on your preference, you can choose a matte highlighter for subtlety, or one with shimmer for a luminous effect.

Top Highlighters to Try

1. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter

Becca’s iconic highlighter remains a cult favorite for a reason. Its ultra-fine, buttery texture melts seamlessly into the skin, delivering a natural yet striking glow. Shades like “Opal” and “Champagne Pop” cater to a wide range of skin tones, ensuring everyone finds their perfect match.

Why It’s Loved:

• Intense pigmentation
• Wide variety of shades
• Long-lasting finish

2. Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter

Fenty Beauty’s highlighters revolutionized the makeup game with their innovative, buildable formulas. With shades ranging from subtle champagne to bold holographic hues, the Killawatt highlighters are perfect for creating both daytime and evening looks.

Why It’s Loved:

• Versatile shades for all skin tones
• Cream-powder hybrid formula
• Long wear time

3. Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

This multipurpose product acts as a primer, highlighter, and even a light foundation. Its liquid formula delivers a soft-focus, candlelit glow that’s perfect for those seeking a luminous finish.

Why It’s Loved:

• Multi-use functionality
• Natural-looking glow
• Lightweight and hydrating

4. Anastasia Beverly Hills Amrezy Highlighter

This limited-edition highlighter became a favorite for its universal champagne gold shade that flatters all skin tones. Its gel-powder formula provides a high-impact glow without emphasizing texture.

Why It’s Loved:

• Universal shade
• Smooth, non-chalky texture
• Buildable intensity

5. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder

Hourglass’s Ambient Lighting Powders are more than just highlighters. They mimic flattering light sources, giving your skin a diffused, soft-focus glow. Ideal for a natural, everyday look.

Why It’s Loved:

• Subtle and sophisticated finish
• Lightweight and blendable
• Suitable for all skin types

6. Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer

Rare Beauty’s luminizer is a standout for its lightweight liquid formula that delivers an ethereal glow. Available in multiple shades, it caters to a wide range of skin tones.

Why It’s Loved:

• Blendable and buildable
• Hydrating formula
• Versatile for mixing with foundation

How to Choose the Right Highlighter for You

1. Skin Type

• Oily Skin: Stick to powder highlighters to prevent excess shine.
• Dry Skin: Opt for liquid or cream formulas that provide hydration and a luminous finish.
• Combination Skin: Use a combination of formulas—powder for mattifying and liquid for targeted glow.

2. Undertones

Your skin’s undertone plays a crucial role in determining which highlighter shade will look most natural:

• Cool Undertones: Silvery, pink, or icy shades complement cool skin tones.
• Warm Undertones: Gold, peach, and bronze shades enhance warm skin tones.
• Neutral Undertones: Neutral undertones can experiment with both cool and warm shades.

3. Occasion

• For everyday wear, go for subtle highlighters that blend effortlessly into your skin.
• For events or parties, choose high-impact, shimmering formulas that make a statement.

4. Climate Considerations

• In hot and humid weather, use long-wear formulas that won’t melt off.
• In colder months, hydrating highlighters can prevent dry patches from becoming noticeable.

Application Tips for a Flawless Glow

1. Prep Your Skin: A well-moisturized base ensures smooth application. Use a hydrating primer if needed.
2. Use the Right Tools:
   • For powder highlighters, a fan brush or tapered highlighting brush works best.
   • For liquid or cream formulas, use your fingers or a damp makeup sponge for a seamless finish.
3. Target the Right Areas: Apply highlighter to the high points of your face:
   • Cheekbones
   • Bridge of the nose
   • Cupid’s bow
   • Brow bones
   • Inner corners of the eyes
4. Blend, Blend, Blend: Harsh lines can ruin the effect, so take your time blending the product into your skin.
5. Layer for Intensity: Start with a light application and build up to your desired level of glow.
6. Mix with Foundation: For an all-over luminous look, mix a drop of liquid highlighter into your foundation or moisturizer.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overapplying: Less is more when it comes to highlighter. Too much product can make your skin look greasy rather than glowing.
2. Choosing the Wrong Shade: A mismatch between your highlighter and skin tone can look unnatural.
3. Ignoring Texture: Highlighters can emphasize texture, so use sparingly on areas with fine lines or acne scars.
4. Skipping Primer: Without a proper base, your highlighter may not blend well or last as long.
5. Using the Wrong Tool: Using an inappropriate applicator can result in uneven application.

Highlighter Alternatives and Enhancements

If you’re looking for alternatives to traditional highlighters, consider these options:

1. Glowy Primers: Products like MAC Strobe Cream or Laura Mercier’s Pure Canvas Illuminating Primer provide a soft, radiant finish.
2. Illuminating Setting Sprays: Sprays like the Iconic London Prep-Set-Glow add a touch of shimmer to your makeup.
3. DIY Highlighter: Mix a loose pigment or eyeshadow with a few drops of facial oil to create a custom liquid highlighter.
4. Glossy Balms: Clear or slightly tinted balms can create a natural dewy effect when applied to the high points of the face.
5. Eyeshadows as Highlighters: Light, shimmery eyeshadows can double as highlighters in a pinch.

Final Thoughts

The right highlighter can transform your makeup look, taking it from ordinary to extraordinary. Whether you’re a fan of a soft, natural glow or a bold, head-turning shine, there’s a highlighter out there to suit your style and needs. Remember to consider your skin type, undertones, and the occasion when selecting a product, and follow the tips above to apply it flawlessly. With the perfect highlighter in your