Cream Highlighter
The Natural Radiance of Cream Highlighters
Seeking a gorgeous, glowing complexion with a fresh, luminous finish? A cream highlighter may be just what you need! These creamy, blendable formulas provide the most natural-looking, lit-from-within radiance you can get from a highlighter. With their ability to melt seamlessly into skin, cream highlighter impart a soft-focus, dewy sheen that appears virtually effortless and undetectable on the face. Let’s explore why these standout formulas deserve a spot in your makeup routine.
The Benefits of Cream Highlighter Formulas
Unlike their powder or liquid counterparts, cream highlighters have several unique advantages that makeup lovers adore:
Natural, Second-Skin Finish
The best cream highlighters apply and blend like a dream, melting seamlessly into skin without ever looking heavy, glittery or obvious. Their creamy, emollient bases create a naturally radiant, hydrated sheen as if your glow comes from within.
Versatile Wear
Cream highlights perform double duty as both subtle everyday luminizers and high-impact liquid highlighters simply by varying application intensity. You can wear them sheered out for a fresh “your skin but better” effect or build them up for a high-shine metallic radiance.
Easy Application
Most cream highlighters come in stick, compact or liquid formulas that make application a breeze. Simply swipe or pat them directly onto high points, then blend outward with a brush, sponge or fingers. Their emollient bases ensure foolproof, seamless coverage every time.
Long-Wearing Illumination
When set properly with powder or setting spray, quality cream highlighters maintain their radiant finish all day without creasing, fading or breaking apart on skin. The long-wearing glow lasts impressively through workdays, humidity and activities.
Flattering for Mature Skin
Rather than emphasizing texture like some powder highlighters, cream formulas help smooth over and blur the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Their hydrating, light-reflecting properties create a soft, forgiving focus that minimizes imperfections.
Complementary Benefits
Many cream highlighters contain nourishing ingredients like vitamins, hydrating butters and antioxidants that treat skin while brightening. You get added complexion benefits beyond radiance alone.
Shade Ranges for All Skin Tones
One of cream highlighters’ biggest advantages is their versatility across all complexions. Top beauty brands offer these shade ranges to complement every skin tone and undertone:
For Fair Skin Tones:
Go for pink, opalescent or icy pearl-toned cream highlighters to achieve a cool, ethereal radiant effect that brightens and flatters lighter complexions beautifully.
For Medium Skin Tones:
Warm champagne, rose gold and sunny nude shades impart a soft warmth and natural glow that highlights and enhances medium skin flawlessly.
For Tan/Olive Skin Tones:
Reach for golden, bronze or deep honey-hued cream highlights to create a radiant sun-kissed warmth and lift on olive and tan complexions.
For Deep Skin Tones:
Rich amber, copper or reddish-brown toned creams provide a gorgeous lit-from-within sheen that complements and enhances deeper skin beautifully.
No matter your skin’s unique tone and undertones, you’ll find a perfect cream highlight shade to create the most flattering, customized radiance.
The Top Cream Highlighters to Try
Ready to experience the natural luminosity that only a cream highlighter can achieve? Here are ten outstanding cream formulas beloved by makeup lovers:
Flesh Beauty Flesh Twinkle Liter Dewy Cream Highlighter Stick
This clean, vegan formula glides on effortlessly in a stunning array of pearlescent shades ideal for all skin tones.
RMS Beauty Luminizer
This cult classic highlighter combines ultra-fine, light-reflecting mineral pigments with hydrating ingredients into a delightfully dewy cream formula.
Kevyn Aucoin Glass Glow Face Liquid Illuminator
Experience high-shine, glass-like radiance from this creamy liquid highlighter that amplifies and reflects light with every movement.
Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Blurring Under Eye Concealer & Highlighter
Using this hydrating, brightening cream as a highlighter creates a soft, diffused lit-from-within sheen around the eyes and high planes.
Merit Flush Balm Cream Blush & Lip Tint
Don’t overlook Merit’s tinted balm highlighter shades like Bevvy, a pearly golden champagne that looks gorgeous on high points.
Lys Beauty Triple Pocket All Over Glow
Boasting three universal highlighting shades, this creamy formula stands out with its intense sheen and crystal-gel technology.
Danessa Myricks Beauty Dewd Wet Cream Multipurpose Highlighter
Dewy, long-lasting radiance is guaranteed from this high-impact cream pigmented with diamond and opal particles.
Huda Beauty Glowluster Luminizing Skin Tint
Mix this radiant illuminating cream into foundations and moisturizers for a lit-from-within glow all over.
Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight
This lightweight, hydrating liquid provides subtle to intense glow with an effortless lit-from-within radiance.
Milk Makeup Flex Highlighter
Buildable cream-to-powder highlighters in flattering shades like Polished Beige, Sunflower Gold and Ruby Renaissance.
Application Tips for Your Best Glow
For the most seamless, natural-looking radiance from your cream highlighters, follow these expert application tips:
- Always start with a smooth, hydrated base by prepping skin with moisturizer and/or primer so cream highlighters blend seamlessly
- Use a damp makeup sponge or your fingers to pick up and apply cream formulas for best diffusion
- Focus product application on the high planes of the face like cheekbones, brow bones, down the nose, etc.
- Build up coverage gradually with light layers until you achieve your desired glow intensity
- Set cream highlights in place with a light dusting of translucent powder or hydrating setting spray
Multitasking Cream Highlight Hacks
Cream highlighters are fantastic multi-tasking makeup heroes! Beyond basic highlighting, utilize them for glowing radiance in all these clever ways:
- Mix into liquid or cream foundations for an all-over dewy glow
- Apply to eyelids or inner corners as a cream eyeshadow topper
- Blend over body makeup like self-tanners or body lotions for a lit bronzed effect
- Use as a cream blush by tapping onto cheeks before blending outward
- Dab onto the cupid’s bow and along browbones to accentuate
- Swipe down the center of collarbones, shoulders and legs for a full body “glow job”
- Top powder highlights with cream formulas for an intense, molten shine effect
Customize Your Radiance
Thanks to the multiple cream highlighter finishes out there, it’s easy to curate your ideal complexion glow every time:
- For a soft, lit glow: Opt for buildable, sheer pearl or opalescent cream highlighters like Milk Makeup’s polished satin shades.
- For intense, blinding highlight: Layer creams with extreme metallic and glass-shine finishes like Danessa Myricks or Kevyn Aucoin’s formulas.
- For an all-over radiance boost: Mix liquid or whipped creams like Rare Beauty’s into your daily moisturizer or foundation for a hydrated, unified glow.
The Bottom Line
If you want a natural-looking radiance that appears effortless and lit from within, reach for a cream highlighter! Their hydrating, blendable, emollient formulas melt seamlessly into skin for a soft-focus, healthy-looking glow that flatters all skin tones and types.
Unlike powders or liquids, cream highlights utilize light-reflecting pigments in a creamy base that both brightens and smooths over skin texture. You’ll love their customizable radiance, flattering finishes, and multi-tasking versatility. Give your complexion a gorgeous lit-from-within luminosity with the natural-looking magic of cream highlighters!
