Best Highlighter

The Search for the Ultimate Highlighter is Over

Want to achieve that gorgeous, glowing-from-within radiance? You need an amazing highlighter in your makeup bag! The right luminizing formula can instantly sculpt, brighten, and revitalize your entire complexion. It creates the illusion of higher cheekbones, wider awake eyes, and an overall lit-up effect. One swipe delivers an enviable fresh-faced glow!

But not all highlighters are created equal. From chalky powders to greasy creams, many fall short in payoff and wearability. That’s why we went on an extensive search to find the absolute best highlighters worth your money. After much testing and reviewing, these top performers are truly worth obsessing over!

What Makes a Great Highlighter?

When hunting down a superstar highlighter, there are several key factors we looked for:

• Seamless, Skin-Like Application: The formula should melt seamlessly into skin without looking dry, chalky or greasy.
• Buildable Yet Blendable: You want to be able to build radiance from subtle to blinding, while still diffusing harsh edges.
• Lasting, Fade-Proof Wear: No one wants a highlighter that disappears within a few hours!
• Complementary Shade Range: Shades should look flattering on a wide range of skin tones and undertones.
• Multidimensional Luminosity: The best highlighters create a beautiful, multifaceted glow – never flat or unidimensional.

After testing dozens of formulas against these standards, a handful of highlighter legends emerged victorious.

Powder Highlighter MVP: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter

If you want a finely-milled baked powder highlight that packs an ultra-radiant punch, look no further! Becca’s iconic compact delivers intense yet smooth luminosity in beautiful light-catching shades.

This formula is infused with subtly-pearled pigment for a brilliant, multidimensional sheen. It blends like a dream while offering exceptional pigment payoff and wear. The signature Champagne Pop shade is universally flattering on all skin tones.

Use a delicate fan brush to dust this highlight precisely along cheekbones and high points. Or go for overall radiance by lightly sweeping it across your entire face!

Best Cream Highlighter: Flesh Beauty Sculpt Highlighting Balm

Love the look of glowing, hydrated skin? This luxe cream highlight balm will be your new go-to! Flesh Beauty created the creamiest, most seamless cream formula.

It glides onto skin like a dream, melting beautifully to create that coveted wet shine effect. Yet it sets down to the most natural, glowing finish. No heavy glitz or glitter – just fresh, healthy radiance.

Use your fingers to lightly tap and blend this highlighter along cheekbones, brow bones, and anywhere you crave spotlight illumination. The shades range from pale pearl to deep bronze, ensuring a flawless match.

Liquid Luminizer Goddess: Iconic London Illuminator Drops

For maximum glow with minimum product, you need a brilliant liquid luminizer! Iconic London’s cult-favorite Illuminator Drops provide ultra-high impact radiance.

This highly-concentrated formula contains multidimensional pearls and finely-milled sparkles suspended in a hydrating liquid gel base. Just a couple droplets mixed into your complexion products create an all-over dewy, candlelit glow.

Want next-level strobing? Dab the drops onto high points and blend out the edges for high-shine, glass-like luminosity. These long-wearing luminizers deserve allthe hype!

Multitasker Must-Have: Jones Road Beauty Miracle Balm

The hardest working highlighter has to be Jones Road’s amazing Miracle Balm. This clean makeup gem works as a hydrating skin tint, cream blush, and dewy highlighter all-in-one!

The buildable, glowy balm formula melds seamlessly into your complexion for a nourished, healthy finish. Just dab it over cheekbones, eyes and lips for glossy, blendable luminosity.

But our favorite way to use it? Mix a pump into your daily face moisturizer or serum for full-body radiance! The balm transforms any skincare formula into a ultra-hydrating gleam.

High Impact Highlighter Palette: Milk Makeup Flex Highlighter Palette

Who doesn’t love options? Milk Makeup’s innovative highlighting palette offers four shades in one convenient palette – from icy pearl to bronzed gold.

But what truly impresses is the formula itself. These highlighters start as awater-based liquid that metamorphosizes into an ultra-smooth cream powder finish upon application. No creasing, caking or transferring!

Use the fluid highlighters individually for strategic luminosity. Or swirl them all together for a gorgeous multidimensional custom glow. The possibilities feel endless!

Affordable Drugstore Gem: Maybelline Master Chrome Highlighter

For a brilliant highlight payoff without breaking the bank, look no further than Maybelline’s jaw-dropping Master Chrome compacts!

This intensely metallic powder formula delivers a ultra-chromatic, colorful luminosity like nothing else. Shades range from molten gold to edgy violet – perfect for colorful makeup lovers. But it also includes classic iridescent highlights.

Even more impressive – the silky formula blends seamlessly with zero chalkiness or visible texture. The lasting formula is also waterproof and sweat-proof. Such a steal!

Highlighter Hacks for Next-Level Radiance

Once you’ve secured your favorite glowing formulas, try these pro tips to maximize your highlight:

Use Creams First, Then Powders: Layer cream highlights underneath powder formulas for intense, 3D illumination.

• Try Glazing Your Highlight: Mix cream and liquid highlights together for a glossy, glass skin effect.
• Focus on Shadow Areas: Beyond cheekbones, apply highlight along jawline, temples and nasal folds to optically lift everything.
• Strobe Inner Corners: A dot of concentrated luminizer in the inner eye corner makes eyes look wider and brighter instantly.
• Highlight Body Features: Define collarbones, shoulders and shins by delicately highlighting these areas.
• Add Highlighters to Lips and Eyes: A wash of cream highlight serves as a gorgeous gloss or eyeshadow topper.
• Go Bold with Color: Don’t be afraid of vibrant blue, violet or pink highlighters blended over traditional shades.

Now that you’re armed with the ultimate luminizing formulas and glow-boosting tricks, get ready for compliment after compliment! When your highlight is on point, you’ll look stunningly fresh and lit from within. A little strategic luminosity goes such a long way. Prepare to be obsessed!

In conclusion, finding the best highlighter is essential for achieving a radiant and luminous complexion. The right highlighter will enhance natural features, provide a radiant glow, and complement the skin tone. Whether in powder, cream, or liquid form, the best highlighter is the one that seamlessly blends into the skin, offers a buildable and long-lasting finish, and adds a touch of luminosity that elevates any makeup look.