The 15 Highlighters SL Readers Swear By
Almay Instant Glow Highlighting Duo, £26
Best For: A Natural Look
Why It’s Popular: Both a cream and liquid in one, this portable highlighter uses micro-fine pearls to give skin a brightening boost. The smooth texture also evens out enlarged pores and bumpy skin tone. Wear either formula under your base make-up, although we recommend applying this on top of foundation, focusing on the areas where you want to contour and add some extra glow – like the bridge of your nose, cheekbones and forehead, too. Expect a natural-looking sheen that’s fresh and never OTT.
Available At NinthAvenue.com
BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector, £30
Best For: All-Over Glow
Why It’s Popular: By far, this was the most popular choice in our reader survey, yet sadly it’s soon set to be gone once the brand is no longer available. Loved for its butter soft texture and ultra-fine luminescent pearls, it’s no wonder it’s a make-up artist favourite and the number one selling highlighter in the US. With very low levels of shimmer, you can continue to build upon your dewy base for a look that’s healthy and reflective. Snap up a few as soon as possible so you’re not left without.
Availlable At CultBeauty.co.uk
Autograph Twist Up Cheeks Highlighter Stick, £10
Best For: Affordability
Why It’s Popular: Loved for its affordability, this highlighting stick from Autograph is so easy to use. Scribble it onto skin – no mirror required – and blend in with your fingers. The chunky crayon-style makes touch-ups easy and application seamless, too. Use it on lids, the cupid’s bow and anywhere you want to enhance or add some definition.
Available At MarksAndSpencer.com
bareMinerals BAREPRO Glow Highlighter, £24
Best For: Long-Lasting Results
Why It’s Popular: This bridges the gap between a silky skin hydrator and glossy highlighter. Just apply it pre-foundation or mixed in with your base make-up for natural-looking luminosity. Added oat sugar and bamboo extract means skin gets a dose of hydration, while the clever ‘mineral lock technology’ ensures it doesn’t budge once it’s on. There are various shades available, too – we love the bronze tones for a vacation-like glow.
Available At BareMinerals.com
Linda Hallberg Infinity Glass, £23
Best For: A Wet-Look Finish
Why It’s Popular: A transparent gel, this is like a clear lip gloss, but without the stickiness or grease. Apply it either as a primer or a highlighter, mixing it in with your foundation for an on-trend, wet-look finish. Likewise, dab a little onto the lips, but also over top of any eyeshadow for a high-shine, glossy effect. The options are endless. Just be sure to go easy for the best results.
Available At BeautyBay.com
Perricone MD No Makeup Highlighter, £29
Best For: Skincare Benefits
Why It’s Popular: Perricone MD’s ‘No Make-Up’ range was, and still is, hugely popular. Their highlighter continues to garner rave reviews thanks to the glossy sheen it lends skin, but also its impressive ingredients inside, which include brightening vitamin C. Like others on this list, a little goes a long way, but if you feel it’s too sheer, then layer up for a more intense finish. Apply it with a damp beautyblender to really up the glow.
Available At PerriconeMD.co.uk
Benefit High Beam, £15.50
Best For: Brightening Benefits
Why It’s Popular: This remains a Benefit bestseller, and it’s easy to see why. The satin-like texture glides across skin, with a lightweight pigment that’s pearly in tone. Use it on top of make-up, or underneath – either way, you can guarantee a luminosity that lasts, but with minimal shimmer. Because it catches the light so well, it can be used everywhere from cheekbones to the eyelids to your cupid’s bow and across your chest. The large, padded applicator makes it easy to apply on-the-go, too.
Available At Boots.com
Beauty Pie Pro Glow Strobing Drops, £28
Best For: Layering With Skincare
Why It’s Popular: These were a firm favourite among our readers. Designed with layering in mind, pipette a few drops into just about anything – be it your foundation, primer, moisturiser or serum. Whichever you choose, you can guarantee an impressive radiance with a fresh, pearly quality to it. If you don’t want to mix it with other formulas, tap a little onto the highest points of your face instead.
Available At BeautyPie.com
Chanel Baume Essentiel, £35
Best For: No Shimmer At All
Why It’s Popular: We weren’t surprised to hear this was a reader favourite. Constantly recommended by the pros, the highlight/balm is completely transparent, with a texture that’s akin to Vaseline, but without any of that tell-tale stickiness. It reflects the light beautifully, with zero shimmer either, while also delivering that fresh-from-a-facial type of glow. Apply it to the high points of the cheekbones, brow bones and over the cupid’s bow for the best effect.
Available At Chanel.com
Glossier Futuredew, £23
Best For: Light-Reflective Sheen
Why It’s Popular: ‘Dewy’, ‘brightening’, and ‘wet-look’ were just a few of the words used to describe this glow-giver. With a pearly colour, it leaves skin with a glazed finish, thanks to its oil-serum formula. The brand advises you use it as the final step in your skincare routine, but we love buffing it in with our foundation or primer for the best illumination.
Available At Glossier.com
Charlotte Tilbury Glowgasm Beauty Light Wand, £29
Best For: Reliable Results
Why It’s Popular: A must-try for highlighter novices, this genius wand takes all the guesswork out. With a large sponge top, which makes application easy, you only need a tiny amount to cover the main points that are needed. Try dotting it along the cheekbones, then use your fingers or a brush to push the formula into the skin. The sheer, liquid-y texture blends beautifully, but also leaves behind unbeatable luminosity without any chunky glitter.
Available At CharlotteTilbury.com
Fenty Beauty Killawatt Highlighter, £28
Best For: Suits-All Shades
Why It’s Popular: Known for its vast shade offering and silky texture, this popular highlighter glides across the skin seamlessly. Because it’s two-toned, you can use it to sculpt and add some extra definition to your face. It’s long-wearing, too, giving the skin a glossy luminosity that lasts for hours.
Available At Boots.com
Hourglass Ambient Metallic Strobe Palette, £61
Best For: An Expert Finish
Why It’s Popular: It’s not just SL readers who love this iconic palette, make-up artists and industry insiders swear by it too, and for good reason. The different tones allow you to create a multi-dimensional sheen on the skin and, as it’s a powder, it’s easy to apply. The skin won’t drink it up too quickly either, unlike creams, so you won’t find the need to constantly top it up.
Available At CultBeauty.co.uk
ICONIC London Illuminator Drops, £30
Best For: Versatility
Why It’s Popular: Dubbed ‘the god of all highlighters’, this silky elixir goes a long way, with only a few drops needed to create a natural, believable glow. Mix it with your primer, foundation or skincare to bring both warmth and luminosity to your complexion and, if you have any excess left on your brush, sweep it over your neck and chest to even out tone and add definition. It’s available in five suits-all shades, too, so there’s something for everyone. We recommend ‘Gold’ for those looking to extend their summer tan.
Available At IconicLondon.com
NARS Cosmetics The Multiple In Copacabana, £30
Best For: A Creamy Texture
Why It’s Popular: This iconic product still holds its status as one of the best multi-purpose sticks on the market. Use it to contour the skin, as an eyeshadow, and of course, to bring out a soft, glossy highlight. Its creamy texture is easy to layer and build, adding instant definition to your complexion, with a brightening effect, too. It’s impossible to go wrong.
Available At CultBeauty.co.uk
CREDITS: SERGEY FILIMONOV/STOCKSY UNITED
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