Once upon a YouTube era, a makeup look without a highlighter was incomplete, unheard of; even an abomination if you asked NikkiTutorials or Patrick Starr. Maybelline's Strobestick was in its prime, and every Rihanna fan was bathed in Killawatt.
The best highlighters had a long heyday: Charlotte Tilbury’s Glowgasm, which launched in 2019, was continuously sold out for years after its launch—so much so, that I vividly remember buying 12 Spotlights during a restock in 2022. Becca’s cult-favorite Champagne Pop was so universally loved that when the brand shut down, Smashbox snatched up and relaunched the formula, which continues to be a best seller across retailers.
Patrick Starrr was photographed at the People's "Ones to Watch" event presented by Maybelline New York in 2016 with glittery, powder highlighter applied heavily across the cheekbone.
The early '20s brought new innovations to the fold: Merit’s Highlighting Balm, Saie’s Illuminator, and Iconic London’s Rollerball, all notably less in-your-face than the formulas that preceded them. Cut to somewhere between Q4 of 2023 and the present day, and the sparkle-glitter-opalescence of it all scaled back to such a degree, that I’ve found myself repeatedly scratching my head and asking: What happened to all the highlighter?
“There has definitely been a neglect of highlighter launches, with many different highlighter-like formats coming out of indie brands primarily,” notes Lisa Payne, Head of Beauty at Stylus, a trend forecasting company. The category has experienced a marked decline. It makes sense: the 2024 fashion month circuit had a bare-faced throughline, with “fresh” or “healthy” skin replacing the wet look that reigned supreme in years past.
Still, a search for glow persists, namely in the Scandi-obsessed, “clean girl” aesthetic pockets of the internet. It just looks entirely different, with products frequently ditching their “highlighter” nomenclature altogether in favor of “luminizers,” like Dior’s newest range, or “enhancer drops,” which made a comeback with Cover FX’s relaunch earlier this year.
“There’s been an evolution of highlighter as it crosses into different categories. We’re familiar with it as a standalone product, but now it’s showing up in the formulas of blushes, bronzers, SPFs, foundations, and moisturizers,” notes Nordstrom Beauty Director Autumne West.
The highlighter products currently commanding attention feature a softer cream base and are less obviously glittery on the skin, imparting a subtle sheen more akin to catwalk complexions. It might seem like we’re skipping the highlighter step altogether, but in actuality, the category is just getting a makeover—shimmery is being replaced by glowy and dewy.
Like most runway beauty looks from the past two seasons, the models at Lacoste's 2024 show had dewy, radiant skin.
The new-age innovations are a welcome addition to the category’s fold; they are the perfect I-have-nothing-on-my-skin, finger-friendly complexion accents. Still, the tried-and-true powder, high-impact formulas of yore will never fully exit the highlighter ether. The Bobbi Brown and Cle de Peau-like poignant shimmers have staying power—literally and figuratively.
Here, you’ll find the best highlighters of all time, from compact cult classics to newer highlighter-esque developments. Despite the industry’s momentary pause on high-impact shine, the best highlighters will always be relevant.
The Best Highlighters
- The Best Highlighter Overall: Charlotte Tilbury Glowgasm Highlighter Wand
- The Best Liquid Highlighter: Armani Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer Highlighter
- The Best Cream Highlighter: Merit Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm
- The Best New Highlighter: KJH Hyper Shine High Lite Kit
If you told me I could only have one highlighter for the rest of my life, I would pick Glowgasm—specifically in shade Spotlight. The reason: it’s the most versatile highlighter in my arsenal. Put a heavy application underneath foundation, and you’re left with a subtle, luminous sheen. Apply a targeted three dots on your cheekbones? The light reflects off your skin at every turn. The gold undertones play nice with both warm and cool undertones, providing a shimmer without a tinted pigment.
Pros: Looks great on all skin tones; Buildable shimmer
Cons: The applicator can be messy
Beauty Editor Samantha Holender wears Charlotte Tilbury's Beauty Light Wand in Spotlight.
West and Marie Claire Beauty Director Deena Campbell co-sign this skin enhancer, which is an extra subtle take on highlighter. “The best highlighters are applied with your fingers and don’t leave a thin streak along your cheek,” notes Campbell. “I love to place a few drops of this dewy glow along my face, and in no time, it melts, giving me a skin-like finish that lasts.” You can also apply this underneath blush and bronzer for a barely-there shine.
Pros: Versatile in application; Finger-friendly; Not too sparkly
Cons: May separate with certain foundations
Beauty director Deena Campbell wearing Armani Beauty Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer Highlighter.
Since its launch in 2021, Merit has become the figurehead of the clean girl beauty aesthetic, stacked with finger-friendly products designed for a five-minute face. With celebrity fans including Mandy Moore, Hilary Duff, and Sarah Jessica Parker, the cream-based highlighter balm provides the perfect blink-and-you’ll-miss-it shimmer. It’s explicitly designed for daytime wear, so you’ll find zero sparkle in the stick—just a dewy glow. "I have an affinity for makeup with skincare benefits, and this balm includes squalene and amino acids to help lock in hydration," adds Marie Claire’s Contributing Culture Editor Quinci LeGardye.
Pros: Easy to apply; Finger friendly application
Cons: Can’t be built up to more intense shimmer
Culture editor Quinci LeGardye wears Merit's Day Glow Dewy Hydrating Balm.
There is no makeup artist I trust more with my face than Katie Jane Hughes. She is an artist, using products to paint the skin with a lightweight, albeit incredibly reflective sheen. That in mind, it was only natural for her first product to spearhead the new wave of highlighter launches. “The kit allows you to experiment with texture, shine, and pigmentation to achieve your desired look—all results replicate her signature sheen,” notes Payne. With a serum that customizes the glossy effect of the pigment, Hypershine can be used as a full-face accent.
Pros: Buildable gloss; Range of shades; Expert-recommended
Cons: A little sticky
Beauty Editor Samantha Holender wears the Hyper Shine High Lite Kit on her cheeks and forehead.
Also Recommended
Norvina (Anastasia’s daughter who is heavily involved in the brand) is an OG beauty YouTuber—and this newly launched highlighter seems to be an ode to the tens era. The densely packed powder and high shimmer payoff don’t come around all too often anymore, but fingers crossed that the stunning wet shine sparks a highlighter resurgence. The micro-fine powders never look clumpy—just dust a little across your cheekbones, nose, or eyes with a fan brush.
Pros: Buildable; Zero fallout
Cons: Very intense shimmer that might not be ideal for daily wear
BeautyTok was dominated by these newly released liquid highlighters the entire month after launch. With five shades that retain their pigment on every skin tone, these blendable, buildable liquids, which are infused with hydrating iris extract, are the perfect accent on a no-makeup day. Each contains itty-bitty pearlescent sparkles that give skin a healthy, fresh glow. The Pearly hue is my go-to on a no-foundation day–I’ll swipe it on my cheekbones, above my lips, and across my eyelids.
Pros: Look natural without foundation; Buildable texture; Longwear
Cons: Hard to find your right shade online
When Becca announced it was going out of business in 2021, my first thought was: What’s going to happen to Champagne Pop? A cult classic in every definition of the word, the sparkly, glittery shade that epitomized YouTube beauty culture had long been a classic. When Smashbox announced just a few months later that it would herald the creamy, golden formula into its offerings, I stocked up instantly. It’s truly one of the most universally flattering shades in existence.
Pros: Creamy for a powder; Flattering across skin tones
Cons: Very sparkly
Saie walks the line of barely-there and glowing-radiant-luminous with every single one their products, which is precisely why E-Commerce Editor Julia Marzovilla is a self-proclaimed super fan. “My skin is dull and dry and this all-over highlighter has been a godsend for the natural dew it gives my skin. I even keep a small bottle in my desk drawer to tap on top of my afternoon makeup to boost it,” she says. “On lighter makeup days, I apply a thin layer all over my skin and add extra coverage with a concealer. It’s not oily, doesn’t clog my pores, and it doesn’t affect the longevity of my foundation.”
Pros: Multi-purpose; Doesn’t pill on top of makeup
Cons: Jar is big and inconvenient for travel
A 2023 launch, this rollerball formula arrived when highlighter was taking a subtle turn. The formula itself isn’t necessarily tame—it packs a decent amount of reflective shimmer. But because the ball applicator can only deposit a small amount of product onto the skin, you’re left with a shimmer that is never overdone or too in-your-face. I like to blend this into my skin with my hands to ensure a no-streak, natural finish.
Pros: Great for on-the-go application; Affordable
Cons: Can’t be built up for more intense payoff
When Cover FX relaunched this year, they announced new complexion products, including a new foundation and concealer. My excitement was, however, mainly for their tried-and-true enhancer drops—a go-to from my teenage years. I like adding in roughly three drops to my moisturizer on summer days or into my foundation before work for an all-over glow. These were the bronzing, tanning drops of my youth.
Pros: Very versatile range; Great shade selection
Cons: Easy to go overboard with shimmer
Selena Gomez’s go-to highlighter just got a needed new shade extension—and the two additional shades (Reveal, a warm copper, and Reflect, a deep bronze) don’t disappoint. The former is best for cooler undertones, while the latter is better suited for warm undertones. Regardless, both provide a shimmery glassy finish without being too glitter-focused. It’s more delicate on the skin than it looks in the jar, so don’t be fearful of wearing this during the day.
Pros: Great shade selection; Vegan; Creamy powder texture
Cons: Hard to open; Shatters easily
While I love a liquid highlighter, they don’t always last as long on the skin as a powder formulation. When I need a glow to last 12 hours plus, Cle de Peau is my tried and true go-to. Every palette (there are six hues to choose from) comprises at least four different hues. It’s a little alarming to see at first glance, but it’s actually crucial to achieving the multi-dimensional finish. The highlighter picks up a different tone depending on the light, but never looks like a harsh streak on the skin—it diffuses into the rest of my makeup with ease.
Pros: Blends in with makeup easily; Very long-lasting; Comes with a built-in brush
Cons: Expensive
Le Baume, Chanel’s twist-up stick highlighter, probably gets the most hype, but in the past few months, I’ve noticed that my favorite celebrities have the Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow on their skin instead. Most recently, makeup artist Nick Barose used the shade Sunkissed on Lupita Nyong’o’s skin for the Academy Awards. The finish looks more like a post-sweat glow than a true highlighter, so I occasionally layer the Baume on top for a more intense finish.
Pros: Celebrity loved; Easy to blend; Great for no-makeup days
Cons: Expensive
As someone incredibly pale, I can confirm that picking the right highlighter shade is key if you want to avoid looking too made up. A shade that’s too dark or warm will look streaky and heavy—no matter how skilled you are at blending. Marie Claire’s Associate E-Commerce editor Brooke Knappenberger shares my experience, which is why she’s a huge fan of Bobbi Brown’s Pink Glow. “I'm not a fan of looking like a disco ball, but I am a fan of lifted cheekbones. This powder has the right shimmer to give that sought-after lifted look without overdoing it. The "Pink Glow" shade complements my cool-toned skin so well, too, and all it takes for a pretty subtle glow is one swipe of my finger,” she says.
Pros: Flattering on fair skin; Can be applied with your finger
Cons: Shatters easily
Lighting Dust and Fire Crystal was my hallmark highlighter for five years–I went through more compacts than I care to admit. But can you blame me? This Rihanna-designed formula is one of the highest-impact sparkles I’ve ever been able to find—my cheekbones shimmer from across any room. It reached peak popularity in the '10s, but the high-quality formula remains a constant in my bag; the color combinations are ideal for eyeshadow application, too.
Pros: Large color range; Intense sparkle
Cons: Not good if you want a subtle finish
You don’t have to be a makeup artist to get a flawless finish with Westman Atelier’s highlighter stick. Makeup artist Gucci Westman, who works with Jennifer Aniston, Anne Hathaway, and Gwyneth Paltrow, designed this formula with on-the-go application in mind, which is precisely why it’s one of West’s favorites. “The control of the stick applicator makes it nearly impossible to apply too much,” she says. “The formula melts into your skin and all you need to do is finger tap it in place.”
Pros: Expert-recommended; Easy to Apply; Finger application; Can be used on many areas of the face
Cons: A little sticky
The full face beat, makeup influencer aesthetic could very well be powered by this intense sparkle. For such an intense pigment (the gold hue is no joke), it does feel surprisingly lightweight, according to West. “It doesn’t feel powdery, applies well with a brush, and is buildable,” she says. “I can go in lightly and layer if I want a more glowing look.” The shades all have warm, pink-flecked bases, so it’s the most flattering on olive or yellow undertones.
Pros: Lightweight feel for high-impact sparkle; Expert-recommended
Cons: Can be stark on cool undertones
If you want a natural glow, Payne suggests Sweden-based LH Cosmetics, which makeup artist Linda Halberg founded. “It’s very soft and feels more like skincare than makeup,” she says. You can build the soft swatches into something more dramatic if you want, but they are beautiful and dewy-looking with a great color range.” The formula is powered by squalane, olive oil extract, and shea butter, making it so hydrating, that it doubles as a moisturizer.
Pros: Multi-purpose; Great base for foundation; Hydrating
Cons: Not a true sparkle highlighter
It’s a well-known fact in the beauty world that Danessa Myricks is the queen of pigment–every product in her range has an incredible color payoff. Her highlighter is no exception, with the strobe-like effect consistently getting Payne stopped in the street. “This is more pigmented and punchier, but the texture is so soft and slippery that it glides on like a dream,” she says. Her pro tip: Wear it on your lids for a pop of shine.
Pros: High pigment; Strobbing effect; Multi-purpose
Cons: Too intense for some, especially fair tones
A few years ago, bronzing drops would not have qualified as highlighter. But as the category has evolved—and innovative new formulas entered the fold—tinted, faux-tan products have become highlighter-replacing additions. “This product is great because of its versatility,” notes celebrity and NBA makeup artist Jennifer Fleming. “it can be applied directly to the face with a brush or fingertips, or mixed into liquid foundation if an all-over glow is preferred.”
Pros: Expert-recommended; Tinted formulation that’s great for summer
Cons: Not good for targeted highlighter
A luxury finish doesn’t always have to come at a steep price. Maybelline is known for providing excellent quality formulas at an affordable entry point, precisely why Fleming counts their highlighter as one of her favorites. “It’s so easy to use,” she says. “It’s a cream product in a stick for that is forgiving while offering a beautiful, dewy payoff.” You can use a stippling brush or your fingertips to get a second-skin, opalescent finish.
Pros: Expert-recommended; Affordable
Cons: Can be messy in the tube
Hourglass’ highlighter is so subtle, that I’ll sometimes dust it all over my face like a setting powder for a very tame luminescence. “It has a subtle, buildable payoff that can be beautifully applied for an all-over glow,” says Fleming. That said, if you apply a few a few layers, you will get a higher payoff. I’m partial to shade Iridescent—especially when I want to use highlighter to brighten my eye makeup, too.
Pros: Buildable; Expert-approved
Cons: Expensive
What Texture Highlighter Should I Choose?
The highlighters synonymous with the '10s and early '20s (think: a pearlized shine) come from pigmented powder formulas. “More recently, the inspiring looks are resonating more with natural finishes and more subtle, fresh look—think: quiet luxury, but beauty,” says Payne. They’re coming in cream or gel-based formulations with less glitter and sparkle, and more of a radiant sheen.
In addition to considering the intended finish or a formula, you should consider your skin type. “A person with oilier skin may opt for a powder highlighter, while a person with a drier skin type would benefit from a cream or liquid option,” adds Fleming.
What Color Highlighter Should I Use?
Choosing the best highlighter shade is pretty low stakes—you can’t go wrong. Wear whatever shade or tone you like the best. “A pearly, iridescent pink highlighter can work on a range of skin tones,” says Fleming. But, if you’re looking for the most flattering, natural payoff, try a product that matches your skin’s undertones. “Golden tones will compliment tanned and deeper complexions the most,” adds Fleming, while cooler undertones should opt for pinks and peaches.
Westman Atelier's highlighter provides a sheer, dewy effect to the skin.
How to Apply Highlighter
The best application technique heavily depends on what type of highlighter formula you’re working with. Most liquids and creams are finger-friendly, whereas powders best apply with a medium, fluffy blending brush. “The lack of density will give a less intense application, leaving room to build and layer the glow,” explains Fleming.
Where to Apply Highlighter
Placement is a personal preference. You can mix highlighter in with foundation for an all over glow, brush or swipe it across your eyelids, or stick to the basics and put it on the high points of your face, like the cheekbones and brow bone. “I like to place highlighter a bit above the brow arch, on the back of the cheekbones, the inner corners of the eyes, and sometimes above the lip,” says Fleming. “A pop of glow in the center of the nose can also give a glowy pop to the center of the face.”
Meet the Experts
Lisa leads Stylus' Beauty team and is responsible for tracking the latest innovations in beauty product development from around the world, providing analysis on emerging shifts in the industry, key consumer groups and future-focused directives. She has been with Stylus since its launch in 2010, bringing over 10 years of trend forecasting experience in fashion, beauty, and arts and culture. She was instrumental in growing our beauty content in line with increasing demand for industry insights, and is particularly proud of her Commercializing Pleasure Spotlight, which expands the remit of personal care to include sex as a valuable business driver.
Autumne has 18 years of experience in the beauty business, it all started with simply being a fan of makeup and becoming a make-up artist for fun. Her passion ultimately grew into her profession.
Texas-bred, Jennifer Fleming’s passion for makeup began with the red painted lips of her family’s matriarchs, igniting an appreciation for the power and ability of makeup to enhance and transform.
Years later in a packed Mustang, she made the leap to the lights of New York City. Working backstage assisting on fashion shows, photo shoots, and celebrity red carpet helped inform her foundation for makeup. She found her niche in advertising and men’s grooming for several brands including Maybelline Chase, and the National Basketball Association.
Today, she continues to draw inspiration from art, travel, nature, and history- while being inspired by current digital beauty trends.
