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The best highlighters for an out of this world glow
We see you shining ✨
Highlighter is a beautiful thing, it has the power to turn even the dullest skin day around, a swipe here and a dab there, et voila! You've got your glow back. So to honour it, we've decided to do you guys a favour and round up the greatest glow-givers in the land. Charlotte Tilbury, Nars, MAC - these highlighters will get your base shining its very brightest.
Depending on your skin type and the finish you're looking for, you can choose between a liquid, balm, cream or powder. There are pros and cons to each, so consider the following: do you want a bold shimmer? If so, Sleek Makeup's Highlighting Palette in Solstice is well worth checking out. Prefer a subtle glow? Give Charlotte Tilbury's Hollywood Flawless Filter a try.
You can apply highlighter wherever you choose, but for the most part, it's applied to areas you want to draw attention to. These usually include the high points of your face (where the light naturally hits), like the tops of your cheekbones, along the brow bone and down the centre of the nose. With a liquid formula, you can also mix a few drops into your foundation to brighten your whole base.
Victoria says: Dab a little of this golden tint over the high points of your face and it'll add a soft radiance. The peachy undertone gives a flattering warmth to the skin, but there are five other shades in the range to choose from, ranging from rosy pink to terracotta bronze, if you fancy experimenting.
Victoria says: Rare Beauty's silky touch highlighter gives skin an instant glossy finish. Rather than being glittery, the balmy texture gives a pearl-like glow to the skin. A little goes a long way, so apply with a light hand.
Keeks says: This creamy highlight melts into the complexion beautifully, leaving a more natural glow on the high points of the face. Yes it's pricier than some of the others, but the quality speaks for itself: once applied my skin stayed glowy all day long.
Avoid applying directly from the stick to the skin, as I found it moved my makeup underneath, causing my foundation to look a little patchy. Apply with a makeup sponge or stipple brush to avoid this issue!
MAC Strobe Cream Pinklite (Original Shade)
Victoria says: I've lost count of all the models and makeup artists who use this stuff, so just believe me that the cult following is huge. Somehow, it makes your skin look perfectly sheeny, without veering into the oily territory. It melts into the complexion and looks like you're not wearing anything. A must-try. It's subtle – think candlelight, not spotlight.
Elena says: Coming in six varied tones Dew-la-la is like golden-hour in a tube. No sparkle, dewy, moisturising, lightweight it ticks all the boxes. It looks equally gorgeous on bare skin as it does on a full beat and gives you such a lift when you're looking dull or tired.
Keeks says: Ever wished you could put an Instagram filter on your skin? Look no further. This finely-milled powder gives a 'soft focus' effect, helping to blur fine lines and imperfections for a selfie-ready finish. It's subtle, but oh-so flattering.
Victoria says: I was a little skeptical about this product when I first saw it, on swatching it didn't appear to pack the glowy punch I was expecting of a highlighter - but do not be fooled. Apply all over the face before makeup, and it gives the most natural, glowy radiance to the skin that's unrivaled by any of the other products in my makeup bag.
Keeks says: This warm highlighter makes me look like I've just been on a beach – and not the one in Brixton. I would say it works best for deeper skin tones, as the gold brings out the glow in warm and neutral undertones.
Victoria says: Of course Merit Beauty has knocked it out of the park with this creamy, sheeny stick. The brand says this clever highlighter is 'made for daytime', meaning it gives a dewy, subtle glow with zero OTT sparkle.
Keeks Says: Another OG blogger favourite – and with good reason. This compact is beautiful to look at (the light bounces off the powder oh-so-satisfyingly) and the texture is perfect for giving cheekbones a wet, glossy look. If you want to turn heads, try this. There's little pigment to this highlighter (it's just pure glossy sheen).
Keeks says: Sleek makes some brilliant compacts for seriously impressive prices. Don't be put off by the 'out there' colours of this palette, because the cream and powder formulas are sheer, meaning even the lilac shade is wearable. Easy to use, really blendable and won't break the bank. Sold. This one might begin to gather dust if you're not thaaat into the whole holographic highlight thing... I for one am a BIG fan though.
Lia says: It's the perfect in between sparkly and wet look! The texture is balmy but my top tip is to apply it with a brush. Simply, swipe onto the back of your hand and then grab a stippling brush and dab on– it doesn't disrupt my makeup and lasts all day.
Keeks says: Given how crazy pigmented the Soft Pinch Liquid Blushes are, I was a little sceptical about how highlighter-y this would be. Alas, it provides juuuust the right amount of glorious sheen to the cheekbones and sets in place all day. The 8 shades span across skin tones too and you can pick from frostier, cool-toned hues to warmer rich warm and golden tones.
Victoria Jowett is an award-winning journalist and the former Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. She was named one of PPA’s 30 Under 30 for her work in beauty journalism and oversees the skincare, hair, makeup and fragrance content across all of Cosmopolitan’s platforms. She's worked in the beauty industry for over 13 years (and tested 1000s of products), making her an expert when it comes to recommending beauty brands that truly work. Having started her career working weekends on a makeup counter, Victoria began interning at the likes of AnOther and IDOL magazine, before landing her first Beauty Writer job at weekly fashion magazine, LOOK. Joining Cosmopolitan in 2016, Victoria has always remained a beauty fanatic and has been lucky enough to interview everyone from Britney Spears to Kourtney Kardashian about their beauty routines. Follow her on LinkedIn.
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
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