I tried the best highlighters from Fenty Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury, Rare Beauty
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A touch of highlighter is all you need to take your makeup to another level. Whether you decide to keep it low-key or insist on glowing brighter than a disco ball, there are dozens of options out there that can do exactly what you want. Though there's no shortage of highlighters on store shelves, where to start your search can prove to be the most difficult part of the process.
In a quest to find the best highlighters, I, Reviewed's beauty writer, scrolled through bestseller lists and retailer reviews. Then, I put 12 of those most popular highlighters to the test and assessed them based on application, wear and shade range. If a highlighter claimed to serve as both a makeup primer and highlighter, I applied it to the high points of my cheeks before putting on my foundation of choice: the Wet n Wild Bare Focus Tinted Hydrator Tinted Skin Veil. On the other hand, if a highlighter purported to act as only a glow-enhancer, I placed it on my skin after applying foundation.
Ahead, you'll find our top 10 picks of the best highlighters that will leave you glowing.
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1. L'Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer
Coming in at number one is the L'Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer. This drugstore liquid highlighter claims to serve as "a luminous primer, lightweight full-face foundation, highlighter, contour and full-body luminizer." I applied the primer-highlighter hybrid in the shade "903 Medium" on my cheekbones and the bridge of my nose with my fingers.
After adding foundation, contour and blush to my cheeks, I noticed that the highlighter's radiant sheen still managed to shine through. Plus, it kept my blush and foundation from fading over the course of an eight-hour day. In a nutshell, I had no qualms with this highlighter as far as application and wear-time. Its shade range is decent, too, as it comes in four shimmering hues that I think could suit most skin tones.
2. Benefit Cosmetics Tickle Pink Golden Highlighter
For a powder highlight, the Benefit Cosmetics Tickle Pink Golden Highlighter took the top spot during my testing. With the help of my Sigma Beauty F03 High Cheekbone Highlighter Brush, one swipe along the tops of my cheeks was all I needed to attain a visible, lit-from-within glow—sans noticeable flecks of glitter—that lasted all day long. The highlighter even doubled as a brightening eyeshadow for the inner corner of my eyes.
Even though it received high marks for application, finish and wear time, this highlighter fell short in the shade range department, given that it only comes in two options: "Tickle" (golden pink) and "Cookie" (golden pearl). To accommodate more skin tones and makeup preferences, I would like to see more colors, such as an iridescent hue or a shimmering bronze shade.
3. Iconic London Illuminator
The Iconic London Illuminator in "Original" (champagne gold) emits one of the brightest glows that I have ever seen from a highlighter. On top of that, its sheen shines on over the course of an eight-hour day.
Still, as much as I adored the rose glow this highlight gave my cheeks, I faced one pain point while using it: the application process. The liquid formula comes out of a dropper and creates a runny mess on my fingers, which then transfers over to my face when dabbing the product onto my cheeks. Like the previous options, this highlighter could stand to expand beyond its three available shades.
4. Chanel Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Sculpting Glow Stick
Chanel's Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Sculpting Glow Stick in "Sculpting" (pearly rose gold) makes for the prettiest under-the-radar glow. Although it claims to be a multipurpose balm for the face, eyes and lips, I only glided the stick along my cheekbones. Application-wise, the self-described "smooth, silky texture" lived up to its promises, given that it didn't tug on my skin. Its subtle sheen successfully stayed glowing over the course of eight hours. Another plus: compared to all the other highlighters on this list, Baume Essentiel has one of the most expansive shade ranges, as there are seven shades to choose from.
My only hangup with this product is that its stick packaging lends well to applying it directly onto the skin, but doing so meant the balm picked up some of my foundation. Luckily, this didn't cause any issues for my makeup look, but I wasn't thrilled about getting foundation on the balm.
5. Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter
The Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter in "Wattabrat" (baby pink shimmer) intimidated me at first glance, but that soon changed after dusting it on my cheekbones with my previously-mentioned Sigma brush. This bubblegum pink highlighter gave my skin a flattering flush and gleam that looked as if I sat out in the sun all day.
Though I loved its light-reflecting finish, it took multiple dips into the compact and more time blending with my brush to get a smooth-looking result with this powder. I have no complaints about the shade selection, as Killawatt is available in a whopping eight shades.
6. RMS Beauty Living Luminizer Highlighter
The RMS Beauty Living Luminizer Highlighter—described as having a sheer "satin-pearl" finish—offers the skin a wonderful, iridescent sheen. To my disappointment, though, the ethereal-looking radiance slowly faded as the day progressed, with little-to-no gleam left several hours into the day.
7. Saie Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Dewy Highlighter
Though it's a beauty TikTok favorite, I don't understand the excitement surrounding the Saie Glow Super Gel Lightweight Dewy Highlighter after trying it. Similar to L'Oréal's highlighter, this liquid-based formula takes on several roles, including acting as a primer, highlighter and body luminizer. I chose the shade "Starglow" (champagne) to accentuate my cheekbones and a hint of shimmer managed to shine through, but it was too sheer for my liking.
8. Merit Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm in "Bounce"
I wanted to love the Merit Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm, but it fell flat. Like many of the options toward the bottom of this list, the glow it provided was too subtle for my liking—that is, its sheen was barely discernible. The formula, which I tested in the rose gold tint called "Bounce," faded away within three hours.
9. Rare Beauty Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter in "Mesmerize"
Once again, I couldn't get behind another Internet-beloved highlighter—this time, the Rare Beauty Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter. The rose-bronze shade called "Mesmerize" looked pretty in the pan, but on my skin, it had a chunky, glittery finish that wasn't flattering.
10. Charlotte Tilbury Glow Glide Face Architect Highlighter in "Pillow Talk Glow "
As a fan of Charlotte Tilbury makeup, I had high expectations for the Charlotte Tilbury Glow Glide Face Architect Highlighter. Sadly, I was underwhelmed by the brand's powder-based highlighter. I applied the pearly pink shade "Pillow Talk Glow," and after brushing the highlighter atop the high points of my face, I could barely see it.
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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.