10Best.Guide

Highlighter Makeup

Top Picks

Last Updated: April, 2023
Pros
  • Good shine and smooth feel
  • Great value for a low price
  • Beautiful packaging and design
  • DUPE for high-end highlighters
  • Perfect for fair skin
Cons
  • Limited shade range
  • Too tanner than some skin tones
Bottom Line
Wet n Wild Highlighting Powder is a great value for a low price with a good shine and smooth feel. It has a beautiful packaging and design, and it is a DUPE for high-end highlighters. However, it has limited shade range, and some shades are too tanner than some skin tones. It has a chalky texture and difficult to open packaging. It needs to pack it on for a blinding effect, and it rips easily.
Pros
  • Perfect shade for olive undertones
  • Subtle and natural-looking
  • Good for fair/light skin tones
  • Comes with a brush
  • Beautiful packaging
Cons
  • Brush included can be sharp
  • Chemical odor
Bottom Line
This product is a great option for those with olive undertones or fair/light skin tones looking for a subtle, natural-looking contour or highlight. The packaging is beautiful and it comes with a brush, but be aware of the potential sharpness of the brush and the strong chemical odor. Additionally, the product may be more glittery than shimmery and may rub off easily.
Pros
  • Gives a dewy glow without being overbearing
  • Smooth and creamy texture
  • Flattering and not overwhelming for the face
  • Long-lasting and very pigmented
  • Beautiful packaging
Cons
  • Fragile and breaks easily
  • Poor quality and color
Bottom Line
The Physician's Formula Butter Highlighter is a great product for those looking for a subtle, dewy glow. It has a smooth and creamy texture, is long-lasting, and comes in beautiful packaging. However, it may not suit all skin tones and can be fragile and inconsistent in delivery.
Pros
  • Cute packaging
  • Affordable price
  • Pigmented
  • Applies easily
  • Weightless and silky feeling
Cons
  • Not pigmented enough for some skin tones
  • Too shiny for some
Bottom Line
This highlighter palette is a great affordable option for beginners or those looking for a Fenty dupe. However, it may not work for all skin tones and some colors may break easily.
Pros
  • Great for a subtle highlight
  • Affordable price
  • Subtle shimmer
  • Good for sensitive skin
  • Nice feel
Cons
  • Price changes frequently
  • Not very prominent
Bottom Line
This Maybelline strobing stick is a great affordable option for those looking for a subtle shimmer and glow. It's good for sensitive skin and blends smoothly. However, it may not be very prominent and doesn't last long. The price also tends to fluctuate frequently.

The Ultimate Guide to Buying Highlighter Makeup

Overview

Highlighter makeup has become an essential part of any makeup routine. It adds a glow to your skin and enhances your features, making you look radiant and youthful. With so many options available in the market, buying the right highlighter can be overwhelming. This guide will help you understand the different types of highlighters, key considerations when buying, features to look for, prices, tips, and FAQs.

Types

1. Powder Highlighter: This type of highlighter is the most common and easiest to use. It is available in a range of shades and finishes, from subtle to intense. Powder highlighters are great for oily skin as they absorb excess oil and give a matte finish.

2. Cream Highlighter: This type of highlighter is perfect for dry skin as it adds a dewy glow to the skin. It is easy to blend and provides a natural-looking finish. Cream highlighters are available in stick, pot, and tube form.

3. Liquid Highlighter: This type of highlighter is the most versatile as it can be mixed with foundation or moisturizer to give an all-over glow. It is perfect for a natural-looking finish and is available in a range of shades.

4. Stick Highlighter: This type of highlighter is easy to use and perfect for on-the-go touch-ups. It is available in a range of shades and finishes, from subtle to intense.

Key Considerations

1. Skin Tone: When buying a highlighter, it is important to consider your skin tone. Choose a highlighter that complements your skin tone and enhances your features.

2. Skin Type: Consider your skin type when buying a highlighter. If you have oily skin, choose a powder highlighter, and if you have dry skin, choose a cream or liquid highlighter.

3. Finish: Highlighters come in different finishes, including matte, shimmer, and glitter. Choose a finish that complements your overall makeup look.

4. Pigmentation: Consider the pigmentation of the highlighter. If you prefer a subtle glow, choose a highlighter with low pigmentation, and if you prefer an intense glow, choose a highlighter with high pigmentation.

Features

1. Long-lasting: Look for a highlighter that is long-lasting and does not fade or wear off easily.

2. Blendable: Choose a highlighter that is easy to blend and does not leave harsh lines on your skin.

3. Non-comedogenic: Look for a highlighter that is non-comedogenic and does not clog pores.

Prices

Highlighters are available at different price points, ranging from drugstore to high-end brands. Drugstore highlighters can cost as little as $5, while high-end highlighters can cost up to $50 or more.

Tips

1. Apply highlighter to the high points of your face, including the cheekbones, brow bone, and cupid's bow.

2. Use a light hand when applying highlighter. It is easier to add more than to remove excess.

3. Choose a highlighter shade that complements your skin tone and overall makeup look.

FAQs

Q: Can highlighter be used on oily skin?

A: Yes, powder highlighters are great for oily skin as they absorb excess oil and give a matte finish.

Q: Can highlighter be used on mature skin?

A: Yes, highlighter can be used on mature skin, but it is important to choose a formula that is not too glittery or shimmery.

Q: How do I apply highlighter?

A: Apply highlighter to the high points of your face, including the cheekbones, brow bone, and cupid's bow, using a light hand and blending well.

Runner-Ups

Pros
  • Thin consistency, can be applied sheer or built up
  • Lasts all day
  • Provides a natural glow without glitter
  • Melts into skin leaving a lovely glow
  • Can be used as eyeshadow
Cons
  • Can have an iridescent and pink cast on fair skin
  • Can lift foundation
Bottom Line
This Wet n Wild Hello Halo highlighter has a thin consistency that can be applied sheer or built up, and lasts all day without absorbing or vanishing. It provides a natural glow without glitter and can be used as eyeshadow. However, it can have an iridescent and pink cast on fair skin, lift foundation, be glittery, dry too quickly and be hard to blend, look purple/pink on warmer skin tones, and have messy packaging.
Pros
  • Fool-proof and easy to use
  • Compact and travel-friendly
  • Creates a natural-looking contour
  • Good color payoff
  • Smooth and glides easily
Cons
  • Small size
  • Sheer formula
Bottom Line
These contour makeup sticks are a good option for those who want an easy and natural-looking contour. However, the highlighter stick can be difficult to blend and may look like glitter on the skin. The fair shade is also too light for medium skin. Overall, these sticks are affordable and travel-friendly, making them a good option for a quick and efficient morning routine.
Pros
  • Prettier colors than expected
  • Perfect for a "barely there" cheek color
  • Flattering for older skin
  • Good for beginners
  • Arrived intact and looks pretty on fair skin
Cons
  • Poor packaging resulting in broken product
  • Light and not very pigmented blush
Bottom Line
This blush and highlighter duo is a good option for those looking for a subtle, natural-looking glow. However, there is a risk of receiving broken product due to poor packaging. The blush may be too light for some, but the highlighter is shiny and works well.
Pros
  • Gives a quick and instant glow
  • Beautiful and shimmery
  • Great value and payoff
  • Good pigment
  • Flattering to many skin tones
Cons
  • Too dark for fair complexion
  • Too much shimmer if used too much
Bottom Line
The Covergirl Trublend Hyper Glow Highlighter in Gilded Glory is a beautiful and shimmery highlighter that gives a quick and instant glow. It has good pigment and is flattering to many skin tones. However, it may not work for very fair skin tones and has packaging and product quality issues.
Pros
  • Gives the perfect amount of glow to cheeks
  • Affordable
  • Can be used on lips
  • Easy to apply
  • Good for mature skin
Cons
  • Caps break easily
  • Not matte as described
Bottom Line
The Wet & Wild MegaGlo Makeup Stick is an affordable and easy-to-use highlighter that gives a sparkly and pretty glow to cheeks and can also be used on lips. However, the caps break easily, it is not matte as described, and may not be suitable for older women due to the sparkles. It also does not stay on for long and can be difficult to blend.
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