There’s nothing quite like the dazzle of finding your perfect highlighter, no? Whether you like big chunks of glitter that will shine to the gods, or prefer a soft focus, blurring, barely there glow, there’s a highlighter out there for everyone. Luckily, not only do they come in different variations as far as glow levels, there’s also many options of the format they are available in. Is a stick highlighter right for you? Or maybe something liquid? Of course, there’s always the usual powder option too. Regardless of which you prefer, it’s still hard to know which to choose, right? Well, as a working makeup artist, I’ve been lucky to be able to test out many different kinds on many different skin tones and types, as well as ages, and I’m here to talk about my favorites!
- Cream Highlighter- Cream highlighters are my favorite because, unlike powders, there are so many different ways you can use them. You can place your highlight under your makeup to give a glow-from-within-look, or you can put it over your makeup, or even just use it by itself. I also feel like they tend to photograph better and look flattering in any kind of lighting, as well as look good on all skin types and textures, regardless of how dry or oily your skin may be. I have a few favorites when it comes to cream highlighters, but none as much as the Glow Perfect Cream Highlighter Palette by Danessa Myricks. This waterproof formula is to die for, and it really does not budge...even in high humidity areas! Effortless to apply since it just melts into the skin, this palette is the only one you’ll ever need, regardless of your skin tone or type. With high levels of pigment, this 8 shade highlighter palette is great for both artists and consumers alike. A little bit goes a long way too, so you’ll likely have this palette for some time before hitting the pan. This product is also vegan and cruelty free, which means no cute little bunnies had to suffer for it to get to you! YAY! Side note: this particular palette was created by Danessa specifically for LimeLife by Alcone, which means you won’t be able to find this palette anywhere else, so grab it before it’s gone! I know I grabbed 2 more haha! Glow Perfect Cream Highlighter Palette $88 is available at https://www.limelifebyalcone.com/salsa/product/LLDCHLP
- Powder Highlighter- The most popular type of highlighters, these are a great option for those who like their makeup to be matte but still want a little glow in targeted areas to go with it. Meant for all skin types, this buildable highlighting powder provides luminosity with its blend of sheer powders and pearls. Ultra refined and soft to the touch, these are a great option for those who still want to use a powder highlighter but are suffering from dry skin. Available in multiple shades, ranging from opalescent gold all the way to a warm bronze, these cult favorite highlighters are suitable for all skin tones. Blendable and easy to use, Nars highlighters are something that belongs in every beauty lover’s bag! Highlighting Powder $38 is available at www.narscosmetics.com
- Liquid Highlighter- Liquid highlighters may be something you avoid because it seems messy, but it’s all about knowing how much to use and how to use it. Once you get that down, the options are limitless to the glow you can achieve! The key to using a highlighter that’s liquid is to use a little bit at a time to build to the level of saturation that you desire, and it’s best to use your fingers to press it in as opposed to using a brush that may suck up a lot of the product or even cause your makeup underneath to smudge. My favorite thing, however, about liquid highlighters is the fact that you can put a pump or two to mix with your body lotion to get a lovely all over glow to match the one you have on your face! I love the Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter by Marc Jacobs Beauty for this, because not only is it an amazing glow getter, it’s also great for those obsessed with makeup products that have skincare benefits to them! With coconut water to hydrate and Provitamin B5 to nourish, this really is liquid gold! Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter $45 is available at www.marcjacobsbeauty.com