The 11 Best Highlighters

Finding the right highlighter can completely change your makeup routine. It’s that one product that can make you look awake, healthy, and just… glowing. But not all highlighters are the same. Some are glittery messes, others are too subtle, and some just sit weirdly on top of your skin.

So I went on a mission. I tested powders, creams, and liquids at all different price points to find the best highlighters out there. I wanted formulas that melted into the skin, gave a believable shine, and lasted all day.

These are the ones that truly stood out.

 

 

Best Drugstore Highlighters

e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Highlight Beauty Wand

This wand is only $10, and honestly, it performs better than some high-end ones I’ve tried. The cushion tip makes it super easy to dot onto the high points of your face, and it blends out like a dream with fingers or a brush.

What I love most is the intense, liquid-metal shine you get without any chunky glitter. It gives a really beautiful, wet-looking radiance that lasts for hours. I even use it as an eyeshadow sometimes for a quick, bright-eyed look.

The Downside: This stuff is seriously pigmented. A little goes a very long way, so if you’re not careful, you can easily overdo it.

 

 

ColourPop Super Shock Highlighter

For just $9, the ColourPop Super Shock formula is iconic for a reason. It has this unique bouncy, cream-to-powder texture that feels so light on the skin. I just swirl my finger in the pan and tap it onto my cheekbones.

The shade Flexitarian is a cult favorite because it gives an almost blinding, angelic sheen that looks good on so many skin tones. It stays put all day without fading or getting glittery. It’s a ton of payoff for a tiny price.

The Downside: It can be tough to find in stores, so you usually have to order it online.

 

 

Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder

At around $6, this highlighter is a total drugstore gem. The powder is surprisingly creamy and soft, not at all chalky. It blends into the skin so effortlessly, it almost looks like a cream highlighter once it’s on.

It gives a really beautiful, pearly sheen that catches the light without being full of glitter. If you’re new to highlighter and want something affordable and easy to use, this is a perfect place to start.

The Downside: Some of the shades can pull a little dark or golden on very fair skin tones.

 

 

Best Powder Highlighters

FENTY BEAUTY by Rihanna Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter

This Fenty highlighter costs $40. The cream-powder hybrid formula is what makes it so special. It glides onto the skin without looking dusty and blends in seamlessly.

I love the duo pans because you get a subtler side for daytime and a more intense side for night. The range of shades is fantastic, so everyone can find a color that makes their skin pop. It just melts in and stays put.

The Downside: If you apply too much, it can emphasize skin texture a bit.

 

 

Rare Beauty Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter

For $25, this powder feels incredibly luxurious. It’s so finely milled that it feels like silk, and it gives your skin a luminous, almost liquid-like glow. There’s zero chalkiness or fallout, which I really appreciate.

It has a way of smoothing over texture instead of highlighting it. You can build it up from a soft sheen to a more metallic finish, and it looks fresh all day long.

The Downside: The plastic packaging feels a little cheap and I worry about it breaking if I drop it.

 

 

NATASHA DENONA Golden Highlighter Trio

This trio is a splurge at $55, but the quality is unmatched. The hybrid gel-powder formula is so buttery it feels like a cream. It glides over my skin without settling into fine lines, making it amazing for mature skin.

The pigment is intense, and having three shades in one palette lets you create a custom, multidimensional glow. It has absolutely no fallout and lasts forever on the skin.

The Downside: It’s a pretty expensive palette for just three highlighters.

 

 

Best Cream & Liquid Highlighters

Benefit Cosmetics High Beam Satin Pink Liquid Highlighter

This classic liquid highlighter is $28. It’s been around forever because it’s just that good, especially for beginners. The nail polish-style brush makes application simple—just a few dots on the cheeks and you’re ready to blend.

It gives a subtle, dewy, pinky-pearl sheen that looks so fresh and natural. It blends right into foundation without any glitter, giving you that “lit-from-within” supermodel glow that lasts all day.

The Downside: The bottle is pretty small for the price.

 

 

Westman Atelier Super Loaded Tinted Cream Highlighter

Okay, at $75, this is a serious luxury item. But this cream highlighter is packed with skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid and jojoba oil, so it feels amazing on my dry skin.

It has a dense, balmy texture that melts into the skin and gives a diffused, almost filtered spotlight effect. It never feels greasy and wears beautifully throughout the day as it mixes with your skin’s natural oils.

The Downside: The price is very high, which makes it a big investment.

 

 

Chanel Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick

This chic little stick costs $48. It’s a balm, not a traditional highlighter, so it gives you a glassy, dewy finish without any shimmer or glitter. I just swipe it directly on my skin and tap to blend.

It creates a beautiful, healthy-looking sheen that’s perfect for everyday makeup or no-makeup days. The effect is super elegant and sophisticated, and the packaging is, of course, gorgeous.

The Downside: It can feel a bit tacky or sticky on the skin for a while after you apply it.

 

 

Merit Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm

This highlighting balm is $32 and it’s perfect for anyone who hates obvious sparkle. It glides on smoothly and leaves a dewy, wet-looking sheen that makes skin look incredibly healthy and hydrated.

It’s formulated with squalane and other vitamins, so it feels more like skincare than makeup. I love how it blurs texture and gives a subtle glow that looks like it’s really coming from your skin. It’s impossible to overdo it.

The Downside: If you’re looking for a bold, beaming highlight, this one is way too subtle.

Ultimately, the best highlighter for you depends on the finish you want. Are you looking for a blinding powder that can be seen from space, or a subtle balm that just makes you look extra hydrated?

Whether you want to spend $6 or $75, there’s a fantastic formula out there waiting for you. Playing with different textures and finishes is half the fun, and any of these will give your skin that extra pop.