The 13 Best Highlighters We Tested That Deliver the Glowy Skin

I’ve probably tested hundreds of highlighters over the years. Some leave a glittery mess, others look like a chalky stripe on my cheek. But the good ones? They make your skin look genuinely dewy and alive, like you just came from a facial.

The best makeup highlighters don’t just sit on your skin; they become one with it. Whether you’re into a blinding beam or a subtle, wet-looking sheen, there’s something out there for you. I swiped, blended, and wore these all day to find the ones that actually deliver.

Our Top Highlighter Picks

L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion

At around $15, this stuff is a drugstore legend for a reason. I use it under my foundation for an all-over glow, or just tap it on my cheekbones on no-makeup days. It feels more like a moisturizer than makeup.

The glow is super subtle and natural, never glittery. It just makes your skin look healthy and hydrated. Plus, the shea butter and glycerin make my skin feel great.

The Downside: If your skin is sensitive to fragrance or certain ingredients, you might want to patch test this one first.

 

 

Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder

This highlighter is only $6, which is just wild for how good it is. It’s a pressed powder, but it has this buttery, almost creamy feel to it. It blends out so easily without looking chalky.

The shine is serious with this one, but you can build it up or sheer it out. I found it worked really well on my medium skin tone, and it’s a great starting point if you’re new to highlighters.

The Downside: The shades can run a bit deep, so if you have very fair skin, it might look more like a shimmery bronzer.

 

 

Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer

This one costs about $25, and it’s worth every penny. The formula is so lightweight and thin, it just melts right into your skin without messing up your foundation underneath.

I just dab a tiny dot on my cheekbones and blend with my finger. It gives this perfect, natural-looking glow that lasts all day without getting patchy. It really does look like you’re lit from within.

The Downside: It’s a little pricey for the amount you get, but a little does go a long way.

 

 

Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter

For $40, you get two highlighters in one compact. I love the versatility. One side is a more subtle sheen for daytime, and the other side is packed with shimmer for when you want to be seen from space.

The cream-powder hybrid formula is super smooth and blends like a dream. You can use it on your eyes and body, too. It’s a true multi-tasker that feels weightless on the skin.

The Downside: The more intense side can be pretty glittery, which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

 

 

Chanel Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick

Okay, it’s $50, so it’s a splurge. But this stick gives the most beautiful, editorial-looking wet sheen to the skin. It’s not glittery at all, just pure, dewy gloss.

I glide it on my cheekbones, eyelids, and sometimes even my lips. It feels like a hydrating balm and gives a fresh, healthy radiance that looks so effortless. It’s my secret weapon for looking awake.

The Downside: The effect is very subtle. If you’re looking for a blinding highlight, this isn’t it.

 

 

e.l.f. Halo Glow Highlight Beauty Wand

At just $10, this is an amazing find. The cushion-tip applicator makes it so easy to dot onto the skin exactly where you want it. It’s a liquid formula that’s super pigmented and buildable.

I love the dewy, radiant finish it gives. It’s infused with squalane, so it doesn’t feel drying at all. You can get a pretty intense glow from this without breaking the bank.

The Downside: The shade range is a bit limited, especially for very deep skin tones.

 

 

Merit Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm

This highlighting balm is $32 and it’s perfect for daytime. It gives you that “I just finished my skincare” dewy look without any sparkle or glitter. It’s just sheer, moisturizing shine.

The stick format is so convenient to just swipe on and go. It blends seamlessly and never looks heavy or textured. It’s the ultimate no-makeup makeup highlighter.

The Downside: It’s way too subtle if you’re going for a dramatic, glam look.

 

 

Saie Glowy Super Gel

This gel-based highlighter is about $29 and it’s incredibly versatile. It has a lightweight, watery texture that you can mix with foundation, use as a primer, or tap onto the high points of your face.

It gives a really beautiful, post-facial kind of glow. It sinks into the skin rather than sitting on top, and has a slight blurring effect that I really liked.

The Downside: The pump packaging can sometimes get a little leaky, so be careful when traveling with it.

 

 

Haus Labs Bio-Radiant Gel-Powder Highlighter

This $40 highlighter from Lady Gaga’s line has such a cool texture. It’s a gel-powder hybrid that glides on like a cream but sets down like a powder. No streaks, ever.

The finish is a gorgeous, glassy sparkle that melts into the skin. I found it blended beautifully over blush without lifting my makeup. And it has some skincare ingredients in it, which is a nice touch.

The Downside: If you have oily skin, the super-shiny finish might be a bit too much for you.

 

 

Iconic London Illuminator Liquid Highlighter

For $30, these drops are the definition of high-impact. This stuff is seriously concentrated. You only need the tiniest amount for a blinding, wet-look shine.

I like mixing a single drop into my foundation for an all-over luminous base, or using the dropper to place it precisely on my cheekbones. It’s super long-wearing and doesn’t budge.

The Downside: It’s incredibly easy to use too much. Start with less than you think you need.

 

 

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

This is $49, and it’s a cult favorite for a reason. It’s not quite a foundation, not quite a highlighter, but some kind of magic in between. It gives your skin a real-life filter effect.

I’ve used it under makeup, mixed in with my foundation, and dabbed on top as a highlighter. Every single time, my skin just looks smoother, brighter, and more radiant. It’s glowy, not glittery.

The Downside: The doe-foot applicator can feel a bit unsanitary over time, and I wish the shade range was more expansive.

 

 

Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette

This palette will set you back about $48, but you get four different shades. It’s the one I reach for when I want to customize my glow. The powders are so finely milled they never look cakey.

You can swirl your brush in all four shades or pick one for a specific look. They build up from a subtle sheen to a serious metallic finish, so it’s really versatile for different occasions.

The Downside: Some of the shades have noticeable glitter particles, which might not be ideal for a simple daytime look.

 

 

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder

At $54, this is an investment piece. But this isn’t a typical highlighter. Think of it more as a finishing powder that gives your whole face a soft-focus, candlelit glow.

I dust this all over my face after I’ve done my makeup. It blurs imperfections and gives my skin this subtle luminosity that just makes everything look better and more polished. It’s like a secret weapon.

The Downside: This is definitely not the product for you if you want a blinding, targeted highlight.

 

 

What to Look for in a Highlighter

Finding the right highlighter really depends on the look you’re going for. Do you want a subtle balm for daytime or a super-concentrated liquid drop for a night out? There’s no single right answer.

My advice is to think about your skin type and your desired finish. A dewy balm might not work on very oily skin, and a powder can sometimes cling to dry patches. But with so many amazing formulas out there, your perfect glow is definitely within reach.