13 of the best highlighters for beautiful, glowing skin
Emma-Jade Stoddart
Beauty & skincare
Reading time: 8 minutes
Achieve lit-from-within radiance with one of the best highlighters in the biz…
Highlighters are the ultimate complexion booster, adding the appearance of radiance in seconds. Perfect for those days when skin looks a little lacklustre, highlighter can cheat a great glow and help accentuate certain areas of the face.
"They’re essential in your make-up routine if you want to ensure you glow in all the right places," says Aimee Connolly, a make-up artist and founder of Sculpted by Aimee. But with so many currently out there, from drops and sticks to powders and pots, finding "the one" is not easy.
To help, Aimee shares her top tips on picking the perfect highlighter and we round up 13 of the best that promise many a glowing day ahead.
How to choose the best highlighter
When choosing a highlighter, Aimee recommends picking one that looks natural on your skin. "You ideally want skin to look like the glow is coming from the inside," she says. "Steer clear from anything overly glittery or pigmented as this can draw attention to pores and texture."
If your skin is dry, Aimee advises going for an all-over illuminating primer that adds dewy-looking radiance without being too obvious. ‘If skin is oily, I prefer to use a cream or liquid highlighter as a finishing touch,’ she continues, "this makes it easier to be more strategic with placement, ensuring you’re only highlighting the areas that you want to accentuate."
How to apply highlighter like a pro
"My top application tip for a highlighter is to build it up slowly," says Aimee. This way, you can avoid any harsh, obvious streaks. "To find the right place to highlight, tilt your head sideways and notice where the natural light bounces off your face – this is usually a good indicator for where to apply your highlighter," she adds.
Aimee usually applies highlighter on the tops of the cheekbones, the tip and bridge of the nose, the cupid’s bow, the brow bone and the inner corner of the eyes. "For a night out, I like to take it one step further and glow up my chest, shoulders and the front of my legs," she adds.
13 of the best highlighters for the face at Boots
Best for strobing
Try: 17. Lights On Highlighter Powder
• Vegan
• Available in three shades
• Contains sweet almond oil
• Lightweight powder
Turn your face to this finely milled, soft-touch highlighter that lends skin a shimmering gleam that’s ideal for strobing. To apply, we recommend using an angled fluffy brush to sweep the powder atop cheekbones, down the bridge of the nose and just above the cupid’s bow.
Best for an all-over glow
Try: Iconic London Illuminator
• Vegan
• Cruelty-free
• Available in four shades
• Liquid formula
• Multipurpose
Extremely versatile, this concentrated liquid shimmer can be mixed in with your foundation, primer or moisturiser for an all-over radiant finish. Or use it alone, pressed onto the high points of the face, for a strategic sheen.
Best for multipurpose
Try: Collection Gorgeous Glow Filter Finish Primer & Illuminator
• Suitable for all skin types
• Available in four shades
• Liquid formula
• Contains vitamin E, glycerine and sodium hyaluronate
• Easy to use
For days when you want a subtle, lit-from-with glow, this complexion booster is it – apply all over your skin, under foundation. The pearlescent liquid pigments shine through to create that healthy, radiant finish. If you’re looking to highlight your features, dab it on over foundation, where the light naturally hits.
Best for on-the-go
Try: Revolution Bright Light Highlighter Beam
• Available in six shades
• Infused with quartz
• Easy to build
• Sponge applicator included
• Cruelty-free
This nifty highlighting pen is a great pick for those always on-the-glow. It comes complete with a soft sponge applicator that makes application a total dream. Simply press onto cheekbones and above the brow bone, and blend in with the sponge or fingers for a luminous (not sparkly) finish.
Best for multiple shades
Try: Huda Beauty Glow Obsessions Mini Face Palette
• Palette available in three shades
• Contains four highlighting shades
• Silky lightweight texture
• Travel-friendly
• Easy to build
This highlighting face palette ticks all our beauty boxes and then some. First, the silky, lightweight texture blends into skin like butter. Second, it contains powerhouse ingredients, such as vitamin E to help nourish skin. Finally, there are four shades in each palette to blush, highlight and lowlight for a multichromatic, sun-kissed glow.
Best for a dewy sheen
Try: Fenty Beauty Match Stix Glow Stick
• Stick formula
• Suitable for all skin tones
• Delivers a dewy sheen
• Easy to use
Want to master the ‘no make-up make-up’ look, while still wearing make-up? Turn your attention to this glow-giving stick from Fenty. Formulated without glitter or shimmer, this balmy highlighter works so well swept onto bare skin (or a barely there base) for a healthy-looking, dewy sheen. Expect ‘you look well’ compliments.
Best for a glass-like glow
Try: Nudestix Nudies Glow
• Available in four shades
• Brush included
• Suitable for all skin types
• Stick formula
• Travel-friendly
Stick formulas are very handy for travelling and this one delivers a glass-like glow that’s trending on Instagram. For a flattering finish, we recommend applying the stick along cheekbones, above the cupid’s bow and along the brow bone, blending it in with the brush that’s included.
Best for hydration
Try: No7 HydraLuminous Liquid Highlighter
• Liquid formula
• Available in three shades
• Contains hyaluronic acid
• Easy to build
• Delivers a dewy finish
Not only does this liquid highlighter instantly add glow with its pearlescent pigments, but it bolsters the appearance of radiance over time, too (thanks to hydrating hyaluronic acid). To use, combine a few drops with your favourite foundation for all-over radiance, or press on top of your make-up for a lifted, luminous look.
Best for a powder product
Try: Benefit Cookie Golden Pearl Highlighter
• Powder formula
• Easy to blend
• Adds warmth
• Superfine formula
If you’re not a fan of that wet-look, glassy glow, give this superfine powder from Benefit a whirl. Formulated with just the right amount of shimmer, it delivers a warm, sun-kissed and subtle glow that’s perfect for summer. Top tip? Press onto eyelids to complete your look.
Best for next-level radiance
Try: Sleek MakeUP Highlighting Elixir Illuminating Drops
• Liquid formula
• Available in three shades
• Easy to blend
• Super pigmented
• Can be mixed with make-up
This super-pigmented liquid shimmer is not for the faint-hearted. It delivers a megawatt, high-shine glow that’s guaranteed to make you stand out from the crowd. Mix with foundation for a shot of dewy-looking radiance or wear alone to make features pop. Note that a little goes a long way!
Best for a bespoke glow
Try: Kylie Cosmetics Kylighter Illuminating Powder
• Talc-free powder
• Available in five shades
• Gel-to-powder
• Easy to build
• Apply with brush
A must-try, this gel-to-powder highlighter glides across skin to deliver a subtle sheen that never looks caked-on. Seriously impressive, we recommend applying with a small brush to strategically place it on the high points of the face, as well as the collarbone and chest area.
Best for a quick fix
Try: MAC Strobe Cream
• Hydrating
• Non-acnegenic
A backstage staple, MAC Strobe Cream is the ultimate quick fix for radiant-looking skin in seconds. Loaded with potent botanicals and skin-loving vitamins, it works like a highlighting serum/moisturiser that can be used as a primer, mixed in with foundation or as a cream highlighter to add the appearance of radiance and smooth skin.
Best for creamy highlights
Try: Sculpted by Aimee Connolly Cream Luxe Collection
• Available in two shades
• Cream formula
• Easy to build
• Reflects the light
• Lightweight texture
For a subtle highlight that’s easy to build (and easy to control), we highly recommend this cream formula. It has a lovely, lightweight texture that can be pressed onto make-up as a finishing touch for a juicy-looking glow. The Pearl Pop shade gives a pearlescent hue, while Champagne Cream adds a sun-kissed warmth.
