With only a few simple swipes, one of the best highlighters lend on the spot radiance and a wholesome glow to any look—and the flexibility is top-notch, too. We love dabbing them straight from compact to cheekbones, mixing a liquid spotlight into basis for all-over radiance, or utilizing a doe-foot applicator to intensify our nostril bridges, inside corners of our eyes, or Cupid’s bows. They’re all about supplying you with simply the fitting contact of dew or sparkle precisely the place you want it. This listing covers each highlighter components—powders, sticks, lotions, and liquids—so your decide comes all the way down to the end you need: mushy, lit-from-within glow, or disco-ball shine. After testing numerous choices, we have rounded up the highlighters we instinctively attain for to prime off our make-up seems to be.
Our High Highlighters
Incessantly Requested Questions
Finest Total: Uncommon Magnificence Optimistic Mild Silky Contact Highlighter
Why we find it irresistible: Uncommon Magnificence’s Optimistic Mild Silky Contact Highlighter is principally candlelight you’ll be able to swipe on. This 2025 Better of Magnificence Award winner is powered by artificial fluorphlogopite, a lab-made mica that seamlessly blends into pores and skin whereas forsaking an ideal microshimmer. Due to its silky, semi-sheer components, you’ll be able to maintain issues refined or construct it up for a pronounced assertion. And it is available in six completely different shades, so if you would like one thing mild and pearlescent, go along with a lighter, pearl-toned possibility like Enlighten, or if you would like a peachier choice to go hand-in-hand along with your bronzer, Replicate is a tan-toned magnificence. In testing, our editors observed the end shifts relying in your instrument: A brush offers you that mirror-like sheen, whereas a humid sponge softens all the pieces right into a extra subtle, skin-like glow.
“This highlighter (I’ve shade Flaunt) is gorgeous. It’s so mild and wonderful that it feels such as you’re making use of air. You solely want a little bit bit to get a glimmery, shimmery—however not too shimmery—payoff.” —Ingrid Fowler, senior artwork director
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“I put this components in shade Exhilarate to the check in lots of situations: to the workplace on busy work days (it seemed simply nearly as good because it did once I first put it on), Solidcore exercise lessons the place I inevitably neglect to take away my make-up beforehand (it seemed much more subtle and skin-like), and date nights with my fiancé (the place I, *wink*, confirmed with confidence that the components is transfer-proof). It is a dreamy highlighter, made much more otherworldly with its value level. Highlighters with an analogous impact vary from $9 to $42, and this one, with its distinctive texture and components, falls proper within the center.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior magnificence editor
Most Sparkly: Fenty Diamond Bomb All-Over Diamond Veil
Why we find it irresistible: Some folks like a mushy, dewy sheen; others need full-on disco-ball power. When you’re within the latter camp, Fenty’s Diamond Bomb All-Over Diamond Veil is your lady. This superfine powder shines vivid (sure, like a diamond) and wraps pores and skin in a 3D, light-catching veil that virtually ricochets off each floor. Regardless of the high-wattage payoff, the feel is something however gritty. It’s a jelly-like powder that feels cool to the contact and melts into the pores and skin (on the face or physique) immediately. And as soon as it units, it stays—so your sparkle gained’t budge regardless of how lengthy the evening runs.
Tester suggestions from affiliate supervisor of viewers improvement Melanie Curry
“I am not an enormous fan of highlighters—a pair swatches of pink blush is sufficient to give me a pleasant, shimmery glow—however I purchased this highlighter in shade How Many Carats?! on a pal’s advice, and it has been certainly one of my favourite purchases this yr, principally as a result of it’s multi-purpose. I put on it in all places, from my eyelids to the bridge of my nostril, and even on my collarbones and neck. It is clean to use and does not make a large number. Plus, it comes on this cute diamond-shaped compact which you can simply match into any of your purses.” —Melanie Curry, affiliate supervisor of viewers improvement
Finest All-Over: Saie Glowy Tremendous Gel
Why we find it irresistible: The Saie Glowy Tremendous Gel isn’t your typical top-of-the-cheekbones highlighter, and that’s the great thing about it. Made with 75% water, this light-weight gel is designed to be blended with basis or skincare, or used as a base for all-over, glass-skin radiance. It’s additionally full of glycerin to maintain pores and skin plump and glowy, Connecticut-based dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, beforehand advised Attract. As soon as the product dries down, you don’t have to fret about sliding, creasing, or flaking all through the day. Our editors love utilizing an angled or buffing brush to mix the gel throughout bigger areas for a good sheen, however fingers are nice for a fast tap-and-go software once you’re brief on time.
Tester suggestions from Fowler
“This primer in shade Roseglow offers a stunning, dewy glow, nevertheless it’s sufficiently subtle that you need to use it throughout your face. It is an excellent base and mixes nicely with different make-up, which is commonly tough with illuminating merchandise. After I simply desire a bronzy, glow-from-within look with out doing a full face of make-up, I put on this by itself.” —Ingrid Fowler, senior artwork director
Finest Pearlescent: Victoria Beckham Magnificence Replicate Highlighter Stick
Why we find it irresistible: Toss it in your bag, maintain it in your self-importance, or stash it within the automotive—Victoria Beckham Magnificence’s Replicate Highlighter Stick is the type of do-it-all glow you’ll need in all places. It glides onto pores and skin like a nourishing oil (thanks, strawberry seed oil and shea butter) however in some way by no means seems to be greasy. As a substitute, it leaves behind that silky, pearly sheen you normally can’t get from powder for a real, your-skin-but-glossier end our editors attain for when they need radiance that also seems to be like pores and skin. With two shades, the colour vary is small however nonetheless mighty: Pearl melts seamlessly into mild and medium tones, whereas Amber brings a heat, luminous glow to deeper complexions.
“I’m not large on heavy powder highlighters for my on a regular basis glam, so this light-weight cream in shade Pearl is my candy spot. It offers that your-skin-but-better sheen that truly seems to be like pores and skin. I simply faucet it in with my fingers over blush and bronzer, and each time it leaves probably the most pure, streak-free glow. Plus, it’s so compact and straightforward to throw in your bag for touchups on the cheekbones and even the lids all through the day.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce author
Finest Brightening: Armani Magnificence Luminous Silk Acqua Highlighter
Why we find it irresistible: You’ve in all probability heard of Armani’s Luminous Silk Basis, however the Luminous Silk Aqua Highlighter deserves simply as a lot hype. It doesn’t cowl like a concealer, nevertheless it does brighten in a manner that makes your complete face look extra awake. The components is full of micropearls that give an ethereal, lit-from-within glow wherever you faucet it. The doe-foot applicator makes it simple to swipe any of the 5 colours alongside the cheekbones or dot into the T-zone underneath basis for additional radiance. You’ll be able to even dab product onto your Cupid’s bow and inside corners of the eyes—principally anyplace you need {that a} brightening impact is honest sport.
“Highlighting my face is all the time a tightrope act. I need my pores and skin to look moist—no seen glitter, please—however I do not need it to truly be moist, lest my hair drive me bananas when it is sticking to my face. Few formulation can do each, however Armani’s Highlighter in shade Halo does it effortlessly. It could look very sparkly in its tube, however when it spreads throughout pores and skin, its microfine shimmer creates a light-catching sheen slightly than sparkle streaks—then it dries all the best way down with out shedding any of its shine. Miraculous.” —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior information editor
Finest Multipurpose: Haus Labs Bio-Radiant Glassy Highlighter Balm
Why we find it irresistible: There’s simply one thing deeply satisfying a few good multi-stick, and Haus Labs nails it with the Bio-Radiant Glassy Highlighter Balm. This chunky crayon glides over lids, cheeks, lips, and even collarbones with zero tug, forsaking a juicy, hydrated sheen. The components reads like skincare, due to sea fennel extract, hyaluronic acid, squalane, and wakame extract (a mineral-rich marine algae), so it melts in like a stable serum and leaves a glassy, light-catching end. When you desire a shine with out shimmer, Clear Glass is your minimalist match. Need a contact extra sparkle? Glassy Pink Opal provides a mushy, rosy-gold twinkle.
“Based mostly on the sheer quantity of shimmery base merchandise available on the market this yr, it seems that 2016 known as—and is giving us our highlighters again. Again then, I most well-liked a extra iridescent gleam with a purple, pearlescent base, however after attempting all six shades of the Haus Labs Bio-Radiant Glassy Highlighter Balm, Glassy Pink Opal appears to be extra my pace in 2025. I really like how simple it’s to use, too. I skip a brush and immediately coloration it onto my cheekbones, Cupid’s bow, and down my nostril for a refined sheen that hits the sunshine juuuust proper.” —Sarah Kinonen, affiliate magnificence director
“Highlighter is again, child! I merely love how this balm accentuates the pores and skin, whether or not you desire a refined or intense quantity of radiance. For my low-maintenance days, I’ll attain for the shade Clear as a result of it provides that pure dew on recent pores and skin, and if I’m sporting a little bit of make-up, the Topaz shade provides that golden hue to the excessive factors of my cheek for a sun-kissed look.” —Bianca Richards, social media supervisor
Incessantly Requested Questions
How we check and assessment merchandise
When Attract checks a product, our editors take a look at it from each angle in an effort to greatest serve you. We assessment substances, scrutinize model claims, and, when vital, look at peer-reviewed scientific and medical research. Along with testing every product that is included in every assessment, we depend on specialists who form their fields, together with dermatology, beauty chemistry, and medication, to assist us vet the substances and formulation.
For our listing of one of the best highlighters, we thought of every product’s efficiency throughout 5 major classes: product substances and efficacy, packaging, perfume, texture, and product put on. Each product was decided to have excelled in every class by our editorial workforce of in-house writers and editors, in addition to contributors, together with particular consideration from dermatologists. To study extra about our reporting and testing processes, learn our full evaluations course of and methodology web page.
Our workers and testers
A magnificence product is a private buy. You could be looking for a face cream to deal with persistent dryness or a brand new nail product so as to add to your Sunday self-care routine; it’s possible you’ll merely be looking round for the most recent launches to hit the hair market. It doesn’t matter what you search or your particular person wants and considerations, Attract needs to make sure that you like something we advocate in our tales. We imagine that having a various workforce of writers and editors—along with the wide selection of outdoor testers and trade specialists we recurrently name upon—is important to reaching that objective.
In any case, can we actually say a skin-care product is the “greatest” for folks over 50 if the one testers we have solicited opinions from are of us who’ve but to hit 30? Can we truthfully deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned money if it is by no means been examined on curls? We’re proud that our workers spans a variety of ages, pores and skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which implies that we’re capable of pretty assess any magnificence product that comes into the sweetness closet.
Prepared, set, glow! Dig into our dewy pores and skin necessities:
