The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (2024)

The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (1)

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Highlighter may be hot right now, but it has long been a makeup artist and beauty insider secret weapon. These cosmetics formulas contain shimmer particles that reflect light, making skin instantly look radiant, glowing, and refreshed, and even helping sculpt features like cheekbones.

When shopping for a face highlighter, first consider the best formula for you:

  • Creams are often better for normal to dry skin and can be applied to specific areas of the face without makeup tools.
  • Powders are great for combination to oily skin and can be dusted on to finish your look.
  • Liquids can be mixed with foundation or primer for use all over the face.

Then, choose your shade: If you have fair or light skin, try a pearl or champagne color; for medium skin, one with gold or rose gold tones; and dark skin, a hue that's bronze-based.

Here, Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab experts share the best face highlighters and skin illuminators for a lit-from-within glow, including drugstore buys, easy-applying sticks, multi-shade palettes, the most pigmented formulas, and options for strobing and all skin tones.

1

Best Overall

RMS Beauty Magic Luminizer

The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (2)

Pros
  • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (3)Sheer formula
  • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (4)Easy to apply
  • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (5)Natural look
Cons
  • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (6)May be too emollient for oily skin

This coconut oil-based champagne-colored cream highlighter from RMS Beauty is an all-time GH Beauty Lab favorite for giving cheeks and even eyelids a flattering glow. "I love its dewiness and subtle golden sheen,” says GH Beauty Lab senior chemist Sabina Wizemann. “It’s super easy to apply by tapping it with a finger, and it truly melts into skin—it also looks natural on and doesn’t dehydrated my dry skin.”

2

Best Value

Physicians Formula Butter Highlighter

The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (7)

Pros
  • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (8)Affordable price
  • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (9)Rich, luxurious formula
  • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (10)Light scent
Cons
  • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (11)May be too rich for oily or acne-prone skin

Another GH Beauty Lab go-to highlighter, this bargain Physicians Formula cream lives up to the "butter" in its name with a silky, rich texture in six shades for a variety of skin tones, from light pearl to dark mauve (shown). "It glides onto skin like a dream and really lights up your face," GH's beauty editor says. "Plus, it smells faintly sweet like tropical coconut!" The pot also lasts forever, making it an even more amazing buy.

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3

Best Liquid Highlighter

Tom Ford Glow Drops in Reflects Gilt

The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (12)

Pros
  • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (13)Can be mixed with foundation or primer
  • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (14)Subtle effect
Cons
  • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (15)Pricey

For a "no-makeup" highlighter look, turn to Tom Ford's sophisticated liquid highlighter, which also comes in a rose gold shade for darker skin tones. “I love this highlighter because it gives you very controlled glow,” says GH beauty assistant Katie Berohn. “My skin always looks dewier and more radiant when I use it, but not in a way where you can tell I’m wearing highlighter – more so like I just got a facial and I look glowy and fresh-faced."

4

Best Highlighter Stick

Laura Geller New York Easy Illuminating Stick

The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (16)

Pros
  • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (17)Easy-to-apply, no-mess solid formula
  • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (18)Sculpts features
  • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (19)Enlivens skin
Cons
  • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (20)May be too dewy for oily skin

This highlighter stick created by makeup artist Laura Geller is basically foolproof: Just swipe the cream along cheekbones or other high points of the face (you barely need to blend!). "This gleamy formula isn't overpowering, yet gives you cheekbones you never thought you had and makes skin look healthy," GH's beauty director says.

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Pros
  • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (22)Includes three shades
  • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (23)Comes with applicator brush
  • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (24)Luxurious formulas
Cons
  • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (25)May be better for a makeup aficionado

High-end quality at a bargain price, this GH Beauty Award-winning Flower shimmer palette gives your complexion a glow with three shades: Champagne, rose gold (which can double as blush), and warm gold (which can function as bronzer). The generously-sized compact also includes an angled applicator brush. “The powders are so velvety and luxurious," a tester said.

6

Best Highlighter for Dark Skin

Juvia's Place The Tribe Highlighter Vol. 1

The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (26)

Pros
  • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (27)Rich shade to flatter deep skin tones
  • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (28)High impact
  • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (29)Easy to blend
Cons

    This beautiful deep bronze powder highlighter with cocoa hints was specially created to illuminate dark skin tones. "Very pigmented with little fallout and easy to blend," an Ulta reviewer raved. "Love the vibrancy of the color."

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    7

    Best Highlighter for Medium Skin

    Revlon Photoready Glow Gelee Highlighter Blush in Good As Gold

    The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (30)

    Pros
    • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (31)Lightweight gel texture
    • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (32)Fresh effect on skin
    • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (33)Enhances the warmth of medium skin tones
    • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (34)Affordable
    Cons

      Not your basic highlighter, this unique Revlon cream, a GH Beauty Award winner, has a fun Jello-like texture that melds into skin to give a fresh-faced glow. The warmth of this peachy-gold shade flatters medium skin tones such as Indian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Hispanic. “The color made my medium skin tone looked sun-lit and revived in seconds, and the subdued shimmer didn’t appear fake like some highlighters can,” a tester noted.

      8

      Best Highlighter for Fair Skin

      MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Skinfinish Powder Highlighter in Lightscapade

      The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (35)

      Pros
      • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (36)Lightweight formula
      • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (37)Works as a finishing powder
      • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (38)Multi-tonal to flatter light skin
      Cons

        If you have a porcelain or fair complexion, look no further than this MAC Cosmetics powder highlighter, swirled with pastel pigments to illuminate lighter skin tones. GH's beauty director loves dusting this all over her face as a last step for "an ethereal glow".

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        9

        Best Highlighter for Strobing

        Pacifica Beauty Rainbow Crystals Liquid Mineral Strobe Highlighter

        The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (39)

        Pros
        • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (40)High-impact shimmer
        • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (41)Wand targets specific areas of the face
        Cons
        • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (42)May be too bold for some

        Pacifica's super iridescent liquid highlighter was created for strobing, or strategically highlighting the high points of the face. The wand helps target and deposit the formula on specific areas, such as tops of cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, inner corners of eyes, and more. "This highlighter really delivers an out-of-this-world shimmer," GH's beauty director says.

        10

        Best Highlighter for Smooth Skin

        BECCA Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter

        The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (43)

        Pros
        • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (44)Doesn't settle into pores
        • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (45)Superfine shimmer isn't glittery
        • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (46)Creamy powder formula
        Cons

          For a poreless finish, editor Jessica Teich says this is "the creamiest finish you’ll find in a powder formula. It glides onto skin without settling into pores and the superfine shimmer catches the light in the most elegant way. Plus, the peachy gold hue is so flattering."

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          11

          Best Lit-From-Within Highlighter

          Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal Light

          The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (47)

          Pros
          • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (48)Natural-looking
          • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (49)Good for every day
          Cons

            This glimmery Hourglass highlighter powder is true to its "Ambient Lighting" name. "I’ve been using this highlighter for years — it’s perfect for every day, and I use it whenever I want a really 'lit from within' glow that’s subtle but radiant,” Berohn says. “I’m normally not a fan of powder highlighters, but this one will always be in my rotation."

            12

            Best Highly-Pigmented Highlighter

            Maybelline New York Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter Powder

            The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (50)

            The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (51)

            Pros
            • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (52)Strong color payoff
            • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (53)Multiple shades
            • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (54)Affordable
            Cons
            • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (55)May be too shimmery for some

            A true eye-catcher, this striking Maybelline highlighter powder packs maximum pigment in metallic shades from gold to rose gold, peach, and bronze. Amazon reviewers noted that the "very pigmented" formula truly pops with a "blinding" chrome effect that "brightens skin".

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            13

            Best Highlighter at Sephora

            Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder

            The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (56)

            Pros
            • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (57)Multiple shades
            • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (58)High-end formula
            Cons
            • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (59)Pricey

            From the maker of the iconic shimmer powders, Bobbi Brown's luxe highlighter is the best-seller at Sephora. "It’s a subtle, buildable glow with no chunky glitter," a reviewer reported. "I have used this on my mother-in-law who has rather mature skin and this works beautifully on her as well."

            14

            Best Highlighter for Oily Skin

            Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder Compact

            The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (60)

            Pros
            • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (61)Satin-matte finish
            • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (62)Works for oily skin
            Cons
            • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (63)May look flat on dry skin

            Highlighters can work for oily and acne-prone skin, too. Case in point: This Laura Mercier powder, which is GH Beauty Lab chemist Danusia Wnek's go-to for her oily complexion.“Many highlighters make me look like a greasy, shiny mess and this one doesn’t — the finely-milled powder adds a nice sheen to skin while looking matte somehow," she marvels.

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            15

            Best Multi-Use Highlighter

            Shiseido Aura Dew Highlighter

            The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (64)

            Pros
            • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (65)Can be used on cheeks, eyes, and lips
            • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (66)Multiple shades
            Cons

              A GH Beauty Award winner, this weightless, bouncy shimmer cream can be used as highlighter on cheekbones, eye shadow, or on top of lip color. “Foolproof application with fingers, and the subtle shimmer enlivened my face,” a tester reported. It also comes in three shades laced with sparkle: gold, rose gold, and silvery pearl.

              16

              Best Highlighter and Bronzer

              Black Radiance Artisan Color Baked Bronzer in Beautiful

              The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (67)

              Pros
              • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (68)Bargain price
              • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (69)Takes the place of two products
              • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (70)High-quality
              Cons

                Black Radiance's powder does double duty both as a bronzer and highlighter on darker skin tones. "It compares to more expensive makeup," an Amazon reviewer noted.

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                17

                Best Highlighter Balm

                Chanel Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick

                The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (71)

                Pros
                • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (72)Very natural-looking and wearable
                • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (73)Skin-softening texture
                • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (74)Easy, mess-free application
                Cons
                • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (75)Could be too subtle for some
                • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (76)Pricey

                A hybrid of a balm and a highlighter, this Chanel stick gives skin a slightly glisteny, barely-there radiance. "I love that you can swipe this on your cheeks, lips, or eyes without blending for a minimalist-chic look that just enhances your natural skin," GH's beauty director says. Editor's note: It also comes in a bronze shade for deeper skin tones or for more warmth.

                18

                Best 2-in-1 Highlighter

                Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Highlighter & Balm Duo

                The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (77)

                Pros
                • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (78)Two products in one
                • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (79)Both subtle and bold formulas
                Cons
                • The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (80)Pricey

                Created by the famed runway makeup artist, Pat McGrath Labs' dual-ended cream highlighter stick has quickly earned cult classic status. One end contains a color highlighter (in champagne, bronze, or gold) and the other a clear balm, so you can choose between a bolder or more bare look — or a little of both.

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                The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (81)

                The $11 Highlighter Our Beauty Experts Swear By (82)

                April Franzino

                Beauty Director

                April (she/her) is the beauty director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day, where she oversees all beauty content. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.

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