Finding the perfect drugstore highlighter is like finding a treasure chest in the beauty world. It’s all about enhancing your natural glow without breaking the bank. This guide will help you navigate through the shimmering aisles of options to find the highlighter that will make you sparkle just right.
Choosing the right highlighter can transform your makeup look from simple to stunning. It’s not just about picking up any product off the shelf; it’s about finding the one that complements your skin tone and texture, giving you that sought-after radiant glow.
Whether you prefer a subtle sheen or a bold beam of light on your cheekbones, the right drugstore highlighter can achieve that high-end look. Let’s dive into the essentials of selecting the perfect highlighter for you.
Our Top Picks
How to choose the right shade of highlighter?
Understanding your skin’s undertone is the first step in choosing the right highlighter shade. If you have cool undertones, go for highlighters with a pearlescent or silver glow. Warm undertones look stunning with gold or peachy shades. Neutral undertones? You’re lucky! Almost any shade will enhance your glow.
For a pearlescent glow, opt for highlighters that offer a luminous sheen without being overly glittery. These shades are perfect for creating a subtle, natural-looking highlight that catches the light beautifully.
Before buying a highlighter, testing it is crucial. Swipe a small amount on your cheekbone under natural light. This will give you the most accurate idea of how it will look on your skin. If it blends seamlessly and enhances your glow, you’ve found your match!
Remember, the best highlighter for you is one that looks like a natural extension of your skin. Whether it’s a cream, liquid, or powder, the right shade will make your skin look radiant and healthy.
What are the differences between liquid and powder highlighters?
Liquid highlighters are fantastic for achieving that dewy, radiant finish. They’re perfect for dry skin types or anyone looking for a bold glow. Apply it on the high points of your face for a luminous sheen that doesn’t feel heavy.
Use liquid highlighters when you want a noticeable, wet-look shine. They’re great for evening looks or any time you want your skin to appear hydrated and fresh. Mix a bit with your foundation for an all-over glow.
Powder highlighters, on the other hand, are ideal for creating a subtle, buildable radiance. They work well for oily skin or those seeking a more matte finish. Apply it lightly for a soft shimmer or layer it for a more intense glow.
Opt for powder highlighters when you need a highlight that will last throughout the day. They’re perfect for everyday wear, offering a gentle luminosity that can be intensified according to the occasion.
Top picks: Unveiling the best in drugstore highlighters
Credit: Wet n Wild
If you’re searching for an affordable highlighter that delivers a radiant glow, Wet n Wild’s Megaglo Highlighting Powder is an excellent choice. Available in various shades, this powder offers an ultra-pearly finish that enhances your skin’s luminosity. With its easy-to-blend formula, it’s perfect for application on the cheekbones, brow bones, and cupid’s bow. You’ll find that it effortlessly highlights specific areas, providing an all-over glow that enhances your facial features. The silky-smooth texture, infused with shimmering pearl pigments, allows for a radiant and long-lasting application. Whether you’re going for a casual or glam look, this versatile product suits various skin tones and types, ensuring a youthful, fresh appearance every time.
Credit: Physicians Formula
The Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Highlighter is perfect for those seeking a long-wearing, cream-to-powder formula that effortlessly melts into the skin. Its unique bouncy texture offers a highlighted finish that looks natural and radiant. You’ll love that it’s clinically tested for safety, cruelty-free, vegan, and free of gluten and parabens. Plus, the anti-aging peptides provide hydration, making it hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin.
Packed with Amazonian butters like murumuru, cupuacu, and tucuma, it also includes light-diffusing particles for a soft-focus effect. It’s perfect for those who love their makeup to come with skincare benefits. Apply it with your fingertip on areas like cheekbones and brow bones, blending to achieve your desired glow.
Credit: Maybelline
Maybelline’s Facestudio Master Chrome is a top pick for those seeking a high-impact glow without breaking the bank. Its reflective pigments create a molten metal effect that makes the skin look vibrant and full of life. Thanks to its pearl pigments, you’ll achieve a reflective finish that catches the light beautifully. Application is a breeze—just use a brush or your fingertips to sweep it onto your cheekbones, brow bones, and nose bridge. Blend well for that seamless metallic glow, whether you’re going for a casual or formal look.
The key ingredients, like caprylic/capric triglyceride and dimethicone, ensure a smooth application, while the available molten gold shade promotes brilliantly glowing skin. This highlighter is ideal for layering, enhancing your look with ease.
Credit: e.l.f.
For those who prefer a liquid highlighter, the e.l.f. Halo Glow Highlight Beauty Wand is a game-changer. It offers a dewy, ethereal glow that looks natural and effortless. Its lightweight, blendable formula ensures easy application, and the cushion-tip applicator offers precision. With skin-loving ingredients like glycerin for hydration, mica for shimmer, and tocopherol for antioxidant protection, it’s both effective and gentle on your skin.
Simply squeeze and apply to your face’s high points, then blend using your fingers or a brush. Plus, it’s cruelty-free, vegan, and part of e.l.f.’s commitment to ethical practices and sustainable packaging.
Credit: Milani
If you’re looking for a highlighter that can give you options, the Milani Stellar Lights Highlighter Palette could be your new favorite. This palette features three shades of micro-milled, buildable powders that you can blend together or use separately to create a customized glow. These richly pigmented shades allow for multi-dimensional effects and seamless blending, ensuring a strong finish. You’ll love that it’s oil-free, paraben-free, and celebrated by influencers for its glam appeal.
The formula is designed to be buildable, allowing you to achieve anything from a subtle shine to a bold, radiant look. Whether you’re going for a natural daytime glow or a dramatic evening effect, this palette has you covered. Plus, its powder formula makes it easy to apply and blend, ensuring a flawless finish every time.
Credit: Essence
Essence Pure Nude Highlighter is a game-changer for those who prefer a natural, “lit-from-within” glow. Its baked formula seamlessly blends into the skin, providing a subtle shimmer that enhances your natural beauty without looking overdone. This highlighter is especially beloved for its ability to suit a wide range of skin tones, making it a versatile addition to your makeup collection.
The lightweight feel of the Essence Pure Nude Highlighter means it won’t cake or settle into fine lines, ensuring a smooth and youthful appearance all day. Its understated shimmer is perfect for everyday wear, offering a gentle radiance that will make you look like you’re always in the best lighting. Plus, it’s vegan, cruelty-free, and free from harsh ingredients like gluten, silicones, and parabens. Made in Poland, it’s a guilt-free way to shine!
Credit: L’oreal Paris
L’oreal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer is not your typical highlighter. This innovative product is a hybrid between a moisturizer and a highlighter, infused with shea butter and glycerin, it hydrates while offering a luminous finish. It’s designed to enhance your natural skin tone, offering a healthy radiance that looks effortlessly beautiful.
You can use it alone for a subtle glow or mix it with your foundation for an all-over radiance. Its sheer, buildable coverage allows for customization to achieve your desired level of glow. The Lumi Glotion is available in multiple shades, ensuring a perfect match for every skin tone. This product is a must-have for anyone seeking a dewy, fresh-faced look.
Credit: e.l.f.
The e.l.f. Baked Highlighter is a hidden gem among drugstore makeup. Its baked formula is enriched with nourishing ingredients like vitamin E, jojoba and rose hip, ensuring it not only highlights your best features but also takes care of your skin. You can apply it wet for a more vibrant look or dry for a subtle shimmer.
This highlighter is known for its smooth application and long-lasting wear, making it ideal for those long days when you need your makeup to stay put. Its versatility allows it to be used on the high points of the face, such as the cheekbones, brow bone, and cupid’s bow, to enhance and define your natural features.
Credit: NYX professional
For those who love a luminous finish, the NYX Professional Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator is a must-try. This liquid highlighter is perfect for creating a dewy, radiant look that doesn’t feel heavy or cakey. Its formula is designed to reflect light beautifully, giving your skin a glowing look that’s hard to achieve with powder products. The moisturizing formula includes ingredients like tocopheryl acetate and ethylhexylglycerin, ensuring your skin stays hydrated
Available in a variety of shades, it caters to different skin tones and preferences, ensuring everyone can find their perfect match. Whether used as a highlighter on specific areas or mixed with foundation for an all-over glow, it provides a natural-looking radiance that enhances your complexion. Its blendable texture makes it easy to apply, whether you’re a makeup novice or a seasoned pro.
Questions you may have
Is powder highlighter better?
Whether a powder highlighter is better depends on your skin type and the finish you prefer. Powder highlighters are great for oily skin or for those who want a more matte finish. They’re easy to apply and blend, making them a good choice for beginners. Plus, they tend to last longer throughout the day without needing touch-ups.
However, if you have dry skin or are looking for a dewy finish, a liquid or cream highlighter might be a better option. These formulas are more hydrating and can give you a luminous glow. Ultimately, the best choice comes down to your personal preference and skin needs.
Which shade of liquid highlighter is best?
Choosing the right shade of liquid highlighter is crucial for achieving a natural-looking glow. If you have fair to light skin, opt for highlighters with pink or pearl undertones. For medium skin tones, peach or gold undertones work beautifully to enhance your natural radiance. Darker skin tones look stunning with rich gold or bronze highlighters, as they reflect light wonderfully and add warmth to the complexion.
Remember, the goal is to mimic the natural way light hits your face, so picking a shade that complements your skin tone is key. Test different shades under various lighting conditions to find the one that looks the most natural and makes your skin glow.
Should highlighter be lighter or darker than skin?
Typically, a highlighter should be lighter than your skin tone to effectively enhance and illuminate your features. The purpose of a highlighter is to reflect light and bring forward the areas of your face you want to emphasize, such as your cheekbones, brow bone, and the bridge of your nose. Choosing a highlighter that’s one or two shades lighter than your skin will create a subtle and natural glow.
However, incorporating ingredients like coconut oil in some highlighter formulas can add not only a natural shine but also nourishment to the skin. It’s not just about the color; the formulation also plays a significant role in achieving that perfect glow.