Admittedly, I was late to the party when highlighters spiked in popularity. High school-aged Maya was still struggling to perfect the right base using my holy trinity of products (foundation, powder, and a swipe of concealer where needed), before commencing my makeup drawer glow-up. By college, dewy and glowy skin became a look I gravitated towards; and so eventually I began taking stock of the products in my limited collection.
That process, of course, brought me to the sudden sudden conclusion, like so many makeup lovers before me, that highlighter would be my hero products for years to come. Now, fast forward with me to today: I’m a beauty editor who dedicates hours of my day to understanding what makes my industry tick: taking note of the products that exceed my personal standards and make me reconsider what I need the most from my makeup.
For a beauty editor, nothing is harder than coming up with a list of the products we swear never to be parted from (you’d have to pry our empties out of our hands after we scraped and squeezed the remaining product from its packaging). When met with the challenge of deciding which liquid highlighters will always make my list I, of course, turned to my fellow beauty editors for their knowledge backed by years of experience. Between the three of us, we settled on the 12 highlighters that immediately come to mind when considering the best ones on the market.
The determining factors were simple: we favor highlighters that offered high-impact finish with effective formulas, justifiable price points, and general ease of application. Of course, all products come with caveats; so we settled each of their most notable pros and cons through the time-consuming (but definitely worth it) study of customer reviews. Ready to take a look? Read on to see which ones made our list and why they’re absolute stars in our book.
“When I tell you I’ve been using this highlighter for years, I mean it. I love that it’s affordable, comes in a variety of shades, and blends out into the most perfect-looking lit-from-within glow when I tap it onto my cheekbones, brow bones, and cupid’s bow. I honestly don’t think I’ll ever stop using this.” — Kaitlyn McLintock, associate beauty editor. Customer review: “Soft, natural glow that doesn’t feel oily or rub off on your clothes. Super pretty over a light tan. Also, it’s perfect for daytime when you’re not going for a mega highlight evening look.” Pro: High quality product with affordable price point. Con: None
Saie’s multipurpose water-based highlighter stands out to us for two major reasons: 1) it hydrates and brightens the skin using rose hip seed oil, vitamin C, and plant-derived glycerin 2) the product can be used alone, as a spot highlighter, or mixed with your favorite products. Customer review: “Now, I know this type of highlight might not be for everyone, cause it is a subtle glow. This literally looks like YOU are actually glowing and not a product. A little bit goes a long ways. I don’t like highlighters that have chunks of glitter or that look … thick… if that makes sense… this is super easy to apply and is just a beautiful finish. My holy grail!” Pro: Natural-looking finish. Con: Semi-oily texture
This highlighter by Chantecaille has to be one of the must underrated products available on the market. If you look past its luxury price point, the product definitely delivers when it comes to long-lasting skincare benefits, skin illumination, and blurring imperfections. Customer review: “If you’ve had a late night this is the product to go for – gives you a wide awake look. I use it around the eyes and it gives a healthy look used in conjunction with Chancetaille tinted moisturizer. I prefer the natural look and this brand is a winner for me!” Pro: Buildable and blendable. Con: High price point
This highlighter wand definitely sets a new standard for subtle, yet effective, illuminators that are easy to blend, portable, and gorgeous on the skin. A small amount of this product truly goes a long way with long lasting wear to match. Catch me adding this one to my basket the next time I have an online shopping spree. Customer review: “I thoroughly recommend this product. Apply sparingly though as I put too much on to start with. Now I’ve got the hang of it, it is a subtle yet effective highlighter and really illuminates my cheekbones/eyebrow arch. Love it!” Pro: Easy to apply. Con: Difficult to gauge proper amount of product
“Now that it’s summer, I am all about looking as glowy and luminous as possible. This Kosas Skin Illuminating Enhancer works perfectly as a pre-foundation step to deliver a subtle sheen, or worn by itself on no-makeup makeup days topped with concealer and a dab of cream blush.” — Emma Hughes, associate branded beauty editor. Customer review: “This illuminator has been so beautiful to wear alone or under my foundation! It gives the best glow from within and really completes my glowy summer tanned skin. I love mixing this with my moisturizer and wearing it on its own. This is a must have for summer.” Pro: Offers substantial coverage. Con: Limited shade range
Since its launch in 2019, Rare Beauty by actress and singer Selena Gomez has been taking the beauty industry with its line of extensive (and incredibly inclusive) line of beauty products). This liquid highlighter has quickly become a favorite of mine thanks to its high shine and glowy finish. Customer review: “I absolutely LOVE it! I’ve used other highlighters, usually powder ones and they have never convinced me. This product gives you the most beautiful glow from within. I love that it’s not glittery or chunky, just gives you a beautiful subtle glow.” Pro: Dewy and glowy finish. Con: Challenging to blend
You read that price right! SheGlam’s Glow Bloom Liquid Highlighter is featured on this list as having the lowest price point, but believe me, it offers high quality product. I’m obsessed with how buildable it is: giving its wearer the chance to create a makeup look that’s uniquely theirs. Customer review: “I love this stuff. It goes on really nice. You can build layers so it can be as subtle or as dramatic as you want. Highlighted to the gods.” Pro: Long-wearing. Con: Messy to use due to applicator
This gel-based, serum highlighter can be mixed with your go-to skincare or foundation, or applied directly to your skin for a natural, dewy finish. It’s formulated with hydrolyzed algae, marine actives, and mastic to help refine your skin’s texture while keeping it protected from UV light and free radicals. Customer review: “Wow! I was not expecting this product to be this great, but it’s now a part of my daily routine. It gives a perfect subtle glow. I use it both mixed with my moisturizer and on its own across my cheek bones. I love that it’s not oily as well. I’ve struggled to find the perfect highlighter that also doesn’t break me out. I’m really grateful for this!” Pro: A little goes a long way. Con: Pills when layered with blush or concealer
Is the blurred skin effect what you’re after? This highlight from Make Up For Ever makes it possible with a liquid formula that glides easily over the skin and for a radiant and smooth texture. It’s also sparkle free and non-sticky for quick and easy application for maximum glow. Customer review: “This highlighter is absolutely beautiful. There is no glitter or sparkle in this whatsoever, which is exactly what I was looking for. I am very fair skinned with cool-neutral undertones and the shade 20 looks great with my skin tone. It only takes the smallest amount and it’s super easy to blend in with your finger.” Pro: Creates a blurred effect. Con: None
Is it any surprise that this one made the list? Charlotte Tilbury’s Beauty Highlighter Wand has been a longtime favorite of beauty editors, makeup artists, and enthusiasts alike. I can’t even decide what I like most about the product: its illuminating gel-based formula, long-lasting shine, or non-greasy finish that gives you that heavily coveted ‘inside out’ glow. “This highlighter is equally fun and easy to use. Squeeze the tube, and the liquid formula comes pooling out of the top of the sponge. I just dot it along my cheekbones and the bridge of my nose, tap it in with my fingers (no brushes or blenders necessary), and it looks soft and radiant. I’m particularly fond of the iconic Pillowtalk shade, which is a natural-looking rose gold color.” — Kaitlyn McLintock, associate beauty editor. Customer review: “This is the best liquid highlighter. I cannot rave about it enough. It is super glowy and stunning on the skin. It does not emphasize pores but somehow blurs skin even more. It is expensive but worth every penny. I would rebuy it.” Pro: Very pigmented. Con: High price point
I would be cheating you if I didn’t include the Milk Makeup liquid highlighter that took over TikTok a few months ago. Available in two versatile shades, it promotes a natural-looking glow with a unique formula made from the best all-natural ingredients (hyaluronic acid, plant-derived collagen, snow mushroom, and reishi mushroom) to plump and brighten the skin. Customer review: “I was able to apply this easily with my fingers over my makeup and then used a beauty blender to blend. It has a pretty natural finish so I didn’t need to blend too much. I love that Milk Makeup products have clean ingredients!” Pro: Formulated with clean ingredients. Con: None
