How To Choose the Best Highlighter Makeup for Your Routine

Highlighter makeup is a staple in many beauty lovers’ makeup bags, and for good reason: The right formula can totally transform your look, making your skin appear fresh, dewy, and naturally luminous. But finding the best highlighter makeup for your needs can sometimes feel like a challenge, since there are so many different formulas and finishes to choose from.

Whether you prefer a subtle glassy glow or want to make your cheekbones pop with high-intensity shine, finding the right type of highlighter is key to nailing your look. Thankfully, you don’t have to go it alone—we’re here to help. Ahead, we’ll explain the benefits of different types of highlighters, offer tips on choosing the right formula for your needs, and spill the details on some of our favorite highlighters to add to your makeup bag. Get ready to glow.

What Is Highlighter Makeup?

Highlighter is a type of face makeup product designed to reflect light and illuminate the skin. It typically boasts a glowy, luminous, or radiant finish, though the intensity of the shine can vary from product to product. Some offer a subtle, barely-there glow, while others have a nearly metallic finish, perfect for creating a high-impact glam look.

What does highlighter do?

The main purpose of highlighter is to brighten the skin and give it a glowy finish. Generally, it’s applied to the high points of the face—specifically, the cheekbones, brow bones, and along the bridge of the nose—to mimic the way the light would naturally hit your face. This helps to give the skin a natural-looking radiance, making the complexion appear luminous and healthy. Depending on the formula you choose and how you apply it, highlighter can also help accentuate your natural bone structure, make your eyes appear larger, or give your complexion a dewy, glass skin-like finish.

Types of Highlighter Makeup

Highlighters are available in various formats, including liquids, creams, powders, and sticks—each with its own unique benefits. Here’s a quick rundown of each type.

Liquid highlighter

Liquid highlighter makeup is, as the name suggests, fluid in texture. These formulas are easy to build and blend, making them a great choice for those who switch between natural and more glam makeup looks.

If you’re looking for a liquid highlighter to add to your routine, the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer is hard to beat. The glycerin and shea butter-infused formula feels lightweight and hydrating on the skin, and it can be used in numerous ways. You can tap it onto the high points of your face to make your bone structure pop, mix a few drops into your foundation for a luminous finish, or even wear it alone as a sheer, radiant tinted moisturizer. The flexible formula also doubles as a bronzer—just choose a shade slightly darker than your skin tone and apply it where you would a traditional bronzer for a glowy, sun-kissed look.

Cream highlighter

Cream highlighters typically come in a stick format, similar to a contour stick. These creamy formulas blend seamlessly into the skin and typically provide a dewy, skin-like finish. Cream highlighters are especially well-suited for those with dry or mature skin, as they melt into the skin without settling into fine lines.

Our top pick in this category is the L’Oréal Paris Lumi Le Glass Highlighter Stick. The lightweight formula comes in six shades—three glowy, three dewy—and can be applied directly onto the skin for a targeted application. Plus, thanks to the stick format, it’s a great choice for on-the-go applications and touch-ups.

Powder highlighter

If high-intensity glow is what you’re after, powder highlighter is the way to go. These formulas typically come in a compact, similar to a blush, and contain finely milled pearlescent or shimmer pigments to give the skin a luminous look. Unlike liquid and cream highlighters, which can typically be applied with the fingers, powder highlighters require a tool to apply (usually, a brush or a sponge).

If you’re in the market for a new powder highlighter, we suggest taking a look at the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24HR Highlighter Longwear Powder. The long-lasting formula is packed with light-reflecting pigments for a glowy look, and it offers buildable coverage, so you can tailor your glow to your liking. Another perk: The water-resistant formula resists smudging and transferring for up to 24 hours, so you can keep touch-ups to a minimum.

How To Choose the Right Highlighter for Your Needs

When searching for the best highlighter makeup, there are three factors to consider: your skin type, the finish you prefer, and the shade that best complements your complexion.

Consider your skin type

Certain types of highlighter makeup are better suited to some skin types than others. Powders, for example, are ideal for those with oily skin, as they can add luminosity without making the skin appear greasy. If you have dry or mature skin, on the other hand, powders may accentuate your skin’s texture—instead, look for a liquid or cream formula, which typically contain hydrating ingredients and glide smoothly onto the skin for a seamless-looking finish.

Determine your desired finish

Your desired makeup look can also help you identify which type of highlighter is best for your needs. Shimmery, high-shine formulas lend themselves well to bolder makeup looks, such as full glam for a night out. If you prefer a more natural look, seek out a formula with minimal shimmer to help enhance your skin without making it appear sparkly. The dewy shades of the L’Oréal Paris Lumi Le Glass Highlighter Stick are perfect for this—they’re more glassy than shimmery and make for the perfect finishing touch to a no-makeup makeup look.

Pick the right shade for your skin tone

Most highlighters have a subtle tint, and choosing the right shade for your skin is essential for achieving a seamless, natural look. Here are our top recommendations for fair, medium, and deep skin tones:

• Fair skin: Those with lighter complexions will typically find that pale pink or icy silver highlighters complement their skin best. For a natural-looking radiance, try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24HR Highlighter Longwear Powder in Icy Gold.
• Medium skin: If you have medium skin, your complexion may look slightly tanned—even in the dead of winter. Enhance that natural warmth with a mid-toned golden or rose gold highlighter, such as the L’Oréal Paris Lumi Le Glass Highlighter Stick in Glowy Sparkling Rose.
• Deep skin: Those with deeper complexions will want to take care to avoid any highlighters with a white or silvery base, as these can make your skin appear ashy rather than glowy. For a stunning, natural-looking glow, try the L’Oréal Paris Lumi Le Glass Highlighter Stick in Glassy Sunset Amour.

How To Use Highlighter Makeup

Picking the right formula and shade for your skin tone is only half the battle—equally important is determining where to apply your highlighter to achieve your desired effect. We break it all down in our article Where To Apply Highlighter for a Glowy Look, but for a brief overview, here are some places you may want to consider applying your highlighter:

• The tops of your cheekbones: Apply your highlighter just above your blush to lift and define your face.
• Brow bone: A small amount under the arch of your brow brightens and opens the eyes.
• Inner corners of the eyes: Tap highlighter onto your inner corners to help brighten your eyes and make them appear more awake.
• Bridge of the nose: A touch of highlighter along the bridge of the nose helps create a glowy, sun-lit look.
• Cupid’s bow: Applying highlighter to your Cupid’s bow accentuates the lips and can help make them appear fuller.

How To Apply Highlighter Makeup

Applying highlighter is quite straightforward once you find your perfect formula. Here’s what you’ll want to do.

Apply your base makeup

Typically, highlighter should be applied after your foundation, blush, and bronzer to help tie your look together. So start by applying the base makeup of your choosing, blending everything well for a seamless look. If you plan to apply highlighter to your brow bone or inner corners, you may also want to complete your eye makeup before reaching for your highlighter.

Layer on highlighter

Next, begin sweeping your highlighter onto the high points of your face to create luminosity and give your skin a glowy look. If you’re using a stick highlighter, you can swipe the formula directly onto your skin and lightly blend out the pigment with your fingers or a sponge. For liquid highlighters, we recommend using your fingertips to ensure a targeted application. If you’re using a powder highlighter, you’ll need a brush—try using a fan brush to dust the formula onto your cheekbones, and a smaller blending brush to apply your highlighter to smaller areas, such as your inner corners, brow bone, and Cupid’s bow.

Seal in your look with setting spray

Once you’re satisfied with your look, mist your face with setting spray to help lock everything into place. We recommend the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist, which boasts a lightweight formula that applies easily without leaving behind any droplets or residue. A quick three-second misting over your face will help lock in your look for up to 36 hours while leaving your skin with a natural, healthy-looking glow.

Next Up: How To Use Cream Highlighter for Radiant Skin

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris