When people joke about not getting enough beauty rest, they are not kidding. Getting proper amounts of sleep really affects the way your skin appears on a day-to-day basis. Unfortunately, many of us are so busy with our day-to-day lives we cannot get the proper amount of sleep we need to keep our skin looking happy and healthy. When you cannot get enough sleep but want to maintain your appearance, highlighters are there to save the day. We have compiled a list of the best highlighters to date so you can get back to your life without worrying about how others perceive you.
Best Highlighter FAQ
1. What Is a Highlighter?
A highlighter is a makeup product that can come in a powder compact, a liquid gel, or a creme stick. This product comes in a variety of shades depending on your skin tone and desired look.
2. What Does a Highlighter Do?
A highlighter works to get rid of the tiredness out of your face. It helps to illuminate the face, keeping you looking brighter and more rested day and night.
3. How Does a Highlighter Work?
Highlighters are simple in design. No matter what they are made of, they attract light to your face. By doing this, they help to illuminate your skin and give the illusion you are well-rested, even when you are not.
4. Where Can You Buy the Best Highlighters?
You can find highlighters in most general retail stores like Target, at beauty stores like Sephora or Ulta, or online.
How We Reviewed the Best Highlighters
To make sure we got an accurate review of the best highlighters on the market, we spent a serious amount of time compiling a list of brands. Once we had this list in place, we went over the features, pros, cons, and price for each brand to determine how beneficial each would be. We then reviewed the entire list to come up with a final verdict of the best highlighters available. By doing this, we could create an unbiased “best of” list.
Overall Price Range of Highlighters
The price of these products will range widely depending on the brand. You can purchase highlighters in-store or online, and may fluctuate depending on where you purchase them. That being said, the price range for the best highlighters is roughly between $7-70, though the price range of all highlighters is much wider, so don’t be surprised when you come across other make up products that are cheaper or more expensive than the ones listed here.
What We Reviewed
Kevyn Aucoin Prismagic Highlighting Trio Palette
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Features
The Kevyn Aucoin Prismagic Highlighting Trio Palette is one of the best highlighters for those who love glamor. This powder highlighting palette provides you with three different colors (peach, purple, and green) to play with. They are metallic and great for heading out on the town.
Pros
- Powder highlighter
- Gives three different color options
- Leaves you with a metallic, holographic-style finish
Cons
- More expensive than some other highlighters
- May not be the most appropriate for professional looks
Price $48
The price of this highlighting palette may differ depending on where you buy it, but you can get it right now on DermStore.com for about $48.
Revlon PhotoReady Insta-Fix Highlighting Stick
Features
If you are looking for an affordable way to highlight your face, check out the Revlon PhotoReady Insta-Fix Highlighting Stick. For less than $10, you can accentuate your beauty with this easy-to-use highlighter stick. This cream stick highlighter comes with a little glimmer of sparkle to add an extra element of glamor to your look. It is simple and sophisticated, and it will illuminate your skin day or night.
Pros
- Comes in creme stick form
- Reasonably priced
- Designed for easy use
Cons
- Not a lot of color options to pick from
- Has a bit of sparkle in it; may not be appropriate for all users
Price $7
The price of this highlighting stick may differ depending on where you buy it, but you can get it right now on Amazon for about $7.
Benefit Cosmetics Watt’s Up! Cream-To-Powder Highlighter
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Features
Looking for the best highlighter with dual-sides? You need to get the Benefit Cosmetics Watt’s Up! Cream-to-Powder Highlighter. This highlighter has a sponge on one end that allows you to buff your highlighter without using your fingertips. It can provide a nice, subtle shimmer without being too in your face. It can layer and blend easily while also providing you with that brilliant, lightened appearance.
Pros
- Cream-to-powder highlighter
- Dual-sided with a sponge
- Great for on-the-go touchups
Cons
- Not the cheapest highlighter on the market
- Does not provide a lot of glimmer
Price $30
The price of this cream-to-powder highlighter may differ depending on where you buy it, but you can get it right now at Macy’s for about $30.
Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish 003 Illuminator Kit
Features
Whether you are out on the runway or heading to the office, the Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish 003 Illuminator Kit is a necessity. This kit comes with all the things needed to give you the perfect illuminated look. Coming with a cream, powder, and a brush, you can look you best at all times. Plus, this is a well-trusted brand who definitely earns the title of one of the best highlighters around.
Pros
- Comes as a kit with a brush, cream, and powder
- Is easy to use and quick to blend
- Considered the “Mother of Backstage Makeup”
Cons
- Requires the use of multiple tools to achieve
- Much more expensive than some other highlighters
Price $72
The price of this cream-to-powder highlighter kit may differ depending on where you buy it, but you can get it right now at the Pat McGrath Labs website for about $72.
Laura Mercier Face Illuminator
Features
If you are on the lookout for something a little more subtle in design, you definitely want to check out the Laura Mercier Face Illuminator. This powder based highlighter has shimmering qualities, but does not leave your face looking glittery. It is elegant, sophisticated, and simple to use. It enhances the brightness of your skin significantly, and can help bring back a little more life into your look.
Pros
- Powder highlighter
- Has shimmering qualities but is not overpowering
- You can buy it from several stores
Cons
- Slightly more expensive than other highlighters on the market
- Comes in a limited amount of colors
Price $44
The price of this powder highlighter may differ depending on where you buy it, but you can get it right now at Sephora for about $44.
Fenty Beauty By Rihanna Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter
Features
The Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Killawatt Freestyle truly is one of the best highlighters out there. What’s great about this line of highlighters is the sheer number of shades and tones they offer. Many brands do not take into consideration the wide range of skin colors our world has. This often leaves people stuck in the middle of shades, or not even getting a shade close to their skin color. This highlighter can come in either solo or duo sets and can help illuminate the skin day or night.
Pros
- Created by Rihanna
- Comes in a range of shades and tones
- Sold as either solo or duo sets
Cons
- Appears more shimmery and intense than what it looks like after application
- Somewhat expensive
Price $34
The price of this powder highlighter may differ depending on where you buy it, but you can get it right now at Sephora for about $34.
Illamasqua Beyond Powder in OMG
Features
The Illamasqua Beyond Powder is an elegant highlighter to bring a touch of gold to your life. The powder highlighter can be applied both wet and dry, and it’s guaranteed to make your skin more vibrant and illuminated.
Pros
- Powder highlighter
- Can be applied wet or dry
- Appears to give a golden glow on the skin
Cons
- More expensive than some other highlighters on the market
- Does not contain glitter
Price $44
The price of this powder highlighter may differ depending on where you buy it, but you can get it right now at the Illamasqua website for about $44.
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter
Features
The Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter is like nothing you have ever used before. It is a pressed powder highlighter that works in similar ways to both creams and powders. The fine powder feels so smooth and light on the skin, yet never cakes or sinks into the skin. It is a terrific tool to use to get rid of any dark shadows on your skin.
Pros
- Pressed powder highlighter
- Comes in a wide range of colors
- Powder does not cake or sink into the skin
Cons
- Slightly more expensive than some other highlighters on the market
- Is a hybrid product of both powder and cream; may not be the highlighter you are looking for
Price $38
The price of this pressed powder highlighter may differ depending on where you buy it, but you can get the standard right now at Sephora for about $38. If you want to try it out, you can also try the mini size for just $19.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Amrezy Highlighter
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Features
If you are looking for glamor, look no further than the Anastasia Beverly Hills Amrezy Highlighter. This luxurious product can bring a lot of glitz to your look. It is radiant and can help illuminate your skin to its highest potential. It has a wonderful texture and comes packaged in the finest Anastasia case around. If you really want something high end for your nights out on the town without emptying your bank account, this is the best highlighter for you.
Pros
- Powder highlighter
- A glamorous appearance, feel, and texture
- Helps to provide extra illumination with its golden sheen
Cons
- Slightly more expensive than some other highlighters on the market
- Intense for day-to-day use; made more for events or nights out
Price $28
The price of this powder highlighter may differ depending on where you buy it, but you can get it right now at Sephora for about $28.
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand
Features
The Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand is a simple, rose-gold liquid highlighter that can bring you to the world of Hollywood. With its cushion tip, you can expertly blend your highlighter to give you a Hollywood-style glow day and night.
Pros
- Liquid highlighter
- Comes with a cushion tip for expert blending
- Gives a true Hollywood glow
Cons
- Slightly more expensive than some other highlighters on the market
- Only comes in light rose gold
Price $38
The price of this liquid highlighter may differ depending on where you buy it, but you can get it right now at the Charlotte Tilbury website for about $38.
The Verdict
We hope this article has helped you better understand some of the best cosmetic highlighters on the market, as well as how to choose the right highlighter for your skin tone, type, and coverage needs. However, it’s important to remember that choosing a highlighter, like all makeup, is a personal choice that only you can make for yourself, so don’t get discouraged if you do a little trial and error to find the best one for you.
Depending on what you like, what sort of lifestyle you lead, and what types of products you enjoy, there are several ways to help illuminate your features. Our top choice for the best highlighter is the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter. It is a unique, well-tested, reasonably priced, and comes in a wide variety of shades. Decide for yourself by trying out this, or any of the other highlighters on this list and let us know what you think is the best highlighter.
I began my writing career writing for various content firms, but it was under the tutelage of the editors here at SavantMag.com that I grew as a writer and editor. I love the content we write here and bringing solid reviews to consumers is rewarding beyond what I can even describe.