Picking a highlighter may not be as intricate a process as finding the perfect shade of foundation [1], but it sure does pay to find the right one. While we all know highlighters are gold, shimmery things of every beauty magpie's dreams, very few — if any — are universal because different shades and tones suit different skin tones.
As a self-confessed highlighter addict, allow me to introduce you to six highlighters that have changed my life and taken my glow to galactic levels.
Artist Couture La Bronze
If you know anything about YouTube gurus, you'll know that Jackie Aina is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to makeup and beauty. As a gift to us mere mortals, she created Artist Couture La Bronze [2] (£20, available with UK shipping), a fine highlighter powder with bronze, rose gold tones that are flattering whether you have warm or cool undertones.
E.L.F. Baked Highlighter Apricot Glow
For a stealthy one-swipe glow, this E.L.F. Baked Highlighter Apricot Glow [3] (£5) is a must have. It also doesn't hurt that this buy is so budget-friendly!
Fenty Beauty Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick
Everything Rihanna [4] does, she does impeccably. So, when she released her Fenty Beauty line featuring a foundation with one of the most inclusive and extensive shade ranges yet, she naturally extended that to the highlighter Stix in the range. While Trophy Wife [5] might be the obvious choice for a blinding highlight, I personally think the Fenty Beauty Shimmer Skinstick [6] in shade Sinnamon (£21) is a definite rival in the beauty stakes.
The creamy stick goes on like a powder and can be sheered out for a natural look or built up for a blow-out glow.
Huda Beauty Bronze Sands
Huda Kattan [7] is slowly taking over the beauty world, and with launches such as her lauded Flawless Filter foundation [8], it's no surprise. The latest addition to her line of highlighter quad palettes, Bronze Sands [9] (£40), was designed to give deeper people with deeper skin tones a 3D highlight, and as we personally found out [10], it does the job beautifully.
This palette may be on the pricier end of the market, but considering how wearable each of the four shades is on its own, it's a no-brainer beauty buy.
Becca Chocolate Geode
Becca recently expanded its already-extensive highlighter offerings to include its darkest shade yet, Chocolate Geode [11] (£32). The new release was created especially for darker skin tones [12] and follows the same formula as Champagne Pop, Becca's most talked-about highlighter.
Nars Blush in Shade Orgasm
You're probably wondering how a blush ended up on this list, but hear me out. This Nars Blush in the shade Orgasm [13] (£24) is one of my personal beauty-mistake-turned-genius-moment buys. Although it appears pink in the dish, when lightly dusted over your cheekbones, the pink disappears and leaves behind the softest glint of bronze you've ever seen. Head to your nearest counter for a swatch and thank me later!