Top Highlighters for a Glowing, Dewy Look
Contouring is great for giving yourself a chiseled look. But let’s be honest, most of us don’t have time to contour our faces every morning. As a substitute for full-on contouring, try using a highlighter for a subtle (or not-so-subtle) glow.
Highlighters give your skin a glowing look. (Photo: Too Faced)
Adding some highlighter to your face is an easy way to give your skin a radiant look. It should be applied to the areas of your face that light naturally hits, like your forehead and cheekbones. It can also be used to accentuate certain features or draw attention away from something else. Use it in the corner of your eyes, for instance, to instantly look more vibrant and awake.
It is a must have product, but you have to use the right product to avoid looking like a shiny mess. Highlighter comes in liquid, powder or cream. Find the formula that works for you and try to avoid any products with glitter, which can give you an unnatural sheen. Color is also important to consider when choosing a highlighter. Those with cool skin tones should generally go with more silver highlighters, while those with warm tones should choose a highlighter with a more golden tone.
Now that you have the basics of choosing a highlighter down, check out these top products to give yourself an extra glow:
Watts Up!
Benefit’s Watts Up highlighter is a cream-to-powder formula. (Photo: danielea.com)
This cream-to-powder highlighter from Benefit cosmetics comes in a champagne color that is flattering on a variety of skin tones. It comes with an easy-to-use applicator and a sponge for blending.
Dual-Intensity Blush — Jubilation
This product by Nars is described as a blush, but it can just as easily be used as a highlighter for those with warm skin tones. It comes with two glowing shades that you can wear separately or together.
Wonderglow
This primer also doubles as a highlighter. (Photo: The Happy Sloths)
Charlotte Tilbury’s Wonderglow Instant Soft Focus Beauty Flash is a primer, but can be used to highlight the face as well. For a dewy all-over look, you can wear it under your foundation, or you can just put some on your cheekbones to add some glow to your look.
Make Up For Ever
Those with very dark complexions should give this product a try. The pro sculpting duo comes with a deeper shade to contour with and a lighter highlighting shade.
Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed
Champagne Pop by Becca Cosmetics is a great shade for any skin tone. Source: lilypebbles.co.uk
This product by Becca was made in collaboration with prominent makeup artist and YouTube personality Jacyln Hill, and it looks good in Champagne Pop on about any skin tone. It comes as a pressed powder, but is still creamy and easy to apply.
Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator
If you prefer a liquid product, check out this highlighter from the drugstore brand NYX. The product comes in four shades, so you can find one that fits you best. Warmer toned people should try Sun Goddess, while lighter and cooler skin tones should give Sunbeam a try.
Prep + Prime Highlighter
This Mac highlighter is great for darker complexions. (Photo: That Igbo Chick)
MAC’s Prep + Prime Highlighter comes in a pen applicator, so it’s easy to apply exactly where you want it. If you have a darker, warmer skin tone, try this highlighter in Peach Lustre that has a bronzy glow.
Mary-Lou Manizer
This product from Balm Cosmetics comes in a soft honey shade that looks great on anyone. It’s long-lasting and buildable, so you can give yourself a subtle shine or make yourself really glow.
Glow Kit
Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Glow Kit contains four different highlighter shades. (Photo: The Beauty Vanity)
If you don’t want to choose just one, go with a palette like the Glow Kit by Anastasia Beverly Hills. There are two color palettes to choose from, Gleam for cooler tones and That Glow for warm skin tones. Pick out the one that would work best for you and get four powder highlighters for $40.
