Achieve lit-from-within radiance with one of the best highlighters in the biz...
Highlighters are the ultimate complexion booster, adding the appearance of radiance in seconds. Perfect for those days when skin looks a little lacklustre, highlighter can cheat a great glow and help accentuate certain areas of the face.
"They’re essential in your make-up routine if you want to ensure you glow in all the right places," says Aimee Connolly, a make-up artist and founder of Sculpted by Aimee. But with so many currently out there, from drops and sticks to powders and pots, finding "the one" is not easy.
To help, Aimee shares her top tips on picking the perfect highlighter and we round up 13 of the best that promise many a glowing day ahead.
How to choose the best highlighter
When choosing a highlighter, Aimee recommends picking one that looks natural on your skin. "You ideally want skin to look like the glow is coming from the inside," she says. "Steer clear from anything overly glittery or pigmented as this can draw attention to pores and texture."
If your skin is dry, Aimee advises going for an all-over illuminating primer that adds dewy-looking radiance without being too obvious. ‘If skin is oily, I prefer to use a cream or liquid highlighter as a finishing touch,’ she continues, "this makes it easier to be more strategic with placement, ensuring you’re only highlighting the areas that you want to accentuate."
How to apply highlighter like a pro
"My top application tip for a highlighter is to build it up slowly," says Aimee. This way, you can avoid any harsh, obvious streaks. "To find the right place to highlight, tilt your head sideways and notice where the natural light bounces off your face – this is usually a good indicator for where to apply your highlighter," she adds.
Aimee usually applies highlighter on the tops of the cheekbones, the tip and bridge of the nose, the cupid’s bow, the brow bone and the inner corner of the eyes. "For a night out, I like to take it one step further and glow up my chest, shoulders and the front of my legs," she adds.
13 of the best highlighters for the face at Boots
Best for strobing
17. Glow Bright Highlighter Wand
• Vegan*
• Liquid formula
• Built-in cushion tip applicator
Glow on the go with this liquid highlighter wand. The handy cushion tip applicator makes it easy to apply exactly where you want it, then blend effortlessly into the skin for an enviable glow. It’s a must-try to add instant luminosity to your cheekbones, nose or eyes.
Best for an all-over glow
Try: Iconic London Illuminator
• Vegan*
• Cruelty-free
• Available in four shades
• Liquid formula
• Multipurpose
Extremely versatile, this concentrated liquid shimmer can be mixed in with your foundation, primer or moisturiser for an all-over radiant finish. Or use it alone, pressed onto the high points of the face, for a strategic sheen.
Best for multipurpose
Try: Collection Gorgeous Glow Filter Finish Primer & Illuminator
• Suitable for all skin types
• Available in four shades
• Liquid formula
• Contains vitamin E, glycerine & sodium hyaluronate
• Easy to use
For days when you want a subtle, lit-from-within glow, this complexion booster is it – apply all over your skin, under foundation. The pearlescent liquid pigments shine through to create that healthy, radiant finish. If you’re looking to highlight your features, dab it on over foundation, where the light naturally hits.
Best for on-the-go
Try: Revolution Bright Light Highlighter Beam
• Available in six shades
• Infused with quartz
• Easy to build
• Sponge applicator included
• Cruelty-free
This nifty highlighting pen is a great pick for those always on-the-glow. It comes complete with a soft sponge applicator that makes application a total dream. Simply press onto cheekbones and above the brow bone, and blend in with the sponge or fingers for a luminous (not sparkly) finish.
Best for multiple shades
Try: Huda Beauty Glow Obsessions Mini Face Palette
• Palette available in three shades
• Contains four highlighting shades
• Silky lightweight texture
• Travel-friendly
• Easy to build
This highlighting face palette ticks all our beauty boxes and then some. First, the silky, lightweight texture blends into skin like butter. Second, it contains powerhouse ingredients, such as vitamin E to help nourish skin. Finally, there are four shades in each palette to blush, highlight and lowlight for a multichromatic, sun-kissed glow.
Best for a dewy sheen
Try: Fenty Beauty Match Stix Glow Stick
• Stick formula
• Suitable for all skin tones
• Delivers a dewy sheen
• Easy to use
Want to master the ‘no make-up make-up’ look, while still wearing make-up? Turn your attention to this glow-giving stick from Fenty. Formulated without glitter or shimmer, this balmy highlighter works so well swept onto bare skin (or a barely there base) for a healthy-looking, dewy sheen. Expect ‘you look well’ compliments.
Best for a glass-like glow
Try: Milk Makeup Multi-Use Dewy Cream Highlighter Mini Stick
• Cream formula
• Travel-friendly mini size
• Vegan & cruelty-free•
This multi-tasking mini is your new glow-to for adding a sheer wash of shimmer wherever you want it. Swipe across cheekbones, brow bones, collarbones or legs for a subtle radiance that catches the light. Its creamy, nourishing formula blends beautifully, making it a must-have for on-the-go touch-ups.
Best for hydration
Try: No7 HydraLuminous Liquid Highlighter
• Liquid formula
• Available in three shades
• Contains hyaluronic acid
• Easy to build
• Delivers a dewy finish
Not only does this liquid highlighter instantly add glow with its pearlescent pigments, but it bolsters the appearance of radiance over time, too (thanks to hydrating hyaluronic acid). To use, combine a few drops with your favourite foundation for all-over radiance, or press on top of your make-up for a lifted, luminous look.
Best for a powder product
Try: Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact Highlighter
• Powder formula
• Five shimmer-infused shades
• Buildable, luminous finish
Mix up your look with this iconic shimmer brick. Featuring five radiant, pigment-packed shades in one handy compact, it’s a must for getting that just-back-from-holiday glow. Sweep a brush through all five shades at the same time, or layer on each colour separately to create an ultra-flattering, multidimensional glow.
Best for next-level radiance
Try: Made By Mitchell Blursh Lights
• Long-wearing, liquid formula
• Available in a range of radiant shades
Elevate your glow game with this high-shine liquid shimmer that delivers a dreamy, dewy radiance in seconds. Its long-wearing formula blends effortlessly to create a soft, luminous finish that lasts all day. Plus, with a wide spectrum of radiant shades to choose from, you can truly glow your own way.
Best for a bespoke glow
Try: Kylie Cosmetics Kylighter Illuminating Powder
• Talc-free powder
• Available in five shades
• Gel-to-powder
• Easy to build
• Apply with brush
A must-try, this gel-to-powder highlighter glides across skin to deliver a subtle sheen that never looks caked-on. Seriously impressive, we recommend applying with a small brush to strategically place it on the high points of the face, as well as the collarbone and chest area.
Best for a quick fix
Try: M.A.C Strobe Cream
• Hydrating
• Non-acnegenic
A backstage staple, M.A.C Strobe Cream is the ultimate quick fix for radiant-looking skin in seconds. Loaded with potent botanicals and skin-loving vitamins, it works like a highlighting serum/moisturiser that can be used as a primer, mixed in with foundation, or as a cream highlighter to add the appearance of radiance and smooth skin.
Best for creamy highlights
Try: Sculpted by Aimee Connolly Cream Luxe Collection
• Available in two shades
• Cream formula
• Easy to build
• Reflects the light
• Lightweight texture
For a subtle highlight that’s easy to build (and easy to control), we highly recommend this cream formula. It has a lovely, lightweight texture that can be pressed onto make-up as a finishing touch for a juicy-looking glow. The Pearl Pop shade gives a pearlescent hue, while Champagne Cream adds a sun-kissed warmth.
