Best Face Highlighters of 2026
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Face highlighters are a popular makeup product that can help enhance the natural radiance of the skin. They come in various forms, such as powder, liquid, and cream, and are applied to the high points of the face, such as the cheekbones, brow bone, and nose bridge. These products are designed to catch and reflect light, creating a luminous glow that can make the skin look healthier and more youthful. Some highlighters also contain shimmer or glitter particles for an extra-dazzling effect. Face highlighters are versatile and can be used alone or on top of other makeup products like foundation and blush.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Face Highlighters
L'Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Illuminator
L'Oreal Glotion Illuminator is a versatile liquid highlighter that instantly hydrates and enhances your skin's natural glow. Infused with glycerin and shea butter, this glow lotion keeps your skin hydrated all day long. You can wear it alone for a subtle radiance or layer it under foundation for a more luminous effect. With 4 shades to choose from, this illuminator is perfect for all skin tones. Experience a healthy, sun-kissed glow without the sun with this glow-enhancing makeup.
L'Oreal Paris Lumi Le Glass Highlighter Stick
The L'Oreal Lumi Highlighter Stick is designed to give you a radiant glow with just one swipe. Its smooth application ensures an even finish that reflects light beautifully, making it perfect for enhancing your features. This lightweight highlighter is easy to carry, allowing you to touch up your look anytime. You can layer it effortlessly over your makeup for a more dramatic effect. Suitable for both face and body, it can be applied on various areas like your cheeks and collarbone, giving you a versatile highlighting option in three stunning shades.
Milani Baked Highlighter (Dolce Perla)
Milani Highlighter is a cruelty-free baked powder highlighter that offers intense pigment and illumination. The velvety formula blends seamlessly, allowing you to achieve a natural glow or a high-impact look with ease. This product is oil-free and free of paraben preservatives, making it ideal for those prone to breakouts. Use a highlighter brush to apply it on the high points of your face for a radiant finish. Milani celebrates diversity and aims to provide makeup for everyone, regardless of background or ethnicity.
wet n wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder
Enhance your skin with wet n wild Highlighter, a velvety-smooth powder that gives you a naturally luminous glow. Infused with shimmering pearl pigments, this highlighter helps you shimmer and shine in all the right places. The fan-favorite formula is easy to blend, providing an ultra-pearly finish. Use it on your cheekbones, brow bone, and cupid's bow for an all-over glow that lasts.
wet n wild MegaGlo Blushlighter
Get the perfect glowing look with the wet n wild MegaGlo Blushlighter, a blush and highlighter duo that sculpts, defines, and highlights in one sweep. With ultra-reflective, micro-fine pearl pigments, the soft, buildable shades enhance cheeks with a luminous, radiant glow. The duo has two levels of intensity for color that compliments every skin tone. You can use the two colors alone or blend them together for contouring, or layer them on top of each other. wet n wild is a trusted beauty destination for beauty lovers of all ages, ethnicities, skin colors, and economic statuses.
L'Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Le Glow Highlighter Stick
The L'Oreal Paris Glow Stick gives you an instant radiant glow with just one swipe, thanks to its smooth and even satin finish. It’s designed for easy, on-the-go use, allowing you to quickly add a bright touch to your makeup without hassle. The lightweight formula blends seamlessly into your skin, feeling comfortable all day long, so you don’t have to worry about heaviness or stickiness. You can apply it to your face or body—like your cheeks, brow bones, forehead, neck, or collarbones—to highlight your best features with a natural, luminous shine. This stick is perfect for building up your glow and layering over your makeup effortlessly.
ELLESY Highlighter Makeup Palette - SUN GLOW
ELLESY Highlighter Palette in SUN GLOW offers easy application for enhancing your features, available in 4 shades catering to various skin tones. With a soft texture and long-lasting formula, this palette helps create a natural or glam look. The lightweight packaging makes it convenient for on-the-go use, suitable for different occasions.
e.l.f. Halo Glow Highlight Beauty Wand
Enhance your natural radiance with the e.l.f. Highlight Wand. This liquid highlighting wand is designed to give you a dewy, radiant glow in seconds. Infused with hydrating squalane, the lightweight formula creates a lit-from-within glow that makes your skin look luminous. The buildable and blendable formula effortlessly blends into your skin, allowing you to customize the intensity of the highlight. The cushion-tip applicator makes precise application a breeze, allowing you to highlight the high points of your face for instant illumination. With its skin-loving ingredients and cruelty-free, vegan formula, the e.l.f. Highlight Wand is a must-have for anyone looking to achieve a natural, glowing complexion.
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Buttermelt Highlighter
The NYX Buttermelt Highlighter offers a smooth, buttery texture that blends easily for a natural, radiant finish. It stays put for up to 12 hours without fading or flaking, so you can rely on it all day long. This highlighter is packed with shimmering pearls that add a bright, dimensional glow to your cheeks and shoulders, perfect for enhancing your natural features. Plus, it’s enriched with nourishing mango, shea, and almond butters, giving you a creamy feel and extra hydration. If you want a glowing look that lasts and feels comfortable, this product is a great choice.
KYDA Face Highlighter Palette Kit - SUN GLOW
The KYDA Face Highlighter Palette Kit is perfect for those who want to achieve a natural and shiny three-dimensional makeup look. This highlighter concealer palette has a 3D flash texture and smooth powder that gives your face a non-marking and powder-free highlight makeup. With a professional brush included, you can easily apply and color while repairing and concealing blemishes. The palette has three different colors to choose from, making it suitable for any occasion. It is also a perfect gift for a close friend with its exquisite packaging and high-gloss brush.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is highlighter good for face?
Yes, highlighters are great for the face. They can give you a youthful and glowing appearance by enhancing your facial features and adding a radiant touch to your complexion.
2. Should highlighter be lighter or darker than foundation?
When choosing a highlighter, it is recommended to select a shade or two lighter than your natural skin tone. This helps create a light and bright effect that complements your foundation and enhances your overall look.
3. Do you put highlighter on before or after foundation?
For a prominent highlighter look, it is best to apply it after foundation. This allows the highlighter to catch the light and become a noticeable part of your makeup. However, if you prefer an all-over dewy glow, mixing a little highlighter with your foundation can achieve that effect.
4. Is stick or liquid highlighter better?
The choice between stick and liquid highlighter depends on the desired effect. Liquid highlighters give a natural, glowing-from-within look. Stick highlighters are great for a more dramatic glow, while cream highlighters offer a subtle effect. Consider your desired look and choose accordingly.
During our face highlighter research, we found 48 face highlighter products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 402,554 customer reviews through our big data system to write the face highlighters list. We found that most customers choose face highlighters with an average price of $7.56.
The face highlighters are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of face highlighters, including L'Oreal Paris, Milani, wet n wild, ELLESY, e.l.f.. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Lisa Bechard is a skin therapist with 12 years of working experience in the beauty industry and also an experienced beauty writer who has expertise in skincare, medical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery, and wellness. Her writing skills are excellent and all her content is very persuasive and insightful.
Face Highlighters Comparison Table
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| Brand | L'Oreal Paris | L'Oreal Paris | Milani | wet n wild | wet n wild | L'Oreal Paris | ELLESY | e.l.f. | NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP | KYDA |
| Item Form | Lotion | Stick | Powder | Powder | Powder | Stick | Powder | Liquid | Powder | Powder |
| Coverage | Sheer | Sheer | Buildable | Medium | Medium | Sheer | Light | Full | Buildable | buildable |
| Color | 902 Light | Glassy Pink Ballet | Dolce Perla (Original) | Blossom Glow | 2- Highlight Bling | Glowy Creme Chic | #03 Sun Glow | Champagne Campaign | Butta Than Gold | SUN GLOW |
| Skin Tone | All | All | All | All | All | All | Light | All | All | All |
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