When it comes to adding a radiant glow to the face, few products can match highlighters. Regardless of which style of makeup you prefer, a highlighter should be an essential component of your kit. In this article, we will go over some of the main characteristics that the best highlighter should have and we will review the top five products that are available on the market today.
Like it is the case with any skin care or makeup product, you need to be aware of several moving parts and variables before buying a highlighter. Neglecting to consider crucial the factors that are relevant to determining the overall quality of the product and its compatibility with your skin can lead you to buy a product that is not suitable for you. Scroll down to discover the main factors that you have to keep in mind when you are trying to find the best highlighter that is available on the market today.
There are several types of highlighter on the market, and knowing what each one offers is essential if you want to make an informed purchase decision. The most common types are powder highlighters, liquid highlighters, shimmer highlighters, and matte highlighters. Powder highlighters are usually the preferred option for late night events because they are long-lasting, liquid highlighters, on the other hand, are the ideal choice if you want a subtle glow during the day. Matte and shimmer highlighters are generally less radiant, but they tend to be more versatile and flexible than the previous options.
Ease of application
This factor should always be considered by anyone who appreciates convenience when doing their makeup. Any product you get should so easy to apply that a complete novice can handle it. Getting a highlighter that requires a degree of know-how can lead to some unwanted results if you happen to lack the necessary experience.
Regardless of the type of highlighter that you decide to go with, the texture of the product will always play a significant role in determining its ability to blend into the skin. Highlighters that have a creamy texture are typically the most effective in that regard.
Even if you don’t plan on using your highlighter in a frequent manner, you still want it to be waterproof and not easily washable with the first splash of water that hits your face. Before making a purchase, check the product description to verify if the highlighter that you intend to buy is indeed waterproof.
Like any other product, having a clear idea of what your budget is will help you find the ideal highlighter for you much easier. Generally speaking, most drug store highlighters are priced below the $50 mark, and you can find high-quality options for as low as $5. It is also worth noting that a number of established brands tend to inflate their prices without offering any extra features relative to generic brands. Avoiding these products is highly recommended.
For a highlighter to be effective and long-lasting, it needs to have the necessary consistency that enables it to retain its luminous glow for a long period of time. To make sure that your highlighter has this quality, check some user reviews to get a better idea of what to expect.
Unfortunately, the practice of testing skin care product on animals is alive and well in the industry. If you don’t feel like supporting the companies that still conduct these types of tests, stick to the brands that are certified as 100% cruelty-free.
Most high-quality highlighters are made using mostly organic and naturally-sourced ingredients. By keeping the number of chemical additives to a minimum, the risk of triggering skin rashes and irritations becomes substantially smaller. Products that feature a lot of artificial components might be more effective, but they tend to cause long term damage to the skin.
This is one of the most critical aspects of highlighters that you should keep in mind when you are trying to find the right product for you. Some options offer you a wide selection of colors and shades that go well with any type of skin tone and complexion. On the other hand, some highlighters will only be able to accommodate specific types of skin. If you have tan or slightly darker skin, bronze and gold highlighters are perfect for you. As for people with lighter skin tones, a soft pink highlighter will effectively accentuate your features and enhance the texture of your skin.
While combining different products should ideally be left to a professional makeup artist, you can still get some really good results with a rudimentary mixture of various highlighters. A common combo that often yields a tremendous long-lasting glow is using both liquid and powder highlighters. This is mostly for people who prefer a high shine over a more subtle one.
Applying a highlighter to certain parts of the face can have the opposite effect of what you are trying to achieve. A common mistake that many people make is applying it in the area just below the cheekbones. In reality, the right place for the highlighter is the area about them. When done correctly, this will give enhance the overall shape of your face by making your cheeks look more chiseled.
We can safely state that this highlight stick is one of the best makeup products that we have ever reviewed. It boasts a very smooth cream-gel formula that can be applied to your face in a quick and easy manner and it comes with a custom magnetic seal cap that helps keep your makeup bag clean at all times. More importantly, the result that it produces looks entirely natural and does not have the over the top sparkly look and texture that some subpar products tend to create. This highlighter is the best way to enhance your natural beauty and accentuate your features without giving the appearance that you are trying too hard.
Besides the radiant and natural-looking glow that it can give to anyone, another big selling point of the trèStiQue Highlight Stick is just how safe it is with regard to triggering strong allergic reactions and causing rashes or skin irritations. Unlike most makeup products, the bulk of the ingredients used to formulate the TréStiQue highlighter are entirely organic, making it safe for use by anyone. Furthermore, the built-in sponge that comes with the highlighter has antibacterial properties that help cleanse the surface of the skin.
The pros
The cons
Maybelline is a name that will inevitably come up every time beauty products are brought up. This is hardly surprising as the company has been consistently putting out high-quality products for a very long time. This highlighter has all the essential qualities that we like to see in makeup products; it is affordable, it has a radiant yet subtle texture, and it is easy to apply.
What sets the Facestudio apart from other similar highlighters is without a doubt the metallic sheen that it gives your face. The chrome effect that you will get after applying it is relatively unique in the space and it is guaranteed to make you stand out wherever you go. Whether you decide to opt for the molten gold shade or the molten rose gold one, the radiant glow will help accentuate the features of your face and will effectively camouflage any blemish or small imperfection.
As we have stated earlier, the Maybelline is very easy to apply. You can just use a powder or fan brush to apply your Master Chrome to the areas that you want to be highlighted without worrying about where each layer is placed. The highlighter will quickly embed itself to the skin the moment you apply it.
The pros
The cons
This affordable highlighter has a lot going for it. It is long wearing, versatile, and highly effective in giving your face the noticeable shine that you are looking for. The radiance that it adds to your complexion is not only instantaneous and long-lasting; it is also natural-looking and does not have any of the shimmery texture that is associated with subpar makeup products. The available colors are quite exquisite and can go well with any type of skin tone or complexion.
The luminous glow and flawless shade are not the only qualities of the J Cat beauty highlighter that is worth noting. Despite being an entry-level drug store option, this highlighter boasts several characteristics that are typically found in high-end skin care. This includes a potent formula that does not employ an excessive amount of strong chemicals, a mode of application that is rather intuitive and straightforward, and a removal process that is smooth and effortless.
All things considered, this highlighter would constitute a good purchase for anyone that wants a subtle layer of glow at a decent price. The fact that it lacks the shimmery and overly shiny texture that plagues many affordable products at this price range makes it an ideal option for a wide range of makeup users.
The pros
The cons
The Laura Geller highlighter is characterized by a unique hybrid texture that feels very soft and refreshing on the surface of your skin. It creates a luminous glow that is guaranteed to make your face shine and accentuate all the beautiful aspects of your features in a natural and subtle manner. Moreover, the highlighter feels like a smooth cream after you apply it, a quality that is undoubtedly owed to its original and innovative texture.
Unlike many other products in its price range, the Laura Geller New York has managed to find a good balance between offering a decent amount of pigmentation and not compromising the natural complexion of the skin. This characteristic allows it to adjust to a wide range of skin tones without standing out as too artificial. As for the application process, it is relatively easy and can be completed in a few seconds with a regular makeup brush.
Another great thing that is worth mentioning is the quality of the color selection. While a lot of makeup products have a propensity to accommodate a certain type of skin tone over other tones, the Laura Geller highlighter offers a carefully chosen color selection that was specifically designed to accommodate everything from extremely dark skin to very light complexions.
The pros
The cons
Everything that you want from a stick highlighter is provided by this product. On top of being completely waterproof and long-lasting, it boasts a creamy texture that allows it to quickly settle into the skin in a smooth fashion. The glow that it adds to your face looks subtle and natural and does not have the sparkly lines that often plague cheap drug store highlighters. This characteristic makes it the ideal choice for everyday use, and considering the relatively low price; you will have a hard time finding an alternative that can match it that regard.
The shimmer sticks are well-designed and are fairly easy to use. You simply have to twist up the highlighter and swipe it every time you feel like adding a layer of luminous glow to the surface of your skin. More importantly, some of the design elements of the sticks are geared toward making this product as practical as possible. For example, the width and flatness of the stick enable you to highlight the area around your cheekbones with one effortless swipe, whereas the concise edge allows you to add color to the bridge of the nose and brow bone in a precise and easy manner.
The pros
The cons
Navigating the market in order to find the best highlighter can be a daunting task. Thanks to this guide, you won’t have to sift through hundreds of options just to identify the ideal product for you. Each of the highlighters that we reviewed has received rave reviews from customers and is guaranteed to give you the shining glow that you desire. It is up to you to pick the one that you like the most.
Last update on 2024-07-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
