The Best Highlighters Ever, According To Our Editors
As we inch closer and closer toward peak summer weather (you know, the kind that leaves you permanently humid, sticky and sweaty as hell), we’re quickly swapping the matte shades and heavy foundations in our makeup kits for lighter consistencies and products that allow us to lean into the whole shine thing.
Obviously, highlighter is the first thing we reach for in the summer—actually, second after SPF. Below, we’ve rounded up our editors’ favourite highlighters of all time, to make your selection process easier.
This summer, we urge you to give your blotting papers and mattifying powders a break and just embrace your beautiful, shiny face in all its sweaty glory.
Nudestix Nudies All Over Face Color Bronze + Glow in “Hey, Honey” and “Illumi-Naughty”
“I love this highlighter so much I can’t even pick a favourite shade. I alternate between ‘Hey, Honey’ (a warm gold) and ‘Illumi-Naughty’ (a cooler, pearlescent hue) daily. I love that it goes on kind of sticky (in a good way), looks wet (never sparkly), and has a brush on one end for blending. It is legit a perfect product.” —Suzie Michael, Beauty Editor
RMS Beauty Living Luminizer
“RMS Living Luminizer has been my OG go-to for years because it’s made by Rose-Marie Swift, one of, if not the most discerning founders I’ve met when it comes to ingredients and it’s also really subtle (aka anti-Instagram beauty). When people gripe about the price, I point out that it’s extremely concentrated, so a pot lasts forever.” —Lesa Hannah, Beauty Director
Make Up For Ever Pro Light Fusion Highlighter in “Golden Pink”
“I’m quite pale so finding a highlighter that works on my skin tone is hard (they are usually too dark or just don’t show up!). I like this one because the pink hue complements my skin tone. It’s also very easy to apply and blend out, so I can use my fingers instead of a brush.” —Tiffany Voiadzis, Junior Photo Editor
Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder in “Precious Petals”
“Despite trying many high-end highlighters, nothing impresses me more than this five dollar option, which delivers a blinding glow in a smooth, finely milled formula.” —Lauren Hazlewood, Editorial Assistant
Stila Heaven’s Hue Highlighter in “Kitten”
“I like it because it’s very subtle and only shows in the light. It’s not tacky and doesn’t make me look like a glow stick, yet lasts throughout the day. I’d like to try the shade “Bronze” next.” —Jacquelyn Francis, Executive Editor
Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlight
“I love the my Clinique chubby stick highlighter that our Beauty Editor Suzie Michael introduced me to. It glides on smoothly and is easy to blend which is a must for a beauty rookie like me.” —Eliza Grossman, Fashion Editor
Glossier Haloscope in “Moonstone”
“The size and simple application of Glossier’s Haloscope makes it easy for me to swipe on a bit of sparkly dewiness when I’m on the go. I’m notorious among friends for re-applying the product multiple times on any given night out—I go through one a month.” —Meghan McKenna, Associate Editor
Honourable mention for being an all-around fave: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand
“I’m also partial to Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand because it’s not OTT and is easy to apply with its cushion tip.” —L.H.
“This is SO easy to apply and blend and is perfect for nighttime, because it really lasts but doesn’t look disco ball-y. —S.M.
, we're quickly swapping the matte shades and heavy foundations in our makeup kits for lighter consistencies and products that allow us to lean into the whole shine thing.
Obviously, highlighter is the first thing we reach for in the summer—actually, second after SPF. Below, we've rounded up our editors' favourite highlighters of all time, to make your selection process easier.
This summer, we urge you to give your blotting papers and mattifying powders a break and just embrace your beautiful, shiny face in all its sweaty glory.
Nudestix Nudies All Over Face Color Bronze + Glow in "Hey, Honey" and "Illumi-Naughty"
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWNsuUEDIGH/?taken-by=nudestix
"I love this highlighter so much I can't even pick a favourite shade. I alternate between 'Hey, Honey' (a warm gold) and 'Illumi-Naughty' (a cooler, pearlescent hue) daily. I love that it goes on kind of sticky (in a good way), looks wet (never sparkly), and has a brush on one end for blending. It is legit a perfect product." —Suzie Michael, Beauty Editor
RMS Beauty Living Luminizer
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcudqAngaLP/?taken-by=rmsbeauty
"RMS Living Luminizer has been my OG go-to for years because it's made by Rose-Marie Swift, one of, if not the most discerning founders I've met when it comes to ingredients and it's also really subtle (aka anti-Instagram beauty). When people gripe about the price, I point out that it's extremely concentrated, so a pot lasts forever." —Lesa Hannah, Beauty Director
Make Up For Ever Pro Light Fusion Highlighter in "Golden Pink"
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLKV9eYhpZC/?hl=en&tagged=prolightfusion
"I'm quite pale so finding a highlighter that works on my skin tone is hard (they are usually too dark or just don't show up!). I like this one because the pink hue complements my skin tone. It's also very easy to apply and blend out, so I can use my fingers instead of a brush." —Tiffany Voiadzis, Junior Photo Editor
Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder in "Precious Petals"
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhkEPpvhPZ8/?hl=en&taken-by=wetnwildbeauty
"Despite trying many high-end highlighters, nothing impresses me more than this five dollar option, which delivers a blinding glow in a smooth, finely milled formula." —Lauren Hazlewood, Editorial Assistant
Stila Heaven's Hue Highlighter in "Kitten"
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkBI4ziBccn/?hl=en&taken-by=stilacosmetics
"I like it because it's very subtle and only shows in the light. It's not tacky and doesn't make me look like a glow stick, yet lasts throughout the day. I'd like to try the shade "Bronze" next." —Jacquelyn Francis, Executive Editor
Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlight
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSRsUs_jqvm/?taken-by=clinique
"I love the my Clinique chubby stick highlighter that our Beauty Editor Suzie Michael introduced me to. It glides on smoothly and is easy to blend which is a must for a beauty rookie like me." —Eliza Grossman, Fashion Editor
Glossier Haloscope in "Moonstone"
https://www.instagram.com/p/BV5hIPeh9rv/?taken-by=glossier
"The size and simple application of Glossier's Haloscope makes it easy for me to swipe on a bit of sparkly dewiness when I'm on the go. I'm notorious among friends for re-applying the product multiple times on any given night out—I go through one a month." —Meghan McKenna, Associate Editor
Honourable mention for being an all-around fave: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkBS7KmnBex/?taken-by=ctilburymakeup
"I'm also partial to Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand because it's not OTT and is easy to apply with its cushion tip." —L.H.
"This is SO easy to apply and blend and is perfect for nighttime, because it really lasts but doesn't look disco ball-y. —S.M.
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