Makeup

13 Best Highlighters

If you don't use a highlighter then you're missing out on the easiest way to create a youthful, dewy complexion. Find out which top highlighters fit your skin's needs now

June 28, 2012 | by Christine H. Lee | 44 COMMENTS

No. 7: Benefit High Beam, $26 TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.6*
Why: Our readers loved this product so much, they gave it a 2012 Total Beauty Award as the Best Highlighter. They love its "pearly sheen" and "subtle shimmer" that flatters everyone. One enthusiast calls it "magic in a bottle," while others say, "It's perfect. It promotes a healthy glow without looking greasy, and gives just enough shine to make your skin look healthy."

Agree? Disagree? Write your review here.

*At time of publication

SEE NEXT PAGE: No. 6: bareMinerals Natural Light Face Lifting Duo, $19

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products mentioned

Clinique Up-lighting Liquid Illuminator

8.4

Benefit moon beam

7.8

Yves Saint Laurent Beauty Touche Eclat Radiant Touch

8.3

E.L.F. Studio Under Eye Concealer & Highlighter

8.2

Stila All Over Shimmer Liquid Luminizer

8.4

Nars The Multiple

8.5

Benefit High Beam

8.7

bareMinerals Natural Light Face Lifting Duo

8.7

Nars Highlighting Blush Powder

8.3

Mary Kay Facial Highlighting Pen

8.9

Smashbox Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion

8.9

Mary Kay Mineral Highlighting Powder

9.1

Sephora Light Touch Highlighter

9.0

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I'm going to give the Sephora highlighter a try.

by purple9a Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 05:12PM Report as inappropriate

I understand wanting to see more drugstore products on here but its a list of the highest ranked by us, so these are what we are buying and loving. We essentially make these lists.

by PrettyCheap Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 12:07AM Report as inappropriate

AWESOME

by angel_golz Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 06:49PM Report as inappropriate

I wish more drugstore options were included.

by eatinglipstick Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 04:49PM Report as inappropriate

love highlighters it is really easy to look waxy but a light hand will make you glowing and beautiful

by rayshaviolet Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 11:55AM Report as inappropriate

Nice

by EricaF123 Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 06:37AM Report as inappropriate

OK call me stupid, but does anyone know how to prperly use these hghlighter's? I've seen some of my co-worker's that use them and some look like their face is almost made of wax or something.. Like it's going to melt.. Just some general tip's and which is the best to use.. I'd love to lighten up my freckle's and do any have an anti-aging factor???

by MakeUpChick70 Monday, December 17, 2012 at 12:41PM Report as inappropriate

It's amazing how readily available highlighters are today. I remember when only a few were available on the market.

by eatinglipstick Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 12:31PM Report as inappropriate

The Clinique Up Lighting highlighter is my personal favorite...however I want to try that $3 sephora one!!

by Lamexicana1 Friday, November 9, 2012 at 07:28PM Report as inappropriate

Would love to try the Nars

by kimihavens Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 01:00PM Report as inappropriate

I still use Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiant Touch its the only one that works for me.

by Ladybugg9 Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 12:56AM Report as inappropriate

I don't have the faintest idea how to use a highlighter, but I definitely want to learn!

by schien Thursday, October 25, 2012 at 02:43PM Report as inappropriate

ELF shimmering facial whip(lilac) should be on the list too. Its the same as high beam with such an affordable price.

by miyuki_takahashi Thursday, October 25, 2012 at 09:06AM Report as inappropriate

Touche Eclat by Yves Saint Lauren is very disappointing. Benefit High Beam is amazing!!!

by robyne00 Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 04:02PM Report as inappropriate

Will be trying some of these.

by nicky22 Sunday, October 7, 2012 at 04:42PM Report as inappropriate

I just bought my first YSL.. got it on sale on amazon for $28 and I've always wanted it, so I figured I might as well buy it on sale. I thought it was good, but not SUPER amazing like I thought it would be.. maybe I just need to use it more and get used to it. I want to try the sephora one though!

by Karica4 Friday, September 28, 2012 at 08:12PM Report as inappropriate

Benefit High Beam is wonderful. Smashbox has a great highlighter in a compact that is also really good.

by MissPoison Friday, September 21, 2012 at 04:17AM Report as inappropriate

I've never felt the need for a highlighter before, but maybe I should start trying these out!

by schien Thursday, September 20, 2012 at 10:39AM Report as inappropriate

I have tried some of these but not all. One that I really think is good is Instant Light by Clarins. There are 3-4 products in the line and I really like the complexion perfector and the pen style Instant skin perfector. The other two are ok but these really work well! Highlite but not too much shimmer which I find doesnt always work well, looks unnatural esp some of the Benefit ones. Overall a good selection to consider

by mum21 Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 11:16PM Report as inappropriate

YSL Touche Eclait is hands down the best highlighter. Perfect for brightening those pesky dark circles. Whenever I do not wear it I am told, "you look tired." so this clearly makes me look more awake + well rested. Plus its so easy to use and blend. I highly recommend trying it.

by hiddenexpose Sunday, August 19, 2012 at 09:52PM Report as inappropriate

Highlighters sometimes work for me and sometimes don't. Love the luminous look though.

by Nicole1021 Thursday, August 16, 2012 at 08:23PM Report as inappropriate

Awesome. I haven't used highlighters before. Maybe I need to.

by muellsrus Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at 06:00PM Report as inappropriate

Thanks!! I was looking into which highlighter/s to get.

by internet101 Sunday, August 5, 2012 at 04:16PM Report as inappropriate

I dont use highlighters but im going to try the ones on here

by milenaa87 Friday, August 3, 2012 at 08:27AM Report as inappropriate

good

by Nicole2814 Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 07:50PM Report as inappropriate

i like yves saint laurent,makes you look like you have had sleep.

by sandyc Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 02:04PM Report as inappropriate

My face gets so shiny, I'm afraid using a highlighter will make me look like a headlight. Just a big shiny round thing coming at you.

by mpardee Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 08:10PM Report as inappropriate

It's always good to find out that "more expensive" doesn't necessarily mean "better quality." I buy most of my cosmetics and health and beauty products at the drugstore or Walmart, so I get excited when I hear about something that doesn't cost me an arm and a leg!

by BengalsGal Friday, July 13, 2012 at 08:51PM Report as inappropriate

Love you site, however you're geared to the young and already fabulous. How about some tips for those of us over 60? We still want to look our best! Thank you

by over60 Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 12:17PM Report as inappropriate

Love Benefit High Beam! Mix a couple drops in your liquid foundation for a nice glow!

by mhw Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 11:21AM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for the info. I'll pass on ELF. :P

by shell1375 Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 11:15AM Report as inappropriate

I am a bare minerals girl. I'm so excited to learn that they have a highlight concealer. I cant wait to try it!

by flirtygirl214 Saturday, July 7, 2012 at 11:26AM Report as inappropriate

oooh i've had my eye on several of these products for a while, but i was always afraid to try them! thanks for the useful article, i think im ready to give some of these a try now :)

by LeSucre Friday, July 6, 2012 at 12:02AM Report as inappropriate

Nice enough list, I'm just not huge on highlighters. I have a nice powder from L'Oreal that works and when I have time and energy I use Geurlain Meteorites, which is great, just a lot more subtle.

by tallredamanda Thursday, July 5, 2012 at 08:32AM Report as inappropriate