Time to shine. Highlighters’ popularity keeps going strong, doesn’t it? They’re not my kryptonite, and yet I find myself with quite a sizeable amount to choose from. Here I selected the four that give me the biggest joy to use.
On the Fourth day of Christmas, myself gave to me,
Four fine highlighters
Maybelline Master Chrome Highlighter in shade Molten Rose Gold
The swatch doesn’t do this product justice. The shine is much stronger in real life. The colour is a pinky peach with a gold sheen – you know, that universally flattering blush shade but in highlighter form – and it looks great on my skintone. The texture is dense, blends wonderfully and it just looks good on the skin. I keep coming back to this.
Pixi by Petra Glow-y Gossamer Duo in Subtle Sunrise
Have you looked at the swatches? Need I say more?
The Pixi by Petra Duo Highlighters are so creamy, so dense, that they have this almost hybrid texture between a powder and a cream. This is so reflective one could touch up their lipstick using my cheeks as a mirror. It’s like lip filler: full impact, instant difference, and you won’t full anybody – we all know you’re wearing it. This is for the ones who like it obvious – and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter in shade Light/Medium
I know this product is not one of its kind anymore, but I believe it was the OG, and it’s amazing. It blurs the line between primer and highlighter and when used under makeup (that’s how I like to do it) it shines through even if you use a full coverage matte foundation. And if you’re worried about looking greasy, don’t. It makes the skin look dewier, not oily. The texture is lightweight and easy to apply.
Nars Fort de France Highlighting Powder
If you forced me to choose just one favourite highlighter to wear forever, I’d kick you out of my house and likely yell “Nars Fort de France” while I shut the door behind you. The colour is perfect for my skintone. It’s like my own skin is glowing. It looks super natural, while at the same time not being a “natural” highlighter at all – it’s not subtle, there is some serious glow to it, but it melts with it skin and looks like part of it. It’s a creamy pressed powder that almost feels like a powder gelée formula, and actually behaves like one on the cheeks.
There are a lot of highlighters out there that are great (and cheap!) if you want an intense shine. Catrice, Wet n Wild, Milani – I can attest that all of those brands produce amazing glows. The hard part for me is finding something that looks intense, but less artificial. Not because artificial is bad (no eyelid is born duochrome, and yet I love those eyeshadows), but because sometimes I don’t want my cheeks to compete with the rest of my face. And these four options are favourites for that reason.
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