The 30 Best Highlighters for Your Most Radiant Glow

May 23, 2023
Mary Honkus
By: Mary Honkus | Makeup.com by L'Oréal
NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick, L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion and YSL Beauty Touche Éclat All-Over Brightening Pen collaged on a blue and purple background

Dewy, radiant skin is always in style, which makes highlighter as much of a staple as mascara and lip gloss in our book. Highlighter is not one-size-fits-all though — some formulas provide a natural, lit-from-within glow while others create an iridescent sheen. To help you find the best highlighter for your skin tone, we’ve highlighted (pun intended) the hues that complement every skin tone and rounded up 30 of our all-time favorite formulas. Whether you prefer powder, gel, stick or liquid formulas, find our favorite highlighters, below. 

Highlighter for Fair Skin Tones

If you have pale to light skin, opt for highlighters in a pearlescent, icy silver (which will flatter cool undertones) or a champagne sheen for warm undertones. Above all, always opt for a shade that’s lighter than your skin tone.

Highlighter for Medium and Olive Skin Tones

If you have a warmer skin tone, keep your complexion from looking too frosty by going for a highlighter with a gold-bronze or copper undertone. 

Highlighter for Deep Skin Tones

Rich variations of rose gold or bronze work best on darker complexions. Just be sure to look for super-pigmented or completely transparent options and steer clear of frosty, opalescent shades with a white base, as they can cause the skin to appear dull instead of lit-from-within.

Additional Reporting By: Jordan Julian Design: Juliana Campisi

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