Blame it on my lingering 2016 beauty obsession, but I still believe that no makeup look is complete without a pop of great highlighter. While the trends may have shifted from ultra-glittery pressed powder highlighters to more subtle shimmers, nothing will ever beat adding a glass-like glow to my cheekbones. In my humble opinion, the best liquid highlighters have always been and will always be best suited for the job.
"I love how liquid highlighters can direct people's attention to the parts of your face in a very subtle way," says celebrity makeup artist Vincent Oquendo. A small dot on the nose, brow bones, and even the forehead can "define the face and enhance a healthy, radiant look," adds makeup artist Lisa Aharon.
In an era where glass skin is all the rage, liquid highlighters are the perfect fake-it-til-you-make-it product to achieve that clean girl look. The finish options are pretty much endless -- whether you prefer a barely-there dew, strive for a glimmer that's bright enough to blind, or like a sheen that's somewhere in between. They're also some of the most versatile products on the market. Apply a luminator as your primer for some all-over glow, add dimension to your base by mixing it in with your cream blush or bronzer, or tap some shimmer on your inner corner to finish off an eyeshadow look.
No matter your glow goals, skin tone, or budget, there's a liquid highlighter out there for everyone. And to help you navigate your quest, I've tapped beauty editors and celebrity makeup artists Oquendo, Aharan, and Natalie Dresher to share their go-tos. Our top 13 picks, ahead.
Level of Glow
Liquid highlighters come in all different shapes and sizes. Some provide an intense shine, while others a more subtle dew. Regardless of how bold you want your glow, liquid highlighters should have a more opalescent hue to them rather than thick glitter.
Texture
Additionally, Dresher notes that "liquid highlighters should be pretty thin, so they can be multi-functional and be used to mix into foundations to thin them out, or change the finish of them." Aharon agrees that adaptability is key. "When choosing a liquid highlighter, I prioritize versatility -- how well it layers with skincare and other makeup," she says.
Shades
"I consider the shade selection and finish to ensure it complements different skin tones and desired glow levels," says Aharon. Thankfully, the highlighters on my list all have at least three shade options.
The exciting part about liquid highlighter is that it can be applied in so many different ways. Because of the thin formula, you can mix it in with nearly any skincare, foundation, liquid blush, and liquid bronzer. It can even be applied as a liquid eyeshadow. However, Oquendo, Aharon, and Dresher all admit that sweeping on some liquid highlighter to the high points of the face with a fluffy brush is their absolute favorite method. This always includes the cheekbones and brow bones, but Oquendo loves popping a little extra on the "top of the ears and the bow of the lips."
While I'm partial to a heavy nose contour and highlight, Aharon tends to "avoid the nose and chin, as shine in the center of the face isn't always flattering."
They serve a similar purpose, but the key difference is in application. A highlighter is typically more pigmented and used for strategic placement on high points of the face. On the other hand, an illuminator is applied more liberally for an all-over glow and dewy finish. Illuminators also tend to be specifically formatted to go under or mixed into foundations.
Emma Aerin Becker is a beauty writer with rich experience writing about glowing skin and makeup, having written about moisturizers, hydrafacials, brow pencils, and glitter eyeshadows. She regularly contributes to Marie Claire, and has beauty trend experience with forecasting platform RealSelf.
Marie Claire is an authority on all things makeup, having written stories on the best liquid blushes, bronzers, eyeshadows, and more. The products on this list have all been tried and tested by one of our editors or hand-picked by professional makeup artists.
Our testing process merged long-time editor favorites with new discoveries. We asked the Marie Claire team to share which liquid highlighters they use in their daily lives, and tapped professional makeup artists to learn about their favorites. Finally, we called in additional 13 products for testing.
We evaluated each on glow levels, formula, shade range, pigment, and versatility. Our resulting pool comprised the 13 best liquid highlighters on the market.