Rating of the best highlighters in 2024

It's hard to find a woman who doesn't dream of healthy, radiant skin. However, the reality is that unhealthy diet, stress, lack of sleep and lack of care make the skin dull and ugly. A highlighter will come to the rescue in such situations, which will allow the skin to return a healthy glow and a well-groomed appearance. Currently, the choice of such funds is huge, so it is so easy to make a mistake and purchase the wrong product. To prevent this from happening, we have prepared a rating of the best highlighters of 2024, taking into account the recommendations of cosmetologists and the opinions of buyers.

general information

Before proceeding with a review of the best manufacturers, you should find out what a highlighter is and what it is for.

Highlighter is a decorative make-up product, the main function of which is to give the face a glow and delicate radiance. In addition, this product can be used for facial contouring and sculpting.

Despite the fact that the highlighter has gained the greatest popularity in recent years, its history dates back to the Middle Ages. Then the beauties tried to give the face shine with the help of powder, which included arsenic and lead. It is easy to guess that the consequences of such a contouring were not the most favorable. With the passage of time, the composition of the product changed: chopped peas, almonds and even chalk were added there. A new round in the development of facial sculpting began in the era of the film industry, and the well-known Max Factor became the forefather of the modern highlighter.

What are highlighters?

1. Liquid. Another name is luminizer. The product looks like a cream or fluid. It is usually found in a jar or tube with a brush. The main feature is that such a highlighter must be given time to dry on the skin. If you shade this product immediately after application, it will smear and give the face a sloppy, vulgar look.
2. Creamy. These products are sold in tubes or dispenser bottles. The main advantage is that the creamy highlighter has a dense texture, lies flat and is easy to blend. Such a product is suitable for beginners in the field of makeup.
3. Dry. These highlighters have a powdery texture, and they can be both compact and crumbly. They are usually sold in jars, as part of palettes or in separate refills. A dry product is best used to highlight larger areas of the face (such as cheekbones). Also in recent years, baked cosmetics have become very popular. The baked highlighter is a cosmetic product that combines compact and crumbly properties.
4. Highlighter pencil. Sold in a stick and very easy to use. Its main advantage is that you can carry it with you in your purse and take it on long trips.

Highlighter application technique

In order for the product to look natural on the face and really emphasize all the advantages of the skin, it should be applied according to a certain pattern. This scheme was developed by professional makeup artists, but there is absolutely nothing complicated in it. The standard application scheme looks like this:

• inner corners of the eyes;
• area under the eyes;
• the center of the forehead (but by no means the sides of the forehead);
• the area above and below the eyebrows;
• along the line of the cheekbones;
• the back of the nose;
• hollow above the upper lip;
• lips (corners of the lips and the area under the lower lip);
• if desired, the highlighter can be applied to the collarbones, this will give the image more fragility and sophistication.

If the product has a dry texture, it is recommended to apply it with a brush with natural bristles, and if the consistency is liquid or creamy, it will be more convenient to use a small duofiber brush for shading. Of course, you can apply makeup with your fingers, but this method will not allow you to properly distribute the product over the face, and is generally unhygienic.

What other subtleties in using a highlighter should be considered?

• Be sure to cleanse your skin before applying makeup. For cleansing, you can use a facial wash, lotion or facial toner.
• Next, the skin needs to be moistened with day cream, and after that you can apply decorative cosmetics.
• It is best to apply the highlighter over foundation and concealer.
• It is also worth considering the fact that dry highlighter is recommended to be applied over powder.
• In addition, you should not apply the product to damaged skin with inflammation, since the illuminating properties will highlight problem areas.

Errors in use

Highlighter is a rather finicky cosmetic product. Even minor violations of its use can ruin the appearance and distort facial features. So what kind of application mistakes should you avoid?

1. Application to areas that should not be highlighted. For example, the wings of the nose, the angles of the lower jaw, the area under the cheekbones. Improper application can lead to the appearance of a full and blooming face.
2. Excessive gloss. Excessive highlighter on the face will make the skin look unnatural and sparkle like a Christmas tree.
3. Incorrect lighting. Even if you didn't plan on wearing a lot of makeup, dim lighting can be tricky. In order not to overdo it with makeup and apply it in the right direction, you should paint in front of the window in daylight.

Criterias of choice

As mentioned above, the choice of cosmetic products is huge, it is easy to get confused in the range of goods. In order to avoid mistakes when choosing, you should focus on the following points.

1. Price tag. The first thing you should focus on when buying this tool is the capabilities of your wallet. Do not be upset if there is no opportunity to purchase a luxury highlighter. Among budgetary cosmetic products, you can easily find analogues of elite and expensive highlighters. In some cases, overpaying for a brand is simply pointless, since the high cost of a product is not always a sign of quality.
2. Texture. For beginners in makeup, liquid and creamy products are suitable, and dry and loose highlighters are popular among professional makeup artists.
3. Determine the desired finish. If you will be using the product for the holiday, a bright shimmer (glitter) and large sparkles will do. If the purpose of the application is a delicate glow, then it is recommended to use a highlighter with small reflective particles.
4. Colour. Delicate pink shade is universal for all girls, regardless of skin tone. A highlighter of this shade can be part of daytime makeup. The golden hue is recommended for ladies with tanned skin. And silver is good for light skin.
5. The composition of the product. It is a good idea to research the ingredients before purchasing a highlighter.Among them, there may be potential allergens and simply harmful chemicals. It is best to give preference to a product with a more natural composition.

Now, after a detailed study of the issue, you can proceed to the rating of the best highlighters in 2024. The list includes the best manufacturers of both luxury and inexpensive cosmetics.

Luxury highlighters

Chanel baume essentialtiel

The Chanel brand is rightfully considered one of the best and most prestigious manufacturers of cosmetics. This brand successfully combines quality, style and classics. New for 2024 - the Baume Essentiel highlighter - designed specifically for light summer makeup.

The product is sold in a stick, which makes it convenient for outdoor use. The product is presented in two shades: TRANSPARENT - for creating a delicate mirror shine and SCULPTING - this shade has pearlescent notes and gives the skin a fresh, gentle glow. The highlighter has practically no pigment particles and glitters in its composition, and the mirror shine of the skin is achieved due to the wet effect.

• ideal for summer and daytime makeup;
• easy to use;
• lasting effect after application.

• the highlighter has a sticky texture;
• looks beautiful only on normal to dry skin and is not suitable for oily skin.

The approximate cost is 2700 rubles.

Where to buy - Chanel's official website.

Yves Saint Laurent Touche ̀Eclat Radiant Touch

This brand has long had the status of a cult manufacturer of cosmetics and not only, and the Touche ̀Eclat Radiant Touch highlighter is considered one of the best products of our time.

The product combines the functions of a luminizer and a concealer, it does not give bright shine and does not contain large glitters. Its main function is to give the face a fresh, rejuvenated look. Sold as a pencil with a small brush at the end, it is very easy to apply and blend. The highlighter is available in several shades.

The product has a slightly watery consistency, does not stick and does not create the feeling of an oily film on the skin.

• light delicate aroma;
• long-term durability;
• comfortable brush;
• convenient dispenser;
• noticeable highlighting.

• does not mask wrinkles and traces of fatigue;
• high consumption is required for a noticeable result.

The approximate cost is 3000 rubles.

Where to buy - Sephora, the official website of YSL.

Dior Diorskin Nude Luminizer

The highlighter of this series is presented in the form of powder, and the product itself is sold in a beautiful metal box. The modern version is sold without a brush, but if you're lucky, you can find an older version with a convenient brush for application.

The Dior Nude line is presented in six shades. The main advantage of the product is that it is suitable for both daytime and evening makeup. After application, the face looks fresh and radiant.

• the presence of a mirror in the package;
• a wide range of shades - the highlighter is easy to choose for any skin tone;
• economical use;
• long-term durability.

• lack of a brush;
• large reflective particles.

The approximate cost is 4000 rubles.

Where to buy - Sephora.

Budget highlighters

Not all women can afford luxury cosmetics, but this is not a reason to be upset. The mass market produces excellent analogues of expensive cosmetics, which are not inferior in quality and durability.

Estrade illuminique

This highlighter is superior in quality to expensive elite cosmetics, so it won the hearts of many girls, including famous beauty bloggers.

The product has a compact texture and is sold in a small box without a brush. Despite its dry consistency, the highlighter is creamy to the touch. Shimmer is pronounced. The line is presented in two shades: pink and peach.

• does not get dusty when used;
• gives the skin a delicate glow.

• strong chemical odor;
• unstable;
• emphasizes the relief of the skin;
• poorly shaded.

The approximate cost is 200 rubles.

Where to buy - cosmetic stores in your city.

Catrice High Glow Mineral Highlighting Powder

The product is a representative of baked cosmetics. The product is suitable for daytime make-up. has a delicate glow and does not contain large sparkles. Reflective particles are fine enough to give a silky texture to the touch. Suitable for all skin types, regardless of age.

• delicate glow;
• economy in use;
• long-term durability;
• easy to shade;
• large amount of funds.

• poor quality packaging;
• dusty;
• weak pigmentation.

The approximate cost is up to 400 rubles.

Where to buy - cosmetic stores in your city, online stores.

Essence Prismatic Hololighter

The Essence brand is a well-known cosmetics brand that is famous for its quality and low price. Prismatic Hololighter comes in a stick shape and comes in a single shade. The highlighter tone is universal, suitable for all skin types. The finish is mirror-like, with a slight delicate glow. The product is oily to the touch.

• ease of use;
• low cost;
• long-term durability.

• poor quality packaging;
• not suitable for daytime makeup;
• chemical smell;
• unevenly distributed on the skin.

The approximate cost is 330 rubles.

Where to buy - in cosmetic stores in your city, online stores.

Maybelline by Face Studio Master Strobing

Maybelline brand is one of the most famous representatives of the mass market. Master Strobing is a luminizer with a creamy consistency. It is sold in a tube, which makes it somewhat difficult to apply. The line is presented in two shades: light and medium. The light shade is universal for all skin colors, and the medium shade is suitable only for tanned and swarthy girls.

The product does not contain large glitters and gives the face a wet shine effect. However, this cosmetic product is not recommended to be applied to dry skin, since it emphasizes all peeling.

• long-term durability;
• delicate finish;
• economical consumption;
• the presence of a universal shade.

• poorly stewed, especially on dry skin;
• contains a large amount of silicones.

The approximate cost is 300-400 rubles.

Where to buy - cosmetic stores in your city.

Vivienne sabo merci

The highlighter of this brand is sold in the form of a pencil stick. The cosmetic product has a creamy, slightly oily texture, so it is suitable for girls with dry skin. After application, a delicate, delicate glow remains on the skin.

The highlighter lacks large sparkles, and it can be easily shaded even with your fingers.

• suitable for daytime makeup;
• smoothes peeling on the skin;
• gives the face a natural glow;
• easy and quick to apply.

• unstable;
• has a chemical smell.

The approximate cost is 330 rubles.

Where to buy - Sephora, Girlfriend, Cosmetic Magnet.

Relouis pro highlighter

Highlighter is a representative of the Belarusian cosmetic brand. It has a compact texture and is available in two shades: 01 Pearl and 02 Champagne. Sold in a box without a brush. The product is easy to apply and does not produce dust. Finely ground reflective particles give both delicate and brilliant shine depending on application.

• pleasant silky texture;
• lack of large sparkles;
• convenient to carry;
• easily stewed.

• poor quality packaging;
• poor tenacity;
• emphasizes the relief of the skin.

The approximate cost is 170 rubles.

Where to buy - online stores.

Output

This was not the whole list of the best highlighters of 2024. You can only find your own product by trial and error. Do not be afraid to experiment in makeup and more often please yourself with new things in cosmetics and more. Remember, your skin deserves the best.