Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
In no particular order, here are my skin goals: Glow from space, be so hydrated that I look like a slip-n-slide, and make my Instagram followers jealous. While there are several ways to do this, some are easier than others. As I diligently apply my daily vitamin C serums, slather on dewy moisturizers, and deep-dive to find a dupe for Charlotte Tilbury's Flawless Filter primer/foundation/godsend, there’s a super simple shortcut: liquid highlighters. They’ve been around forever, but these days it seems like you can’t scroll on TikTok without a glowing makeup artist dabbing some on their cheekbones. With so many options on the market, where does one start? Right here. We found the 15 best liquid highlighters for every budget and desired glow.
Best For All Skin Types
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight
Read more
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight
Pros
- Large shade range
Cons
- Dries quickly
Selena Gomez knows the importance of a great base, and this highlighter is the star of her beauty line. Coming in eight different shades for various skin tones, it’s a lightweight yet intense highlighter that will make your skin look dewy all day long.
Pros
- Low-cost
Cons
- Not much product
If your goal is to look lit-from-within instead of glittery, this highlighter can get that done. It’s not as intense as some other options, but you’ll definitely see the shine. Get ready for people to ask who your facialist is.
Benefit Cosmetics High Beam Liquid Highlighter
Pros
- Long-wearing
Cons
- Limited shade range
A classic in the highlighter department, this little bottle packs a serious punch. It's the perfect middle ground between intensity and subtle and will last you all night long.
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Pricey
For highlighter beginners, this stick-to-balm highlighter is easy to use and impossible to mess up. It has a light coverage, but the dewiness is unmatched.
FENTY BEAUTY by Rihanna Liquid Killawatt Fluid Freestyle Highlighter
Pros
- Large shade range
Cons
- Can move foundation
Hello, drama. This highlighter comes in five different shades, and each one has intense yet blendable coverage. You can customize it so your skin looks subtly glowing or intensify it for a night out.
Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Highlighter Wand
Pros
- Blendable
Cons
- Pricey
If you've been on TikTok, you know the loyalty this highlighter commands. It gives a beautiful sheen to the skin without looking pasty or too glittery. It also blends out perfectly and will never look streaky.
Kevyn Aucoin Beauty Beauty Glass Glow Liquid Illuminator
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Pricey
If you’re envious of the glossy makeup looks you see in magazines, odds are those beautiful models are wearing this highlighter. It comes in four different shades and will make your skin look like you just applied your skincare, just taken up a notch.
Pros
- Low-cost
Cons
- Need to shade match
Not only is this highlighter wallet-friendly, but it also comes in multiple shades and is packed with skincare ingredients. With vitamin E and hydrating butters, this product smooths and hydrates your skin while still giving it a powerful glow.
Danessa Myricks Beauty Illuminating Veil Liquid Highlighter
Pros
- Large shade range
Cons
- Can feel too glittery for some
Move over, wallflowers; this product is here to be the center of attention. With six beautiful shades, this highlighter will give your skin that glass-like finish we all envy. It also contains some skincare ingredients, so your face continues to be radiant even after you take it off.
Pros
- Beautiful coverage
Cons
- Pricey
This liquid is intense, which is why it’s amazing that you can customize it to your routine. If you want a light blinding glow, dab a little to the cheekbones. But if you want a subtle sheen instead, you can use the dropper to add a little to your foundation for a wow factor.
Pros
- Low-cost
Cons
- Limited shade range
For newbies to the highlighting world, this is a great starter product. It's somewhere between subtle and intense but easy to use and completely worth the price.
ILIA Liquid Light Serum Highlighter
Pros
- Skincare benefits
Cons
- Limited shade range
We all love makeup that puts our skin first. Formulated with algae and marine extracts, this product helps firm and smooth the skin while you're wearing it. The coverage of this highlighter is subtle but buildable and gives every look a dewy finish.
Pros
- Skincare benefits
Cons
- May be too dark for some skin tones
If you plan on showing a little skin, this face and body highlighter has you covered. Coming in two beautiful shades, this liquid helps you look bronzed and glowy all summer long. It also has SPF 15, so you can shine at the beach without worrying about UV rays.
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
- Hard to blend
If you like the look of a highlighter without any cakiness, this product brings the intensity without the sticky, clunky finish. It comes in four shades, and no matter which one you choose, I have a feeling that selfies are in your future.
Pros
- Low cost
Cons
- Can be messy
If you want a subtle glow, this bouncy highlighter adds a beautiful sheen to the skin without overwhelming you with too much glitter. The jelly consistency is too fun not to love, but the way it looks on the skin will blow you away.
Meet The Experts
Kate Synnott, RÓEN Beauty Creative Director
Nick Lujan, Kevyn Aucoin Global Director of Artistry & Education
FAQs
What do liquid highlighters do?
“Liquid highlighters will always give you a smooth and more hydrated plump look to the skin,” says Lujan. “A liquid highlight can transform a dull complexion into a radiant complexion [and] transform a matte look into a light-reflective balanced look. Highlighters are designed to reflect light and make your features stand out.” While contouring can carve out your features, a highlighter works almost oppositely by bringing certain areas to the focus.
Can all skin types use a highlighter?
If your skin is on the oily side, you may be wary of adding more dewiness. If your skin is on the oily side, “Mix one or two drops with your foundation,” says Synnott. Even people with acne-prone skin can benefit from a glow. “Anyone with textured skin or dryer skin will benefit from the smoothing effect of a liquid or gel highlighter versus powders,” says Lujan. If your skin is on the dry side, “Mix one or two drops with your face oil,” says Synnott. But if you want a more impactful glow, simply layering on your favorite highlighter on top of your foundation will bring it to a new level.
How do you apply liquid highlighters?
Depending on the result you want, liquid highlighters can be applied in many different ways. According to Lujan, highlighters can be used as primers, mixed into foundations as an illuminator, or pressed on top of your foundation. For beginners, it’s often best to add highlight to your cheekbones, brow bone, cupid's bow, and the tip of your nose.
Can Red Light Therapy Devices Reduce Hair Loss?
Serena Williams Talks GLP-1s and Diet Culture
Is That Filler Legit, or Was It Bought on Alibaba?
Peel-Off Lip Liners That Actually Stay On All Day
