Best Illuminating Face Highlighters of 2025

Charlotte Powell Avatar
Charlotte Powell
Last Updated: 29 Jan 2025

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Illuminating face highlighters are cosmetic products that add a healthy glow to the skin by reflecting light. They come in various forms such as powder, cream, and liquid, and are available in a range of shades to suit different skin tones. Highlighters are typically used on the high points of the face, such as the cheekbones, brow bone, and cupid's bow, to enhance the natural features and create a luminous finish. These products have gained popularity in recent years due to their ability to give the skin a radiant and youthful appearance.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Makeup Revolution Bright Light Glow Highlighter Drops Cover #TOP 1
Makeup Revolution Bright Light Glow Highlighter Drops
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Revolution Pro Dewy Glaze Serum Highlighter Cover #TOP 2
Revolution Pro Dewy Glaze Serum Highlighter
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Maybelline Master Strobing Liquid Highlighter 25ml Cover #TOP 3
Maybelline Master Strobing Liquid Highlighter 25ml
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Illuminating Face Highlighters

#TOP 1

Makeup Revolution Bright Light Glow Highlighter Drops

1823654
Golden Star Dew
23 ml (Pack of 1)
Makeup Revolution Bright Light Glow Highlighter Drops Cover
Makeup Revolution, Bright Light Glow Highlighter Drops, Illuminating Finish, Golden Star Dew, 23ml

The Revolution Highlighter Drops offer an instant radiance that enhances your natural glow. Their illuminating formula not only brightens your skin but also soothes and softens it, providing a fresh and healthy appearance. These drops can be effortlessly combined with bronzing drops for a sun-kissed look without harmful sun exposure. Enriched with skin-loving ingredients like Squalene and Hyaluronic Acid, they help improve your skin's elasticity, ensuring a youthful and vibrant complexion.

What We Like
Instant radiant glow
Hydrating skin-loving ingredients
Easy to mix with bronzer
Available in four shades
Vegan and cruelty-free
#TOP 2

Revolution Pro Dewy Glaze Serum Highlighter

1829557
Pink Glow
12 ml (Pack of 1)
Revolution Pro Dewy Glaze Serum Highlighter Cover
Revolution Pro, Dewy Glaze Serum Highlighter, Lightweight & Blendable, Illuminating Formula, Pink Glow, 12ml

The Revolution Pro Highlighter offers a versatile addition to your makeup routine. This multi-use highlighter can be applied under or over makeup, allowing you to achieve a luminous or dewy finish as desired. Infused with hydrating ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E, it cares for your skin while you wear it. The non-sticky formula is available in three shades, ensuring a perfect match for every skin tone. With an easy twist-and-dab application, you can effortlessly enhance your features and glow.

What We Like
Multi-use for versatile application
Hydrating with skin-loving ingredients
Non-sticky, comfortable wear
Easy application process
Vegan and cruelty-free

Maybelline Master Strobing Liquid Highlighter 25ml

3600531359287
Light
25 ml (Pack of 1)
Maybelline Master Strobing Liquid Highlighter 25ml Cover
Maybelline Master Strobing Liquid Illuminating Highlighter Light Iridescent 25ml

The Maybelline Strobing Highlighter is designed to give you an instant dewy glow with just one stroke. Its lightweight creamy texture ensures easy application, making it simple for you to achieve a radiant finish. Infused with micro-fine pearls, this highlighter boosts your glow, enhancing your complexion beautifully. With its convenient stick applicator, you can highlight your features effortlessly, allowing for a quick and effective makeup routine.

What We Like
Instant dewy glow
Lightweight creamy texture
Micro-fine pearls enhance glow
Easy one-stroke application

Technic Highlighter Wand - Beam Me Up

20760
Gold
9 ml (Pack of 1)
Technic Highlighter Wand - Beam Me Up Cover
Technic Highlighter Wand - Illuminating, Gold Liquid Highlighter With Doe Foot Applicator - Long Lasting Blendable Formula To Give a Luminous Shimmer Finish and All Day Glow. Shade: Beam Me Up. 9ml

The Technic Highlighter Wand offers a stunning way to enhance your complexion with its luminous and shimmering formula. With a lightweight, buildable texture, this highlighter ensures a long-lasting glow that won't transfer, keeping you radiant throughout the day. The convenient doe-foot applicator allows you to easily apply the product to key areas like your cheekbones and cupid's bow, helping to elevate your makeup look effortlessly. Suitable for all skin types, this highlighter can be mixed with your foundation for a natural brilliance.

What We Like
Long-lasting formula
Easy application
Buildable coverage
Vegan and cruelty-free
Enhances natural glow
#TOP 5

SLEEK Highlighting Elixir for Radiant Skin

SLEEK
5029724140392
Poppin' Bottles
8 ml (Pack of 1)
SLEEK Highlighting Elixir for Radiant Skin Cover
Sleek MakeUP Highlighting Elixir, Liquid Highlighter Illuminating Drops for a Radiant Glow, Poppin' Bottles, 8ml

The SLEEK Highlighting Elixir is designed to enhance your glow effortlessly. With just a small amount, you can mix it with your foundation or use it to highlight your favourite features, achieving a stunning, glazed look. The nourishing jojoba seed oil and vitamin E in the formula ensure your skin feels as good as it looks. Plus, the ultra-refined pearls allow for a customisable, buildable glow that is dewy rather than powdery, giving you a fresh and radiant complexion.

What We Like
Customisable buildable glow
Nourishing skincare ingredients
Easy to use
Perfect for highlighting features
Creates a soft-focus effect

Revolution Reloaded Highlighter for Ultimate Glow

21353
Bronze
21 g (Pack of 1)
Revolution Reloaded Highlighter for Ultimate Glow Cover
Makeup Revolution, Reloaded Highlighter, Highly-Pigmented Face Powder, Brighten, Glow & Shimmer, Dare to Divulge, 10g

The Revolution Highlighter offers an ultimate glow-up with its stunning range of shades designed to leave you with an irresistible radiance. The silky formula is intensely pigmented, providing an instant brightness to your complexion that enhances your natural beauty. You can easily apply it to your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and the inner corners of your eyes for a captivating shimmer. For those looking for a more dramatic effect, using a damp brush or a fixing spray can create an intense, foil-like finish.

What We Like
Intensely pigmented for brightening
Silky texture for smooth application
Vegan and cruelty-free
Versatile for multiple applications

Bell HYPOAllergenic Illuminating Face and Body Powder

H322
White/Gold/Pink
1.6 g (Pack of 1)
Bell HYPOAllergenic Illuminating Face and Body Powder Cover
Bell HYPOAllergenic Face&Body Illuminating Powder 1, 6 g

The Bell HYPOAllergenic Illuminating Powder is an excellent choice for those seeking value for money, quality, and ease of use. This product provides a beautiful glow to your face and body, enhancing your natural beauty. You will appreciate its good quality, which ensures that you look your best without compromising on skin health. Furthermore, its user-friendly design makes application simple, allowing you to effortlessly achieve a radiant finish.

What We Like
Great value for money
High-quality product
Simple to use
#TOP 8

KYDA Baked Powder Highlighter Palette for All

12 g (Pack of 1)
KYDA Baked Powder Highlighter Palette for All Cover
KYDA Baked Powder Highlighter, 4 Color Shimmer Glow Illuminating Powder Palette, Long lasting Face Highlighter Bronzer Makeup Palette for Girls Women-#01

The KYDA Highlighter Palette features a fine powder texture that provides a natural, even highlighting effect, ensuring you achieve a flawless look without any graininess. Its long-lasting and highly saturated colours make it easy for you to create everything from a subtle glow to a dramatic shimmer. You will appreciate how effortlessly the highlighters blend into your foundation, preventing any unsightly colour casts. Additionally, this versatile palette allows you to use the shades as eye shadow or blush, enabling you to experiment with various makeup styles.

What We Like
Fine powder for natural finish
Long-lasting, saturated colours
Easy blending with foundation
Versatile for multiple uses
Suitable for all skin tones
#TOP 9

Profusion Cosmetics Ray of Sunshine Highlighter

Highlighter
4 ml (Pack of 1)
Profusion Cosmetics Ray of Sunshine Highlighter Cover
Profusion Cosmetics Ray of Sunshine Illuminating Liquid Highlighter - Infused with Vitamin A & E for Subtle Luminosity, Long-Lasting Makeup Essentials for Effortless Beauty - Sunkissed

With the Profusion Ray of Sunshine, you can achieve a radiant glow that enhances your natural beauty. This highlighter is enriched with Vitamins A and E, providing nourishment to your skin while delivering a dewy finish. Its user-friendly applicator allows for precise application, making it easy for you to blend and create a captivating luminosity. Plus, you can enjoy long-lasting radiance that stays fresh from morning until night, ensuring you look effortlessly beautiful throughout the day.

What We Like
Radiant, natural-looking glow
Nourishing vitamin-infused formula
Easy and precise application
Long-lasting, all-day wear
Suitable for all skin types
#TOP 10

Eveline Cosmetics Wonder Match Contouring Palette No. 02

5826874
10.8 g (Pack of 1)
Eveline Cosmetics Wonder Match Contouring Palette No. 02 Cover
Eveline Cosmetics Wonder Match Face Contouring Palette No. 02 - Multi-functional Vegan Makeup Kit with Bronzer, Blush, Highlighter, and Illuminating Powder

The Eveline Wonder Match Palette is a versatile makeup kit that combines a bronzer, blush, highlighter, and illuminating powder in one compact design. This multi-functional palette is perfect for defining your contours and achieving a flawless finish. With its vegan-friendly formula, you can feel good about caring for your skin while enjoying the delightful scent of chocolate. The inclusion of warmer and cooler tones allows you to customise your look effortlessly for any occasion, whether it be day or night.

What We Like
Multi-functional design
Vegan-friendly formula
Customisable shades
Space-saving compact
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which highlighter is best for glowing skin?

Lakme Sheer Blusher & Highlighter With intense colour payoff, it lasts longer and gives a beautiful glow to the skin. Suitable for all skin types, it blends easily with less effort. To ensure easy applying, it has a sponge applicator. It gives effortless shine and has easy application.

2. Which is better highlighter or illuminator?

Highlighters are also typically more pigmented, which works in your favor to achieve a bolder look. On the other hand, illuminator can be used to give your entire face a luminous glow instead of only focusing on certain areas.

3. How do you use illuminating highlighter?

Apply foundation first, then dab illuminator lightly along your upper cheekbones and the apples of your cheeks. You can also add a small amount to your chin, upper lip, and forehead. Once you've applied the illuminator, use your fingers or a blending sponge to blend it into your skin.

4. Does highlighter make your face glow?

Highlighter, the illuminating make-up product can do the magic for you! It comes in powder and cream forms and can transform your face instantly. Applying on the right spots can make your eyes look bigger and face luminous!

Editor's Notes

During our illuminating face highlighter research, we found 97 illuminating face highlighter products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 14,839 customer reviews through our big data system to write the illuminating face highlighters list. We found that most customers choose illuminating face highlighters with an average price of £6.11.

The illuminating face highlighters are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of illuminating face highlighters, including Revolution Beauty London, Maybelline, Technic, SLEEK, Bell HYPOAllergenic.

Written by
Charlotte Powell Avatar

Charlotte Powell is a dermatologist and a licensed cosmetologist from Westminster, London. However, she was first a cosmetologist from London Beauty Training School. According to Charlotte, she needed better insight into the human skin, hence the dermatology degree. Long before she acquired her degree, she wrote and edited articles, eBooks, and editorials for companies and websites. Charlotte combines her skill and knowledge in providing DIY Beauty tips amongst other fashion related topics.