The Highlighters Everyone Is Reaching For Right Now
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A new generation of highlighters is redefining glow with formulas that enhance skin rather than overpower it. These are the Ones everyone is reaching for to create a natural, light-from-within finish.
A great highlighter should make your skin look like it’s catching the best light in the room, not like glitter exploded on your cheeks. Right now, beauty lovers are obsessing over formulas that melt into the skin and reflect light in a way that feels soft, dewy, and inherently radiant. Whether you lean cream, fluid, or powder, the newest cult-favorites deliver that sought-after “glass skin” shimmer that reads as luminous, not glaring.
The Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick in Pärla is prized for its clear, glassy finish that mimics hydrated skin rather than makeup. The gel texture melts instantly on contact, leaving behind a soft reflective sheen that looks almost wet without ever appearing greasy. It is especially flattering on bare skin or minimal foundation, where it simply amplifies what is already there. In contrast, the CHANEL Sheer Glow Highlighter Fluid offers luminosity in a weightless liquid form that feels more like skincare than makeup. Once blended, it becomes imperceptible on the skin, delivering a diffused glow that reads as healthy and natural in daylight.
Powder formulas are having a quiet renaissance, led by textures that feel creamy and refined rather than chalky. The Prada Beauty Light Glowing Highlighter Powder is a perfect example, giving a smooth, satin like sheen that enhances bone structure without any sparkle. The finish is soft and chic, catching light gently instead of reflecting it harshly. Meanwhile, RMS Beauty Luminizer remains a cult favorite because it looks almost undetectable on skin. Its balm like texture blends seamlessly, leaving behind a dewy radiance that mimics naturally moisturized skin rather than a traditional highlight.
Stick formulas continue to dominate for their ease and skin-like payoff. Victoria Beckham Beauty Reflect Highlighter Stick is loved for its pearlescent finish that feels polished yet understated. It adds dimension without obvious shimmer, creating a soft glow that works just as well in natural light as it does on camera. Similarly, the Kjaer Weis Cream Highlighter delivers a subtle, luminous sheen that blends effortlessly into the complexion. The result is a refined glow that enhances the skin’s texture instead of sitting on top of it.
For those who prefer powders, La Bouche Rouge La Lumière Highlighter Powder offers a beautifully diffused finish that feels elegant and modern. The light it reflects is soft and controlled, making it ideal for an everyday wear natural glow. Alongside it, the new Chantecaille Éclat Cristalline Highlight Powder delivers a crystalline glow that is luminous yet delicate. The finely milled texture melts into skin, leaving behind a subtle radiance that looks more like natural light than makeup.
These are the highlighters redefining what glow looks like now. Subtle, skin focused, and effortlessly chic, they prove that the most beautiful natural radiance is the kind that never announces itself.