No matter how much we wish we could hop on a plane and fly somewhere warm and sunny each time we feel a little lackluster, that's simply not the case. We have to deal with it ourselves. That means engaging in some rest, relaxation, and self-care… and stocking up on highlighter.
That last part might sound strange, but hear us out. Whenever we feel tired or burnt out, our skin is usually the first to show it. Since we don't want to look the part, we reach for highlighter to give us that well-rested, post-vacation glow we wish we had. In some ironic psychological play, it actually makes us feel better. Maybe there's some truth behind that old adage "look good, feel good."
Regardless, using highlighter is an underrated way to make your skin look glowy and sun-kissed. If you use the right ones, you might make people think you just returned from a two-week vacation. Maybe you spent it sipping limoncello on the Amalfi Coast while the sun warmed your shoulders. Maybe you stayed in a private villa in Majorca drinking cocktails and eating fresh fish. Take your pick.
Ahead, see the 15 best drugstore highlighters. They're all $20 and under, so they cost a whole lot less than a luxury vacation.
Best Overall: E.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter
Pros: Multiuse formula that can be worn in different ways, natural-looking effect.
Cons: None.
This isn't a highlighter in the traditional sense, because it can be worn in four different ways. Sure, you can apply it to the high points of your face as you normally would with any other highlighter, but you can also wear it alone as a blurring skin tint, use it as a primer under makeup, or mix it with your favorite foundation. Either way, it will give your skin an instant post-vacation glow. The best part is that it's full of good-for-skin ingredients like squalane and hyaluronic acid.
Promising review: "I love this product! It gives a beautiful glow to the skin with a slight tint."
Best Powder: ColourPop Super Shock Highlighter
Pros: Bouncy, blendable formula with a fairly large shade range.
Cons: None.
Any beauty editor will most likely back ColourPop's pressed powders, including this highlighter. The weightless formula is bouncy and blendable, so you can wear it in a natural-looking way or go bold. With so many shades to choose from, there's one for every skin tone and makeup preference.
Promising review: "This was my first ever highlighter, and it's my go-to formula! The formula feels really smooth and is easy to apply, and it's a buildable formula which makes it really versatile. It's also very beginner-friendly."
Best Liquid: L'Oréal True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer
Pros: Multiuse formula that can be worn in different ways.
Cons: May feel a bit greasy because of its lotion-like texture.
This iconic drugstore product is a classic for a reason. With a creamy, lotion-like texture, it leaves the skin feeling soft and hydrated and looking radiant. Just like the E.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter, this one can be used in multiple ways—with and without makeup—to perfect, blur, and illuminate the skin. It can even be used on the body for radiant limbs.
Promising review: "I love this stuff, I'm on my second tube of it. I really love how versatile it is—it looks good on its own, under foundation, on just the high points of my face, or mixed into foundation or moisturizer."
Best Cream: E.l.f. Cosmetics Daily Dew Stick
Pros: Creamy, blendable, easy to use.
Cons: None.
You know that glass-skin effect that everyone loves? This tiny yet mighty highlighter delivers just that. The pearlescent finish is made up of finely milled shimmer particles that catch and reflect light beautifully and subtly. It gives the skin an "I just went swimming" sheen that's beyond flattering.
Promising review: "This is great for a nice subtle glow. It's very easy to apply, and it blended well using a brush. It's good for every day or you could build it up to be a bit more glamorous. In summer it's especially nice, as for me it felt nice and cooling as I applied it, and smelled lovely! It's a great price point for the experienced and the novice! Love it!"
Shop More Drugstore Highlighters We Love
Pros: Pointed tip for precise application, pearlescent finish.
Cons: Some say the product broke away from the pencil.
Infused with jojoba oil, this creamy highlighter stick allows for targeted application and results in a pretty, pearlescent finish. It's perfect for throwing in your bag or carry-on and blends easily without makeup sponges or brushes.
Promising review: "Makes my makeup look amazing and spread so nice and soft! GO BUY RN!"
Pros: Cushion-tip applicator, blendable formula.
Cons: Only available in three shades.
What makes this highlighter special is its cushion tip, which feels luxurious and calls to mind a certain Charlotte Tilbury product. Use this one on the high points of your face for a buildable glow and a bit of hydration thanks to 2% squalane.
Promising review: "This product deserved a review. it is the most blendable, pigmented, and has a beautiful finish. This liquid highlighter is half the price of the name-brand ones and works better! Save your money and get this staple in your routine."
Pros: Creamy, blendable, and easy to use.
Cons: Only available in three shades.
Another ColourPop product, this cream highlighter comes in a convenient stick form that's as easy to apply as it is to toss in your bag and take on the go. This one is perfect if you like to use the underpainting makeup technique. Swipe it on your nose and cheekbones before applying foundation for a candlelight glow.
Promising review: "I got this in the champagne and the bronzy shades and love them! I use the champagne as a highlighter on my cheekbones, inner eye, and browbones. The darker shade is beautiful on my eyelids and below the champagne color on my cheeks. So easy to apply and do creamy! I love them!!"
Pros: Super-soft and smooth texture, sun-kissed and radiant effect.
Cons: None.
Don't sleep on Milani highlighters or Milani makeup products in general. The brand offers great quality for affordable prices. Each one of these powders is baked on Italian terra cotta tiles, hence the Italy-inspired shade names. They're velvety soft and provide a vacation-like glow with one sweep of a makeup brush.
Promising review: "No matter what I try, I keep coming back to the Milani Baked Highlighters. They nail the 3 Cs. Consistency, coverage, color."
Pros: Subtle shimmery formula, finger-friendly application.
Cons: Prone to crumbling, only available in two shades.
Not only does this highlighter look like a work of art, but it also delivers a surprisingly subtle glow to the skin. If you like a natural-looking, lit-from-within radiance, this one is for you. Just be sure to use your fingers to apply it. Reviewers say the rose shape breaks easily if you stamp it too hard with a makeup brush or sponge.
Promising review: "It goes on smoothly and stays all day! I've tried the expensive brands, but I always end up using this one!"
Pros: Affordable, high-shimmer finish.
Cons: There are only four shades, and some people might prefer a more natural-looking effect.
Another iconic drugstore product, this one costs less than a morning latte, yet it delivers a pretty shimmer to our cheekbones, brow bones, noses, and Cupid's bows. These truly have bang for their buck, so if you prefer a natural-looking radiance, use a light hand upon application. Otherwise, go all in and dial up the glow.
Promising review: "No matter how many expensive highlighters I try, I always go running back to my Wet n Wild highlighters. They truly are the best."
Pros: Super-soft and smooth texture, natural-looking effect.
Cons: There is only one shade available.
This baked highlighter has a super-smooth finish that prevents you from picking up too much product on your sponge, brush, or fingers. That means it provides a natural-looking and lit-from-within finish. For only $5 a pop, that's pretty impressive.
Promising review: "The most beautiful lit from within glow. a more subtle highlighter that looks good all over the face. I have no idea what they put in this formula to make it so naturally luminous and blurring. My only complaint is it's not a highlighter if you're pale like me. More like a bronzer."
Pros: Silky smooth and blendable with great payoff.
Cons: Some might prefer a more natural-looking glow.
If you love the Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer ($16), it's only natural to try the brand's matching highlighter, right? Similar to the bronzer, this pressed powder is incredibly smooth and silky, which means it applies like a dream. One swipe with a makeup brush is all it takes to deliver a high-impact highlight.
Promising review: "They don't lie when they say it's a butter highlighter. This highlighter applies so smooth it glides right on. It's so pigmented. And the glow it gives it's amazing. It's so pretty I love it."
Pros: Metallic finish for a bold glow.
Cons: Some might prefer a more natural-looking effect.
If you like a highlighter that delivers a bold glow, this one is for you. It actually has a metallic finish, which means it glints like gold on the skin.
Promising review: "Little goes a long way with this product and it's so big that you can use it for a while, and it gives a nice beautiful shine."
Pros: Foil-like finish for a bold glow, perfect for use on the inner corners of the eyes.
Cons: There are only three shades. Some might prefer a more natural-looking glow.
Another highlighter that leaves a high-impact glow behind, this one is silky and surprisingly blendable for how much sheen it deposits. We like using it on the inner corners of our eyes for a bold, brightening shimmer. To dial up the intensity of this highlighter even more, apply it with a damp brush or over top of a setting spray.
Promising review: "This highlighter is my favorite and such a great price!"
Pros: Creamy, blendable, easy to use.
Cons: There is only one shade available. Some might not like the blue-purple sheen.
If you are into the mermaidcore TikTok trend, this highlighter is sure to delight you. It's hard to tell while it's in the packaging, but this highlighter stick has an iridescent blue-purple sheen. It's not your traditional highlighter, but that's kind of the point. Use it anywhere on the face or body for an eye-catching, editorial-inspired glow.
Promising review: "This is PERFECT! dupe for the REM Beauty Interstellar Highlighter. And this smells so good! Like vanilla. I wore it all day with a setting spray. I took a nap with it on, and it's still there!"
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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